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The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2008 Mazda MAZDA3

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Curious about the newer model? Check out the 2013 Mazda MAZDA3

Overview

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2008 Mazda MAZDA3 Review

By KBB.com Editorial Staff

It's now four years into the compact MAZDA3's model run, and demand remains high. The 2008 Mazda MAZDA3 continues to attract buyers, due to its attractive styling, impressive array of standard and optional features, good fuel economy and sporty handling. Few economy cars have enough style to sit beside an Audi A3 and look right at home, yet the MAZDA3 can do just that, and its starting price at slightly over $14,000 places it within the reach of most compact car buyers. The MAZDA3 is available in two body styles, with the four-door sedan offering two four-cylinder engine choices: A 2.0-liter or 2.3-liter. The five-door hatchback is available only with the larger engine. Both models are notably popular with drivers young and old, poking a big hole in the commonly-held belief that Americans won't buy hatchbacks.

You'll Like This Car If...

If you're shopping for an economical small car that can be nicely equipped for around $18,000, check out the 2008 Mazda MAZDA3. Sharp styling and road-hugging handling are standard, as is a long list of uncommon options such as DVD navigation and Bose audio.

You May Not Like This Car If...

If you're searching for maximum passenger space, the MAZDA3's rear-seat legroom won't impress. Though no wimp, the 2.3-liter engine can't compete with the high-powered turbocharged engines from Subaru, Volkswagen and MINI.

What's New for 2008

Mazda makes front side-impact and side-curtain airbags standard on s Sport models.

Driving the MAZDA3

Driving Impressions We found the MAZDA3's handling to be simply superb, with incredibly tight steering that responds instantaneously to input. As we joyfully wound our way over a serpentine road, we were...

instantly reminded of other great compacts that evoked the same emotional response. Even though the MAZDA3 is a front-wheel-drive car, it exhibits very little torque steer. The secret ingredient for a faster, more thrilling MAZDA3 is the 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine of the s trim level. Though it has only 12 more horsepower than the 2.0-liter, the 2.3's low-end torque helps the MAZDA3 accelerate effortlessly. The optional automatic transmission features a quick shift from first to second gear for a faster response, making even steep hills no threat to rapid acceleration.

Favorite Features

DVD-Based Navigation Unit
The MAZDA3's optional DVD-based navigation unit is an unheard-of feature in a car in this price range.

Hatchback
Who says Americans don't like hatchbacks? The new hot hatches are gaining converts for their looks and versatility.

2008 Mazda MAZDA3 Details

Interior

You can shop this segment until the cows come home and not find as handsome an interior as in the 2008 Mazda MAZDA3. A racy three-pod instrument cluster, red dash lighting and long list of standard and optional features make the MAZDA3 feel like a high-priced sports sedan. Front-seat occupants will find head- and legroom generous, although the passenger's seat does not offer adjustment for either lumbar support or height. The five-door model allows you to lug around bulky items that would not easily fit in the sedan's trunk. Two features missing from an otherwise well-planned interior are a rear hatch release switch and a retained power feature, the latter necessary to operate the power windows after the key is removed from the ignition.

Exterior

The MAZDA3's scorching exterior could easily have been penned by BMW or Alfa Romeo. The strong lines denote its performance abilities and look particularly attractive on the sporty five-door hatchback. A new front end features a revised grille and headlamp treatment with a large rectangular air intake and, on s trims, integrated rectangular fog lights. Sadly, heated exterior mirrors are still not available. The s models feature a multi-spoke wheel design that mimics the wheels of the CX-7 crossover SUV.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

The entry-level MAZDA3 i features a 2.0-liter engine, five-speed manual transmission, four-wheel disc brakes, dual remote-control mirrors, AM/FM stereo with CD, cloth bucket seats, tilt/telescopic steering wheel, tachometer, intermittent wipers and 15-inch wheels. The s four-door sedan and five-door hatchback include a 2.3-liter engine, air conditioning, illuminated remote keyless entry, fog lights, dual power mirrors, power locks, power windows, cruise control, leather-wrapped steering wheel and 17-inch alloy wheels. All versions with the 2.3-liter engine have Dynamic Stability Control with Traction Control as standard equipment.

Optional Equipment

Options include a power moonroof, Bose audio, six-disc MP3/CD changer, 17-inch alloy wheels (Grand Touring), heated leather seats, five-speed automatic transmission, anti-lock brakes (ABS), remote engine start (automatic models only), front-side and front/rear side-curtain airbags (standard on s Sport), auto-dimming rearview mirror with compass and a DVD-based navigation system.

Under the Hood

The base 2.0-liter engine works just fine in this car when competing with similarly-sized engines from Ford, Toyota, Honda and Kia. Performance driving is more enjoyable with the larger 2.3-liter engine, which offers more low-end torque but also consumes more fuel. A new five-speed automatic with manual shift control is available only with the 2.3-liter engine.

2.0-liter in-line 4
148 horsepower @ 6500 rpm
135 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 24/32 (manual), 23/31 (automatic)

2.3-liter in-line 4
156 horsepower @ 6500 rpm
150 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 22/29 (manual), 22/29 (automatic)

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2008 Mazda MAZDA3 Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

9.1

Out of 10

Based on 1106 Ratings for the 2004 - 2009 models.

Review this car

Value

9.3/10

Quality

9.2/10
Reliability

9.4/10

Performance

9.3/10
Comfort

9.0/10

Styling

9.4/10

I love this car

By Mountain Maiden (CO) on Saturday, February 02, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 113,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "Cute, reliable, economical, versatile, roomy"

Cons: "Headlight bulbs are *impossible* to change"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"Bought it new in 2008 after totaling a subaru. This car, when equipped with good tires, has better traction on snow and snow-packed roads than the subaru had - it's heavy for its size and clings to the road like a lead slug. I routinely drive it on dirt, rocky, washboard and borderline high-clearance roads. I have over 110k miles on it and the only non-routine-maintenance I've had to do were to replace a couple of faulty heater hoses and (no surprise here) replace the engine mounts due to the roads I've driven it on. I have the cheapest model with the smallest engine and manual transmission and average about 42 mpg in the summer and 38 in the winter. The trunk is huge - I car-camp in it at least 10 times a year and have no problem stowing all the camping and hiking gear easily. If you fold down the rear seat you can easily fit 8 foot lumber in it - I've even transported 10-foot pieces, (although the trunk would not latch). My skis live in the trunk in the winter. The only complaints I have are (1) you need a PhD in electrical engineering to change the headlight bulbs which seem to go out with alarming frequency (2) if you get a purple one with black dashboard you need AC because it gets ungodly hot (3) it's difficult to get under the car to change the oil and the plastic undercarriage protector is difficult to maneuver during the process (4) the interior dome light in the middle of the car (not the ones up front) stopped working - the fixture does not work. To me, these things are minor compared with the general cuteness, reliability and ease of driving. I still drive a 1986 Mazda truck that I bought new, and I will likley keep this car forever and would buy another Mazda in a second."

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

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Perfect combo of sporty, economical, and useful.

By Callipygian (CA) on Monday, January 14, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 54,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Fun to drive, luxury features, and good price."

Cons: "Wish I'd gotten the white one, it looks great."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"When shopping for our first car together, my wife and I were looking for the perfect combination of sporty, economical, and useful. In addition, she insisted on 4 doors. We considered the Mazda3 wagon, along with the Subaru WRX wagon, the Jetta wagon, the Matrix XRS, and a couple others. In the end, we could afford a used Subaru WRX, or for the same price a brand new Mazda3 Grand Touring with heated leather bucket seats, sliding moonroof, premium bose audio, and in-dash nav. The Mazda was an easy choice, and we've loved it since then. I get compliments on it all the time from guys that know cars. It's a very fun car to drive, gets good mileage, and has been perfect for us and our two dogs. I don't have any complaints."

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