Mazda 3 dimensions

A new high-efficiency motor re-establishes the 2012 Mazda 3 as a class favorite. Mazda MAZDA3 Hatchback offers the following pros: Precise handling; high fuel efficiency with auxillary 2. 0-liter engine; stylish, well-equipped interior; cool list of luxury options; extra utility of 4-door hatchback. Mazda MAZDA3 Hatchback drawbacks are: Ride might be too firm for some; cab and cargo not as big as those of rivals.

The 2012 Mazda 3 is available in 4-door sedan and hatchback body styles. Both are available in Mazda 3i and Mazda 3s trims that are further broken into subtrims. The high-performance Mazdaspeed Mazda 3 is reviewed separately.

The Mazda 3i SV and Sport trims are available only on the sedan. The SV comes sparsely equipped with 16-inch metal wheels, performance mirrors, performance windows, a height-adjustable driver bench, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a 60/40 split-folding back bench and a four-speaker audio system with a CD player, optional stereo slot and helm controls. The Sport adds air-conditioning, performance locks, keyless entry and an outside temperature screen.

The rest of the Mazda 3 trims are available on both the sedan and hatchback. The Mazda 3i Touring adds to the Sport equipment the Skyactiv-g motor, 16-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, a leather-wrapped helm and shifter, a rear-seat center armrest, a trip computer, Bluetooth (phone and stereo streaming) and a six-speaker audio system. The Touring can be had with a suite that contains a sunroof and a 10-speaker Bose surround-sound stereo system. Those items are traditional on the Mazda 3i Grand Touring, which also gets heated mirrors, an eight-way performance driver bench, heated front seatings, leather upholstery, a sliding front center armrest, a color trip computer and a compact navigator.

The Mazda 3s Touring adds on a more comprehensive four-cylinder motor, 17-inch alloy wheels, updated brakes, foglamps, LED taillights, a deck lid spoiler (sedan), keyless ignition/entry, sport seatings and dual-zone automatic climate control. However, it reverts rear to a manual driver bench and cloth upholstery, while the sunroof and navigator are features. The Mazda 3s Grand Touring contains those items.

The Tech suite available on both Mazda 3i and Mazda 3s Grand Touring trims adds a blind-spot warning system, adaptive bi-xenon headlights, automatic wipers and radio (optional separately on all trims).

An Ipod interface and a Six-cd changer are available as dealer-installed accessories on all Mazda 3 versions. .