Compact cars are a group of transportation units that do not often attract a lot of attention, but the latest 2009 Mazda 3 has certainly been an exception. This is not that surprising considering that the Mazda line is known for quality cars with style and flair. The company tends to consistently push the envelope when it comes to ingenuity and innovation, and the automotive engineers frequently add some outstanding features to almost every Mazda vehicle that debuts.
Auto Genetics Are Evident
The Mazda 3's predecessor is the reliable little Protegé and this auto is known for high marks any time it was compared to other compact cars. This is just more proof of how dominating some of the small Mazda vehicles actually are when they go head to head against other company cars. The Protégé was light, quick, and fun and all of these vehicle traits were included in the automotive DNA of the 2009 Mazda 3.
Mazda 3 Cars Appeals To Youthful Adult Market
With this vehicle, a driver will find the same fast, responsive handling that was experienced with the older Protégé, but now it’s even better. The unpolished attitude of the Protégé has gracefully given way to a more elegant sporty feel that is quickly apparent in the 2009 Mazda 3. Some have commented that the Protégé felt more appropriate for teen drivers while the Mazda 3 vehicle is definitely for the 20-35 age range. This does not mean that these cars cannot be enjoyed by all ages, but young adults will feel a quick connection with this sleek little compact.
Specs and Design Info
This all new and improved vehicle has been constructed on a new platform that is almost 50% firmer than the one used for the Protégé. According to the specs, the percentage of stiffness is exactly 40%, which is substantial. The Mazda 3 has front struts and a rear multilink system comparable to the Mazda 6. The steering system is an electro-hydraulic powered rack and pinion design that is responsive, dependable, and extremely accurate. There are also bigger rotors on the 4-wheel disc braking system. The anti-lock brakes are a very affordable and advisable option on these cars.
Body Basics
The 2009 Mazda 3 is available in two choices of body styles. You can select the more formal 4-door sedan or the cool little five-door hatch model. The size of both body styles has been increased and gives drivers and passengers some much-needed room. A 103.9-inch wheelbase is seen on both body styles and is one of the largest in this car class. The car’s length is 176.6 inches and the width is 69.1 inches. The Mazda 3 height is unchanged at 57.7 inches, which still gives plenty of interior headroom. There is also a notable increase in the rear and front track dimensions of the vehicle. The track dimensions on these cars are over 3 inches larger than the 57.9 that was used for the old Protégé 5.
Rear seat passengers in these cars have better legroom, but because of a new cross beam the foot room of the vehicle slightly decreased. This should cause no problem for most average size occupants due to the economical interior design. The cargo capability of the vehicle has been expanded and if you choose the 5-door hatchback, you have some additional versatility due to those convenient fold-down seats in the rear.
Emphasis on the Engine
The European and Asian markets will have some diesel cars available but the American market will have 2 available engine options. There is an aluminum 2-liter DOHC 16-valve 4 that comes equipped with the Sequential Valve Timing (S-VT) system. This delivers 148 horsepower with135 lb/ft of torque, which is an impressive 18-horsepower gain. The new upgraded engine is a 2.3L DOHC with a 16-valve aluminum four-cylinder construction. This also comes with the Mazda S-VT variable valve timing and intake runners. This particular engine delivers 160 HP at 6500 rpm and 4500 rpm gives 150 lb/ft of torque.
Taking on the Transmission
Transmissions on these cars include the standard five-speed stick and a 4 speed automatic option that has an additional function installed. The company calls this function the “Active-Matic” feature and says that it provides a driver with a super quick 1-2 up-shift that result in clean, speedy takeoffs when one wants to impress an audience. The quietness of the interior and the smoothness of the transmission combine to deliver a perfect driving experience in this vehicle.
Numbers Don’t Lie
The 2009 Mazda 3 loaded with a five-speed manual and 2.3L engine takes 7.4 seconds to go from 0-60. It can cover a ¼ miles in 16 seconds at a speed of 87 miles per hour and hits 100 mph in 22.8 seconds. Those numbers will impress anyone who is familiar with vehicles in this compact car class. The closest competition to these numbers was recorded in 2002 by a Toyota Matrix that was much lighter than this little 2957 pound speedster. The braking distance for these cars is also impressive, measuring 169 feet when tested at 70mph.
Final Notes
The interior reinforces the design of this vehicle for a sporty performance with deeply bolstered bucket seats. The 3-spoke sports steering wheel also tilts and telescopes nicely. The instrument panel is well designed in basic black and white coloring, and is clearly visible. All in all, the entire interior rates high for design and comfort. The price tag on this 2009 Mazda 3 should range from 15, 000 to about 23,500. This is a little pricier than some of the other compact cars but this quiet, comfortable vehicle is worth the consideration.
