Are Fuel Cell Vehicles Too Expensive For Mass...
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

2009 Mazda MAZDA3 Review

May 2, 2009

STYLING | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

a handsome interior that hints at the car's athletic personality
Edmunds

The plastic-looking woven inserts on the door panels and seats are unimpressive
ConsumerGuide

The 2009 Mazda MAZDA 3 is available in two body styles
Kelley Blue Book

Buyers seeking a sporty, economical car that has the looks to compete with more expensive sport sedans would do well to check out the 2009 Mazda 3.

Various reviews read by TheCarConnection.com heap praise on the styling of the Mazda 3; 2009 models "have enough style to sit beside an Audi A3 and look right at home," says Kelley Blue Book. They note, "A new front end features a revised grille and headlamp treatment with a large rectangular air intake." Depending on the trim offered by Mazda, 2009 3s are equipped with either 16- or 17-inch alloy wheels. Introduced in 2004 by Mazda, 2009 Mazda 3s are "distinguished by taut, chiseled styling that hint at the car's athletic personality," remarks Edmunds. They add, "A sign of a great design is typically one that doesn't require a sizable midlife refresh...only miniscule changes have been made to the 3 over the years."

ConsumerGuide isn't as lavish with its praise of the Mazda 3’s interior and comments, "The cabin décor tries to go for a sporty, upscale look, but it falls short...The plastic-looking woven inserts on the door panels and seats are unimpressive." But for the most part, praise for the exterior design carries over to the interior's styling. Edmunds says the 2009 Mazda 3 has "a handsome interior that hints at the car's athletic personality," while Touring and Grand Touring trims "feature a distinctive and upscale interior design that looks far richer than its price would suggest." Kelley Blue Book has similar feelings: "You can shop this segment until the cows come home and not find as handsome an interior is in the 2009 Mazda [3]...A racy three-pod instrument cluster [and] red dash lighting...make the MAZDA 3 feel like a high-priced sports sedan."

Conclusion

The 2009 Mazda 3 is aging gracefully; its sharp, sporty looks are still popular among buyers, and the hatchback is especially utilitarian.

STYLING | 8 out of 10Expert Quotes:a handsome interior that hints at the car's athletic personalityEdmundsThe plastic-looking woven inserts on the door panels and seats are unimpressiveConsumerGuideThe 2009 Mazda MAZDA 3 is available in two body stylesKelley Blue Book Buyers seeking a sporty, economical car that has the looks to compete with more expensive sport sedans would do well to check out the 2009 Mazda 3. Various reviews read by TheCarConnection.com heap praise on the styling of the Mazda 3; 2009 models "have enough style to sit beside an Audi A3 and look right at home," says Kelley Blue Book. They note, "A new front end features a revised grille and headlamp treatment with a large rectangular air intake." Depending on the trim offered by Mazda, 2009 3s are equipped with either 16- or 17-inch alloy wheels. Introduced in 2004 by Mazda, 2009 Mazda 3s are "distinguished by taut, chiseled styling that hint at the car's athletic personality," remarks Edmunds. They add, "A sign of a great design is typically one that doesn't require a sizable midlife refresh...only miniscule changes have been made to the 3 over the years." ConsumerGuide isn't as lavish with its praise of the Mazda 3’s interior and comments, "The cabin décor tries to go for a sporty, upscale look, but it falls short...The plastic-looking woven inserts on the door panels and seats are unimpressive." But for the most part, praise for the exterior design carries over to the interior's styling. Edmunds says the 2009 Mazda 3 has "a handsome interior that hints at the car's athletic personality," while Touring and Grand Touring trims "feature a distinctive and upscale interior design that looks far richer than its price would suggest." Kelley Blue Book has similar feelings: "You can shop this segment until the cows come home and not find as handsome an interior is in the 2009 Mazda [3]...A racy three-pod instrument cluster [and] red dash lighting...make the MAZDA 3 feel like a high-priced sports sedan." ConclusionThe 2009 Mazda 3 is aging gracefully; its sharp, sporty looks are still popular among buyers, and the hatchback is especially utilitarian. 2009 MAZDA 3 STYLING | [8 out of 10] Edmunds: "a handsome interior that hints at the car's athletic personality" ConsumerGuide: "The plastic-looking woven inserts on the door panels and seats are unimpressive" Kelley Blue Book: "The 2009 Mazda MAZDA 3 is available in two body styles" ...

Read More of this Review:

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

Other Choices:

The Hyundai Elantra is a good value in the compact range of cars, and while you might be attracted to its price and warranty, the Elantra is not as refined as the Mazda 3. However, the Elantra Touring is an extremely versatile and sporty vehicle, rivaling the five-door Mazda 3. The Honda Civic could be the Mazda 3's closest competitor in terms of quality and on-the-road character. You may or may not like the Civic's two-tier instrument panel, so try it first. The Ford Focus is another competent competitor and a likable mainstream product aimed at mainstream shoppers. Neither its styling nor its handling is as sporty as the Mazda 3's, but the Focus does offer a two-door coupe body style and an attractive, comfortable interior. The VW GTI is a robust and enjoyable two- or four-door hatchback that feels a bit more mature than the 3, even though it’s about the same size. Finally, the Civic Si is an alternative to the Mazdaspeed3; it isn’t nearly as fast, but with its high-revving engine, great handling, and excellent tactile experience, it’s a blast to drive.

Next Steps:

Get a free price quote

for the 2009 Mazda MAZDA3 from a dealer near you

Check Insurance Rates

for the 2009 Mazda MAZDA3

Check Financing Rates

for the 2009 Mazda MAZDA3

Check Local Classifieds

for a 2009 Mazda MAZDA3 near you

See the Mazda MAZDA3 in Other Years:

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

Comments (1 total)

  1. By dave #1, Posted: 9/14/2009

    I bought a 2009 mazda 3i value and it's such a great car. This is my second mazda since my first one lasted thru 170,000 miles of my abuse and never flinched. I really enjoy driving the 3i to work since the zoom zoom and the styling, economy and cool bells and whistles are all there. My friends are impressed with all the inside room but I bought it because I drive hard and this car performs far better than the civic, sentra, corolla and jetta that I test drove. I got the 5 speed stick because that's just the kind of driver I am. Now I just have to put a sirius tuner in it.

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