Picture Gallery: 2010 Mazda3 GT | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Discuss
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For 2010, Mazda has stepped up its game once again with the new Mazda3, with features never before available in the compact car segment in Canada. Since the vehicle is all-new for 2010, I want to cover off all the new trim levels, as they have changed slightly from the previous (2004-2009) design.
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So, what about those features typically not found in the compact vehicle class? Well, for 2010, the Mazda3 really delivers with available options such as: a Traction Control System (TCS) with Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), exterior mirror mounted turn signals, colour Multi Information Display (MID) with Navigation, smart keyless entry with Smart Start, a 10-speaker BOSE audio system, Sirius satellite radio, and an Adaptive Front Lighting System with self-levelling Bi-Xenon headlights.
It is a fairly substantial list of goodies — but does the Mazda3 still deliver the huge smile and fun factor? I can’t wait to find out!
2010 Mazda3 GT
MSRP as tested (excluding destination): $23,795
For more information on Mazda and the mazda3 visit Mazda Canada
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The Mazda3 is a never-ending barrage of discoveries for me. I came into this review with certain expectations; having owned a previous-generation model, I knew there would be improvements and I was going to look for them, but I was also looking for where Mazda cut corners or stayed tried-and-true — mission not-so-simple.
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The only “odd” item I can see in the interior is the white digital display screen when everything else is red. I like the white, though maybe everything should be white. Let’s pretend you liked the Mazda3 so much in the showroom you decide to take one home. You go home and take your significant other out to dinner to celebrate your new purchase. You exit the restaurant and hit the unlock button on the keyfob. Now you fall in love with the Mazda3 as you see the mirror mounted signal lights illuminate — a feature typically found only on luxury vehicles.
But it doesn’t stop there. You step inside and a warm blue glow lights your way in the cabin, both at your feet and from above. You start the car and the dash greets you with a “Hello” as it springs to life. You turn the controls on the climate system. It’s 22 degrees; a little too warm, so you reduce it to 21.5 and like a heart beat the control flashes a blue signal to confirm your request — your other half turns the temperature on their side up and it flashes red… wow!
Say the stereo is not loud enough: a little blip with your left thumb and up goes the volume, confirmed again with a double heart beat flash from the center display — classy! Your phone rings, the car informs you of an incoming call and displays the number for you on the screen just below the windshield. It’s your Mom — you decide not to answer right now, as “you’re in the moment.”
All this for $23,795? And I haven’t even driven it yet. Whoa. Mazda has outdone themselves.
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But what about the driving feel? The new Mazda6 went from sporty to soft, coddling and extremely quiet, so I had some reservations about the new Mazda3. But have no fear — if you liked the way the previous-generation Mazda3 drove, you’ll LOVE the feel of the new generation.
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It all starts with the seats that hug you. There seems to be a little more bolstering in this generation, but it is possible I just gained a few pounds. Add on the extra bulk of winter clothing and, well, I feel right at home, locked in the seat as I whip around corners.
This new model feels just as agile as the previous and retains the fairly light back end which makes the car lively in turns. With stability control and traction control systems that are on the forgiving side, the Mazda3 is great fun in the snow. Pull the hand brake with the system on, though, and it intervenes. Also, it works by using the braking system, not the less-effective throttle-cut method, which is a huge bonus.
On top of all the driving feel retaining the sporty roots of the first generation car, Mazda somehow improved the NVH levels (noise, vibration and harshness), as well as giving the “3″ a slightly more compliant and smoother highway ride. The new 2.5-litre engine produces more power on paper, but coupled to a five-speed automatic it does not feel much different than the outgoing 2.3-litre engine. With extra weight added by the new gadgets (approximately 50lbs) and only a slight gain in power (11hp), it certainly makes sense that not much has changed in terms of performance feel.
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That exception is the cost of fuel. My tester was not broken in yet; it only had 500km on the odometer when I received it. But to blame the fuel consumption solely on that fact would be irresponsible. The 2.5L engine follows in the footsteps of the previous generation’s 2.3L engine. It is peppy, fun to rev and has great torque response. But forget great fuel economy — I averaged 10.5L/100km over the course of the week with more highway driving than normal. A real disappointment.
Watching the instantaneous computer readouts on the highway is disheartening as you rarely see it dip below 8L/100km unless coasting down hill. For a compact / economy type vehicle it falls short with today’s high fuel prices. But there is the 2.0L version which is rated by Natural Resources Canada at 8.1/5.9 (L/100km city/highway).
*Rating out of 5:
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*Rating based on vehicle’s classification
2010 Mazda3 GT
MSRP as tested (excluding destination): $23,795
For more information on Mazda and the mazda3 visit Mazda Canada
February 27, 2009, 01:28:44 pm
Think s/he means Greg's test of the 2010 M3 S on the CD home page today. Which I did notice, but dang she's loaded!
February 27, 2009, 02:10:22 pm Duh... The car Greg tested is LOADED. It's more expensive than everything else in the class because it has features and equippment that no other car in the class has (available).
2010 Mazda3 starts at 16K which is still $1000 less than where the Civic starts and I bet it still has few more features than the Civic, even at that base price.
February 27, 2009, 02:11:02 pm
My question is ,when will Honda and Toyota start to offer similar highend features not normally offered in the North American compact class
February 27, 2009, 02:14:09 pm Proof people associate small car with cheap car regardless of content.
February 27, 2009, 02:27:39 pm Saw one in Baby Blue or would it be Sky Blue. It was ugly anyway
February 27, 2009, 02:28:53 pm
Frankly, NO. It's a loaded GT Sport with Nav plus, plus.
February 27, 2009, 02:38:50 pm
Frankly, NO. It's a loaded GT Sport with Nav plus, plus.
Ovr50, you have mentioned that this could be your wifes choice to replace here Highlander, Yes?
I think this is a good indicator the attraction these new smaller cars with high content will be for people
that want to down size.
You don't have to give up the same features you had in your $40-50,000 dollar vehicle and sometime get even more features for
much lower cost.
February 27, 2009, 02:39:48 pm
A fair bit of truth there. But I have to pay to drive such cars while auto journalists don't.
February 27, 2009, 02:42:26 pm You cannot enjoy your money in your grave
February 27, 2009, 02:58:40 pm
Frankly, NO. It's a loaded GT Sport with Nav plus, plus.
Ovr50, you have mentioned that this could be your wifes choice to replace here Highlander, Yes?
I think this is a good indicator the attraction these new smaller cars with high content will be for people
that want to down size.
You don't have to give up the same features you had in your $40-50,000 dollar vehicle and sometime get even more features for
much lower cost.
That's right, wife wants a smaller vehicle that is more fun to drive (don't blame her, as we sold her Solara when I got the BMW...!!!.). The GT Sport fits the bill in that is smaller, more nimble, yet gives you all the "trinkets" and can still carry our big dog behind the rear seats (just, but he doesn't go that often, nor very far). Also, she wants to stay below about $30K.
I think the choice will be between this new Mz3 Sport, and the VW Rabbit (soon to be Golf again).
February 27, 2009, 03:16:46 pm
A fair bit of truth there. But I have to pay to drive such cars while auto journalists don't.
But you don't have to buy the top of the line model with ALL of the options.
February 27, 2009, 03:17:35 pm I've only seen the 3 Sport model so far, and I was underwhelmed. I really wanted to like this car, but it seems bigger and less lithe-looking than the previous-gen, and those enormous fender flares and high belt line just add to the perceived bulk. The Sport's side profile is more Pontiac Vibe now. The similarity is amazing, almost like they were penned by the same person.
February 27, 2009, 08:34:45 pm Interesting - I think I'll compare the dimensions.
February 28, 2009, 01:25:32 am
I already did, and here they are. Differences are noted in parentheses.
Pontiac Vibe, base 2.4L Base Mazda3 Sport
Engine 2.4L I4, 158hp 2.0L I4, 148hp
Transmission 5MT 5MT
Wheelbase 2600mm (-40mm) 2640mm
Length 4336mm (-154mm) 4490mm
Width 1765mm (+10mm) 1755mm
Height 1549mm (+115mm) 1465mm
Weight 1350kg (+63kg) 1287kg
The Mazda's actually bigger in some dimensions than the Vibe, most notably 154mm more in length. The Pontiac has a slight power-to-weight edge at 8.5kg per hp as opposed to the Mazda's 8.69. These cars are very closely matched.
February 28, 2009, 01:29:21 am
But dude the one Wing had for a week had all the goodies you need, and it was $23k - $1k for the stick.. $22k
February 28, 2009, 04:15:30 am
From the article:
February 28, 2009, 07:51:11 am We have a Mazda 3 in the family...not my personal cup of tea but can see the attractions for the younger set. The vehicle has been good overall but tire wear on inside edges has been experienced and note this on other examples. It used to be that the Focus was a close platform and wondered if that vehicle had the same phenomina. Think I prefer the Focus frontal effect to this one. Actually the front cycle fender styling is a bit of a challenge IMO but it is around on other mks also.
February 28, 2009, 08:20:34 am How is it when you open the sunroof, the last model was very noise that I had a test drive in.
February 28, 2009, 10:40:06 am
February 28, 2009, 10:59:55 am
On my truck
Also it felt like a wind tunnel with it openned
March 06, 2009, 07:07:13 pm My folks just picked up a 2010 mazda3 hatch. It looks great in person. It feels more upscale than before. All of a sudden the mkI looks dated drastically and that one was already a handsome car on my books.
March 06, 2009, 07:16:14 pm My dad drove the 2.5 and 2.0 L models a couple days ago.
His impressions were that the 2.0L felt more refined compared to the previous gen, and it felt "peppier" than the old model. He was quite impressed with the value of the comfort package + 2.0L engine. Isn't the 2.0L a carry over?
He didn't say much about the 2.5 though...the dealer said they sold 3 that day.
April 07, 2009, 06:09:39 pm I'm out looking for a new car and had my eyes on this. But then I noticed for the price I could also get a second hand G35 or IS250.
Do you guys think it would cost significantly more to maintain a Lexus IS250 or Infiniti G35 versus this 2010 Mazda3 (GT-E version)?
April 07, 2009, 06:28:43 pm
Do you guys think it would cost significantly more to maintain a Lexus IS250 or Infiniti G35 versus this 2010 Mazda3 (GT-E version)?
If you want a new car get yourself a Genesis coupe. Otherwise the two cars you've listed are pretty damn good options. Personally I'd go with a 1-2 year used car from the two you mentioned.
April 08, 2009, 11:55:18 am I think by asking the question you already have your answer.