Item: 2017 Mazda Mazda3
Author: Steve Cypher

Overview

The Mazda3 is a compact model, offered as a five-door hatchback or a sedan. Where some competitors produce appliances, the Mazda3 combines car ownership affordability with a fun-to-drive ownership experience.

What's New for 2017

Now standard across the model line is G-Vectoring Control, proprietary technology that uses the engine to refine steering and handling to match the driver’s inputs. Enhanced sound insulation coincides with an update to the Mazda3’s interior.

Mazda also simplified the Mazda3’s trim levels. The top-end Mazda3 Grand Touring edition now offers the Premium Package and a suite of advanced i-ACTIVESENSE safety technologies. Equipment shuffling and additional new packages accompany these changes.

Choosing Your Mazda Mazda3

The 2017 Mazda3 is offered in Sport, Touring, and Grand Touring trims. To simplify matters, the previous “i” and “s” designations representing the smaller and larger engines, respectively, have been dropped.

Now, all Sport and Touring models are powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, while the Touring 2.5 and Grand Touring are powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine.

The base engine makes 155 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque; the larger engine makes 184 horsepower and 185 pound-feet of torque. Fuel economy for both engines comes in as high as 28 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway.

CarsDirect Tip

Very few models offer a manual transmission across all trims, but that’s what Mazda does except in the Touring hatchback. If you have never driven a stick shift before, the smooth shifting manual in the Mazda3 is easy to learn. As for the much-heralded MazdaSpeed3 performance edition, rumors of its return are just that: rumors.

Get your price on a Mazda Mazda3 »

Read our review on the Mazda Mazda3 »

Matthew Keegan

Contributing Editor - October 25, 2016

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Expert Review

Expert Rating

Unavailable

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

Steve Cypher

Contributing Writer - April 18, 2017

A combination of performance, fuel economy, and value have made the Mazda3 one of the most compelling vehicles in the compact class. A redesign for 2017 ups the refinement, but at what expense?

Pricing and Equipment

Prices for the Mazda3 start at $18,680 (including $835 in destination charges) for the base Sport four-door sedan equipped with a six-speed manual transmission and can escalate to over $31,000 for a fully-optioned-and-accessorized Grand Touring hatchback equipped with the six-speed automatic. Most buyers will likely choose the hatchback in mid-level Touring trim equipped with an automatic transmission, a starting price of $23,120, and standard features that include:

18-inch alloy wheels
Rearview camera
Bluetooth audio and phone capability
7-inch color touchscreen infotainment
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Auto on/off headlights
Leather wrapped steering wheel and shift knob

All trim levels come with a standard rearview camera. Blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert is optional on the base Sport model (as part of a $1,000 Preferred Equipment Package) and, along with low speed automatic emergency braking, is standard on all other trims. Mazda's most advanced safety features, including automatic high beams, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, and automatic emergency braking, are an option and only available on the top-level Grand Touring models.

The 2017 Mazda3 is available with two engines. Sport and Touring models use a 155 horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder with either a slick six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. Grand Touring models (and one version of the Touring hatchback) get a 184 horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder and the same choice of a manual or automatic transmission.

Performance Pros

Both engines, in addition to offering good performance, are very fuel efficient.
The new engine management system (called G-Vectoring Control) controls torque to the front wheels and improves straight-line stability.
The conventional six-speed automatic shifts almost as well quickly and smoothly as a dual-clutch system.
Enthusiasts will gravitate towards the extremely enjoyable six-speed manual. The clutch is easy to modulate and the shifter's action and short throws are delightfully smooth.

Performance Cons

Power in the base 2.0-liter engine doesn't come on strongly until around 4,000 rpm, which is on the high side (although it's not unusual for a smaller, non-turbocharged four-cylinder).
The new full-electric power steering system isn't as good as the combination electric and hydraulic system on the last-generation car – especially on oddly crowned roads.
The G-Vectoring Control system can sometimes work a little too aggressively, especially during high-speed cornering when it can feel like the brakes are being applied to the rear wheels.

Interior Pros

The interior is quieter, thanks to added sound insulation.
The comfortable, supportive front seats are among the best in the compact class.
The dashboard layout and trim is better than average for the segment.
The contrasting Parchment perforated-leather interior of the Grand Touring model gives the Mazda3 a luxury-level look.

Interior Cons

The lower-quality headliner and hard plastic rear door trim are disappointments in an otherwise lovely cabin.
Mazda's infotainment system has gotten more complicated, not simpler, over the years. Not only is it distracting, it's neither Android Auto nor Apple CarPlay compatible.
Rear seat leg room is tight for the compact class.

The Most Pleasant Surprise

It's the small things that count: on the Mazda3, it's the "organ style" accelerator pedal that's hinged at the bottom, which Mazda believes, and we concur, feels more comfortable. This is a common feature in German luxury cars, but it's rarer in this class.

The Least Pleasant Surprise

The well-controlled ride is on the firm side and definitely not plush. While some will find it entertaining, it can get busy over rough pavement and can be tiring on long trips.

The Bottom Line

The Mazda3's advanced safety features are only available on the Grand Touring model, while some of the interior trim looks low-rent. That's not new for 2017. But a stunning exterior, quick, agile handling, and a pair entertaining, fuel efficient, four-cylinder engines are still enough for the updated Mazda3 to remain a top choice in the compact segment.

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Specs & Features

Highlights

Overall Crash Safety Rating

Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque

2.0L I-4 / 155 HP / 150 ft.lbs.

Transmission

Standard: 6-spd man w/OD

Available: 6-spd sequential shift control auto w/OD

Drive Type

Front-wheel

Fuel Economy - City/Highway/Combined

27 / 37 / 32 Mpg

Passenger Capacity

Bumper to Bumper Warranty

36 Months / 36,000 Miles

Mechanical Specs

Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque	2.0L I-4 / 155 HP / 150 ft.lbs.
Drive Type	Front-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Hwy/Combined	27 / 37 / 32 Mpg
Brakes	4-wheel Disc
Front Suspension	Strut
Rear Suspension	Independent Multi-link
Spare Tire And Wheel	Compact Steel
Fuel Tank	13.2 Gal.
Recommended Fuel Type	Regular Unleaded
Average Cost To Fill Tank	$50

Dimensions & Capabilities

Maximum Cargo Volume	12.4 Cu.ft.
Passenger Volume	96 Cu.ft.
Exterior Length	180.3 "
Exterior Width	70.7 "
Exterior Height	57.3 "
Front Headroom	38.6 "
Rear Headroom	37.6 "
Front Legroom	42.2 "
Rear Legroom	35.8 "
Front Shoulder Room	57.2 "
Rear Shoulder Room	54.4 "
Front Hip Room
Rear Hip Room
Curb Weight	2,899 Lbs. / 2,967 Lbs.
Wheel Base	106 "
Turning Radius	17.4 '

Exterior Features

Door Count	4 Doors
Wheels	16.0 " Steel / 16.0 " Silver Aluminum / 16.0 " Painted Aluminum
Paint	Clearcoat Monotone / Metallic Monotone / Pearlcoat Monotone
Exterior Mirrors	Dual Power Remote / Dual Power Remote Heated
Bumpers	Body-colored
Grille Moldings	Black W/chrome Accents
Rear Spoiler	Lip
Exhaust	Stainless Steel

Interior Features

Seating

Passenger Capacity	5
Seat Trim	Cloth / Premium Cloth
Front Seat Type	Bucket
Heated Front Seats
Front Driver Seat Direction Controls	6-way
Front Passenger Seat Direction Controls	4-way
Front Armrests	6-way
Rear Armrests	Center
Rear Seats	60-40 Bench

Radio & Infotainment

Radio	Am/fm/hd, Seek-scan
Speakers	6
Radio Steering Wheel Controls
Apple Car Play
Android Auto
Bluetooth w/ Hands-Free Connectivity

Convenience Features

Steering Wheel Type	Telescopic Tilt
Climate Control
Cruise Control	With Steering Wheel Controls
Sun Roof
Rearview Mirror	Day-night / Auto-dimming Day-night
One Touch Open Window	Driver
Tinted Windows	Light
Vanity Mirrors
Remote Keyless Entry	Keyfob (all Doors)
Power Outlets	1

Safety Features

Overall Crash Safety Rating
Overall Front Crash Safety Rating
Overall Side Crash Safety Rating
Rollover Crash Safety Rating
Front Impact Airbags	Driver And Passenger
Driver Side Impact Airbags	Seat Mounted
Knee Airbag
Passenger Side Impact Airbag	Seat Mounted
Rear Side Airbag
Seatbelt Pretensioners	Front
Anti-Lock Brakes	4-wheel Anti-lock Brakes (abs)
Forward Collision Warning
Blind Spot Sensor	Blind Spot
Lane Departure Warning
Autonomous Cruise Control
Pedestrian Detection
Driver Attention Alert
Daytime Running Lights
Auto High Beams
Adaptive Headlights
Parking Sensors	Rear
Security Systems
Panic Alarm
Ignition Disable	Immobilizer

Warranty

Bumper To Bumper Months Miles	36 Months / 36,000 Miles
Major Components Months	60 Months / 60,000 Miles
Included Maintenance Months
Roadside Assistance Months	36 Months / 36,000 Miles
Corrosion Perforation	60 Months / Unlimited Miles
Accessories Months	36 Months / 36,000 Miles

Used 2017 Mazda Mazda3 for Sale