Reviewers give the 2011 Mazda3 a thumbs up for its high performance and nice interior, but many grimace at its smiling front grill. Because the Mazda3 was just redesigned for 2010, the 2011 Mazda3 is almost identical to the 2010. Reviewers praise the 2011 Mazda3’s interior almost as much as its performance. Also, like the 2010 Mazda3, the 2011’s exterior isn’t perfect.
If you plan to buy a used model Mazda3, be aware that Mazda recalled over 200,000 model year 2007-2009 Mazda3 and Mazda5 vehicles. There are few small cars and hatchbacks that have the Mazda3’s level of sportiness or fun driving experience, but the Honda Civic is a another good option. Some reviewers call the Fiesta the best-driving car in the class. The base sedan starts below the "Mazda3" at $13,320, and buyers can opt for a five-door hatchback.
The Mazda 3 is also notable for the number of upmarket features that are available, including bi-xenon headlights, keyless ignition/entry and dual-zone automatic climate control. All models now have stability control, while the Grand Touring trims receive the formerly optional Bose audio system and sunroof.
For my family, the Mazda3 easily adjusted to our lives. While the Mazda3 seats five, it's a tight squeeze to do so. The child in the center seat probably would have been more comfortable had I used backless booster seats for my girls, giving the child more shoulder room.
While there's enough room in the backseat to fit a rear-facing infant-safety seat, there's not enough space for a rear-facing convertible child-safety seat without moving the front passenger seat really far forward.
The 2011 Mazda 3 is available in four-door compact sedan and hatchback body styles.
The 3i model (sedan only) is offered in SV, Sport and Touring trim levels. Standard equipment on the SV includes 16-inch steel wheels, a 60/40-split-folding seat, height-adjustable driver seat, a tilt-and-telescoping steering column, full power accessories and a four-speaker stereo with a CD player, an auxiliary audio jack and steering-wheel controls. The 3s Sport (available as sedan and hatchback) adds the more powerful 2.5-liter engine, different front and rear fascias, 17-inch alloy wheels, foglights, dual exhaust tips, rear spoiler, aggressively bolstered front seats, upgraded upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, a trip computer and electroluminescent gauges. The 3s Grand Touring adds a sunroof, heated outside mirrors, dual-zone automatic climate control, a 10-speaker Bose audio system (with an in-dash, six-disc CD changer), heated front seats, leather upholstery and an eight-way power driver seat.
The Technology package (available for the 3s Sport and 3s Grand Touring) includes rain-sensing windshield wipers, automatic headlights, adaptive bi-xenon headlights, LED taillights, keyless ignition/entry, satellite radio and a navigation system (with steering-wheel controls and a small, high-mounted display screen).
The 2011 Mazda 3i comes with a 2.0-liter inline-4 that produces 148 horsepower and 135 pound-feet of torque. Estimated fuel economy is 24 mpg city/33 mpg highway and 27 mpg combined with the automatic -- the manual stands at 25/33/28. Estimated fuel economy is 22 mpg city/29 mpg highway and 25 mpg combined with the automatic (20/28/23 with the manual). Both fuel economy and acceleration are on par with similarly powerful small cars.
Standard safety equipment on the 2011 Mazda 3 includes stability and traction control, antilock disc brakes (with brake assist), active front head restraints, front side airbags and side curtain airbags. In government crash tests, the Mazda 3 earned five stars (the highest rating) in frontal impact protection for both driver and passenger.
The 2011 Mazda 3 is a class leader in terms of interior design, quality and feature content. Most Mazda 3 hatchbacks and sedans sold won't be the upper Touring and Grand Touring models, but they'll still greet their owners with high-quality materials, comfortable front seats, ample space and easy-to-reach controls.
The beefed-up 2.5-liter engine in 3s models is the same one that powers the midsize Mazda 6.
