Mazda3 Review

2006 Mazda Mazda3 hatchback

See also the main fact sheets for the Mazda Mazda3.

High Points

• Fun to drive
• Great gas mileage
• European exterior styling
• Quick to get up and go (0-60 in 7.4 seconds)

Low Points

• Lack of foot room for rear passengers
• Lower quality feel of hand dash controls
• Manufacturer tires only last 30k miles

Performance and Handling

• Very responsive at high speeds
• Tight turning radius
• Excellent brake response
• Excellent for city driving as well as for long trips

Gas Mileage

In a Compact Car category that includes the Toyota Prius, Honda Insight, and Honda Civic Hybrid, the Mazda3 ranks 10th in fuel efficiency, as ranked by Autos.com. Mileage will vary, dependent upon engine and drivetrain. The city/highway numbers for the different versions of the Mazda3 are as follows:

• 2.0L 4-cyl. manual - 28/35
• 2.0L 4-cyl. automatic - 26/34
• 2.3L 4-cyl. manual - 26/32
• 2.3L 4-cyl. automatic - 25/31

Safety

Test performed by the NHTSA yielded mostly good ratings for the Mazda3. In front impact and rollover tests, the Mazda3 earned 4/5 stars, while it received 3/5 stars for its side impact results.

Reliability and Maintenance: 5 Stars

With proper maintenance, which is reasonably priced (approximatley $100 every 10,000 miles excluding regular oil changes), the Mazda3 performs well day in and day out.

Interior and Comforts

For someone less than 6' tall, this compact car is extremely comfortable. The drivers' seat offers lumbar support as well as vertical and horizontal adjustments. The gear shift sits at a comfortable distance from the drivers' seat, as do all controls.

Exterior

This car is very well styled for a compact vehicle under $20,000. It looks much more like a European compact car than a Japanese econo-vehicle.

Styles and Options

The Mazda3 comes in 8 different models for the 2006 model year. View them at CarsDirect. There is the standard 4-door sedan and the 5-door hatchback (Mazda3s). The hatchback comes in a 2.3 liter model only, whereas the sedan comes in 2.0 liter and 2.3 liter models. Options include (but are not limited to):

• Sunroof
• Power windows and locks
• 5 CD changer
• GPS

Main Competitors

• Ford Focus
• Toyota Corolla
• Honda Civic
• Honda Civic Hybrid
• MINI Cooper
• Volkswagen Jetta
• Pontiac Vibe
• Toyota Prius

External Links

WikiCars Contributor Favorites

• Mazda3 homepage

Community Sites

• CarsCarsCars!