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mazda 3 road tests and consumer car reviews

With vast success in a host of markets, the Mazda3, known in Japan as the Mazda Axela, was originally introduced at the end of 2003 as a replacement for the Mazda 323 (also known as the Mazda Protégé and the Mazda Familia). The original Mazda3 design was based on the Ford C1 platform, also common in cars such as the Ford Focus and the Volvo S40. It was originally available as a four-door saloon or a five-door hatchback. In 2006, the Mazda3 MPS was introduced designed to compete in the sports car sector. Indeed the Mazda3 itself underwent a facelift in 2007 with several new exterior colours made available.

mazda 3 consumer reviews by year of make: 2004 2006 2007 2008 2009

Mazda 3

2.0 Sport i-stop - The Mazda 3 delivers a reasonably sporty, capable driving package regardless of which engine you choose. In the i-stop model, there’s just as much front end bite into corners and plenty of grip to see... read more

Mazda 3

2.0 Sport 4 door - Performance in the Mazda 3 Sport offers a combination of control and power.The ride is quite firm, although not uncomfortably so, this is to be expected in the ‘Sport’ model however. If you looked aro... read more

Thanks to RRG Mazda who provided the mazda 3 for the Road Test Report.
Contact Neil Gurney at RRG Mazda on 0161 476 0330 or email neil.gurney@rrg-group.com

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Number of reviews: 13

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Jacques Snake, England

Mazda 3 GT 2009

I have been driving this car for 5 weeks now and it didn’t take long for me to fall in love with it. It has it all, looks, spunk, finish, convenience, quality. Heck, my 2 sons (23 and 25) are jealous! My previous car was a Nissan Sentra SE 2 Litre, on which I racked up 260,000 kms, and it was a tough act to follow. But I am extremely satisfied with it. My only gripe is fuel economy, but seeing as it is a 5 speed manual, it’s probably a question of fine tuning my driving more than anything else, because I admit I do have a tendency of shifting at 4,000 rpm when 3,000 is certainly more sensible. What surprises me most about this car is how really smooth it drives, despite the firm suspension and stick-like-glue handling.

Submitted: 27/11/2009 22:04:07 | ID: 3973

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Malcolm Thomas, Sussex

Mazda 3 2.2 Diesel Sport

Folllowing on from the VERY reluctant sale of my partner’s Nissan 350Z, the Mazda 3 is of course something of a come down! But this is only in comparison to a highly impractical but wonderful 2 year experience with "Red Z !!". The Mazda has oodles of torque, rides very well, cruises on the motorway at just over 2000 revs for 80 mph, and is pretty comfortable as well. Despite my partner’s reservations about the Celestial Blue being a tad on the bright side, I think it looks very nice and definitely not a "blob". Fuel economy is very good, if not as impressive as the brochure claims, but possibly that’s because its still only covered about 800 miles. All in all a very decent car with the right combination of practicality, pace, and features. Its ability to cover the miles either on motorways or B roads very quickly, with very little drama is impressive for a "family" car. ..

Submitted: 10/11/2009 09:58:30 | ID: 3851

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Karen Louth, Lincolnshire

Mazda 3 2008

Handles well, fuel consumption a bit high around town, but longer journeys the mpg is around 40.9. Does what it says on the label - comfortable, reliable and good size to accommodate a family. Long journeys are a doddle with no one complaining about being crampt up. Keeping fingers x it will continue to be a good runner.

Submitted: 07/09/2009 09:24:04 | ID: 3528

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Malcolm Oldnall, Cheshire

Mazda 3 2009

Having previously owned a Vauxhall Astra 2004 1.6 petrol hatchback, I was very surprised at the difference the Mazda 3 was. As soon as I started my test drive I knew it was the car for me. It offered the comfort and the feeling of a car that was well put together with a lot of thought. Every switch and control seemed more precise and refined. I have not had the car very long so there may be some down points, but as yet I am very pleased with the car in every way. Will send a report again with further views.

Submitted: 27/05/2009 10:41:27 | ID: 3003

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Steven Beardmore, Staffordshire

Mazda 3 2.0 Sport 2004

Being the very first person to buy one brand new in Wolverhampton in March 04, was excited and proud for that fact alone although it took but just a few miles of driving for my enthusiasm and pride to include the actual car itself After some 20 odd years of driving/owning second hand cars, wanted to take my time and care over choosing my first new motor, so spent a number of weeks test driving pretty much every available car in this class (small family hatch) and after 4 1/2 years have never once regretted my decision. Its got presence, power, poise, and pose, and I still glance at the shop windows reflection with pride.

Submitted: 29/08/2008 09:08:37 | ID: 1836

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Graham Giles, Essex

Mazda 3 .6 TS 5speed hatch 2008

My judgement here has been based on the experiences gained after 43 years of driving everything from a Reliant Robin to a Rolls Royce (Fortunately, I didn’t own either of these!) My 23 years in the retail motor trade with main dealers gave me the ideal perspective to know a good car when I drove one. Now that I am out of the ’trade’ I buy my own cars and have to say that my 08 Mazda3 has only given of its best after 9000+ miles in the seven months since choosing it over another Peugeot that it replaced. To sum up - it’s flexible, entertaining, capacious and totally reliable. At £12930.00 I am well satisfied! (4 Stars, because nothing is perfect.)

Submitted: 26/08/2008 10:10:00 | ID: 1815

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Michelle Park, Leicestershire

Mazda 3 1.6 TS 2006

I find driving my Mazda3 a thrilling experience. It was the good looks that first attracted me to it and I was pleased to find the interior spacious, of high quality and comfortable. My last car was a Renault and had severe reliability issues so this time I wanted the opposite and was advised that this is what the Japanese car manufacturers are known for. The ride and handling are outstanding. The fuel economy at the moment is not as good as I would have hoped (approximately 40 miles to the gallon) but I am reliably informed that this will improve with time.

Submitted: 07/08/2008 14:05:17 | ID: 1758

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John Gilmour, West Lothian (Linlithgowshire)

Mazda 3 2008

Previously owning Volkswagen Golf’s, the change to Mazda 3 has proved satisfactory in that for around the same buying price the Mazda 3 has more to offer in alloys, climate control and alarm which my 2006 Golf did not have. Good to drive with plenty room and comfort.

Submitted: 17/06/2008 10:19:17 | ID: 1569

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Stuart Christie, Surrey

Mazda 3 MPS 2007

Stunning car to drive. Very fast and great engine flexibility across the rev range. Feels well put together. The only downside is the restrictive gear change. Other than that a great car to own. Oh....apart from the £400 a year road fund license!

Submitted: 25/04/2008 13:51:46 | ID: 1355

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Simon Rassmun, London

Mazda 3 2.3 MPS 2006

Extremely responsive and gives plenty of punch. Exciting to drive and never boring. Great little hot hatch!

Submitted: 16/03/2008 13:53:37 | ID: 1147

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Kal Amin, Lanarkshire

Mazda 3 2006

No review submitted.

Submitted: 23/11/2007 09:04:27 | ID: 735

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Jacques Delor, Worcestershire

Mazda 3 1.6 D 2007

I have a small family and was, kind of obviously, looking for a really good small family car. After doing some research it came down to either a Mazda 3 or a Ford Focus. The reason I chose the Mazda 3 was because it was the more reliable of the two and the 1.6 D offered better fuel economy. I liked the look of the car and after a test drive I was impressed with the performance and handling. I test drove the 1.6 D, the model that I ended up buying. A quality small family car, reliable and available at a very competitive price.

Submitted: 02/11/2007 14:48:31 | ID: 486

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Donna Letts, Gloucestershire

Mazda 3 2.0 Sport 4dr

Excellent family car. Economical, spacious and practical, like the sat nav too. Feels solid and is a very easy drive. Excellent value for money, I would highly recommend this car to anyone.

Submitted: 17/10/2007 11:24:54 | ID: 305

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Number of reviews: 13

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The best consumer review received between February 22, 2010 and March 22, 2010 will win a Parrot RKi8400! Equipped with a 200 W MOFSET amplifier, the Parrot RKi8400 can offer you a new musical experience. Totally integrated into the vehicle’s audio system, conversations and music are transmitted via the speakers for maximum listening quality.
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