Change is coming to Mazda's compact Mazda3 hatchback and sedan family for 2012, and the Japanese automaker looks poised to broaden its niche appeal to shoppers who want a responsive-driving car that also gets good mileage. Think 40 mpg for some Mazda3 models, plus better manual gearboxes and...Read More»
Mazda has announced the recall of 103,300 model year 2008 and 2009 Mazda3 and Mazdaspeed3 models to remedy a potentially defective windshield wiper motor ground circuit. During assembly of the vehicle, the windshield wiper motor ground may have been creased or bent. Over time, this can create...Read More»
If you're planning to replace your current vehicle with a new one at any point this calendar year—especially a small car—you might want to step up the timeframe and consider heading out to the showroom. Now. Why? Because if price matters—as it should—you'll probably have to...Read More»
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has just tested the Mazda3 for roof strength, and whether you choose the hatchback or the sedan, this small-car model achieves a top 'good' rating from the insurance-industry-supported safety agency. And, it's now a Top Safety Pick. In hatchback...Read More»
For some, the blueish, whitish beams of xenon high-intensity discharge (HID) headlamps are bothersome—or even blinding. But for most of us who have driven vehicles with them, it's hard to argue with their significantly improved visibility. That opening line sounds, unfortunately, like it...Read More»
While cars are coming with increasingly complex instrument panels, you might notice one feature is missing from your new vehicle: the coolant temperature gauge. Over the past several years, we've noticed the trend across a wide range of vehicles. Such is the case, too, with the latest versions of...Read More»
As part of the latest round of crash-test results released by the federal government last week, two small-car models—the 2011 Kia Soul and 2011 Mazda3—earned a four-star rating overall, while the new Honda CR-Z hybrid received a three-star score. In the new federal frontal barrier test...Read More»
The Mazda3 is one of our favorite small cars on the market, but with every drive, we're reminded that this benchmark fun-to-drive small car (and Mazda's best-seller) might not be the right choice for every small-car shopper. In our opinion, there's only one way to go regarding the body styles. The...Read More»
Mazda has announced a recall of almost 200,000 cars due to a problem with the steering. A defect in the power-steering systems of 2007-2009 Mazda 3 and Mazda 5 models could cause a sudden loss of steering assist, increasing the likelihood of a crash. The affected models were all built between April...Read More»
Your weekend was great, right? We spent some hot quality time with the 2010 Ferrari 458 Italia. That was pretty cool. Oh, you went to the bookmobile and had lunch with your aunt? Oh. That's cool too, I guess. [MotorAuthority] All of this makes us sad that Italias seem to be biting it way more...Read More»
Mazda is recalling 2007 through 2009 model-year Mazda3 and Mazda5 models for an issue with the power-steering system. The recall follows an investigation from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), looking into power-steering system failures in the 2007-2009 Mazda3. Altogether...Read More»
The economy is still sputtering its way out of the recession, and families on a budget will be looking to save money as they shop for new cars this fall. With that in mind, we take a look at five family vehicles that will appeal to the budget minded. Before we start, a few rules. We are looking at...Read More»
It appears it isn’t just Toyota and Lexus getting all the bad press. Mazda too has come under fire following the announcement that it will recall more than 90,000 compact cars, mostly in Japan and China. The recall affects customers of the Mazda3 compact sedan and hatchback, currently the...Read More»
Need help with your 2010 Mazda3 and its flat tire? Or maybe your 2010 CX-9 has some locked keys inside, completely someone else's fault? Now, in the ad lingo of the moment, there's an app for that. Mazda's joined the fray and built a new iPhone application that brings its owners roadside assistance...Read More»
Back over the summer when TheCarConnection.com first drove the 2010 MazdaSpeed3, around California's Monterey Peninsula, we declared it "a joy to drive, even when the surfaces are far less than ideal." But that was in warm summer weather, both on lightly trafficked canyon roads and on Mazda's own...Read More»
It's that time of year again: time to decide the North American Car and Truck of the Year (NACOTY). This time around, our own Executive Editor Marty Padgett is one of the jurors, and we're bringing you the insider's perspective on the process, as well as looking to hear what you have to say on...Read More»
Three new sets of crash-test results released late this week by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) appear to leave very little, if any, room for improvement. All three of these vehicles—the 2010 Dodge Journey, 2010 Lincoln MKT, and 2010 Mazda Mazda3—achieved top ratings in all...Read More»
When an automaker says that they’re bringing out a different U.S. or North American version of a vehicle, it’s usually a sign that it’ll be softer-riding and just not as much fun to drive. But according to Mazda, the U.S. doesn’t get the short end of the deal with the MazdaSpeed3; the North...Read More»
The 2007 to 2009 MazdaSpeed3 stands as one of TheCarConnection.com’s favorite hot hatches, providing pulse-quickening thrills for the backroads—or weekend track forays—without sacrificing too much practicality for everyday commuting. And at well below $25k, all said, the Speed3 provides more...Read More»
