Vehicle Overview

The Mazda3 has been a sporty alternative for compact-car buyers since it debuted for the 2004 model year. It undergoes its first redesign for the 2010 model year and is still offered in sedan and four-door hatchback forms. The 2010 Mazda3 has all-new exterior and interior styling and is now available with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that offers more power than the four-cylinder it replaces. Competitors include the Honda Civic, Ford Focus and Nissan Sentra.

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    Cargo & Towing
    If it's not carrying six occupants, the Mazda5's measly cargo area can be expanded to 44 cubic feet by folding the third-row seat down. Fold the second- and third-row seats and there's 70.9 cubic ...

    Satisfying Drivetrain
    What you get for your diminished mileage is respectable but not exceptional acceleration. Though the 2.3-liter four-cylinder (to be replaced in the 2010 by a 2.5-liter) is pretty robust, the Mazda ...

    Installing Child-Restraint Systems
    Accident statistics reveal that a child is safer in the rear seat. The front passenger's seat is clearly the worst choice for any child under 12, and with rear-facing childrestraint systems it is ...