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:
Fully Automatic Type
Climate control information is displayed on the information display.
Information display
Control Switches
AUTO switch
By pressing the AUTO switch the
following functions will be automatical ...
Push-Starting
Do not push-start your Mazda.
WARNING:
Never tow a vehicle to start it:
Towing a vehicle to start it is
dangerous. The vehicle being towed
could surge forward when its engine
starts, causing the ...
Substantially reduced road and wind noise
Many improvements were made to structural rigidity and powertrain NVH
performance to provide a quieter, more pleasant ride, including the reduction of
high frequency booming noise sometimes heard ...


