Under the Hood

The 2.0-liter four-cylinder in the Mazda3 i has variable valve timing and develops 148 horsepower (144 hp in PZEV form). The Mazda3 s uses a 2.3-liter four-cylinder that pumps out 156 hp. A five-speed manual gearbox is standard, and a four-speed automatic transmission with a manual-shift provision is optional for the Mazda3 i. The 2.3-liter engine can mate with a five-speed automatic.

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    WindshieldWipers and Washer
    The ignition must be switched ON. WARNING: Use only windshield washer fluid or plain water in the reservoir: Using radiator antifreeze as washer fluid is dangerous. If sprayed on the windshield, ...

    Power Steering
    Power steering is only operable when the engine is running. If the engine is off or if the power steering system is inoperable, you can still steer, but it requires more physical effort. If the s ...

    Competing for Space
    The interior is well-engineered and well-executed, but there's no avoiding the fact that there are six seats in a relatively small space. This isn't uncommon, but many models sacrifice space in ju ...