IL Track Tested: 2010 Mazda 3 i Touring

@kyolml

yeah, makes the phrase "dot your i's" that much more relevant. or i guess you might just want to curve your s's. anyway you spell it, the Mazda3 i is inferior haha

0-60 in 15 sec might be "painfully slow." 0-60 in 10 sec is unexciting but adequate. I believe the similarly-priced Civic's 9.6 sec was called "class-typical" in another article, which is a much less biased phrase.

I noticed prices on the 2010 models increased over comparably equipped 1st-gen models, but are dealers not dealing like they used to? When I was shopping in 2007, a 5-door s Touring with auto and moonroof/CD changer package listed for around $21.5K but sold for $18.75K at the dealers where I looked. A comparable 2010 lists for a grand more (mostly because you're now forced to pay for the Bose stereo to get a moonroof), but I'd still hope to pay no more than $20K before taxes and fees. If not, no wonder Mazda sales are tanking again.

Tire Brand: Bridgestone
Tire Model: Turanza EL400

There is the root of the problem, the Turanza EL400 is a terrible tire. Even a Goodyear RSA is clearly superior, and that's a notoriously unpleasant tire of low capabilities.

I test drove another car that had the Turanza and would have refused to buy it, then drove the same model on Continentals and it was like a completely different car, quite acceptable.

Mazda isn't the only maker who chases away potentially happy customers by cheaping out on the OEM tires on their lower-line models. It's a very short-sighted way to save a few bucks.

Realistically, you can drop 2-3k off the sticker on a Mazda3. A Mazda3 Hatch GT (xenons, leather, 2.5 liter) can be purchased for ~20,500. So this little bugger is more like a 16-17k car.

This is what the average 3 handles like so this information is good to have. The only "sporty" 3 is the s model- the regular model is average. Those are Focus or Corolla type handling numbers- two cars that routinely get blasted for lacking the "zoom zoom" feel of the 3. Pretending the S model is representative of all 3s is like pretending the Civic Si is reprentative of all Civics.

Interesting you should mention competing cars, including the Civic, 1487.

Out of curiousity to see if Edmunds had been bagging on other econo cars vs. the Mazda in the past, I pulled up the Edmunds 2006 economy sedan comparo between the Civic and 3. The important numbers for the Civic are:

1/4 mile - 17.1@81.7mph
60-0 - 130 ft
Skidpad - 0.79
Slalom - 64.6 mph

Tires - Turanza EL400

Naturally, they compared it to a 3s (at $22k+) and noted that the 3 significantly outhandled and outbraked the Civic.

Compared to the new 3i, it looks like the performance numbers are exceedingly close, with the slight advantage to the Civic.

Good points 1487, I love that.

Now lets see who is the real king of the 2.0 liter engines in this class (not the most expensive, not the big brother like it is the new 2.4L GTS, the big brother SI, rolla XRS, etc):

Numbers of the 2008 lancer GTS

0 - 60 (sec.) 9.1
0 - 75 (sec.) 13.5
1/4 mile (sec. @ mph) 16.9 @ 83.8
30 - 0 (ft.) 28
60 - 0 (ft.) 118
Braking rating Good
Slalom, 6 x 100 ft (mph) 65.5
Skid pad, 200 ft diameter (lateral g) 0.86
Handling rating Good

And that is with such a heavy car as the mitsu is -3104 lbs!!!- WOW

Far superior than the civic, mazda, corolla, etc.

I agree 1487. I've always felt like the Mazda 3 is the best compact car available if you have money to spend, but if you are looking at the low end you would be far better suited with a Corolla or Focus bceause they all perform about the same yet the Mazda has the worst gas mileage by far.

The 3 has entered hallowed ground where its seen as unparalleled and thus no one ever criticizes the car for anything (like Fit and 3 series). The S model is tested over and over again and we hear how its the benchmark with no mention of the volume i model, the high price of the s model or the mediocre fuel economy which would be derided if it came from a Chevy or Dodge. The 3s is a nice small car but its pricier than the volume competitors in this class and thus the i model is the one that really needs to get most of the attention. As the above test shows the i model is simply average.

I just looked at the price- the 3i is still over $21k.

There is a simple solution for this. Save your money and buy a Golf Mark 6 for less if you need the extra room that this car offers or pay an additional $1,500.00 and get a MINI Cooper S that would blow the doors off of this car.

whoa, I prefer the made for adult interior of the 3 to the cartoonish nonsense inside the Mini. If those were my choices the 3 wins.

Considering that this is a new platform, it is sad it is inferior to the older Civic design in performance.

Not bad. Drop the price a bit, and we'll talk.

1487 and church123, you're not quite correct. Edmunds did a comparison test of the (previous generation) Mazda 3 2.0i, Civic and Corolla in 2008 or so. It was a consumer test. The Civic won, the Corolla was dead last. All three drivers said the Mazda was by far the sportiest, but two out of three preferred the Civic because it was a bit more practical. Check these out:
http://www.edmunds.com/mazda/mazda3/2008/testdrive.html
Well, I can't find that comparison test, but the above test should still help.

I have little reason to believe that the 2010 Mazda 3 2.0 would be less sporty than the old model. Assuming that the new 2.0 is as sporty as the old 2.0, it should still be sportier than the Civic and Corolla!

And bc1960 is right: most compacts in the 1.8 to 2.0L range do 0 to 60 in between 9 and 10s. The 2010 Mazda 3 2.0i's performance is hence simply adequate.

http://www.insideline.com/mazda/mazda3/2006/2006-economy-sedan-comparison-test-honda-civic-vs-mazda-3.html

And somehow I doubt that the 3 will get better gas mileage than the 10% smaller engined Civic either. Clearly the 3s is very sporty, but judging by the test results here, the 3i is not nearly as chipper. Asking whether a non-Si Civic or a 3i is sportier is like asking which grandmother has the sexiest shade of blue hair. Some people care, but most of us will just gag a bit.

"the regular model is average. Those are Focus or Corolla type handling numbers- two cars that routinely get blasted for lacking the "zoom zoom" feel of the 3"

That's the trouble with judging by numbers alone. I've driven base versions of the all three and the Mazda is much more fun to drive then the Focus and light years ahead of the Corolla.

Poor tires and being crippled by an automatic held the Mazda back here.

It was overpriced though. You can get the base GX here in Canada for only $15,999 and that's Canadian dollars. Comes with everything you need too.

- Centre console with lid
- Power windows, mirrors & door locks
- Day/night rearview mirror
- One-touch down driver side window
- Map lamps
- AM/FM/CD with MP3 capability & 4 speakers
- Tilt/telescopic steering wheel
- Passenger seatback pocket
- Exterior ambient temperature gauge
etc

"Asking whether a non-Si Civic or a 3i is sportier is like asking which grandmother has the sexiest shade of blue hair. Some people care, but most of us will just gag a bit."

LOL!!!
And VERY true...

The price listed above is just the MSRP, no one will actually pay that. I just bought a 2010 3S GT with HID, Leather, Nav, Bose, and Moonroof for $23k Sticker was $27k. Also the SI is not competition for the 3S, the Mazdaspeed3 is. The 3S model simply competes with the up-level Civic EX-L model which also starts at $22k and can run up to $26k. At that price, the only thing better about the Honda is the fuel efficiency. The Mazda is simply more equipped all around.

How about price mayoarceo? The Civic EX-L with leather, moonroof and nav is $24,500 before you negotiate. Do you really think people only get discounts on Mazdas?

Yes that is quite true that you can bargain the price on a Civic as well. BUT, as I said $27k includes features that the Civic does not offer like: HID headlamps with AFS(swivel), Intelligent Keyless entry and push-button start, Driver power seat with 3 driver memory, Bluetooth audio streaming system, 6months of free Sirius satellite radio, and 17" alloy wheels. Thats all on top of the fact that the Mazda 3S GT handles better, better ride quality, has much more power, and gets better resale according to KBB and ALG. Look at the specs and compare. There is NOTHING that the Civic has more of than the Mazda 3s GT other than the fuel economy. I have driven and compared both and you will feel the difference, trust me I came from 2 prior Civics 1999 SI and a 2004 EX.

not bad

"Painfully slow"? Since when is an under 10s 0-60 time "painfully slow"?

You in North America should be thankful the smallest engine available for the 3 is the 2.0L. In the smallish Asian market where I live, a 109hp 1.5L (paired with a CVT, no less) is the teeniest. And when I drove this version, I thought the car was going to slip backwards going uphill even with the throttle on the floor and three (amaller-than-average-American-sized) adults onboard.

Here, the s model really is the sports version, even if it does come only with the 5-speed AT. Especially since the MPS (Mazdaspeed) isn't available in volume here (I've got the only one :-)).