Cargo

At 11.5 cubic feet, the sedan's trunk is rather small, but the hatchback ups it to 17.1 cu. ft. behind the backseat and 43.8 cu. ft. when it's folded down. There's a rigid cargo cover to keep the goods out of sight, as well as an underfloor cargo management system. Actually it's little more than a couple shallow bins under the cargo floor, but it's designed with notches to support the raised cover, and any extra space is welcome. The cover can be flipped, too, providing a water- and stain-resistant surface in lieu of the carpet.

    See also:

    Automatic Transaxle Controls
    Various Lockouts: Indicates that you must depress the brake pedal to shift (The ignition switch must be in the ON position). Indicates the shift lever can be shifted freely into any position. ...

    Basic Bluetooth Hands-Free Operation
    Bluetooth Hands-Free Preparation Language setting English, Spanish, and Canadian French are available. If the language setting is changed, all of the voice guidance and voice input commands are d ...

    Driving Impressions
    The easy-to-drive Mazda3 handles more adeptly than most rivals. The automatic transmission delivers quick, smooth responses. Performance with the larger engine falls short of some sporty compacts, ...