Overview & Reviews

Mazda has a tradition of building entertaining small cars, and the Mazda 3 fits right in with its sharp handling and engaging nature. But it's also a practical, affordable runabout that's available as either a sedan or a handy four-door hatchback. A Mazda 3 of any vintage is worth consideration, but the 3's interior quality has improved dramatically over time. Likewise, fuel economy has emerged as a real strength in recent years.

Introduced in 2004, the Mazda 3 has always been one of those cars that feels a little bit special when you get behind the wheel. Some shoppers might find the ride too firm, but if you like to drive, you'll probably take a shine to this compact Mazda. Passenger room is the same in the sedan and hatchback, but the latter offers more cargo room. If fuel economy is a priority, note that 2012 and later models benefit from updated engine technology that helps the car return significantly better mileage.

User Reviews:

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  I love it! - 2004 Mazda Mazda3
  By Picoboy1 - April 9 - 10:00 am

  This car is fun to drive!!!

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  Fun in Hatch - 2004 Mazda Mazda3
  By Tim F., Tampa, FL - April 9 - 10:00 am

  I purchased this vehicle for my wife and she loves it and she actually let me drive it. The car is very peppy and when you need the power it is there to deliver. Great off the line for an econo-box. Xenon ,6 Disc Moonroof and the ABS air bags Package. No DVD Navigation. Manual. Paid $18,454.00. We got lava orange (see the color in person). We looked at two other cars the PT Cruiser Turbo and the Toyota Matrix XRS. The PT is great however it just costs too much and the Matrix just plain out stunk, because you have to rev the heck out of the engine to get any power. What sold us on the 3 was the safety features. All in all, this is a great buy.

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  Keeps me smiling - 2010 Mazda Mazda3
  By geniustrust - April 8 - 11:03 pm

  On paper this is not the car I wanted. I wanted a status symbol, something flashy and powerful. But the reality of my 7 mile commute (with 8 stop lights) made the ideal of some 300 hp monster seem a bit absurd. Enter the mazda 3 gt, fully loaded, it has all the gadgets I wanted, uses regular fuel, and costs a heck of lot less. Steering is nimble and quick. fit and finish is excellent. Good power, can chirp the front tires even with dsc on. I find myself grinning while driving. . . just because.Taking a corner at 40 mph, better than a latte to get the heart going in the morning. Drives like a smaller car, think miata with 4 doors.

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  Reliable, Economical, and Fun to drive! - 2014 Mazda Mazda3
  By jb57 - April 6 - 11:22 am

  This is our 2nd Mazda (wife owns 2012 Mazda 5) and weve been very pleased with both vehicles. Mine is the 2014 Mazda 3 sedan sport edition w/ manual shift. Am averaging 36 mpg. Before buying, I test drove a Civic, Corolla, and Cruze. All seemed to be good vehicles but the Mazda stood out for its handling and appearance. Leg room and head room are just fine (Im 6 2"). Trunk space is larger than I expected. The engine is quiet as a kitten. My only knocks are the average looking cloth seats (I replaced w/ leather) and road noise on select highways. But, boy are these cars fun to drive!

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  Liked it so much, I bought another - 2007 Mazda Mazda3
  By JF - April 5 - 4:03 pm

  I had a 2004 Mazda3, which was fun and trouble free until it was totaled by an incompetent idiot. The resale value was such that I got $2k less than Id paid 2 years before! I value the driving experience and reliability, and for replacement narrowed it down to this or the Civic, but after a drive there was no contest. Unlike the Civic, the controls are perfectly positioned and weighted, the handling is superb, power is good, gearbox is short-throw, precise, pleasant. It looks good, and is well equipped. Love the small leather steering wheel, shame the gearstick is no longer leather. Improvements for 2007 are slightly more refined suspension, stiffer chassis, mp3 input jack.

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  Awesome car! - 2007 Mazda Mazda3
  By MTS - April 4 - 8:10 am

  I explored many others before choosing the 3 so I knew Id like it, and it was a perfect choice. You cant beat all the standard features in this car that you wouldnt get in others. Steering cntrls/telescp, ABS/DSTC, full airbags, and very fun to drive. Tight handling! Took it on a small road trip right away and got 43 mpg hwy! One time only, I doublechecked, but city/mixed is only OK. Its my first manual and has the easiest clutch to learn on. I drove it home only having had 2 short lessons years ago driving an old manual Civic. The hatch adds much versatility, and everything about this car is designed to look sweet inside and out. Cntr stack intrudes on right leg, but not bad.

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  Great car - zoom zoom - 2008 Mazda Mazda3
  By parusianknight - April 3 - 10:26 pm

  Researched new 5-door for past 6 months. The Mazda3 beats every all others, hands down. The build quality is outstanding. The attention to detail and standard features in a "base model" are a lesson to other car builders. The Mazda3 automatic drives like a charm - be careful if you have other drivers in the house - it will quickly become a car of choice. The maintenance schedule is like no other - Sealed automatic transmission - no service required; 1st coolant flush - 100,000 miles; pretty much just oil changes. I recommend the Mazda extended warranty - very reasonably priced and gives you bumper to bumper coverage.

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  3i Sedan - 2005 Mazda Mazda3
  By ECM56 - April 3 - 2:43 pm

  I have about 1500 miles on my 3i sedan with manual transmission. Mileage is good - about 33 mpg around the suburbs. Its hard to not put your foot down (which is, of course, bad for mileage) - this car begs to be driven! First car Ive had in years with enough leg room (Im 62") - I dont even have to put the seat all the way back. Easy to set up a good driving position with the adjustable steering wheel. Transmission has a nice feel and short throw. I have found the A/C more than adequate for my area (Virginia). Big trunk and lots of little cubbies for storing stuff (huge glove box).

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  Mazda 3s Sedan - 2004 Mazda Mazda3
  By jhuttner - April 2 - 10:00 am

  Picked up my Mazda 3s sedan in black mica one month ago. Car offers good bang for the buck and the engine pulls hard...best towards the top of 2nd gear. The 5 speed shifts smoothly although the clutch could be a little heavier. Car looks good and the rear end is sporty I think. Sound system is good (get the moonroof 6 CD package!) and the glovebox is roomy too. Four wheel disc brakes with nice wheels are a welcoming feature that not many cars in this price range offer. The console is good and the trunk has plenty of room.

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  Great car, great price point - 2014 Mazda Mazda3
  By zstardust - April 1 - 2:46 am

  Ive put 10,000 miles on my 2014 Mazda 3 since buying it in March. Its a comfortable ride (excluding some road noise), well styled, and turns heads. It has zip / zoom zoom. My car is mica black, with the basic sound system since I already had a high end GPS system and couldnt justify the additional cost of the XM / GPS feature. Even the basic sound system is more than acceptable, with my iPod docked to it. Im getting 35 mpg consistently (mostly highway, some in-town mileage) without going hybrid. Moving from a Ford SUV to the Mazda 3 took some getting used to, but Ive made the transition and Im a convert. This car deserves all of the accolades its receiving.