2006 Mazda 3 Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

Mazda's compact car comes as a 4-dr sedan and 4-dr hatchback. Sedans offer base i and uplevel s models. Hatchbacks are s models. Added for '06 are i Touring sedans and s Touring and s Grand Touring versions of both body styles. All use a 4-cyl engine. The i models have 150-hp, s versions have 160-hp. Manual transmission is standard. A 4-speed automatic is optional for i sedans; a 5-speed automatic for s versions. Both automatics include a manual shift gate. ABS, front side airbags, and curtain side airbags are standard on s Touring and s Grand Touring versions. These features are available on other 3s--except the s hatchback, which isn't available with side or curtain airbags. Grand Touring versions include leather upholstery, heated front seats, and xenon headlamps. A navigation system is available on Grand Tourings.

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

New or significantly redesigned models include Chevrolet HHR, Hyundai Accent, Kia Rio, and Volkswagen Golf and Jetta.

News

A sporty MazdaSpeed hatchback and detail updates to other models make 2007 news for Mazda 3. Mazda says all 3s get additional underbody bracing, suspension retuning, a mild front-end restyle and several interior revisions, including a standard 12-volt outlet and MP3 music-player plug-in. The new MazdaSpeed 3 borrows the turbocharged/intercooled 2.3-liter engine and 6-speed manual transmission from the larger MazdaSpeed 6, but not its all-wheel drive. Instead, Mazda uses an electronic "High-Level Torque Management" system for even power delivery without unwanted pulling to the side. Mazda says horsepower will be at least 250 vs. 274 in the larger MazdaSpeed. Other features include upgraded all-disc brakes with ABS, specific exterior body panels and interior trim, plus rear spoiler, large-diameter exhaust pipe and 18-inch wheels as standard. The '07 Mazda 3s go on sale this fall. The basic design likely won't be replaced before 2010.

2006 Mazda 3 Road Test

Pros	Cons

Steering/handling	Cargo room (sedan)

Fuel economy

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

i Touring, man.	i Touring, auto.	s Touring, auto.	s hatch, man.	Class Average
5	4	5	6	4.4

Base i sedans are OK around town, but lack midrange punch, especially with automatic transmission. Peppier s models have better performance overall; test manual-transmission hatchback did 8.0 sec 0-60 mph. Even so, passing on two-lane roads requires planning. Automatic smooth, responsive. Sporty manual has precise, easy shift/clutch action.

Fuel Economy

i Touring, man.	i Touring, auto.	s Touring, auto.	s hatch, man.	Class Average
6	6	6	6	6.7

Test manual-transmission s sedan averaged 27.1 mpg in mainly highway driving; a hatchback averaged 20.8 with more city use and gas-eating performance tests. No opportunity yet to measure i models.

Ride Quality

i Touring, man.	i Touring, auto.	s Touring, auto.	s hatch, man.	Class Average
5	5	5	5	4.9

All 3s have firm suspensions, show good composure except on largest high-speed dips and swells. Impact harshness increases with wheel size; 17-inch tires on S models register some sharp bumps, but ride is never punishing.

Steering/Handling/Braking

i Touring, man.	i Touring, auto.	s Touring, auto.	s hatch, man.	Class Average
6	6	7	7	5.6

Among the best-handling compacts: nimble and balanced, helped by precise, linear steering with good road feel. Excellent directional stability. Braking stable, but be sure to get ABS.

Quietness

i Touring, man.	i Touring, auto.	s Touring, auto.	s hatch, man.	Class Average
4	4	5	4	4.2

Road noise noticed more in hatchbacks than sedans, but isn't intrusive for the class. Same for highway wind rush. Engines get loud at full throttle and aren't that quiet in gentle cruising.

Controls

i Touring, man.	i Touring, auto.	s Touring, auto.	s hatch, man.	Class Average
7	7	7	7	5.9

Gauges recessed, have overstyled graphics, which hampers readability. Dashboard night lighting a bit dim on one test car. Most controls simple and handy, but some testers say climate switches are a stretch, stereo layout a bit confusing. Available navigation system fairly easy to use and a rare feature in this class. Cabin decor shows upscale flair, but some materials have slightly low-buck look and feel.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

i Touring, man.	i Touring, auto.	s Touring, auto.	s hatch, man.	Class Average
5	5	5	5	5.5

Fine six-footer head and leg room, though taller drivers may want more of both. Standard tilt/telescope steering wheel aids positioning in all models. Chair-height seats provide fine comfort, support.

Room/Comfort (rear)

i Touring, man.	i Touring, auto.	s Touring, auto.	s hatch, man.	Class Average
4	4	4	4	3.9

Leg room tight with front seats pushed more than halfway back. Fine toe room under front seats in both body styles. Head room ample in hatchbacks, but taller passengers will want more clearance in sedans.

Cargo Room

i Touring, man.	i Touring, auto.	s Touring, auto.	s hatch, man.	Class Average
2	2	2	7	4.7

Sedan's trunk is a bit small but useful, with low liftover and sufficient height. More versatile hatchback includes handy rear cargo organizer. All 3s have 60/40 split rear seatbacks that fold almost flat. Interior storage just OK, despite extra-large dashboard glovebox.

Value within Class

i Touring, man.	i Touring, auto.	s Touring, auto.	s hatch, man.	Class Average
10	9	9	10	6.2

Though not the quickest-accelerating compact cars, Mazda 3s excel for sporty driving fun. They also deliver solid build quality and a pleasant, efficient interior package. Add in competitive pricing, and you have a worthy Best Buy.

Total Score

i Touring, man.	i Touring, auto.	s Touring, auto.	s hatch, man.	Class Average
54	52	55	61	52

Scores for all Compact Cars

Low Score		37
Average Score		52
High Score		64

2006 Mazda 3 Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 06/13/2006

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

i 4-door sedan	$13,710	$12,848	$560

i Touring 4-door sedan	$15,990	$14,975	$560

s 4-door sedan	$16,880	$15,805	$560

s 4-door hatchback	$17,370	$16,262	$560

s Touring 4-door sedan	$17,615	$16,489	$560

s Touring 4-door hatchback	$17,615	$16,489	$560

s Grand Touring 4-door sedan	$19,165	$17,935	$560

s Grand Touring 4-door hatchback	$19,165	$17,935	$560

Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.

NA = price note available, NC = no charge.

Rebates and Incentives

There are no rebates or incentives at this time.

Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.

Standard Equipment

Powertrain

2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, 5-speed manual transmission.

Safety

Dual front airbags, 4-wheel disc brakes, emergency inside trunklid release (sedan).

Comfort and Convenience Features

Power steering, tilt/telescope steering wheel w/radio controls, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, center console, cupholders, split folding rear seat, AM/FM/CD player, digital clock, tachometer, map lights, intermittent wipers, visor mirrors, rear defogger, floormats.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Theft-deterrent system, 195/65HR15 tires, wheel covers.

i Touring adds to i:

Comfort and Convenience Features

Air conditioning, interior air filter, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, outside-temperature indicator.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

205/55HR16 tires, alloy wheels.

s adds to i Touring:

Powertrain

2.3-liter 4-cylinder engine.

Safety

Antilock 4-wheel disc brakes.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Leather-wrapped steering wheel, height-adjustable driver seat w/lumbar adjustment, variable-intermittent wipers, cargo cover (hatchback), intermittent rear wiper (hatchback).

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Fog lights, rear spoiler (hatchback), 205/50VR17 tires (hatchback).

s Touring adds to s:

Safety

Front side airbags, curtain side airbags.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

205/50VR17 tires.

s Grand Touring adds to s Touring:

Safety

Tire-pressure monitor.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Leather upholstery, heated front seats, automatic climate control, trip computer, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Xenon headlights.

Optional Equipment

Major Packages	Retail Price	Invoice Price
ABS and Airbag Pkg.
i, i Touring	$390	$340
Antilock brakes, front side airbags, curtain side airbags. i requires air conditioning.

Moonroof and 6-CD Pkg.
i Touring, s, s Touring	$890	$765
s Grand Touring	$1,335	$1,148
Power sunroof, Bose sound system (s Grand Touring), in-dash 6-disc CD changer. NA i.

Appearance Pkg. 1/2
i, i Touring	$900	$720
hatchback	$700	$560
Body cladding.

Appearance Pkg. 3
i, i Touring	$1,150	$920
Body cladding, fog lights.

Interior Trim Pkg.
s, s Touring	$270	$216
Unique interior trim, premium floormats.

Powertrain
4-speed automatic transmission w/manual-shift capability
i, i Touring	$900	$810


5-speed automatic transmission w/manual-shift capability
s, s Touring, s Grand Touring	$950	$855


Safety
Curtain side airbags
s sedan	$245	$211
Includes front side airbags.

Comfort and Convenience Features
Air conditioning
i	$880	$757
Includes interior air filter, outside-temperature indicator.

Navigation system
s Grand Touring	$1,750	$1,505
Requires Moonroof and 6-CD Pkg.

Remote engine start
i, i Touring, s, s Grand Touring, s Touring	$350	$280
Requires automatic transmission.

Cassette player
i, i Touring, s, s Grand Touring, s Touring	$200	$160


AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD/MP3 changer
i, i Touring, s, s Grand Touring, s Touring	$500	$400


Satellite radio
i, i Touring, s, s Grand Touring, s Touring	$430	$344
Requires monthly fee after 6th month.

Leather upholstery
s Touring	$590	$507
Requires Moonroof and 6-CD Pkg.

Automatic day/night rearview mirror
i, i Touring, s, s Grand Touring, s Touring	$175	$140
Includes compass.

Automatic day/night rearview mirror w/universal garage-door opener
i, i Touring, s, s Grand Touring, s Touring	$250	$200
Includes compass.

Cargo net
i, i Touring, s, s Grand Touring, s Touring	$40	$32


Cargo mat
i, i Touring, s, s Grand Touring, s Touring	$40	$32


Cargo tray
hatchback	$50	$40


All-weather floormats
i, i Touring, s, s Grand Touring, s Touring	$60	$48


Appearance and Miscellaneous
Fog lights
i, i Touring	$300	$240


Rear lip spoiler
sedan	$325	$260


Rear wing spoiler
sedan	$375	$300


Door edge guards
i, i Touring, s, s Grand Touring, s Touring	$100	$80


Satin-finished fuel-filler door
i, i Touring, s, s Grand Touring, s Touring	$100	$80


Mud guards
i, i Touring	$110	$88


Side-sill extensions
s, s Touring, s Grand Touring	$375	$300


Rear bumper pad
hatchback	$45	$36


Rear diffuser skirt
hatchback	$240	$192


Lower door moldings
hatchback	$350	$280


Wheel lip moldings
hatchback	$350	$280


Special paint
s, s Touring, s Grand Touring	$200	$172


Wheel locks
i Touring, s, s Touring, s Grand Touring	$40	$32

2006 Mazda 3 Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	Mazda 3 4-door hatchback	Mazda 3 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.

Engines

	dohc I4	dohc I4

Size, liters/cu. in.	2.0 /122	2.3 /138

Horsepower @ rpm.	150 @ 6500	160 @ 6500

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	135 @ 4500	150 @ 4500

Availability	Standard	Standard

EPA City / highway mpg

5-speed manual	28/35	26/32

4-speed automatic	26/34	--/--

5-speed automatic	--/--	25/31

Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Safety Features

Antilock Brakes

Traction Control

Antiskid System

Front Side Airbags

Curtain Side Airbags

Rear Side Airbags

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	Mazda 3 4-door hatchback	Mazda 3 4-door sedan

Front Impact, Driver	4	4

Front Impact, Passenger	4	4

Rollover Resistance	4	4

Side Impact, Driver	3	3

Side Impact, Rear Passenger	3	3

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%. Side-impact 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%.

Manufacturer's Warranty

Class	Years/Miles	Comments

Powertrain	None/--	--

Bumper-to-bumper	4/50,000	--

Corrosion	5/Unlimited	--

Free roadside assistance	4/50,000	--

Free scheduled maintenance	None/--	--

Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive. There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.

Built in: Japan

Drivewheels: front-wheel drive

< 2006 Mazda 3 Photos

Also in the 2006 Mazda 3 Review:

Mazda 3

Mazda 3 Road Test

Mazda 3 Prices & Equipment

Mazda 3 Specs & Safety

Mazda 3 Photos

Mazda 3 Full Review

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