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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  Love to Drive a Mazda - 2006 Mazda Mazda3
  By Celtblood - June 5 - 6:00 pm

  This car is awesome. I love Mazdas since I owned a MX3 and the Mazda 3 holds the mark very well. I always want to look at the car and get in for a drive. I recommend the purchase.

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  Nice Car - 2005 Mazda Mazda3
  By Mazda Girl - June 4 - 12:50 pm

  I really enjoy my Mazda 3 it was a graduation present and Im generally happy with it. I think its a little smaller as far as seating capacity and trunk space than what I would have liked but its ok.

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  A Great Value and Car - 2006 Mazda Mazda3
  By davgar40 - June 3 - 4:13 am

  I bought my 3s new in 2006 and am very happy with the car. It looks great inside and out. It also gets pretty good gas mileage. I get about 32mpg on the highway and about 28mpg with all around driving. The access to the trunk is a little small so I cant fit things like my guitar amp in there but thats not a big deal. Tires lasted as expected and wore out around 42000 or so. I changed from the Goodyear Eagle RSA to Yokohama S.Drive. The new tires cost less and grip the road even better than the original tires. The seats are very comfortable especially on long trips. Its a great car and all for less than $20k brand new. I did add a cold air intake and catback to the car too.

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  Mazda3 - 2008 Mazda Mazda3
  By MazdaOwner - June 2 - 3:06 pm

  Looked at several small cars mainly due to the high fuel prices. The Mazdas always were rated excellent. Also we had a Mazda 323 forever with no problems. After test driving several cars I kept coming back to the Mazda3. Im not sure if its because it looks so good, or because its so much fun to drive. We looked at used ones, but they were close to the price of a new one, so we bought new. So far we love it! 1st tank calculated 25.8 MPG with that being about 60% city driving.

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  Just bought it, but so far impressed. - 2010 Mazda Mazda3
  By Greg - June 2 - 11:40 am

  So, I just traded in a 99 Chevy Cavalier for this car, so Im sure my review will be a bit inflated. I absolutely love the style, and the drive quality is such an improvement over my Chevy its hard to describe. Ive yet to configure the BOSE stereo and bluetooth and whatnot, but Im sure it wont be difficult. Ill update my review after Ive driven it around for a few months.

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  Raises the bar for Compact Cars! - 2004 Mazda Mazda3
  By 04accent4drGL - June 2 - 10:00 am

  Since owning this vehicle i have experienced no problems at all. The engine is great and has excellent gas mileage. The car is refined, and compared to toyota, honda and nissan compacts, this one sets the bar high. It feels to me that Mazda has set the new standard for compact cars, and toyota, honda and nissan better watch out. This car is fun to drive and has a good look to it. I got my 3 in velocity red, with a manual, power package (which included 16" rims, ac, power windows and doorlocks, radio controls on the steering and cruise control), and tilting and telescoping (for this price you dont get that!). good thing i traded my 04 accent in for this car!

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  Great Car - 2004 Mazda Mazda3
  By Dizg8r - June 2 - 10:00 am

  What a wonderful car! I have enjoyed every minute driving it. The handling is spectacular and I love the tight shifting of the 5-speed manual transmission. The salesman at the dealership here in Orlando, Florida, Cory Fairbanks Mazda, was great. I will forewarn ANYONE trying to finance through Cory Fairbanks though, DO NOT!!! Their finance staff was beyond rude, including name calling, ignorant about the product as well as the federal regulations pertaining to financing a vehicle and lied about several details.

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  Awesome so far... - 2004 Mazda Mazda3
  By dechy - May 31 - 9:10 pm

  Ive had my Mazda3 for about a year and a half and have not had any problems as at all. The ride and handling are awesome. I test drove the Civic, Corolla, Ion and Focus and hands down, the Mazda 3 was an easy winner.

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  Great Outside, Cheap Inside - 2005 Mazda Mazda3
  By Good but Cheap - May 31 - 5:16 am

  I have owned this Mazda for 3 years. Its a good car. Engine is quite and peppy. Very reliable. Just add gas, change to oil regulary and go. The thing that gets me about it the cheap and tough to clean interrior. In typical Japanese automotive fashion, its cheap and plastic. The cloth on the sests attract any dirt and I always have to use a sweater shaver on them to get rid of the fuzzballs the fabric makes. The fabric trim on the door came loose. (Repaired under warranty) The carpet is difficult to vacuum, hold objects like velcro. The air conditioning could use more power. The horn needs a boost too. The windshield wipers need a intermittent adj. The tires wore out at 30,000 miles.

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  2005 3 S With Automatic Tranny - 2005 Mazda Mazda3
  By Sandy - May 29 - 3:40 pm

  Just got this car last Saturday, and its pretty awesome. Took about 4 days to get the car in the color we wanted...Sunlight Silver. The 3 with the 2.3 L engine has plenty of power and it shifts so smoothly. The interior looks like it came from a more upscale car. The two tone seating fabric is pretty grippy and the leather steering wheel and shifter just add to the upscale feeling. This is our 1st Mazda and we are thrilled with the car since weve had it. Zoom Zoom!