Flash Drive

2017 Mazda3

April 3, 2017 - Behind The Wheel - Comments: 

Model Tested: 2017 Mazda3 Grand Touring 4-Door

The 2017 Mazda3 Grand Touring sedan is a great mix of economy, sportiness, and safety.

Engine: 2.5-liter I-4, 184 horsepower, 185 lb-ft torque

Transmission: 6-speed automatic, front-wheel-drive

EPA Rating: 27 mpg city/36 mpg highway/30 mpg combined

Base Price: $24,195

As Tested: $27,930

Performance:

Sport mode noticeably improves performance

Paddle shifters

Heads up display shows traffic signs

Rain sensing wipers

Blind spot monitoring

Mazda3 front seat room and comfort are excellent.

Rear cross traffic alert

Smart Brake Support

Lane departure warning

Lane keep assist

Comfort:

Leather trimmed sports seats

Comfortable seats

Soft headrests

Stretch-out driver and front passenger legroom

Heated steering wheel

Thick, contoured leather steering wheel

Good auxiliary controls

Quite warm three temperature heated front seats

The Mazda3 GT is available with either a 6-speed manual transmission or a 6-speed automatic.

Covered double cup holder in console

Rear seat is snug on knee room unless fronts are forward

Good shoe room under seats

Quite a lot of rear wheelwell intrusion for back seat

Soft, wide rear armrest with cupholders

Tall rear floor hump

Middle seating just for kids

Lumbar lever doesn’t make much difference

Utility:

Nice infotainment control knob on center console

Small console bin with small removable change tray

The Mazda3 is available in 4-door and 5-door models.

Small sunroof

Analog and digital speedometer

Split folding rear seats have some slope

Rear door bin only hold a water bottle

Medium size glovebox doesn’t lock

Big, wide trunk with flat floor

Covered hinges

Six-inch lift –over

Two easy seatback release knobs in trunk

WOW Factors:

Small, but nice heads up display

The heads up display is a greatly appreciated feature.

Rain sensing wipers

High tech Active Safety Package option

Whines:

Cheap headliner

Bottom Line:

The 2017 Mazda3 sedan Grand Touring with the premium and safety packages is a high content, highly capable compact sedan that’s fun to drive, economical, and safe. There is a compromise between front and rear seat legroom, but that’s standard with most compact sedans. The Mazda3 is handsomely styled and available with a sporty 6-speed manual transmission.