Vehicle Overview
Mazda's larger, more powerful replacements for the departed Protege sedan and Protege5 hatchback went on sale in the 2004 model year. Built on the same platform as the Volvo S40, the compact, front-wheel-drive Mazda3 displayed entirely different styling. A 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine goes into the Mazda3 i sedan, while the Mazda3 s sedan and hatchback hold a more powerful 2.3-liter four-cylinder. Competitors include the Honda Civic and Volkswagen Jetta.
The Mazda3 received minor modifications for the 2007 model year. The front bumper was redesigned and fitted with square fog lamps, and the 16- and 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels also got a new look. The audio system has a standard auxiliary audio input for MP3 players. Both the sedan and hatchback have rear armrests with cupholders, and the i sedan has zebra-striped wood-finish dash trim. For 2008, s Sport models have standard side-impact and side curtain airbags.
See also:
Still Versatility at its Best - Mazda 5's Seven-Seat Karakuri Seating and Storage
System
Mazda 5's Karakuri seating and storage system offers sufficient space for up
to seven people and allows to quickly and easily transform the interior into a variety
of seating arrangements. If ...
Cargo
Larger dimensions also result in a larger trunk for the new Mazda6, which now
measures 16.6 cubic feet. That's up from the old car's 15.2 cubic feet, and it's
larger than key competitors like the ...
Convertible Commentary
As mentioned, our test car had the retractable-hardtop roof, and Mazda's
implementation of this type of roof has a few advantages over those from other
manufacturers.
First of all, it's fast; it ...