What Changed for 2008:

• Standard front side air bags on “s” model


• Standard front side and side curtain air bags on “s” model

Overview
The Mazda3 is a sporty compact car that comes in 4-door sedan and 5-door hatchback body styles. It was introduced for the 2004 model year and has yet to undergo a major redesign. All Mazda3s have 4-cylinder engines, front-wheel drive and seating for 5. The Mazda3 shares its architecture with the Volvo S40, V50 and C30, as well as the European Ford Focus, but not the American version of the Focus. The high-performance MazdaSpeed3 was added for the 2007 model year. It is offered as a 5-door hatchback, and comes with a turbocharged engine, 6-speed manual transmission, 18-inch wheels and sport suspension. Mazda3 sedans have 11.5 cubic feet of cargo room, while hatchbacks offer 43.8 cubic feet of cargo room with their rear seats folded down.

Model Lineup
For 2008, Sport, Touring and Grand Touring trim levels are available for 2.0-liter “i”, 2.3-liter “s” and turbocharged MazdaSpeed3 models. Standard equipment on the i Sport includes a tilt/telescoping steering wheel with audio controls; cloth upholstery; split folding rear seat; AM/FM/CD stereo; auxiliary input jack; outside-temperature indicator; theft-deterrent system; and P195/65R15 tires on steel wheels. The i Touring adds air conditioning; cruise control; interior air filter; driver’s seat height and lumbar adjustment; power windows, mirrors and door locks; remote keyless entry; and P205/55R16 tires on aluminum wheels. In addition to the 2.3-liter engine, the s Sport has a leather-wrapped steering wheel and fog lights. The s Sport hatchback also has a rear cargo cover, rear spoiler and P205/50R17 tires. The s Touring gets the P205/50R17 tires as well as traction control and anti-skid control. Standard with the s Grand Touring trim are leather upholstery, heated front seats, automatic climate control, trip computer, rain-sensing wipers and Xenon automatic headlights. The MazdaSpeed3 Sport has s Touring equipment, plus a limited-slip front differential, upgraded brakes, sport suspension and P215/45R18 tires. To this the MazdaSpeed3 Grand Touring adds automatic climate control; leather upholstery; Bose AM/FM radio with 6-disc CD changer; trip computer; rain sensing wipers; and Xenon automatic headlights. Available options include a sunroof, DVD-based navigation system. auto-dimming rearview mirror with compass, and remote engine starting.

Powertrain
Base 4-door Mazda3 “i” models are powered by a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine that pumps out 148 hp at 6500 rpm and 135 lb.-ft. of torque at 4500 rpm. Four-door sedan and 5-door hatchback “s” versions get a 2.3-liter 4-cylinder engine that makes 156 hp at 6500 rpm and 150 lb.-ft. of torque at 4500 rpm. A 5-speed manual transmission is standard, with a 4-speed automatic transmission available for the 2.0-liter engine and a 5-speed automatic transmission available for the 2.3-liter motor. The Mazdaspeed3 comes with a 2.3-liter turbocharged engine that produces 263 hp at 5500 rpm and 280 lb.-ft. of torque at 3000 rpm. It is mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. The Mazdaspeed3 can sprint to 60 mph in less than 6 seconds and has an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph.

EPA fuel economy ratings for the 2008 Mazda3 are 24 mpg city/32 mpg highway with the 2.0-liter engine and manual transmission; 23 mpg city/31 mpg highway with the 2.0-liter engine and the automatic transmission; 22 mpg city/29 mpg highway with the naturally aspirated 2.3-liter engine and either transmission; and 18 mpg city/26 mpg highway for the MazdaSpeed3.

Safety
Standard safety equipment on the 2008 Mazda3 includes dual front air bags and a tire-pressure monitor. Torso-protecting front side air bags; head-protecting curtain side air bags; and anti-lock brakes with brake assist are standard on Sport models. The s Touring and Grand Touring models have traction control and electronic stability control. In tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), both body styles of the Mazda3 received 4-star ratings for the driver and front passenger in frontal impacts, 3-star ratings for front- and rear-seat occupants in side impacts, and a 4-star rating for rollover resistance. In tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Mazda3 received a “Good” rating for frontal offset crashes, a “Poor” rating for side impacts, and a “Marginal” rating for rear crash protection.

Technology
Mazda designed the MazdaSpeed3 to limit torque steer, both geometrically and electronically. Geometrically speaking, the stiffness of the left and right drive shafts is balanced and the car has a limited-slip front differential. Electronically, Mazda limits torque characteristics from first through third gears and suppresses torque peaks via intake volume and boost pressure-control. Torque control is also linked to steering angle; this means that more torque is available if the steering wheel is straight than if it is turned a few degrees to the left or right, the automaker explains.