2010 Mazda 3 Review

2010 Mazda 3 - Slick package.

By: Dan Jedlicka

No wonder that the Mazda3 accounts for most of the automaker's sales in America. Its almost European feel provides driving kicks. And it has reasonable prices, slick styling, good fuel economy and lots of room for a compact car.

The Mazda3 continues as a four-door sedan and four-door hatchback in a variety of trim levels with two engines (one new) and five- or six-speed manual transmissions, along with a five-speed automatic with a manual-shift feature.

Among new features for 2010 are a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 167 horsepower that replaces a 2.3-liter four-cylinder with 156 horsepower. Continuing is a 2-liter four-cylinder with 148 horsepower.

Both 2010 engines are sophisticated, with dual overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder and variable valve timing. But the 2.5 is quieter than the 2.3 during fast acceleration.

The 155-mph hot rod MazdaSpeed3 has a turbocharged 2.3-liter dual-overhead-camshaft four-cylinder that generates 263 horsepower. Most buyers of this model don't give a darn about how much noise the engine or exhaust make--it's music to their ears. Gear ratios of this model's six-speed manual transmission have been revised to make better use of the engine's torque.

Prices with the regular four-cylinder engines range from $15,045 to $22,300 for the sedan and from $19,230 to $22,300 for the hatchback. The fire-breathing MazdaSpeed3 comes only as a hatchback and costs $23,195.

All versions are fairly well equipped with comfort, convenience and safety features. There's a fair number of options and option packages, some of which are pricey. For instance, a power moonroof and Bose audio package for the hatchback costs $1,395.

The regular 2009 Mazda3's styling looks good, but the new model looks racier with a bolder grille, aggressively sculpted front fenders and hood and a front-to-rear rise of the beltline that--if you use your imagination--gives the car the look of a predator about to pounce.

The MazdaSpeed3 looks the raciest, with bolder styling touches, flared fenders, wider tires and an intercooler hood scoop for more consistent engine output. The interior looks especially sporty, and there's a new rear spoiler.

The Mazda3 retains its103.9-inch wheelbase, but the version with the 2.5 engine has a three-inch body length increase for less wind drag.

Two large instrument clusters are positioned to allow easy driver viewing, which was enhanced by red backlit gauges in my test $21,500 Mazda3 Grand Touring model with the 2.5 engine and a six-speed manual transmission. The gearbox shifted nicely and worked with a light, but long-throw, clutch.

The car can be driven at 30 mph in sixth gear, but isn't happy at that speed unless a driver drops to fifth gear. Fourth gear actually is preferable for easy in-town driving. The shifter must be used a lot to get the best performance from the new engine because the car is fairly heavy at approximately 3,000 pounds.

As one might guess, fuel economy is best with the 2-liter four-cylinder. It's an estimated 25 mpg in the city and 33 on highways with the manual transmission and 24 and 33 with the automatic in the sedan. The 2.5 provides 21 mpg city and 29 highway with the manual and 22 and 29 with the automatic in both sedan and hatchback models. The MazdaSpeed3 provides 18 city and 25 highway.

A higher level of driving enjoyment is provided by body, chassis and powertrain enhancements. There also are key safety and environmental upgrades.

The Mazda3's front-wheel-drive setup makes it nose-heavy, with the engine sitting way forward and a 60/40 weight distribution. But handling still is adroit, helped by wider 50-series tires on 17-inch wheels found on models with the 2.5 engine. (Mazda3s with the 2-liter engine have 55-series tires on 16-inch wheels.)

The MazdaSpeed3 wears the largest (18-inch) wheels on the widest (40-series) tires for the best handling but the firmest ride.

My test car's variable power steering was precise, and the ride was supple. The brake pedal had a friendly, progressive action.

Most models have traction control and an anti-skid system, while all have anti-lock brakes with electronic brake force distribution and a brake assist feature for surer stops.
There is good room for four tall adults. Front seats are supportive, but a high, hard rear center seat area makes it uncomfortable for a third occupant. It's best to use that area for the fold-down armrest, which contains two cupholders. Front dual console cupholders are nicely located to avoid spills and have a cover.

Red backlit gauges can be quickly read. Climate controls are large, but the smaller sound system controls take some getting used to.

Cabin storage is good. The glove compartment is large, and there's a deep, covered front console bin. All doors have storage pockets, although the rear ones aren't large enough to be very useful.

The hatchback's cargo area is large, with a low, wide opening. And the split rear seatbacks flip forward and sit flat to increase cargo capacity. The hatch has an indented interior area to help close it. The sedan's trunk is fairly large.

The hood's inside padding helps eliminate some engine noise, but the hood is held open by a prop rod, instead of more convenient hydraulic struts.

With more distinctive styling and other improvements, the Mazda3 should help keep Mazda reasonably happy even in the depressed car market.

Visit DanJedlicka.com where veteran auto writer Dan Jedlicka reviews the latest cars and trucks in an easily understood but detailed manner. In addition, Dan's Web site also includes colorful classic and collectible car articles, a letters column and candid interviews with auto-field personalities.

Dan Jedlicka

Dan Jedlicka's Website

Dan Jedlicka joined the Chicago Sun-Times in February 1968 as a business news reporter and was named auto editor later that year. He has reviewed more than 4,000 new vehicles for the Sun-Times--far more than any newspaper auto writer in the country. Jedlicka also reviewed vehicles for Microsoft Corp.'s MSN Autos Internet site from January, 1996, to June, 2008.

Jedlicka remained auto editor at the Sun-Times until October, 2008, and continued writing for the newspaper's AutoTimes section, which he started in 1992, until February, 2009. While continuing his auto writings at the Sun-Times, he served as assistant financial editor of that newspaper from 1970 to 1973, when he began his automotive column.

He has appeared on numerous radio and television shows, including NBC's "Today," ABC's "20/20" and "The CBS Evening News." He was a host, consultant and writer for Fox-TV Channel 32's 1991 New Car Preview show and that Chicago-based station's 1992, 1993, 1994 and 1995 Chicago Auto Show Previews.

Jedlicka's auto articles have been printed in national magazines, including Esquire and Harper's. His auto columns have been reprinted in U.S. government publications and economic textbooks and he is profiled in the "World's Greatest Auto Show" history book about the Chicago Auto Show. In late 1975, Jedlicka was host and technical advisor for three one-hour television specials, "Auto Test 76," which aired nationally on PBS and were the first nationally televised auto road test shows.

In 1995, Jedlicka was the recipient of the Better Business Bureau of Chicago and Northern Illinois Inc.'s Consumer Education Award, given annually to a person who has gained distinction in the field of consumer education. He received a Lifetime Achievement Award in the Media category and inducted into the Legends of Motorsports Guild at the Carquest World of wheels custom car show in Chicago in January, 2006.

Jedlicka was a member of the North American Car and Truck of the Year jury, composed of a select number of auto journalists from throughout the country, from 1995 until 2009. From 2010 to 2012, he was a member of Consumer Digest magazine's auto experts panel that gave Best Buy new vehicle recommendations.

He is a 1987 graduate of the Bob Bondurant Race Drivers School and later of the BMW "M" and Skip Barber Advanced Driving schools. He was a member of the U.S. team that participated in the 1987 1,000-mile Mille Miglia race/rally in Italy and has been a race winner at the Chicago area's Santa Fe Speedway.

Jedlicka has owned 25 classic cars, including 1950s and 1960s Ferraris and 1950s and 1960s Porsches, a 1965 Corvette, a 1967 Maserati and a 1957 Studebaker supercharged Golden Hawk. Jedlicka resides with his wife, Suzanne, in the Frank Lloyd Wright historic district of Oak Park. They have two children, James and Michele.

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2010 Mazda 3 Review

2010 Mazda 3 - Slick package.

Dan Jedlicka

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