2013 Mazda 3 Short Review

The horsepower wars that besiege luxury and sports cars, and even full-size family sedans, largely bypass the compact-car class. Whether due to cost or design, power yields to efficiency in this class. Yet the 2013 Mazda 3 is among the few that deftly combines both of them.

Introduced last year, Mazda's new direct-injected 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (dubbed Skyactiv-G) returns as the star of the Mazda 3's power. Joined to a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission, this engine helps the Mazda 3 achieve 40 mpg on the highway without resorting to tricks like special aerodynamics or automatic transmission shift programming that settles into the highest gear before you've left the driveway.
Nor has the increased efficiency compromised horsepower. The Skyactiv engine slots between the 3's base 2.0-liter and top-end 2.5-liter engines, and its acceleration times are quite competitive for the class. Only the 2013 Ford Focus offers a better combination of power and fuel economy, but it only achieves 40 mpg highway with its add-on Super Fuel Economy package.

The Skyactiv engine complements the 3's other strengths, including sharp handling, a stylish interior and the available hatchback body style. But with increased competition, the 3 isn't the automatic pick it once was. The Chevrolet Cruze, Ford Focus and 2013 Hyundai Elantra are all excellent choices for a small sedan or hatch. But for competitive fuel economy integrated with energetic driving character, the 2013 Mazda 3 is still hard to beat.

Vehicle Overview :

The compact five-seat Mazda3 is available as a sedan or four-door hatchback and is available with Mazda's high-efficiency technologies marketed under the SkyActiv name, including an optional engine rated at up to 40 mpg on the highway. It competes with the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla and Volkswagen Golf and Jetta, to name a few.

What new for 2013 ?

Air conditioning is newly standard, and the SkyActiv 2.0-liter four-cylinder now comes on the i Sport sedan in addition to the i Touring and i Grand Touring.
The i Sport, i Touring and i Grand Touring add a USB port and a driver information system.

Exterior :

The front bumper was smoothed last year, and although the smiling grille's detailing changed, its size remains the same. Most of the changes to the exterior and underbody were made to improve aerodynamics by 7 percent for both body styles.
When equipped with the optional SkyActiv engine, the Mazda3 has a blue ring around each projector-beam headlight lens, extra badging and a blue engine cover under the hood. 

Best exterior features include:

• 16-inch steel wheels 16- or 17-inch alloy wheels available
• Available fog lights
• Available side mirrors with integrated turn signals
• Available bi-xenon high-intensity-discharge headlights
• Available rear spoiler
• Available power moonroof

Interior :

Interior changes for 2012 included silver trim on the finer touch points, such as knobs and vent pulls. The gauge markings are backlit, day or night. The dashboard LCDs are white, though the performance-oriented Mazdaspeed3 version features red gauge backlighting. The fabric seat upholstery on lower and higher trim levels has different patterns. 

Best interior features include:

• Standard air conditioning
• Available navigation system with a 5.8-inch touch-screen 
• Available push-button start

Under the Hood :

With the addition of SkyActiv, the Mazda3 now offers three engines. 

Best mechanical features include:

• Base engine is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that produces 148 horsepower and teams with a five-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission
• SkyActiv 2.0-liter direct-injection four-cylinder produces 155 hp and teams with a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic
• 2.5-liter four-cylinder makes 167 hp and works with a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic 
• Engines use regular gas

Safety :

Best safety features include:

• Antilock brakes
• Electronic stability system with traction control
• Front-seat side-impact airbags
• Side curtain airbags
• Available blind spot warning system
• Available adaptive headlights

Colors :

Available Exterior Colors

	Velocity Red Mica
	Liquid Silver Metallic
	Indigo Lights Mica
	Graphite Mica
	Dolphin Gray Mica
	Crystal White Pearl Mica
	Black Mica

Available Interior Colors

	Dune
	Black

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