Search Consumer Guide Auto and the Web
 

2008 Mazda 3 Full Review
Date Published: 4/30/08
2008 Mazda 3 Review
The 2008 Mazda 3 is largely unchanged this year. These compact cars come as 4-door sedans and 4-door hatchbacks in Sport, Touring, and Grand Touring trims. There is also a high-performance MazdaSpeed hatchback, which is available in Sport and Grand Touring trims. All have a 4-cylinder engine. Mazda 3s with the "i" prefix have a 148-hp 2.0-liter, and "s" versions have a 156-hp 2.3. The MazdaSpeed has a 263-hp turbocharged 2.3 and comes only with a 6-speed manual transmission. Other models have a manual or automatic transmission. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain side airbags, and front side airbags. The Grand Touring versions of the s and MazdaSpeed have leather upholstery and xenon headlamps. A navigation system is an option on s and MazdaSpeed Grand Tourings. MazdaSpeeds include limited-slip differential, sport suspension, larger brakes, and 18-inch wheels, plus specific styling touches.
Competition
Consumer Guide Automotive places each vehicle into one of 18 classes based on size, price, and market position. Compact Cars comprise popularly priced sedans, hatchbacks, and wagons with wheelbases 99.4 inches or longer.

Our Best Buys include the Honda Civic, Nissan Versa, and Scion xB. Our Recommended picks are the Hyundai Elantra and Mazda 3.

New or significantly redesigned models include the Ford Focus, Mitsubishi Lancer, Saturn Astra, Scion xB, and Subaru Impreza.

News
The rumor mill forecasts a Mazda 3 redesign for 2009. Specifics haven't leaked yet, but keep checking back here for late-breaking news.
   Locate a Dealer
Get a FREE Price Quote:
2008 Mazda 3 Road Test
Pros Cons
Acceleration (MazdaSpeed) Cargo room (sedan)
Steering/handling
Fuel economy
Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings
Acceleration

i Touring, automatic s Touring sedan, automatic s Touring hatchback, manual MazdaSpeed Grand Touring Class Average
4 5 5 7 4.9

The i sedans are OK around town but lack midrange punch, especially with the automatic transmission. The s models are peppier overall. A manual-transmission hatchback did 0-60 mph in 8.0 seconds, but in everyday driving it doesn't feel that quick. Passing on two-lane roads requires planning and, with the manual transmission, prudent gear selection. MazdaSpeed is very quick, though acceleration is blunted a bit by turbo lag. Mazda pegs it at under 6.0 seconds 0-60. On all, the automatic transmission is smooth and responsive. The manual has precise shift and clutch action.
Fuel Economy

i Touring, automatic s Touring sedan, automatic s Touring hatchback, manual MazdaSpeed Grand Touring Class Average
6 6 6 5 6.4

In Consumer Guide testing, a manual-transmission s sedan averaged 27.1 mpg in mainly highway driving. An s hatchback averaged 20.8 mpg in mostly city driving, including gas-eating performance runs. Similar models averaged 23.5 mpg in city/highway driving and 27.1 mpg with more highway use. A MazdaSpeed averaged 20.6 mpg. No opportunity to measure with the i model. MazdaSpeed requires premium-grade gas, and other 3s use regular.
Ride Quality

i Touring, automatic s Touring sedan, automatic s Touring hatchback, manual MazdaSpeed Grand Touring Class Average
5 5 5 4 5.1

All 3s have firm suspensions that show good composure except over large high-speed dips and swells. Impact harshness increases with wheel size; 17-inch tires on s models register some sharp bumps, but the ride is never punishing. MazdaSpeed is notably tauter.
Steering/Handling/Braking

i Touring, automatic s Touring sedan, automatic s Touring hatchback, manual MazdaSpeed Grand Touring Class Average
6 7 7 8 5.8

Among the best handling compacts, especially the MazdaSpeed: nimble and balanced, helped by precise, linear steering with good road feel. Excellent directional stability and a solid body structure further enhance the 3's sporty character. MazdaSpeed minimizes torque steer by modulating engine power and torque transfer. Braking on all is stable, but be sure to get ABS.
Quietness

i Touring, automatic s Touring sedan, automatic s Touring hatchback, manual MazdaSpeed Grand Touring Class Average
4 5 4 3 4.4

Road noise is noticed more in hatchbacks than sedans, but it 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. MazdaSpeed's low-profile tires and sporty exhaust note generate more ruckus.
Controls

i Touring, automatic s Touring sedan, automatic s Touring hatchback, manual MazdaSpeed Grand Touring Class Average
5 5 5 5 5.7

Most controls are simple and handy. The gauges are easy to read, despite being recessed into the dashboard. The 3, like other Mazdas, has two backlight settings for the instrument panel and major controls, which are governed by a button in the gauge cluster. In some low-light conditions, the "day" mode rendered the display too bright while the "night" mode was too dim. The navigation system is fairly easy to use and is a rare small-car feature.
Details

i Touring, automatic s Touring sedan, automatic s Touring hatchback, manual MazdaSpeed Grand Touring Class Average
5 5 5 5 5.2

The cabin decor tries to go for a sporty, upscale look, but it falls short in several areas. The plastic-looking woven inserts on the door panels and seats are unimpressive, and there are very few soft-touch surfaces. One test 3 hatchback suffered from an occasional dashboard rattle.
Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

i Touring, automatic s Touring sedan, automatic s Touring hatchback, manual MazdaSpeed Grand Touring Class Average
6 6 6 6 5.6

Legroom is good, as is headroom, even below the sunroof housing. The standard tilt and telescopic steering wheel aids positioning in all models. Chair-height seats provide fine comfort and support. MazdaSpeed has particularly well-bolstered sport buckets.
Room/Comfort (rear)

i Touring, automatic s Touring sedan, automatic s Touring hatchback, manual MazdaSpeed Grand Touring Class Average
3 3 4 4 4

Legroom is especially tight with the front seats far back. Toe space is fine. Headroom ample in hatchbacks, only OK for taller folk in sedans.
Cargo Room

i Touring, automatic s Touring sedan, automatic s Touring hatchback, manual MazdaSpeed Grand Touring Class Average
3 3 7 7 5

The sedan's trunk is a bit small but useful, with low liftover and sufficient height. More-versatile hatchbacks include a handy rear cargo organizer. The hatchback's liftgate rises high enough to clear the heads of taller folks. Its handle, though, is in an awkward location that makes it difficult to open without hands scraping across the top of the rear bumper. All 3s have 60/40 split rear seatbacks that fold almost flat. Interior storage is good, highlighted by an extra-large glovebox.
Value within Class

i Touring, automatic s Touring sedan, automatic s Touring hatchback, manual MazdaSpeed Grand Touring Class Average
8 7 8 6 6.1

All Mazda 3s share a spirit of sporty driving fun, solid build quality, and a pleasant interior package. The availability of a hatchback body style adds flexibility as well. MazdaSpeed models are plenty fast, but mainstream versions leave something to be desired for acceleration. These compacts are also on the pricey side, even without options. All told, though, the 3 is a solid Recommended pick.
Total Score

i Touring, automatic s Touring sedan, automatic s Touring hatchback, manual MazdaSpeed Grand Touring Class Average
55 57 62 60 58.2
Scores for all Compact Cars

Low Score
50
Average Score
58
High Score
71
   Locate a Dealer
Get a FREE Price Quote:
2008 Mazda 3 Prices & Equipment
Model Prices
Prices Updated: 04/29/2008
Trim Name Retail Price Dealer Invoice Destination Charge
i Sport 4-door sedan $13,995 $13,115 $650
i Touring Value 4-door sedan $16,595 $15,539 $650
s Sport 4-door sedan $17,535 $16,416 $650
s Sport 4-door hatchback $18,025 $16,873 $650
s Touring 4-door sedan $18,525 $17,339 $650
s Touring 4-door hatchback $18,525 $17,339 $650
s Grand Touring 4-door sedan $20,295 $18,990 $650
s Grand Touring 4-door hatchback $20,295 $18,990 $650
MazdaSpeed Sport 4-door hatchback $22,440 $20,991 $650
MazdaSpeed Grand Touring 4-door hatchback $24,155 $22,590 $650
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
Model Rebate & Incentives Type Expires
Mazda 3 1.9%-3.9% financing. Customer 06/02/08
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
i Sport
Powertrain
2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, 5-speed manual transmission.
Safety
Dual front airbags, 4-wheel disc brakes, tire-pressure monitor, emergency inside trunklid release (sedan).
Comfort and Convenience Features
Tilt/telescopic steering wheel w/radio controls, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, center console, split folding rear seat, AM/FM/CD/MP3 player, digital-media player connection, tachometer, outside-temperature indicator, variable-intermittent wipers, rear defogger, floormats.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Theft-deterrent system, 195/65HR15 tires, wheel covers.
i Touring Value adds to i:
Safety
Front side airbags, curtain side airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, brake assist.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Air conditioning, interior air filter, leather-wrapped steering wheel, cruise control, driver-seat height and lumbar adjustment, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Fog lights, 205/50VR17 tires, alloy wheels.
s Sport adds to i Touring Value:
Powertrain
2.3-liter 4-cylinder engine.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Illuminated visor mirrors, cargo cover (hatchback), intermittent rear wiper (hatchback).
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Fog lights, rear spoiler (hatchback), 205/55HR16 tires (sedan), 205/50VR17 tires (hatchback).
s Touring adds to s:
Powertrain
Traction control.
Safety
Antiskid system.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
205/50VR17 tires.
s Grand Touring adds to s Touring:
Comfort and Convenience Features
Leather upholstery, heated front seats, power driver seat w/lumbar adjustment, automatic climate control, trip computer, rain-sensing wipers.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Automatic xenon headlights.
MazdaSpeed Sport adds to s Touring:
Powertrain
2.3-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, 6-speed manual transmission, limited-slip differential.
Safety
Uprated brakes.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Sport suspension, 215/45YR18 tires.
MazdaSpeed Grand Touring adds to MazdaSpeed Sport:
Comfort and Convenience Features
Automatic climate control, alcantara upholstery, Bose AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD changer, trip computer, rain sensing wipers.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Automatic xenon headlights.
Optional Equipment
Major Packages
Retail Price
Invoice Price
ABS and Airbag Pkg.
i Sport
$395
$340
Antilock brakes, front side airbags, curtain side airbags. Requires air conditioning.
Moonroof and 6-CD Pkg.
i Touring, s Sport, 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 Sport.
Powertrain
4-speed automatic transmission w/manual-shift capability
i Sport, i Touring
$900
$840
5-speed automatic transmission w/manual-shift capability
s Sport, s Touring, s Grand Touring
$950
$887
Comfort and Convenience Features
Air conditioning
i Sport
$880
$757
Includes interior air filter.
Navigation system
s Grand Touring, MazdaSpeed Grand Touring
$1,950
$1,677
s Grand Touring requires Moonroof and 6-CD Pkg.
AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD/MP3 changer
MazdaSpeed Sport, i Sport, i Touring Value, s Grand Touring, s Sport, s Touring
$500
$400
NA MazdaSpeed Grand Touring.
Satellite radio
MazdaSpeed Grand Touring, MazdaSpeed Sport, i Sport, i Touring Value, s Grand Touring, s Sport, s Touring
$430
$344
Automatic day/night rearview mirror
MazdaSpeed Grand Touring, MazdaSpeed Sport, i Sport, i Touring Value, s Grand Touring, s Sport, s Touring
$200
$160
Includes compass.
Automatic day/night rearview mirror w/universal garage door opener
MazdaSpeed Grand Touring, MazdaSpeed Sport, i Sport, i Touring Value, s Grand Touring, s Sport, s Touring
$275
$220
Includes compass.
Remote engine start
i Touring, s
$350
$280
Requires automatic transmission.
Cargo net
MazdaSpeed Grand Touring, MazdaSpeed Sport, i Sport, i Touring Value, s Grand Touring, s Sport, s Touring
$40
$32
Cargo tray
s hatchback
$50
$40
Cargo mat
i Sport, i Touring Value, s Grand Touring, s Sport, s Touring
$40
$32
NA MazdaSpeed.
Rubber floormats
MazdaSpeed Grand Touring, MazdaSpeed Sport, i Sport, i Touring Value, s Grand Touring, s Sport, s Touring
$78
$62
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Fog lights
i Sport
$300
$240
Requires air conditioning.
Rear lip spoiler
sedan
$325
$260
Rear wing spoiler
sedan
$375
$300
Front air dam
s hatchback
$550
$440
Door edge guards
i Sport, i Touring Value, s Grand Touring, s Sport, s Touring
$100
$80
NA MazdaSpeed.
Satin-finished fuel-filler door
MazdaSpeed Grand Touring, MazdaSpeed Sport, i Sport, i Touring Value, s Grand Touring, s Sport, s Touring
$100
$80
Mud guards
i Sport, i Touring
$120
$96
Side-sill extensions
s Sport, s Touring, s Grand Touring
$400
$320
Rear bumper pad
s hatchback
$50
$40
Special paint
s Sport, s Touring, s Grand Touring
$200
$172
Wheel locks
MazdaSpeed Grand Touring, MazdaSpeed Sport, i Touring Value, s Grand Touring, s Sport, s Touring
$40
$32
NA i Sport.
   Locate a Dealer
Get a FREE Price Quote:
2008 Mazda 3 Specs & Safety
Vehicle Dimensions
Specification Mazda 3 4-door sedan Mazda 3 4-door hatchback
Wheelbase, in. 103.9 103.9
Overall Length, in. 177.4 176.8
Overall Width, in. 69.1 69.5
Overall Height, in. 57.7 57.7
Curb Weight, lbs. 2780 2930
Cargo Volume, cu. ft. 11.5 43.8
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. 41.1 41.1
Rear Head Room, in. 37.4 38.4
Max. Rear Leg Room, in. 36.3 36.3
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Engines
  dohc I4 dohc I4 Turbocharged dohc I4
Size, liters/cu. in. 2.0 /122 2.3 /138 2.3 /138
Horsepower @ rpm. 148 @ 6500 156 @ 6500 263 @ 5500
Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm. 135 @ 4500 150 @ 4500 280 @ 3000
Availability Standard Standard Standard
EPA City / highway mpg
     
5-speed manual 24/32 22/29 --/--
6-speed manual --/-- --/-- 18/26
4-speed automatic 23/31 --/-- --/--
5-speed automatic --/-- 22/29 --/--
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 sedan Mazda 3 4-door hatchback
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 5/60,000 --
Bumper-to-bumper 3/36,000 --
Corrosion 5/unlimited --
Free roadside assistance 3/36,000 --
Free scheduled maintenance --/-- --
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
   Locate a Dealer
Get a FREE Price Quote:
Car Buying Resources

Trade-In Calculator

Research how much your car is truly worth

Trade-In Calculator



Used Cars

Search online classifieds and find a local dealer
Search Local Listings

Vehicle History Report

Get a CARFAX Vehicle History... the first step to protecting yourself from costly hidden problems.



What's Under the Hood?

Learn about how cars work.

Learn things



Insurance

We're dedicated to making insurance easier.

Get Insurance



Sell Your Car

Reach over 8 million buyers
Sell Your Car


   Locate a Dealer
    Sell Your Car
Powered by: