2004-2008 Mazda 3: Full Review
Updated: 11/23/08
Reviews & Ratings
Pricing
Explore
Specifications & Safety
Related to Mazda 3
Related Reviews
View Another Vehicle
Learn about the year-to-year changes and reliability for the 2004-2008 Mazda 3 and our price chart details a range of prices based on vehicle mileage and condition.
Pros
- Fuel economy
- Acceleration (s models with manual transmission)
- Handling
Cons
- Acceleration (i models with automatic transmission)
- Cargo room
Vehicle Highlights
Mazda replaced its Prot¿g¿ subcompact for 2004 with a slightly larger new car called the Mazda 3. Mazda 3 came in 4-dr sedan and hatchback body styles. The sedan was available in base "i" trim and uplevel "s" form. The hatchback came only as an s model. Two 4-cyl engines were available: a 148-hp 2.0 liter for i models, a 160-hp 2.3 for s versions. With either engine, a 5-speed manual transmission came standard; a 4-speed automatic with manual shift gate was optional. The i model had 15-inch wheels or optional 16s. The s sedan came with 16s; 17s were included in its Sport Package option. The hatchback had 17s. Front side airbags, curtain side airbags, and ABS were grouped in a single option package for all models. Options exclusive to s versions were leather upholstery, a navigation system, and a package that consisted of a tire-pressure monitor and xenon headlights. Air conditioning was optional on the i model, standard on s versions.
Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)
| Category | Mazda 3 s hatchback with manual transmission Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 6 | |
| Fuel Economy | 6 | |
| Ride Quality | 5 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 7 | |
| Quietness | 4 | |
| Controls/Materials | 7 | |
| Interior Room | 5 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 4 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 7 | |
| Value within Class | 10 | |
| Total Score: | 61 |
Learn about the year-to-year changes of the 2004-2008 Mazda 3. Get full details of the styling and performance changes throughout the history of the 2004-2008 Mazda 3.
Year to Year Changes
2005 Mazda 3:
A new sp23 model included leather seating, and 17-inch polished alloy wheels.
2006 Mazda 3:
The sp23 model was dropped, and s Touring and S Grand Touring were added. S Touring included front side airbags, curtain side airbags, and 17-inch wheels. The s Grand Touring added to S Touring leather seating, heated front seats, automatic climate control, trip computer, and xenon headlamps.
2007 Mazda 3:
Mazda 3 added a performance model and traction/antiskid control became available for 2007. These 4-dr sedans and 4-dr hatchbacks came in Sport, Touring, and Grand Touring trim, and were joined by a MazdaSpeed hatchback for '07. It had a sport-tuned suspension, xenon headlights, leather upholstery, larger brakes, and 18-inch wheels. Other models got minor cosmetic changes for 2007.
2008 Mazda 3:
The 2008 Mazda 3 is largely unchanged this year.
Our road test for the 2004-2008 Mazda 3 includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 2004-2008 Mazda 3 and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 2004-2008 Mazda 3 is right for you.
Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation
Any version of Mazda's compact sedan pleases with its blend of sporty steering and responsive handling. The S versions are especially fun to drive, benefiting from larger wheels and tires, better brake feel, and additional horsepower. Extracting the most entertainment from a 3 means opting for the manual transmission, as either available engine is subdued by the available automatic. Fuel economy is another high point, with one test S with manual transmission averaging 27.1 mpg. Passenger accommodations, front and rear, are about average for the class. Taller rear-seat passengers will prefer the hatchback and its addition inch of headroom. And though both body styles rank about average in class for quietness, testers found noise levels slightly elevated in hatchback versions. A smallish trunk limits cargo options on sedans, while the hatchback's relatively spacious storage area is augmented by a useful storage tray.
Value for the Money
Though not the quickest-accelerating compact cars, all Mazda 3s excel for sporty driving fun. They also deliver solid build quality and a pleasant, efficient interior package. Fun seekers are advised to pass up the automatic transmission in favor of the smooth 5-seed manual.
Though not the quickest-accelerating compact cars, all Mazda 3s excel for sporty driving fun. They also deliver solid build quality and a pleasant, efficient interior package. Fun seekers are advised to pass up the automatic transmission in favor of the smooth 5-seed manual.
Expert Ratings Summary
| Category | Mazda 3 s hatchback with manual transmission Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 6 | |
| Fuel Economy | 6 | |
| Ride Quality | 5 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 7 | |
| Quietness | 4 | |
| Controls/Materials | 7 | |
| Interior Room | 5 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 4 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 7 | |
| Value within Class | 10 | |
| Total Score: | 61 |
Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer
Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering
and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room,
Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle
rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the
ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.
Our reliability study for this generation Mazda 3 includes details on average repair costs, manufacturer recalls, and everything you need to know to gauge the long-term reliability of this generation Mazda 3 .
Trouble Spots
Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search
for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested
solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer,
however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.
Air conditioner:
Overheating and/or lack of charging may result from a tensioner pulley that wears out and the tensioner; drive belt as well as A/C drive belt must be changed. (2004-05)
Brakes:
Rear brakes make grinding or squealing noises and revised brake pads have been issued, while front brakes squeal when cold, so new pads along with a revised caliper support have been issued. (2004-05)
Cold-starting problems:
Engine may not restart after short trip in extremely cold weather (-20F) due to master relay points freezing. (2004-06)
Electrical problem:
Airbag warning light may come on due to damaged pretensioner sensor wiring breakage from adjusting the seat. (2005)
Engine noise:
Engine vibration is caused by failed motor mount, and a revised mount with different rubber is available. (2004-05)
None:
The headliner may get wet or drip in the winter due to moisture accumulating from the use of recirculated rather than fresh air. (2004-06)
Vehicle shake:
Vibration at 55 mph corrected by installing revised motor mounts. (2004-06)
Windows:
The auto-down feature of the driver's window may stop about half-way down, requiring replacement of the main switch. (2004-05)
Wipers:
The wipers may not clean the windshield properly in cold weather when the rubber edge stiffens. So, revised wiper arms with greater spring pressure are available. (2004)
Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs
This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The
dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the
typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement
costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership
to be slightly higher.
| Item Name | Repair Cost |
| A/C Compressor | $600 |
| Alternator | $270 |
| Automatic Transmission or Transaxle | $3,100 |
| Brakes | $325 |
| Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing | $830 |
| Constant Velocity Joints | $930 |
| Exhaust System | $440 |
| Radiator | $650 |
| Shocks and/or Struts | $720 |
| Timing Chain or Belt | $950 |
Our price chart for this generation Mazda 3 details a range of prices in
year-by-year listings based on vehicle mileage and condition.
| Prices | Good | Average | Poor |
|
|
|||
| 2008 | |||
| Mazda 3i | $14,400-15,800 | $13,100-14,400 | $8,900-9,800 |
| Mazda 3s | $15,800-17,300 | $14,400-15,700 | $10,100-11,100 |
| MazdaSpeed 3 | $19,500-21,500 | $17,900-19,800 | $12,700-14,000 |
| 2007 | |||
| Mazda 3i | $12,900-13,900 | $11,700-12,600 | $7,400-7,900 |
| Mazda 3s | $14,200-15,500 | $12,900-14,100 | $8,700-9,500 |
| MazdaSpeed 3 | $17,000-18,500 | $15,600-17,000 | $10,900-11,800 |
| 2006 | |||
| Mazda 3i | $11,500-12,500 | $10,400-11,300 | $6,300-6,900 |
| Mazda 3s | $12,800-13,800 | $11,600-12,600 | $7,300-7,900 |
| 2005 | |||
| Mazda 3i | $10,200-11,200 | $9,200-10,100 | $5,300-5,800 |
| Mazda 3s | $11,300-12,200 | $10,200-11,000 | $6,200-6,700 |
| 2004 | |||
| Mazda 3i | $9,100-10,000 | $8,200-9,000 | $4,700-5,200 |
| Mazda 3s | $10,000-10,800 | $9,000-9,700 | $5,200-5,600 |
|
|
|||
This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:
Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.
Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings;
engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.
Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or
abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations
reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car
lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical
amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo,
etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep
in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from
region to region.
Specs for this generation Mazda 3 include everything from fuel mileage to seating capacity to options availability.
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | 4-door hatchback | 4-door sedan |
| Wheelbase, in. | 103.9 | 103.9 |
| Overall Length, in. | 176.6 | 178.3 |
| Overall Width, in. | 69.1 | 69.1 |
| Overall Height, in. | 57.7 | 57.7 |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 2808 | 2685 |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 31.2 | 11.4 |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- | -- |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 14.5 | 14.5 |
| Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Front Head Room, in. | 39.1 | 39.1 |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 41.9 | 41.9 |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 38.4 | 37.4 |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 36.3 | 36.3 |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
||
Powertrain Options and Availability
Two 4-cylinder engines and three transmissions are available for Mazda 3. For i models, a 150-hp engine mates to either a 5-speed manual transmission, or a 4-speed automatic. The more potent s versions have a 160-hp engine that comes with either a 5-speed manual or 5-speed automatic. The 3 is joined by a MazdaSpeed hatchback for '07. It's powered by a 263-horsepower turbocharged 2.3-liter 4-cylinder engine and 6-speed manual transmission.
| Engines | cu. in |
Horse- power | Torque | Transmission: |
Consumer Guide Observed |
| dohc I4 | 2.0 / 122 | 150 | 135 | 5-speed manual: 28/35 4-speed automatic: 26/34 |
5-speed manual: -- 4-speed automatic: -- |
| dohc I4 | 2.3 / 138 | 160 | 150 | 5-speed manual: 26/32 5-speed automatic: 25/31 |
5-speed manual: 27.1 5-speed automatic: -- |
| Turbocharged dohc I4 | 2.3 / 138 | 263 | 280 | 6-speed manual: 20/28 | 6-speed manual: -- |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
|||||
Built In: Japan
Drive Wheels: transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive
Detailed safety information for this generation Mazda 3 include detailed crash test scores from the NHTSA.
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
| Test | 2006 Mazda 3 4-door sedan |
|---|---|
| Front Impact, Driver | 4 |
| Front Impact, Passenger | 4 |
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Sideimpact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
Learn about official auto recalls, reliability issues, and vehicle problems for the 2004-2008 Mazda 3 directly from the NHTSA and manufacturers.
NHTSA Recall History
2004-05 Mazda 3:
Front airbag sensor and control module faulty.
2007:
The No. 4 left side engine mount bolt may loosen if a sudden rapid acceleration is repeatedly performed, allowing the transmission to get out of position. Dealers will inspect and replace the No. 4 engine mount bolt with a modified one and, if necessary, replace the engine mount rubber and bracket with new ones.
Car Buying Resources
Search
Local Listings
Vehicle
History Report
FREE CARFAX Record Check
Looking at a used car, check for costly hidden problems before
you buy.
