Overview & Reviews

For 2009, all Mazda 3 models now come standard with antilock brakes, front-seat side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags. Also, four-door sedan models thankfully gain a standard remote trunk release on the keyless entry fob.

• Athletic handling and performance, plenty of standard and optional features, well-constructed interior, hatchback utility.

• So-so fuel economy, smallish sedan trunk, some may find the ride too firm.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 79.00

• 

  Great car for a great price - 2009 Mazda Mazda3
  By Phil S - December 13 - 6:26 am

  I put 211,000 miles on my 1993 Protege without a fault. Bought a 2008 Honda Fit Sport 14 months ago and it was totaled. Drove the 2009 Fit Sport, Saturn Astra, and Mazda3 5dr and the game was over. The Mazda is much more car than the Honda and much nicer. The Astra is nice but awkward and the lack of an aux input for the MP3 player just shows a lack of consumer focus. The Honda feels "empty" and lacking when compared to the Mazda. The prices are all very close so its a good comparison in my book. Id like the sunroof to be an option by itself.

• 

  2009 I Touring Value - 2009 Mazda Mazda3
  By Cyp - November 16 - 11:20 am

  After my previous kicked the bucket I was in the market for a new car. I test drove a couple of other vehicles but after getting in the 3, I knew it was the vehicle for me. I did quite a lot of research on every possible vehicle and was originally planned on a economy car. However, the price, performance, and quality was exactly what I wanted. The Mazda 3 is a great car, and does exactly what you would like it to. It loves to be driven, it looks beautiful and stands out (without being ostentatious), and is a dream for someone who prefers smaller sized fun driving cars. Sure you could buy a better mpg, economy car. But for the price you will NOT find a more fun to drive vehicle for the money.

• 

  Pretty Average - 2009 Mazda Mazda3
  By scottksu - November 12 - 11:04 pm

  Car looks great and handles well, but... The 2.0, 4 cylinder is low on power. I expected a bit more zip for a small car with almost 150 HP. Gas mileage below avg. for a car this size. Only get a few mpg more than my Toyota Camry V-6. Handles great, but ride suffers. If you like to feel every bump in the road, you will love this car. Replacing the OEM tires helps, especially with road noise. Interior design is nice, but materials are of average quality, which I expect for a car in this category. Developed a few noises & small intermittent rattles not long after purchase. Some I remedied, the dealer fixed one, some remain. A/C is weak & must keep on high during days over 90

• 

  4th Mazda - 2009 Mazda Mazda3
  By blkjk52 - October 22 - 7:43 pm

  I turned my 2001 protege ES over to my son, it has 157,000 miles and not a problem. I just filled up the tank (half empty) looks like 28 mpg (city & highway). I love the ride, handles like a sports car, not a problem and dont expect any. Bought car for my wife because she loved the other Mazda so much (I get to drive it once in a while). Going to tint windows; it warmed up pretty quick inside. If I had to pick one word for Mazda it would be "Quality".

• 

  Love My 3 - 2009 Mazda Mazda3
  By dark_temp - October 11 - 7:16 am

  I bought my 3 last summer at 13k miles and have loved it since. it handles very well even at over 100+ mph, with previous racing experience and looking for a practical college car I found my baby. attractive enough to get compliments from others and with the 2.0 I, engine speeds up considerately enough to drive on the freeway with confidence (better torque and pick up with the 2.3 engines though, take note to that!). I often forget im going 90 because i dont even notice!?, cabin is quiet without its oem wheels and very stable driving. snow was no problem and neither hills. still loving my car looks cool but not overbearing.

• 

  Awesome car. - 2009 Mazda Mazda3
  By Devin - July 30 - 4:00 am

  This is my first car, and as such I am simply glad to have one, but I have fallen in love with pretty much every aspect of the car. It has very good handling and a fairly peppy engine, although it is not a Corvette by any means. The aesthetics are very high quality and good looking both inside and out. Mine came with a 4 speaker audio system, but for a 4 speaker, the sound output is very high quality with rumbling bass and clear trebles. The only gripe I have is that power windows/door locks are only available in higher trim levels costing almost $3000 more. I have also had to replace the gas cap, but apparently this has been redesigned and will not get stuck as my old one did.

• 

  2 thumbs up - 2009 Mazda Mazda3
  By Mike - May 13 - 6:03 am

  Great car overall. Have both a 06 mazda 6 and this 09 mazda 3. although the interior is a bit inferior of that of the 6, the 3 is very well built and has seamless lines. The 2.0 litre is very peppy and I imagine the 2.3 would only be better, as my 6 has a 2.3. This 3 has very tight steering and has been successful to living up to mazdas zoom zoom motto. Excellent exterior as well, much better at turning heads than a civic and corolla in my opinion. Mileage is decent, although the civic may get a few more miles/ gallon (possibly 5 or so). Overall a great car for people who like to drive. Definitely recommended!!!

• 

  Recent Purchase-So far, so Good. - 2009 Mazda Mazda3
  By SI Steve - February 15 - 2:16 pm

  Have this car for about a month. So far, wife and I are very pleased with the seat comfort,interior materials and design. I also like the quick pick up from a red light that makes it seem as if theres a much larger engine than the 2.0 L 148 HP standard mill. Very nimble cornering and turning... I avoided a stuck car in the middle lane of a major highway with its quick steering response, but steering is too sensitive at 60 mph + and requires constant minor corrections to stay in lane.

• 

  So far so good. - 2009 Mazda Mazda3
  By Kevin B - January 21 - 4:33 am

  All of the features have been covered in other reviews but have two complaints. 1. Someone else mentioned the dirt/rocks issue....for some reason, on this vehicle, the rocks and dirt you pick up from the road rolls around in the wheel wells and is very audible..more so then any other vehicle I have had, even a Toyota Pick UP..so that can be somewhat annoying..I purposely avoid sandy parts of the road cuz I dont want to hear the rocks rattling around for the next 10 seconds.

• 

  Okay Car, Not Built as well as Protege. - 2009 Mazda Mazda3
  By John - October 3 - 3:33 am

  Owned previous vehicle(Oldsmobile)7 years, owned this vehicle only 6 months. Purchased because we were very happy with our 2003 Mazda Protege. Interior quality lacking relative to Protege. Plastic scuffs easily and rear seat fabric fraying after only 2,000 miles and 3 months. Fuel tank holds 14.5 gallons. Reads 3/4 full after 2 gallons used and 1/2 full after 5 gallons used. Road noise evident. Extremely small trunk relative to competition and other Mazda. As a conservative driver highway mpg is great at 35 mpg, but local mpg at times in low 20s. Audio system subpar relative to other Mazda. A/C does not blow very cold compared to older Mazda. Dealer service was terrible on issues.