Car Review Of The 2004 Mazda 3 Compact Economy Sports Sedan and Wagon
Base MSRP Range: $13,680 - $16,895
Base Invoice Range: $12,795 - $15,793
MSRP As Tested: Not Available
Versions: I and S Sedan, S Wagon
Vehicle Category: Economy Compact Sedan and Wagon
Engine Location: Front Engine
Drive Wheels: Front Wheel Drive
Engine As Tested I Sedan: 2.0-liter, Dual Overhead Cam, 24-valves, I-4 cylinder, 148-horsepower at 6,500rpm and 135 lb-ft torque at between 4, rpm.
Engine As Tested S Sedan and Wagon: 2.3-liter, Dual Overhead Cam, 24-valves, I-4 cylinder, 160-horsepower at 6,500rpm and 150 lb-ft torque at between 4,500 rpm.
Transmission As Tested: 4-speed automatic, 5-speed manual .
Fuel Economy (city/hwy): I sedan 28/35, S sedan and wagon 25/32
Standard Safety Features: Driver and front passenger airbags, power-assisted disc brakes, ">Antilock Braking System (ABS).
Competition: Ford Focus, Nissan Sentra, Toyota Corrola, Toyota Matrix, Pontiac Vibe, Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, Kia Spectra.
Review
Mazda, Nissan and Saab are the three most underrated car companies in the market. They all offer quality products that most consumers are unaware of. Car shoppers should be testing the products from these companies and they offer value and cutting edge styling.
The all-new Mazda 3 replaces the Prot©g©, which in turn, replaced the 323 and the GLC, before that. GLC stood for “Great Little Car.” This is moniker that should have stuck for all Mazda’s compact products as that is what they are, Great Little Cars.
The Mazda 3 brings a new level of design, quality, materials, fit and finish and handling to the compact class. The product is sold worldwide and competes very well against the Volkswagen Golf, the Honda Civic, Toyota Echo and the Ford Focus in all of the afore mentioned areas. The 3’s styling is more interesting than the products from Honda, Toyota and Ford. And it has to be as this is a very crowded market segment. Consumers have dozens of vehicles to choose from.
Mazda has had a long history producing good performing products in the segment. And the chassis have been very popular with SCCA amateur racers. It is an excellent base platform for people who are modifying vehicles for performance and individuality. And this will continue to be the case as the Mazda 3 shares the same platform as the Volvo S40. Both vehicles handle exceptionally well and are fun to drive.
Quality is the issue and Ford is well aware that their Mazda division has an edge. Even one of the new Taurus replacements will be built on the Mazda 6 platform.
The Mazda 3 and the Volvo S40 share a platform they are two completely different vehicles. The 3 is a lightweight vehicle designed for aggressive driving - and it does that well - for a nominal price. The S40 on the other hand is designed to provide its drivers with luxury and a very comfortable ride. The difference between the two is significant, as well as the price. The Mazda 3 starts at around $13,680 and the Volvo S40, about $24,190 more.
Mazda is in the midst of an aggressive growth strategy. The Mazda 3 is the fourth all-new Mazda product launched in less than 24 months. It is also the fourth-generation compact economy car Mazda has offered in its history. The 3 is a core product for this automaker.
Again, Mazda is under appreciated by car buyers and thus does not command as much of the market share as they should. Their cars are better designed and built, and are more fun to drive than the competition from Toyota and Honda. Shoppers are missing out on great products that are a real value.
The Mazda 3 sedan comes in two trim levels, S and I. The wagon is available only with the S trim.
Vehicle Exterior
Simple and understated, classy and sporty are the best words to describe the Mazda 3. It is a pleasure to see an interesting design in this segment. While the Mazda 3 reminds us of class-leading designs like the Jetta and Golf from VW, it is unique unto itself. It avoids the gaudiness of the Focus, the weirdness of the Vibe, and the boring styling of all the Toyota and Honda products.
The sedan version is of the 3 is a substantial looking car. The long wheelbase, short overhangs, high rear-deck, and sharply curved roofline, give the sedan a “coupesque” look. The design is unmistakably Mazda.
The wagon (called the Mazda 3 5-door) is the best execution of the two - the proportions are just right. But it is a bit hard to describe - you have to go see it for yourself. The front end is long and low and the roofline remains high to give the 3 a flat backend for the rear door. The rear-side windows angle forward. That coupled with the large-rear window makes the car look fast and perpetually in motion.
Vehicle Interior
We were surprised and delighted by the Mazda 3’s interior. The first thing we noticed was the quality of the materials. Generally compact economy cars are filled with the cheapest possible parts and materials. That isn’t the case for the Mazda 3. The surfaces are attractive, the fabrics nearly luxurious to the touch, and the knobs and buttons feel, and sound, substantial.
The instrument cluster has three interlocking rings similar to the RX8. The tachometer, and the fuel and water temperature gauges flank the large speedometer. The gauges have red LED numbering with a blue backlight. The center stack has a small LCD display for the entertainment and HVAC systems.
The steering wheel is the right size for all hands and has controls for the entertainment system right on it. It has a great feel.
Interior is modern with very few competing surfaces. As such it is less likely to get out dated quickly like the competition. The color combinations are great, and very European. The two-toned seats and door inserts remind us of BMW’s M series products, which are really cool - and they can be purchased in leather. But the fabrics are really good quality. The interior styling and execution are plush for the price range.
People, who are generally offended by the gaudiness of car interiors and the nasty smell of synthetic fabrics, won’t be put off by the Mazda 3’s interior. It’s hip and doesn’t smell like plastic.
Performance
The Mazda 3 sedan is available with three inline 4-cylinder engine options.
The standard version is a 2.0-liter, generating 148-horsepower at 6,500 rpm, and 135 lb-ft of torque at 4,500 rpm. The mileage is very good. The 2.0-liter version gets 28 mpg in the city, and 35 on the highway.
The optional 2.3-liter engine (standard on the wagon) generates 160 horsepower at 6,500 rpm, and 150 lb-ft of torque at 4,500 rpm. It also gets remarkably good mileage with 25 mpg in the city, and 32 on the highway with the manual transmission, and 24 mpg in the city, and 29 mpg on the highway with the automatic transmission. The 2.3-liter engine uses Variable Valve Timing to provide horsepower at higher rpm, similar to Honda’s VTEC technology.
The Mazda 3i sedan has the third engine option and is a Partial Zero Emission Vehicle (PZEV) for states with strict emission standards, like California. PZEV cars are rated at 144-horsepower at 6,500 rpm, and 132 lb-ft at 4,500 rpm. All PZEV cars are covered by a comprehensive 150,000-mile, emission-component warranty.
Two transmissions are available. The standard version is a 5-speed manual transmission: this is the one to get, because it is so much fun. The shifter is smooth and has a nice short throw for aggressive driving. It gives the driver use of all the handling capability of the car.
There is also an optional 4-speed automatic with a manual shift function. It performs well, but to get all the fun out of the Mazda 3 that you can, buy the stick.
Mazda reduces power drain on the engine by using an electric power-steering pump, instead of one powered off the engine. Normally the power-steering pump is driven off of the engine by a chain or belt. In the Mazda 3 it is electronic, self-contained, and self-powered thus the power to drive it does not come from the engine.
Ride and Handling
The handling of the Mazda 3 is excellent, especially given its price. It feels more substantial than the competition. It has a flat, cornering stance. It has next to no body roll at all, staying nearly parallel to the road surface when going through turns.
The front suspension uses a McPherson strut layout. The back-end suspension has the same basic E-Link design used in the larger Mazda 6. The springs and dampers are positioned side-by-side to diminish the space they take up. This helps to increase the interior volume in the car to maximize cargo room.
The Mazda 3 comes standard with four-wheel disc for quick stopping power.
Safety
The Mazda 3 comes standard with all the usual safety features - driver and front passenger airbags, crumple zones, etc. It also has a collapsible steering wheel to reduce chest trauma, and a collapsible brake pedal to prevent leg injuries.
Side airbags, and side-curtain airbags are optional. However getting them puts six airbags in the Mazda 3.
The Mazda 3 comes standard with front-wheel disc and rear drum brakes -- we would prefer to see disc brakes all around. Two important options to consider purchasing are the Anti-Lock Brake and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution systems.
In Conclusion
The Mazda 3 is a great driving car, which will offer long-term economy for a super price. If you are considering a Nissan Sentra, Toyota Corolla, Echo or Matrix, Honda Civic, Ford Focus, Pontiac Vibe or Sunfire, you should test this car. It looks great, gets super gas mileage and drives like a little race car. Mazda got all the “Zoom - Zoom” packed into this little car that they could.
Editors Ratings
Pros: Great styling, fit and finish and handling for the money, a real value.
Cons: Nothing to speak of.
Ratings (1-10)
- Style: 8
- Performance: 7
- Price: 8
- Handling: 8
- Ride: 8
- Comfort: 9
- Quality: 9
- Overall: 8.1
More Data
Where Built: Japan.
Major Options: Navigation system, Automatic transmission, Anti Lock Brakes and Airbag package, Moonroof and 6-CD Package, Power and Wheel Package, Compact Disc Changer, 6-Disc In-Dash.
Seating: 5
Number of Rows: 2
Length in Inches: 178.3
Warranties: 5 years/50,000 Comprehensive warranty, 5 years/unlimited corrosion, 4 roadside assistance program.
Weight in Pounds: 2,696 - 2,857.
Maximum Payload in Pounds: 992.
Maximum Gross Vehicle Weigh in Pounds: 3,752 - 3,904
Towing Capacity in Pounds: Not Avialable
Gas Tank Capacity in Gallons: 14.5
Destination Charge: $520
