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, but it will satisfy most drivers. That engine is generally quiet, but it emits a fair amount of blare when pushed. With an easy-shifting manual gearbox and a well-behaved clutch, even the Mazda3 i with the smaller engine feels more spirited than an upper-level model with the automatic.
Although the front seats are nicely shaped, their seatbacks are on the hard side. Rear legroom is limited, but foot space is good. Headroom is average in the rear but meager in the center position. Visibility is good. The Mazda3 instruments are difficult to see on dark days but are lit nicely at night.
See also:
Interior
Because there's no backseat, the two occupants get more legroom than you
might expect; a tilt steering wheel helps, but longer-legged drivers sometimes
can't find a place where their knees and the ...
Driving on Uneven Road
Your vehicle's suspension and underbody can be damaged if driven on
rough/uneven roads
or over speed bumps at excessive speeds. Use care and reduce speed when
traveling on
rough/uneven roads or ...
Safety
In Insurance Institute for Highway Safety testing, the CX-7 received a Good
overall rating — the highest possible score — for its performance in
frontal-offset and side-impact crash tests. The IIH ...