MAZDA 3

Cars are usually not like a fine wine: They don't get better with age. Normally, if you plotted a car's year-to-year sales, you would see a downward trend as the excitement of its introduction wanes and newer competitors debut. Not so with the 2009 Mazda 3, a car that's bucked this trend and actually enjoyed greater sales as time has gone on.

While it probably hasn't improved much since its introduction in 2004, the 3 hasn't needed to. Mazda's fine little compact is an example of a car done right. The 3 is akin to a successful indie movie: a good product that slowly gains attention thanks to positive word of mouth and Oscar buzz. In the Mazda's case, years of automotive awards, critical acclaim and positive ownership experiences finally generated the type of marketplace response the 3 has always deserved. This is one of the best cars in its class, and it's nice that people are finally taking notice.

Distinguished by taut, chiseled styling and handsome details inside and out, the Mazda 3 gives the impression of a junior sport sedan -- and it has the driving experience to back it up, thanks to its nimble handling, ample road feel and relatively peppy performance. In a consumer comparison test we conducted, six regular Americans touted the 3 as the most fun economy car to drive (pitted against the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla) and felt like they were in the "most control" when behind the wheel. Our editors are in complete agreement.

With available sedan and hatchback body styles, the Mazda 3 offers a nice practical variety for shoppers. The hatchback in particular should appeal to young families or college-aged folks in need of the occasional dorm moving van. Everyone, though, should appreciate the ample amount of standard equipment that comes with both trim levels, along with the luxury features available on the s Grand Touring. Few other compact economy cars offer such things as leather upholstery, heated power seats, xenon headlights and a seven-speaker stereo.

Of all the many economy car competitors, there are relatively few that can surpass the 2009 Mazda 3. In the aforementioned consumer comparison test, all but one "guest editor" chose the Honda Civic as their choice because of its comfier ride, more spacious interior and better fuel economy. All walked away very impressed by the 3, however, and more than one commented that it would be the best for younger drivers. We agree, as the sportier Mazda is more likely to appeal to younger and single car buyers. Another choice on the sporty end of the compact-car spectrum is the Mitsubishi Lancer, which is also worth a good look.

The Mazda 3 is going to be replaced by an all-new model for 2010. But even after six years on the market, the current car is showing no signs of age. Like fine wine or a quality indie movie (or "Sideways," an indie movie about fine wine), the 3 will continue to please for a long time.

For Pricing information, see our Pricing page.

Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options

The compact 2009 Mazda 3 is available as a four-door sedan and hatchback. The sedan is available in five trim levels: i Sport, i Touring Value, s Sport, s Touring and s Grand Touring. The hatchback, or "five-door," comes in only the s trims.

The i Sport comes standard with 15-inch steel wheels, a tilt/telescoping steering column, a 60/40-split rear seat with a center armrest, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, a four-speaker stereo with a CD/MP3 player, an auxiliary audio jack and pre-wiring for satellite radio. Air-conditioning and an exterior temperature display are optional. The i Touring Value trim adds 17-inch alloy wheels, foglights, full power accessories, keyless entry, cruise control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, driver-seat height adjustment and six speakers.

The s Sport sedan gets 16-inch alloy wheels (the hatchback has the 17s), but both body styles feature a bigger engine, slightly different front and rear fascias, different interior trim and electroluminescent gauges. The s Touring adds 17-inch alloys on the sedan and body sill extensions. The s Grand Touring gains auto on/off xenon headlights, automatic rain-sensing wipers, automatic climate control, a six-way power driver seat, leather upholstery, heated front seats and a trip computer.

Optional on the Grand Touring are a navigation system (which includes satellite radio) and a seven-speaker Bose stereo with an in-dash six-CD changer. The CD changer and a sunroof are stand-alone options on all Mazda 3s except the i Sport.

For more Style information, see our Compare Styles page.

Powertrains and Performance

The Mazda 3 i sedan uses a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 148 horsepower and 135 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed manual is standard, while a four-speed automatic with automanual override is optional. In performance testing, the 3 i with automatic went from zero to 60 mph in 9.8 seconds. Fuel economy for a similarly equipped 3 i rates an EPA-estimated 22 mpg city/30 mpg highway and 25 mpg combined, which is below class leaders. Opting for the manual gearbox improves efficiency by 2 mpg.

The Mazda 3 s sedan and hatchback get a 2.3-liter four-cylinder good for 156 hp and 150 lb-ft of torque. A five-speed manual is standard, while a five-speed automatic with manual shift control is optional. The 3 s with the automatic goes from zero to 60 mph in 8.6 seconds. Fuel economy with the automatic is an estimated 22 city/28 highway and 24 combined, which is about equal for compact sedans with similar power output.

For more Performance Data, see our Specifications page.

Safety

Standard on every Mazda 3 are antilock disc brakes, front-seat side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags. Stability and traction control are standard on the s Touring and Grand Touring models, but not available on anything else.

In National Highway Traffic Safety Administration frontal-impact crash tests, the 2009 Mazda 3 scored four stars (out of five). In Insurance Institute for Highway Safety testing, the 3 received a "Good" rating (the highest out of four) in frontal-offset crash tests. The Mazda 3 has not yet been tested for side-impact safety when equipped with the now-standard side airbags and side curtain airbags.

For more Safety information, see our Safety page.

Interior Design and Special Features

Especially in s Touring and s Grand Touring forms, the Mazda 3 features a distinctive and upscale interior design that looks far richer than its price would suggest. Controls are straightforward and work with precise action, while good-quality materials and tight build tolerances further the initial sense of impressive quality. Plus, with available luxury features like heated leather seats, automatic climate control and a navigation system, one can equip this economy car like a budget luxury sport sedan.

Even taller drivers will find plenty of room in this compact car's front seat, with generous headroom and legroom aided by a telescoping steering wheel. The rear seat is a little snug for larger adults, but those of average height will find a decent amount of space. Sedans offer 11.4 cubic feet of trunk space, which is on the small side, but the hatchback boasts 17 cubes behind its rear seat and 31 when the seat is folded.

For more Interior Features information, see our Specifications page.

Driving Impressions

Consistent with its upscale interior, the Mazda 3 tends to drive like a much more expensive sport sedan. Thanks to its performance-oriented chassis tuning, the 3 rewards the driving enthusiast with quick and communicative steering, a lack of discernible body roll and lots of grip on twisty blacktop. The s trim level's 2.3-liter engine is smooth and zippy, feeling quicker than its 156 hp would suggest. The i trim's 2.0-liter engine is simply adequate and has the tendency to sound like a circular saw.

The 3's highway ride is smooth enough to please most commuters, although drivers who prefer softly sprung compacts like the Corolla might think the 3 is too firm. All told, the 2009 Mazda 3 has refined road manners that will likely surprise car shoppers expecting the unsubstantial ride quality and uninspiring handling typical of economy cars.

For more Driving Impressions, Recent Articles and Car Awards from our Editors, see our Road Tests page.
source : http://www.edmunds.com/mazda/mazda3/2009/review.html

MAZDA CX-9

Until recently, the only vehicles truly capable of carrying seven adults or lots of cargo were minivans, traditional full-size SUVs and passenger vans. However, a new crop of crossover SUVs (sometimes referred to as CUVs) has recently been introduced that provide the space of a large SUV, respectable fuel economy and handling, and exterior styling that doesn't immediately scream "diapers!" One of the latest seven-passenger crossovers to become available is the Mazda CX-9.

The CX-9 combines a spacious interior that can be lavishly appointed along with the sporty handling characteristics that Mazdas are known for. Though the CX-9 shares its basic architecture and engine with the Ford Edge, the Mazda CX-9 feels much better executed, with superior driving dynamics and a more athletic feel, despite its larger size.

Current Mazda CX-9

The Mazda CX-9 is available in Sport, Touring and Grand Touring trims, all of which are powered by a 3.7-liter V6 with 273 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque of torque. Front-wheel drive is standard and all-wheel drive is optional on all trims, while a six-speed automatic transmission is standard.

Safety features are well represented on the CX-9 with nearly every desirable technology standard, including antilock brakes, traction control, stability control and side curtain airbags with rollover sensors. A rear back-up camera is included as part of the optional navigation system.

To call the Sport trim a base model would be an injustice, since it is very well equipped with items like 18-inch alloy wheels, air-conditioning, power windows, a tilt-telescoping steering wheel with wheel-mounted cruise and audio controls, keyless entry, privacy glass, Bluetooth and an auxiliary audio jack.

Stepping up to the Mazda CX-9 Touring trim gets you standard heated and powered front seats, leather upholstery and a second-row center armrest with additional storage. The Grand Touring model includes 20-inch alloy chrome wheels, xenon HID headlights, rain-sensing windshield wipers, three-position memory for the driver seat, electroluminescent gauges, blue LED indirect lighting and keyless ignition/entry. Notable options include a Bose stereo, a navigation system with a back-up camera, a towing package, a sunroof, a power rear hatch, a blind-spot warning system and a rear DVD entertainment system.

Seven-passenger seating is standard on all CX-9s. The prospect of hauling around seven people can be daunting, but this crossover SUV's roomy third row can hold actual adults (although taller ones will find their heads pinched). Access to the rear is relatively painless thanks to an easy-to-use latch that lets you slide past the second row into the back. With the second- and third rows folded flat, the CX-9 can carry 101 cubic feet of cargo.

On the road, we've found that the Mazda CX-9 is fun to drive. The carlike unibody feels solid as a rock and the four-wheel independent suspension is tuned for sporting responses, with minimal body roll and controlled ride motions. The steering is surprisingly responsive and the effort is weighted just right. If you live in tighter confines within a congested area, the nimble CX-9 could be a perfect choice. However, the CX-9's ride quality (particularly with the Grand Touring's 20-inch wheels) can border on harsh when compared to that of more supple-riding competitors.

Used Mazda CX-9 Models

The CX-9 was introduced for 2007. In its debut year, the CX-9 was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 that made 263 hp and 249 lb-ft of torque. Despite being replaced by the current 3.7-liter engine for '08, the original CX-9 was hardly lacking for power, so we wouldn't discourage anyone from purchasing a used example.

In addition, the power rear hatch feature on the Grand Touring model was unavailable at launch and was a late availability option, so it may be hard to find on 2007 models. For '09, Bluetooth became standard across the board while a few other features were added to the Grand Touring trim and options packages.
source : http://www.edmunds.com/mazda/cx9/review.html

MAZDA CX-7

Mazda CX7 reviews. The mid-size of Mazda CX7 was all new for 2007, one of a growing segment of flavored performance utility vehicles. After a successful launch in North America in 2006, sales have expanded to include Japan and Europe in 2007. Two years later, total sales have exceeded 165,000 units (from December 2008) and the Mazda CX7 has won more than 10 global automotive awards.

The exterior design of the facelift is based on the athletic styling of the original Mazda CX7, pushing further the sports crossover SUV design, while incorporating enhancements that more clearly communicate a premium identity and give it a more refined character. The 2010 Mazda CX7 facelift’s new front end, detailing and high build quality on the outside take the original model’s advanced and emotional styling to the next level, while new materials and forms on the inside give the cabin a more premium look and feel.

The new lower front grille of the CX7 facelift has a larger five-point design that most clearly communicates the brand Mazda, and harmonises with the latest models in the line-up. The grille is framed by a sleek silver look, detailing that expresses a premium identity. It also provides a wider opening of the upper zone, which contributes to superior cooling performance, which is of particular value to the newly introduced 2.2 liters of turbocharged diesel engine. Other enhancements to the fascia include a new design for the front fog lamp bezels, which creates a strong visual flow and lends a sense of fine craftsmanship.

Inside, the 2010 Mazda CX7’s interior style is more like the cockpit of a sports coupe than an SUV, with the exception of the vast dashboard required by the steep raked windshield. Front-row accommodation in the new Mazda CX7 is good, the seats allows plenty of space and keep it in place. The story is not so good to return there is no third row and second row is smaller than most would expect from a mid-size ute, especially in the legs room and there is barely space to fit three across. Backseats can fold down flat 70 inches of cargo space, though not particularly spacious or desirable, given the slope of the roof, rakish hatch, height and load height. The cargo floor can, however, are turned at a washable surface for transporting dirty items. Mazda could learn a thing or two in the packaging of its Asian rivals, because there are few spaces for storage of small items.

With high ratings for impact protection of both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IISH), 2010 Mazda CX7 is a very safe vehicle for front seat occupants. NHTSA gives you five stars for crash protection and four for rollover protection. The occupants of the rear seats in the Mazda fee and could not, however, as the IISH gives the 2008 CX7 a “marginal” for rear crash protection.

To cope with strong demand in Europe for a cleaning operation with high efficiency of diesel fuel, the 2010 Mazda CX7 SUV facelift has a next-generation MZR-CD 2.2-liter turbo diesel, including a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system designed exclusively for the European market. The new CX-7 is powered by a 2.3 liters DISI turbo charged four-cylinder in-line engine coupled to a silky smooth six-speed automatic transmission. Like other Mazda models, the automatic transmission is equipped with a sport shift mode that allows the driver to manually select gears. 16-valve turbocharged engine good for 244 horsepower and 258 lbs.-ft of torque.

ConsumerGuide test new Mazda CX7 Grand Touring AWD and did 0-60 mph in 8.5 seconds. Mazda comes with a turbocharged four-cylinder only. It’s good for 244 hp and 258 pounds feet of torque, reports Edmunds, and puts the CX7 acceleration at the top of the class. And for the first time ever, Mazda’s sports crossover SUV gets a Rear Vehicle Monitoring (RVM) system and an Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) for even more active safety.

2010-mazda-cx7

Mazda offers three trim levels for the 2010 CX7. There is nothing on the basis of entry-level “Sport” trim which is equipped with 18 “alloy wheels, key-less entry, steering wheel audio controls and an optional power driver’s seat. An extra $ 1750 spent on the Touring model will bring a leather trimmed interior, power driver’s seat and heated front seats. The top of the line Grand Touring trim its owner with the rewards, such as automatic climate control, auto-leveling Xenon headlights, heated body-colored mirrors. There are two options available for 2008. The moon-roof and Bose package brings a power moon-roof and Bose stereo speakers 9 equipped with a six-CD changer. Springing for the Technology Package brings all of the aforementioned features plus DVD navigation, a backup camera, and a remote start function.

A line-up of seven body colours is available with the 2010 Mazda CX7 facelift (depending on market), all of them chosen to compliment the vehicle’s sporty and strong exterior. These include three new colours: Aluminium Metallic, Stormy Blue Mica and Sparkling Black Mica. Mazda has carried forward the two original model’s popular black and sand beige interior colour packages. The facelifted Mazda CX7 features newly designed 18-inch aluminium wheels and, for the first time to the line-up, new 19-inch aluminium wheels (both depending on grade), which further highlight the new Mazda CX7’s power and refinement.
source : http://anycarinfo.com/2010-mazda-cx7-facelift-reviews.htm