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2009 Mazda MAZDA3 Performance Review

May 2, 2009

PERFORMANCE | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Nothing else in this field feels so lively and well-planted
Motor Trend

precise shift and clutch action
ConsumerGuide

the Mazda 3 tends to drive like a much more expensive sport sedan
Edmunds

a big-time favorite of tuners and enthusiasts
Autoblog

The 2009 Mazda 3 rewards drivers looking for sport on a small budget.

Motor Trend is taken by the 2009 Mazda 3's handling. "Around the skidpad," they contend, "the 3 s Grand Touring runs circles around its competitors...[and] perhaps most impressive is the Mazda's 60-to-0 mph, which at 112 feet, matches that of the all-new Pontiac G8 GT." 2009 Mazda 3s are tuned more for sport handling, which influences its ride. Edmunds says, "the Mazda 3 tends to drive like a much more expensive sport sedan...thanks to its performance-oriented chassis tuning." ConsumerGuide observes, "All 3s have firm suspensions that show good composure except over large high-speed dips and swells...and is among the best handling compacts." The Mazdaspeed, they note, is "nimble and balanced, helped by precise, linear steering with good road feel." They relate, "Braking on all is stable, but be sure to get ABS." Motor Trend sums it up: "Nothing else in this field feels so lively and well-planted—you can feel the racing DNA in the 3's bones."

The Mazdaspeed3 comes with a 2.3-liter turbocharged four with 263 hp and 280 pound-feet of torque, and it sprints to 60 mph in less than 6 seconds, according to J.D. Power. It comes only with a six-speed manual transmission. ConsumerGuide notes the "Mazdaspeed is very quick, though acceleration is blunted a bit by turbo lag." In their test of a 2009 Mazda 3 Grand Touring sedan with the 2.3 and automatic, Edmunds reports "the Mazda did the 0-60-mph sprint in 8.6 seconds." According to Edmunds, the standard 2009 Mazda 3 i sedans use a "2-liter, four-cylinder engine rated at 148 hp and 135 [pound-feet] of torque, while s models use a 2.3-liter four-cylinder rated at 156 hp and 150 [pound-feet] of torque.”

"Both engines come standard with a five-speed manual...A four-speed automatic with [manual mode] is optional on i models," states Edmunds, "while s models upgrade to a five-speed automatic with [manual mode]." ConsumerGuide thinks the automatic transmissions are "smooth and responsive," whereas the manuals have "precise shift and clutch action." But Motor Trend, after their test of a Mazda 2009 3, cautions, "the [auto] tranny did occasionally suffer from 'erratic gear tenacity,' in which it refused to engage a higher or lower cog upon input."

ConsumerGuide tests a few models of the Mazda 3 and finds that 2009 manual sedans "averaged 27.1 mpg in mainly highway driving." An s hatchback "averaged 20.8 mpg in mostly city driving, including gas-easting performance runs." A Mazdaspeed3 "averaged 20.6 mpg." The turbocharged engine requires premium-grade gas, and the others use regular. According to the EPA, the 3’s fuel economy rates up to 24 mpg city, 32 highway, or as low as 18/26 mpg for the Mazdaspeed3.

Conclusion

The 2009 Mazda 3 has exactly what many practical but performance-minded drivers want: adequate pep, a sport-oriented suspension, and good brakes.

PERFORMANCE | 8 out of 10Expert Quotes:Nothing else in this field feels so lively and well-plantedMotor Trendprecise shift and clutch actionConsumerGuidethe Mazda 3 tends to drive like a much more expensive sport sedanEdmundsa big-time favorite of tuners and enthusiastsAutoblog The 2009 Mazda 3 rewards drivers looking for sport on a small budget. Motor Trend is taken by the 2009 Mazda 3's handling. "Around the skidpad," they contend, "the 3 s Grand Touring runs circles around its competitors...[and] perhaps most impressive is the Mazda's 60-to-0 mph, which at 112 feet, matches that of the all-new Pontiac G8 GT." 2009 Mazda 3s are tuned more for sport handling, which influences its ride. Edmunds says, "the Mazda 3 tends to drive like a much more expensive sport sedan...thanks to its performance-oriented chassis tuning." ConsumerGuide observes, "All 3s have firm suspensions that show good composure except over large high-speed dips and swells...and is among the best handling compacts." The Mazdaspeed, they note, is "nimble and balanced, helped by precise, linear steering with good road feel." They relate, "Braking on all is stable, but be sure to get ABS." Motor Trend sums it up: "Nothing else in this field feels so lively and well-planted—you can feel the racing DNA in the 3's bones." The Mazdaspeed3 comes with a 2.3-liter turbocharged four with 263 hp and 280 pound-feet of torque, and it sprints to 60 mph in less than 6 seconds, according to J.D. Power. It comes only with a six-speed manual transmission. ConsumerGuide notes the "Mazdaspeed is very quick, though acceleration is blunted a bit by turbo lag." In their test of a 2009 Mazda 3 Grand Touring sedan with the 2.3 and automatic, Edmunds reports "the Mazda did the 0-60-mph sprint in 8.6 seconds." According to Edmunds, the standard 2009 Mazda 3 i sedans use a "2-liter, four-cylinder engine rated at 148 hp and 135 [pound-feet] of torque, while s models use a 2.3-liter four-cylinder rated at 156 hp and 150 [pound-feet] of torque.” "Both engines come standard with a five-speed manual...A four-speed automatic with [manual mode] is optional on i models," states Edmunds, "while s models upgrade to a five-speed automatic with [manual mode]." ConsumerGuide thinks the automatic transmissions are "smooth and responsive," whereas the manuals have "precise shift and clutch action." But Motor Trend, after their test of a Mazda 2009 3, cautions, "the [auto] tranny did occasionally suffer from 'erratic gear tenacity,' in which it refused to engage a higher or lower cog upon input." ConsumerGuide tests a few models of the Mazda 3 and finds that 2009 manual sedans "averaged 27.1 mpg in mainly highway driving." An s hatchback "averaged 20.8 mpg in mostly city driving, including gas-easting performance runs." A Mazdaspeed3 "averaged 20.6 mpg." The turbocharged engine requires premium-grade gas, and the others use regular. According to the EPA, the 3’s fuel economy rates up to 24 mpg city, 32 highway, or as low as 18/26 mpg for the Mazdaspeed3. ConclusionThe 2009 Mazda 3 has exactly what many practical but performance-minded drivers want: adequate pep, a sport-oriented suspension, and good brakes. 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.

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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.

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