Overview & Reviews
The 2011 Mazda 3 sees some shuffling of its equipment packages. The Grand Touring version loses its formerly standard adaptive xenon headlights but gains the Bose audio system and a sunroof. Also, all trims now have standard stability control.
- Stylish, well-equipped interior
- Five-door model affords hatchback utility.
- Energetic 2.5-liter engine
- Benchmark handling
- Impressive list of luxury options
- Ride may be too firm for some
- Cabin and trunk not as large as those of competitors.
User Reviews:
Showing 1 through 10 of 56.00-
One of the best cars in its class. - 2011 Mazda Mazda3
By pezzy669 - April 19 - 7:19 pmAfter 8 months with my Mazda 3 Grand Touring sedan I am still extremely happy with my purchase. Of the 5 cars I have owned over my lifetime this is the best car I have owned. The fun to drive quotient of this car should be the benchmark in its class. It does mean a firmer ride but for myself it is in no way objectionable. The interior features are astounding. Bluetooth, Bose stereo, heated seats, leather, etc. make for a very nice place to be. Overall you cannot go wrong with the Mazda 3, it is definitely a worthwhile competitor in the segment and in my opinion leaps and bounds better than the Civic and Corolla.
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It worth every $ I paid - 2011 Mazda Mazda3
By yli2 - April 8 - 5:57 pmMy 2010 Mazda3 saved my life during an accident, so I decided to buy another Mazda. Finally choose this old model because I cannot trust 2012 SkyActiv tech. It took me a month getting used to this car since it is much bumpier then previous model. After test-driving VW GTi, I was assured the car was just tuned as it is. This car handles exceptionally well. Clutch synchronizer is smoother than my 2010 model. I get 30-32mpg, better than my 2010 model.
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I Love my ZOOM ZOOM - 2011 Mazda Mazda3
By brittany16 - March 29 - 4:32 pmI owned a 2008 red mazda 3 hatchback for 9 months it had almost 55,000 miles on it and not a single problem and I recently traded it in for a 2011 celest blue Mazda 3 Hatch with 29000 miles on it. I have not one complaint about this car. Its 100% perfect. The handling is amazing, its got plenty of speed and is extremely comfortable. The outside appearance is very sporty and nice looking and the inside is great looking as well. I give mazda 2 thumbs up when it comes to building these cars. I wouldnt trade mine in for the world.
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Good but not great - 2011 Mazda Mazda3
By lisal79 - March 5 - 11:56 amWe recently bought a Mazda 3 right before Christmas. My husband and I both just loved the way it looked and drove. We didnt even notice the goofy grin, and even noticing now, I think its cute. I do wish that the car got better gas mileage. Right now were getting about 25mpg which isnt great. That is one of my regrets with purchasing this car considering that gas prices are starting to rise again.
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Zoom Zoom - My third Mazda! - 2011 Mazda Mazda3
By dwaine1958 - December 27 - 1:41 pmOur Mazda 3SGT is equipped with the graphite mica color, has black leather seats, and is fully loaded with the tech package. Since the front grill and the car color are the same, the smiley face is subdued and not as obvious as most of the other colors. The car handles very well, has great road centering and quickly responds to steeering input. I find the sporty seats very comfortable but Im surprised they dont have any lumbar adjustment. The Bose sound system is great when turned load, but doesnt have any loudness setting that would give a more full sound at lower volume levels. The engine exhaust sounds very sporty during highway acceleration, but is quiet while cruising. The gas mileage is similar to the EPA estimates. Potential buyers of S sedan version need to look at this car as a sporty compact sedan and not as an economy car (if you just want an economy car buy the 3i). The 3SGT is a hybrid between a small performance sedan (like a BMW 3) and an economy car like a Corolla. Since its also priced in between those two vehicles, you get what you pay for Also, the initial quality is top notch. Since I only have around 3500 miles on the vehicle - long term reliability will need to be determined over time. The breaks are very good and road noise is subdued. These two qualities are often criticized in reviews of the vehicle, but I think the car is quiet while cruising down the road and stops quickly and easily. I am 5 feet 10 inches tall and my head is close to the roof, so taller folks may find the head room tight especially when purchased with the moon roof. Otherwise, the front seat legroom is excellent since the front seats slide back much more then they did in our old Corolla. Therefore the back seat legroom gets a little tight, but remember this a compact car, not a midsize. Overall, this is a wonderful car!
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Fun to drive but noisy. - 2011 Mazda Mazda3
By mka2 - November 22 - 5:04 amI bought the car at the end of 2011 and currently have 10k miles on it. Its fun to drive, corners on a dime, very responsive and accelerate smoothly. The interior is nice however the seats are not comfortable. Controls are well placed and the car has a lot of nice technology. The GPS is difficult to operate and very annoying. A $200 aftermarket GPS will solve this problem. From day one, I thought the road noise is a bit much however after the first tire rotation the noise became unbearable. Mazda is aware of the quick tread loss and will not do anything about it.
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All Around Winner - 2011 Mazda Mazda3
By ClausS - October 25 - 2:00 amTo the person that wants rims and not hubcaps--buy ANY trim level except the very cheapest and you have alloys? Thats a no brainer - The 2011 is near exactly the same as the 10 but the rear headrests tilt and they added a Moonroof/Bose pac as standard on all GT trims so the only upgrade it the tech which they toyed with by trading the aforementioned for the Xenons, Leds and rain sense wipers + auto headlight. Also switched to Synthetic 0W-20 oil! good move! Great car others pale, a honda fit? please 15" rims -zzz , I love the design as its grown on me and quite frankly Im sick of insecure people that need mean looking cars , the smile is great! as is the car!
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Bang for the Buck... - 2011 Mazda Mazda3
By kurtri - May 29 - 12:44 amI wanted a small car, with utility options, to replace an Audi A4. Like many people, I am trying to stay financially keen in current times. Is there a car with semi-luxury features, good safety reviews, acceptable gas mileage - all within the Compact $ range? Yes - the Mazda 3. The car handles nearly as well as my Audi and has respectable power. The front seats are very spacious and I do not feel jammed in like the Audi. The seats are comfortable and the dash controls are intuitive. The Mazda 3 is larger on the inside and the versatility of the hatchback was a key factor for me. Looking for more personality than a ho-hum Civic? Give the Mazda 3 a try! 26 MPG mixed driving.
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Having fun already! - 2011 Mazda Mazda3
By MazdaHappy - March 27 - 10:00 amFirst Mazda ever and I am happy to say I am loving the car already. I am coming out of a Mitsu Lancer Evo 2008 which was an excellent car but too pricey. I commute a few times per week to work & appts so I wanted something reliable but affordable. So far I am enjoying the ride, fit (Im 62", 200 lbs), and styling. I looked at a 2010 model but decided on the 2011. Build quality is excellent. The ride is as advertised and the interior is awesome. I would highly recommend this vehicle for anyone looking for a sedan with ample room and comfort. Cant go wrong with resale value either.
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Great bang for your buck! - 2011 Mazda Mazda3
By missourimazda - May 31 - 9:38 amI have owned my Mazda 3 i Touring Sedan for almost 2 months now and I absolutely love it. It is fun and comfortable to drive, gets good gas mileage, and does very well in the Midwestern snow. Some people may not like the tight suspension. Personally, I love it. It gives the car a sporty feel, I think. For what I spent, I got great power and lots of features like cruise control, power windows, traction control, etc.
