Green
Trucks
Luxury
Family
Brand
Muscle
See more sites from  HighGear  M E D I A  >>
Compare this car to others like it Try our car compare tool now

2008 Mazda MAZDA3 Safety Review

July 24, 2008

SAFETY | 7 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Sedans: four stars, front impact protection; three stars, side impact protection; four stars, rollover resistance. Hatchbacks: four stars, front; not tested, side; four stars, rollover resistance.
NHTSA

Good," frontal offset; "poor," side impact (without airbags); "marginal," rear crash protection
IIHS

One must typically go to upper trims or pay extra to get the latest safety features.
Edmunds

2008 Mazda 3s without side airbags fare poorly in side impacts. Standard safety features vary among the Mazda 2008 trim levels, and many popular ones that are not standard are available as extra-cost options.

Edmunds notes that standard on all 2008 Mazda 3s are "four-wheel disc brakes," and "ABS, front side and curtain side airbags are optional on the i trims and standard for everything else." They add that on the Mazda 3 2008, only Sport models have "available stability control." "Only Sport models" receive standard front side airbags, curtain side airbags, and ABS with brake assist, according to J.D. Power. They list standard features on all Mazda 2008 3s as dual front airbags and a tire pressure monitor, and claim that the s Touring and Grand Touring models have traction control and electronic stability control.

In National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) frontal-impact crash tests, the 2008 Mazda 3 scored four (out of five) stars; in side-impact tests, it received three stars; and in rollover resistance tests, it received four stars.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) tested a 2008 Mazda 3 without side airbags, and the results of the test were striking. While it received a "good" rating for the front offset impact test, it received only "poor"--the lowest rating--for the side impact test. Also tested was the Mazda 3 2008's rear crash protection, where it earned a "marginal" rating.

Visibility is good in the Mazda 2008 3. With its short hood and ample glass, drivers can see well. Only in the hatchback will the C-pillars "cause some blind spots," notes Motor Trend.

Conclusion

With most manufacturers including side airbags as standard, one has to wonder why some 2008 Mazda 3s are offered without them.

SAFETY | 7 out of 10Expert Quotes:Sedans: four stars, front impact protection; three stars, side impact protection; four stars, rollover resistance. Hatchbacks: four stars, front; not tested, side; four stars, rollover resistance.NHTSAGood," frontal offset; "poor," side impact (without airbags); "marginal," rear crash protectionIIHSOne must typically go to upper trims or pay extra to get the latest safety features.Edmunds 2008 Mazda 3s without side airbags fare poorly in side impacts. Standard safety features vary among the Mazda 2008 trim levels, and many popular ones that are not standard are available as extra-cost options. Edmunds notes that standard on all 2008 Mazda 3s are "four-wheel disc brakes," and "ABS, front side and curtain side airbags are optional on the i trims and standard for everything else." They add that on the Mazda 3 2008, only Sport models have "available stability control." "Only Sport models" receive standard front side airbags, curtain side airbags, and ABS with brake assist, according to J.D. Power. They list standard features on all Mazda 2008 3s as dual front airbags and a tire pressure monitor, and claim that the s Touring and Grand Touring models have traction control and electronic stability control. In National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) frontal-impact crash tests, the 2008 Mazda 3 scored four (out of five) stars; in side-impact tests, it received three stars; and in rollover resistance tests, it received four stars. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) tested a 2008 Mazda 3 without side airbags, and the results of the test were striking. While it received a "good" rating for the front offset impact test, it received only "poor"--the lowest rating--for the side impact test. Also tested was the Mazda 3 2008's rear crash protection, where it earned a "marginal" rating. Visibility is good in the Mazda 2008 3. With its short hood and ample glass, drivers can see well. Only in the hatchback will the C-pillars "cause some blind spots," notes Motor Trend. ConclusionWith most manufacturers including side airbags as standard, one has to wonder why some 2008 Mazda 3s are offered without them.  2008 MAZDA 3 STYLING | [8 out of 10] Edmunds: "the 2008 Mazda 3 doesn't look, feel or drive like an economy car" ConsumerGuide: "MazdaSpeeds include specific styling touches" Kelley Blue Book: "The 2008 Mazda MAZDA 3 is available in two body styles" The 2008 Mazda 3 is aging ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

The compact car market is more crowded than a can of sardines. Choices include pure sedans, three-door hatchbacks, five-door hatchbacks (wagons), and even mini-SUVs. It is impossible to cover every competitor in this limited space, so the editors from TheCarConnection.com cherry-picked a range of choices.

Next Steps:

Check Insurance Rates

for the 2008 Mazda MAZDA3

Check Financing Rates

for the 2008 Mazda MAZDA3

Check Local Classifieds

for a 2008 Mazda MAZDA3 near you

See the Mazda MAZDA3 in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004

Comments (0 total)

Be the first to post a comment

Post a comment

Post anonymously, or
(Required)
(Required - will not be published, sold or shared)
(Optional - your 'posted by' name will link to the URL)

Remember Me?

I have read TheCarConnection.com's privacy policy