Mazda MAZDA3
Overall Score - 8.7 (Very Good)
The Mazda 3 is a sporty drive for its price class, with bold styling and a lengthy list of standard features. If you're in the market for an affordable small car you should also consider the highly rated Honda Civic and Honda Fit.
Modestly freshened for 2007, the Mazda 3 brings a crisp exterior design, excellent overall driving performance, and competitive cargo room for its class. "Style and affordability, comfort and utility, all in one package," adds Motor Trend, asking "what could be better?" Edmunds has selected the Mazda 3 as a "Most Wanted" sedan or wagon for four years in a row.
Consumer Guide reports that all trim levels of the 2007 Mazda 3 "share a spirit of sporty driving fun, solid build quality and a pleasant, efficient interior package. Add in competitive pricing, and you have a worthy Best Buy." Kelley Blue Book adds that "the Mazda 3 continues to attract buyers, due to its attractive styling, impressive array of standard and optional features, good fuel economy and sporty handling." New Car Test Drive sums it up nicely by saying that "Mazda has worked hard to make this car useful, space-efficient, economical and pleasant across a broad range of driving situations. At the same time, it has also given the car the style, comfort, features, and personality to transform any driving experience into a sporting proposition."
Most critics agree that the Mazda 3 represents good value, as a fun, spirited, and well-executed car for the money. Edmunds sees "value-minded performance" as the 3's strong suit, with a price "neither too high nor too low when you add similar features to the competing vehicles." IntelliChoice gave the 2007 Mazda 3 i Sport a "better than average" rating for its projected five-year total cost of ownership, compared to other vehicles in its class.
MAZDA3 Performance - 7.9 (Good)
The 2007 Mazda 3 is generally assessed by test drivers as being an animated drive, delivering potent passing power and nimble handing. Motor Trend sums it up well, saying that the Mazda 3 has the "elusive feel of a dedicated driver's machine," with imposing credentials. continue
MAZDA3 Exterior - 8.6 (Very Good)
The Mazda 3 received a major front-end facelift for 2007, and although the overall vehicle design is now three years old, auto reviewers are taken with the 2007 Mazda 3's bold new exterior, complimenting its European-like appeal. Kelley Blue Book calls the 2007 Mazda 3 exterior "scorching", adding that it "could easily have been penned by BMW or Alfa Romeo." continue
MAZDA3 Interior - 7.3 (Good)
Auto reviewers generally praise the interior cabin comfort, cargo room and clean finish of the 2007 Mazda 3. The interior is seen as well laid out with easy entry and exit and a spacious front seating area, but a somewhat cramped back seat for most passengers. continue
MAZDA3 Safety - 7.3 (Good)
All trim levels of the 2007 Mazda 3 come with a lengthy list of standard safety features. Edmunds credits the 2007 Mazda 3 for having "top safety equipment either optional or on higher trims." In government crash tests, the Mazda 3 earned 4 out of 5 stars in front impact crash tests and 3 out of 5 stars in side impact crash tests, both competitive for this class and size car. continue
MAZDA3 Reliability - 7.0 (Good)
The 2007 Mazda MAZDA3 reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). The 2007 Mazda 3 comes with comprehensive warranty coverage of 36 months or 36,000 miles. continue