2008 Mazda3 Review |Buyer Guide
Still Practical and Fun
The Mazda3 has been around for four model years now, and there’s not much new for 2008, except some side airbags, but it is still a delightful car to drive. It delivers equal measures of fun and practicality. This compact-sized Mazda comes as a four-door sedan and a five-door hatchback. Prices range from $14,530 for a base Sport sedan to $21,480 for the top-of-the-line Grand Touring five-door.
My test car this time was a mid-range Touring hatchback. I’ve always like the feisty look of this model, but was even more impressed with the interior. The fit and finish was surprisingly good for a car in this price range. The fine grain surface on the upper dash looked upscale. The high-gloss black trim around the cabin was attractive as well. The fabric on the seats looked durable, but stylish. Soft-touch plastic on the armrest and steering wheel spoke of quality too.
As for interior space, the Mazda3 is about average for a compact. Four adults can ride in reasonable comfort, but taller passengers might find the backseat knee room a bit tight. Storage space in the rear is a decent size, at 17.1 cu.-ft., and the large hatch makes it easy to stow bulky items.
Under the hood, Mazda gives buyers a choice of two four-cylinder engines—a 2.0-liter with 148 hp,or a 2.3-liter with 156. These engines are hooked up to either five-speed manual, or five-speed automatic transmissions. My test car had the larger motor with the automatic. The power was more than adequate. My Mazda3 accelerated quickly from stoplights, and pulled well on hills. And it delivered decent gas mileage—26 mpg overall.
The automatic features a manual-shift mode, which enables drivers to select gears when they want. I found this very worthwhile, since the automatic, left to its own devices, sometimes hesitates on downshifts. For more driving pleasure, the manual gearbox would be a better way to go.
Behind the wheel, the Mazda3 pleases with its quick reactions. While it is not a true sport sedan, like the Mazdaspeed3, it is still entertaining to drive. The steering is precise, and delivers a good feel of the road. This car slices through corners with confidence and agility. At the same time, it delivers an acceptable ride—European-firm, but comfortable.
Snapshot Review
Sporty Looks
Nice Interior
Practical Body Style
Fun to Drive
