2009 Mazda 3 Review

The Mazda 3, or Mazda3, was developed on three continents, by Mazda, Volvo, and Ford, and Mazda did all the final tuning at its test track in Japan.

This is a premium automobile, exciting to drive, styled adventurously, and fully equipped with luxury features. There's nothing austere, basic or cheap about it. The seats are supportive and comfortable, good for long drives.

Sedan and hatchback versions look quite different. The sedan has the traditional appearance of a four-door, five-passenger car. The five-door hatchback is like the high-fashion station wagons from European manufacturers, offering the practicality of the five-door configuration with an emphasis on a premium driving experience. The Mazda3 is a good choice for drivers who have friends or lots of stuff: The sedan and hatchback excel at back-seat roominess when compared with the Honda Civic and other competition, and the hatchback excels at cargo space.

There's a high-performance version called Mazdaspeed3, motivated by 263 turbocharged horsepower.

The Mazda3 was launched as a 2004 model, then extensively updated and upgraded for 2007, with a revised appearance inside and out. The 2009 (and mid-2008) models get feature upgrades. The interiors are freshened, with piano black rather than woodgrain trim (with increasing amounts of it on higher-line models). Grand Touring models got a standard eight-way power driver's seat. The Mazda 3i Touring comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, foglights, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, a CD player, and a color-keyed grille.

An all-new Mazda 3 is expected for the 2010 model year.

All 2009 Mazda 3 models come standard with ABS, Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist, side-impact airbags, and side air curtains.

All Mazdas come with a roadside assistance program, which operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, throughout the United States and Canada.