2005 Mazda 3 - Consumer Guide Automotive

Category	i w/16-in. wheels, man. Rating (See All Ratings)	Compact Car Average Rating

Acceleration	5	4.1

Fuel Economy	6	6.7

Ride Quality	5	4.6

Steering/Handling/Braking	6	5.4

Quietness	4	4

Controls	7	5.5

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)	5	5

Room/Comfort (rear)	4	3.6

Cargo Room	2	3.9

Value within Class	9	5.8

Total Score:	53	48.6

Ratings: Maximum 10 points per category

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2005 Mazda 3 Review

Mazda's compact comes in 4-dr sedan and hatchback body styles. The sedan is available in base "i," midlevel "s," and uplevel "sp23" trim. The hatchback is offered only as s and sp23 models. Two 4-cyl engines are available: a 148-hp 2.0-liter for i models, a 160-hp 2.3 for s and sp23 versions. With either engine, a 5-speed manual transmission is standard; a 4-speed automatic with manual shift gate is optional. The i model has 15-inch wheels or optional 16s. The s sedan comes with 16s; 17s are included in its Sport Package option. The sp23 sedan and hatchbacks have 17-inch wheels. Front side airbags, head-protecting curtain side airbags, and ABS are grouped in an option package for every Mazda 3. Leather upholstery is standard on sp23 and available for s. A navigation system and a package that includes a tire-pressure monitor and xenon headlights are available. Air conditioning is optional on the i model, standard on other models.

Competition

Consumer Guide® Automotive places each vehicle into one of 17 classes based on size, price, and market position. Compact Cars comprise the smallest passengers cars. These vehicles range from tiny economy models to slightly larger popularly priced sedans, hatchbacks, and wagons.

Our Best Buys include the Chrysler PT Cruiser, Honda Civic, Mazda 3, and Pontiac Vibe/Toyota Matrix twins. Our Recommended picks include the Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra, Kia Spectra, and Toyota Corolla.

News

A MazdaSpeed hatchback still looms as a 2006 prospect, as Mazda doesn't deny eyeing an extra-sporty 3. Unlike the recently added sp3, the MazdaSpeed should use a high-tune 2.0-liter engine, possibly turbocharged. Also likely are a handling-oriented suspension, upsized wheels, and various styling add-ons for appeal to the young "tuner car" set. This aside, the 3 is expected to carry on with no major changes through model-year 2008.

Meanwhile, Mazda seems ready to add a crossover wagon based on the global C1 platform shared among the 3, Volvo's S40/V50 compacts, and parent Ford's Euro-market Focus. Possibly labeled CX-4, Mazda's new little hauler is said to be bit larger than the Pontiac Vibe/Toyota Matrix twins. It also targets the Chrysler PT Cruiser, Chevy's similar new HHR, and the '06 sportwagon replacement for the Dodge Neon. We hear CX-4, if that's the name, will have a 2.3-liter 4-cyl engine and 17-inch wheels, plus sliding rear side doors and six individual seats that can be arranged in a variety of ways. More news as it happens, so keep checking back with us.

2005 Mazda 3 Road Test >

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