2004-09 Mazda 3 | Consumer Guide Auto

Compact car; Built in Japan

4-door hatchback
4-door sedan

transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive

Good condition price range: $4,800 – $16,300*

2004 Mazda 3

Pros:	Acceleration (s models with manual transmission) Fuel economy Handling
Cons:	Acceleration (i models with automatic transmission) Cargo room

Though not the quickest-accelerating compact cars, all Mazda 3s excel for sporty driving fun. They also deliver solid build quality and a pleasant, efficient interior package. Fun seekers are advised to pass up the automatic transmission in favor of the smooth 5-speed manual.

Overview

Mazda replaced its Protege subcompact for 2004 with a slightly larger new car called the Mazda 3. Mazda 3 came in 4-dr sedan and hatchback body styles. The sedan was available in base “i” trim and uplevel “s” form. The hatchback came only as an s model. Two 4-cyl engines were available: a 148-hp 2.0 liter for i models, a 160-hp 2.3 for s versions. With either engine, a 5-speed manual transmission came standard; a 4-speed automatic with manual shift gate was optional. The i model had 15-inch wheels or optional 16s. The s sedan came with 16s; 17s were included in its Sport Package option. The hatchback had 17s. Front side airbags, curtain side airbags, and ABS were grouped in a single option package for all models. Options exclusive to s versions were leather upholstery, a navigation system, and a package that consisted of a tire-pressure monitor and xenon headlights. Air conditioning was optional on the i model, standard on s versions.

Yearly Updates

2005 3
A new sp23 model included leather seating, and 17-inch polished alloy wheels.

2006 3
The sp23 model was dropped, and s Touring and S Grand Touring were added. S Touring included front side airbags, curtain side airbags, and 17-inch wheels. The s Grand Touring added to S Touring leather seating, heated front seats, automatic climate control, trip computer, and xenon headlamps.

2007 3
Mazda 3 added a performance model and traction/antiskid control became available for 2007. These 4-dr sedans and 4-dr hatchbacks came in Sport, Touring, and Grand Touring trim, and were joined by a MazdaSpeed hatchback for ’07. It had a sport-tuned suspension, xenon headlights, leather upholstery, larger brakes, and 18-inch wheels. Other models got minor cosmetic changes for 2007.

2008 3
The Mazda 3 was largely unchanged for 2008.

2009 3
The 2009 Mazda 3 received few changes.

dohc I4
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches)	2.0/122
Engine HP	150
Engine Torque (lb-ft)	135

Avail. Trans.	EPA MPG (city/hwy)	MPG avg. as tested
5-speed manual 4-speed automatic	28/35 26/34

dohc I4

Engine Size (liters/cubic inches)

2.0/122

Engine HP

150

Engine Torque (lb-ft)

135

Avail. Trans.

EPA MPG (city/hwy)

MPG avg. as tested

5-speed manual
4-speed automatic

28/35
26/34

dohc I4
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches)	2.3/138
Engine HP	160
Engine Torque (lb-ft)	150

Avail. Trans.	EPA MPG (city/hwy)	MPG avg. as tested
5-speed manual 5-speed automatic	26/32 25/31	27.1

dohc I4

Engine Size (liters/cubic inches)

2.3/138

Engine HP

160

Engine Torque (lb-ft)

150

Avail. Trans.

EPA MPG (city/hwy)

MPG avg. as tested

5-speed manual
5-speed automatic

26/32
25/31

27.1

Turbocharged dohc I4
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches)	2.3/138
Engine HP	263
Engine Torque (lb-ft)	280

Avail. Trans.	EPA MPG (city/hwy)	MPG avg. as tested
6-speed manual	20/28

Turbocharged dohc I4

Engine Size (liters/cubic inches)

2.3/138

Engine HP

263

Engine Torque (lb-ft)

280

Avail. Trans.

EPA MPG (city/hwy)

MPG avg. as tested

6-speed manual

20/28

Ratings

Model Tested: 2005 Mazda 3 s hatchback with manual transmission

Ratings values are on a 1-10 scale, with 10 being the best. With the exception of Value, these numbers reflect how the vehicle compares against the universe of vehicles, not just against rivals in its class.

Performance

Acceleration - 6

60%

Fuel Economy - 6

60%

Ride Quality - 5

50%

Steering/Handling - 7

70%

Quietness - 4

40%

Accommodations

Controls/Materials - 7

70%

Room/Comfort Front - 5

50%

Room/Comfort Rear - 4

40%

Cargo Room - 7

70%

Other

Value - 10

100%

Total: 61

Safety Ratings

Model Tested: 2006 Mazda 3 4-door sedan 4-door sedan

NHTSA

(5 is the highest rating)

Front Impact Test

Driver Injury - 4

80%

Front Passenger Injury - 4

80%

Side Impact Test

Driver Injury - 3

60%

Rear Passenger Injury - 3

60%

HLDI

(A score of 100 is average. Lower is better)

Collision	N/A
Injury	N/A
Theft	N/A

2004 Mazda 3	Pricing Effective: 11/05/2003
Model Pricing	Retail Price	Dealer Price	Destination
i 4-door sedan	$ 13,680	$ 12,795	$ 520
s 4-door sedan	16,405	15,335	520
s 4-door hatchback	16,895	15,793	520
Price Note:

Standard Equipment
i : 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, 5-speed manual transmission, dual front airbags, 4-wheel disc brakes, emergency inside trunk release, power steering, tilt/telescope steering wheel w/radio controls, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, center console, cupholders, split folding rear seat, AM/FM/CD player, digital clock, tachometer, map lights, intermittent wipers, visor mirrors, rear defogger, floormats, 195/65HR15 tires, wheel covers
s sedan adds: 2.3-liter 4-cylinder engine, air conditioning, leather-wrapped steering wheel, cruise control, height-adjustable driver seat w/lumbar adjustment, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, fog lights, 205/55HR16 tires, alloy wheels
s hatchback adds: cargo cover, intermittent rear wiper, rear spoiler, 205/50VR17 tires, (Deletes emergency inside trunk release)

Optional Equipment
Option Note:
Major Packages
Option	Avail.	Retail	Dealer
ABS/SAB/SAC Pkg.		$800	$688
Antilock brakes w/electronic brake-force distribution, front side airbags, curtain side airbags. i requires Power and Alloy Wheel Pkg., air conditioning.
Moonroof and 6-CD Pkg.		890	765
Power sunroof, in-dash 6-disc CD changer. i requires Power and Alloy Wheel Pkg., air conditioning.
Power and Alloy Wheel Pkg.	i	1190	1023
Cruise control, power mirrors and windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, height-adjustable driver seat w/lumbar adjustment, illuminated entry, 205/55HR16 tires, alloy wheels. Requires air conditioning.
Sport Pkg.	s sedan	490	421
Side sill extensions, 205/50VR17 tires.
Xenon and TPMS Pkg.	s	700	602
Xenon headlights, tire-pressure monitor. Requires ABS/SAB/SAC Pkg. Sedan requires Sport Pkg.
Powertrain
Option	Avail.	Retail	Dealer
4-speed automatic transmission w/manual-shift capability		900	810
i requires air conditioning.
Comfort & Convenience Features
Option	Avail.	Retail	Dealer
Air conditioning	i	850	731
Navigation system	s	1750	1505
Requires ABS/SAB/SAC Pkg., Xenon and TPMS Pkg. Sedan requires Sport Pkg.
Leather upholstery	s	590	507
Sedan requires Sport Pkg.
Cargo net		40	32
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Option	Avail.	Retail	Dealer
Wheel locks		30	24
i requires Power and Alloy Wheel Pkg. or alloy wheels.
Alloy wheels	i	400	344
Requires air conditioning.

2005 Mazda 3	Pricing Effective: 01/24/2005
Model Pricing	Retail Price	Dealer Price	Destination
i 4-door sedan	$ 13,680	$ 12,801	$ 560
s 4-door sedan	16,615	15,537	560
s 4-door hatchback	17,105	15,995	560
sp23 4-door sedan	18,685	17,468	560
sp23 4-door hatchback	18,685	17,468	560
Price Note:

Standard Equipment
i : 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, 5-speed manual transmission, dual front airbags, 4-wheel disc brakes, emergency inside trunk release, power steering, tilt/telescope steering wheel w/radio controls, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, center console, cupholders, split folding rear seat, AM/FM/CD player, digital clock, tachometer, map lights, intermittent wipers, visor mirrors, rear defogger, floormats, theft-deterrent system, 195/65HR15 tires, wheel covers
s adds: 2.3-liter 4-cylinder engine, air conditioning, leather-wrapped steering wheel, cruise control, height-adjustable driver seat w/lumbar adjustment, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, cargo cover (hatchback), intermittent rear wiper (hatchback), fog lights, rear spoiler (hatchback), 205/55HR16 tires (sedan), 205/50VR17 tires (hatchback), alloy wheels
sp23 adds: leather upholstery, heated front seats, Bose AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD changer, 205/50VR17 tires, polished alloy wheels

Overview

Yearly Updates

Engines

Road Test

Performance

Accommodations

Other

Total: 61

Specifications

NHTSA

HLDI

Trouble Spots

Recall History

Equipment Lists

Pricing

2006 Mazda 3	Pricing Effective: 06/13/2006
Model Pricing	Retail Price	Dealer Price	Destination
i 4-door sedan	$ 13,710	$ 12,848	$ 560
i Touring 4-door sedan	15,990	14,975	560
s 4-door sedan	16,880	15,805	560
s 4-door hatchback	17,370	16,262	560
s Touring 4-door sedan	17,615	16,489	560
s Touring 4-door hatchback	17,615	16,489	560
s Grand Touring 4-door sedan	19,165	17,935	560
s Grand Touring 4-door hatchback	19,165	17,935	560
Price Note:

Standard Equipment
i : 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, 5-speed manual transmission, dual front airbags, 4-wheel disc brakes, emergency inside trunklid release (sedan), power steering, tilt/telescope steering wheel w/radio controls, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, center console, cupholders, split folding rear seat, AM/FM/CD player, digital clock, tachometer, map lights, intermittent wipers, visor mirrors, rear defogger, floormats, theft-deterrent system, 195/65HR15 tires, wheel covers
i Touring adds: air conditioning, interior air filter, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, outside-temperature indicator, 205/55HR16 tires, alloy wheels
s adds: 2.3-liter 4-cylinder engine, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, leather-wrapped steering wheel, height-adjustable driver seat w/lumbar adjustment, variable-intermittent wipers, cargo cover (hatchback), intermittent rear wiper (hatchback), fog lights, rear spoiler (hatchback), 205/50VR17 tires (hatchback)
s Touring adds: front side airbags, curtain side airbags, 205/50VR17 tires
s Grand Touring adds: tire-pressure monitor, leather upholstery, heated front seats, automatic climate control, trip computer, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, xenon headlights

2007 Mazda 3	Pricing Effective: 11/14/2006
Model Pricing	Retail Price	Dealer Price	Destination
i Sport 4-door sedan	$ 13,795	$ 12,928	$ 595
i Touring 4-door sedan	16,155	15,128	595
s Sport 4-door sedan	17,090	16,001	595
s Sport 4-door hatchback	17,580	16,458	595
s Touring 4-door sedan	18,325	17,152	595
s Touring 4-door hatchback	18,325	17,152	595
s Grand Touring 4-door sedan	19,795	18,523	595
s Grand Touring 4-door hatchback	19,795	18,523	595
MazdaSpeed Sport 4-door hatchback	22,240	20,804	595
MazdaSpeed Grand Touring 4-door hatchback	23,955	22,404	595
Price Note:

Standard Equipment
i Sport : 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, 5-speed manual transmission, dual front airbags, 4-wheel disc brakes, emergency inside trunklid release (sedan), power steering, tilt/telescope steering wheel w/radio controls, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, center console, cupholders, split folding rear seat, AM/FM/CD player, digital-media player connection, digital clock, tachometer, outside-temperature indicator, map lights, intermittent wipers, visor mirrors, rear defogger, floormats, theft-deterrent system, 195/65HR15 tires, wheel covers
i Touring adds: tire-pressure monitor, air conditioning, interior air filter, cruise control, driver-seat height and lumbar adjustment, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, 205/55HR16 tires, alloy wheels
s Sport adds: 2.3-liter 4-cylinder engine, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, brake assist, leather-wrapped steering wheel, variable-intermittent wipers, cargo cover (hatchback), intermittent rear wiper (hatchback), fog lights, rear spoiler (hatchback), 205/50VR17 tires (hatchback)
s Touring adds: traction control, front side airbags, curtain side airbags, antiskid system, 205/50VR17 tires
s Grand Touring adds: leather upholstery, heated front seats, automatic climate control, trip computer, rain-sensing wipers, automatic xenon headlights
MazdaSpeed Sport adds to s Touring: 2.3-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, 6-speed manual transmission, limited-slip differential, uprated brakes, sport suspension, 215/45YR18 tires
MazdaSpeed Grand Touring adds: automatic climate control, leather upholstery, Bose AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD changer, trip computer, rain sensing wipers, automatic xenon headlights

2008 Mazda 3	Pricing Effective: 04/29/2008
Model Pricing	Retail Price	Dealer Price	Destination
i Sport 4-door sedan	$ 13,995	$ 13,115	$ 650
i Touring Value 4-door sedan	16,595	15,539	650
s Sport 4-door sedan	17,535	16,416	650
s Sport 4-door hatchback	18,025	16,873	650
s Touring 4-door sedan	18,525	17,339	650
s Touring 4-door hatchback	18,525	17,339	650
s Grand Touring 4-door sedan	20,295	18,990	650
s Grand Touring 4-door hatchback	20,295	18,990	650
MazdaSpeed Sport 4-door hatchback	22,440	20,991	650
MazdaSpeed Grand Touring 4-door hatchback	24,155	22,590	650
Price Note:

Standard Equipment
i Sport : 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, 5-speed manual transmission, dual front airbags, 4-wheel disc brakes, tire-pressure monitor, emergency inside trunklid release (sedan), tilt/telescopic steering wheel w/radio controls, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, center console, split folding rear seat, AM/FM/CD/MP3 player, digital-media player connection, tachometer, outside-temperature indicator, variable-intermittent wipers, rear defogger, floormats, theft-deterrent system, 195/65HR15 tires, wheel covers
i Touring Value adds: front side airbags, curtain side airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, brake assist, air conditioning, interior air filter, leather-wrapped steering wheel, cruise control, driver-seat height and lumbar adjustment, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, fog lights, 205/50VR17 tires, alloy wheels
s Sport adds: 2.3-liter 4-cylinder engine, illuminated visor mirrors, cargo cover (hatchback), intermittent rear wiper (hatchback), fog lights, rear spoiler (hatchback), 205/55HR16 tires (sedan), 205/50VR17 tires (hatchback)
s Touring adds: traction control, antiskid system, 205/50VR17 tires
s Grand Touring adds: leather upholstery, heated front seats, power driver seat w/lumbar adjustment, automatic climate control, trip computer, rain-sensing wipers, automatic xenon headlights
MazdaSpeed Sport adds to s Touring: 2.3-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, 6-speed manual transmission, limited-slip differential, uprated brakes, sport suspension, 215/45YR18 tires
MazdaSpeed Grand Touring adds: automatic climate control, alcantara upholstery, Bose AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD changer, trip computer, rain sensing wipers, automatic xenon headlights

2009 Mazda 3	Pricing Effective: 11/25/2008
Model Pricing	Retail Price	Dealer Price	Destination
i Sport 4-door sedan, manual	$ 14,690	$ 13,777	$ 670
i Sport 4-door sedan, automatic	15,590	14,616	670
i Touring Value 4-door sedan, manual	17,095	16,020	670
i Touring Value 4-door sedan, automatic	17,995	16,859	670
s Sport 4-door sedan, manual	18,135	16,989	670
s Sport 4-door sedan, automatic	19,085	17,875	670
s Sport 4-door hatchback, manual	18,625	17,446	670
s Sport 4-door hatchback, automatic	19,575	18,332	670
s Touring 4-door sedan, manual	19,125	17,912	670
s Touring 4-door sedan, automatic	20,075	18,799	670
s Touring 4-door hatchback, manual	19,125	17,912	670
s Touring 4-door hatchback, automatic	20,075	18,799	670
s Grand Touring 4-door sedan, manual	20,895	19,563	670
s Grand Touring 4-door sedan, automatic	21,845	20,449	670
s Grand Touring 4-door hatchback, manual	20,895	19,563	670
s Grand Touring 4-door hatchback, automatic	21,845	20,449	670
MazdaSpeed Sport 4-door hatchback, manual	22,740	21,286	670
MazdaSpeed Grand Touring 4-door hatchback, manual	24,455	22,885	670
Price Note:

Standard Equipment
i Sport : 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission w/manual-shift capability, dual front airbags, front side airbags, curtain side airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, brake assist, tire-pressure monitor, emergency inside trunklid release (sedan), tilt/telescopic steering wheel w/radio controls, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, center console, split folding rear seat, AM/FM/CD/MP3 player, digital-media player connection, tachometer, outside-temperature indicator, variable-intermittent wipers, rear defogger, floormats, theft-deterrent system, 195/65HR15 tires, wheel covers
i Touring Value adds: air conditioning, interior air filter, leather-wrapped steering wheel, cruise control, driver-seat height and lumbar adjustment, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, fog lights, 205/50VR17 tires, alloy wheels
s Sport adds: 2.3-liter 4-cylinder engine, 5-speed manual or 5-speed automatic transmission w/manual-shift capability, illuminated visor mirrors, cargo cover (hatchback), intermittent rear wiper (hatchback), rear spoiler (hatchback), 205/55HR16 tires (sedan), 205/50VR17 tires (hatchback)
s Touring adds: traction control, antiskid system, 205/50VR17 tires
s Grand Touring adds: leather upholstery, heated front seats, 6-way power driver seat, automatic climate control, trip computer, rain-sensing wipers, automatic xenon headlights
MazdaSpeed Sport adds to s Touring: 2.3-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, 6-speed manual transmission, limited-slip differential, uprated brakes, automatic climate control, sport suspension, 215/45YR18 tires
MazdaSpeed Grand Touring adds: automatic climate control, alcantara upholstery, Bose AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD/MP3 changer, trip computer, rain sensing wipers, automatic xenon headlights