2010 Mazda 3 S Grand touring REVIEW

[FrigginGLI]

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/d...Id=138526?tid=edmunds.il.home.photopanel..1.*

Hit the snooze button. Rub our eyes. Grab some snacks and head out the door. Don't forget a jacket. Today we test the 2010 Mazda 3 s Grand Touring.....

 

[MazdaMatt]

very interesting aero developments......"big mouth" now have a tech explaination

 

[3Dogs]

Well, not really. I happen to like the big doofy grin, but, if you look at it, you will see that most of it is black plastic. The article says that air flow was limited to just what is needed (presumably by blocking off what would have otherwise been open spaces). So, the big mouth could have been a lot smaller.

 

[3Dogs]

Well, that one guy may think the changes to the new vehicle don't matter, but I disagree. There are other things besides test track numbers, ya know. Having gotten used to the push button start on my Mini, I would really love it on the Mazda. A memory driver's seat is very nice. I love being able to just push a button and everything is just right again after my wife, mechanic, etc. has driven it. Did he say he cranked the seat heater up to level 5? Sounds a whole lot better than the current on/off choice. Dual zone a/c? Sure beats single zone. And the navigation. Sure the screen looks smaller than usual for a built in, but it really looks built-in instead of bolted on. I really did not like the on top of the dash, pop-up nav on the current 3, especially because the screen is way up there while the controls are way down on the center console. Nav controls on the steering wheel! Cool. So, even if the perfromance isn't noticeably different, I'd hardly say the changes to the 2010 3 don't matter.

 

[xtrememps]

Don't forget adaptive auto-leveling bi-xenons!

 

[1sty]

Well, not really. I happen to like the big doofy grin, but, if you look at it, you will see that most of it is black plastic. The article says that air flow was limited to just what is needed (presumably by blocking off what would have otherwise been open spaces). So, the big mouth could have been a lot smaller.

Think ahead.....BIG ASS INTERCOOLER FOR MS3 (nana)

 

[Olestra]

Hmmm, the 2008 Mazda3 had better skidpad numbers and better stopping power (MotorTrend):

Around the skidpad, the 3 runs circles around its competitors, gripping for 0.86 g, which equals the lateral acceleration of a Mini Cooper S. Figure eight? Posting a time of 27.5 seconds at 0.61 g, figure it the best here, not to mention superior to the Hemi-powered Dodge Charger R/T that dispatched 27.8 at 0.63 in last month's comparison. Perhaps most impressive is the Mazda's 60-to-0, which, at 112 feet, matches that of the all-new Pontiac G8 GT.


I really like the stopping power on the current Mazda3. That's one of the features that sold me. Why wouldn't they carry over or improve in the braking department?

 

[coolmazda5]

Interesting. MAZDASPEED3 please?

The previous-generation Mazda 3 earned our praise for its steering feel and sound body control, and some minor refinements for 2010 ensure that it keeps its personality intact. Its electrohydraulic-assist rack-and-pinion steering gear is now bolted down in three locations (one more than the previous year) to minimize vibration over rough pavement. Recalibrated dampers and relocated antiroll bars improve body control without adding harshness. And the aforementioned upgrades in chassis rigidity work in sync with these suspension alterations to offer excellent handling balance and nicely weighted steering effort through the slalom. The 2010 Mazda 3 records 68.2 mph, a speed identical to the last Honda Civic Si we tested. That is impressive.

We pull the Mazda 3 over to the skid pad and begin our first lap. Well-balanced and highly responsive to throttle input, this sedan handles more like a sports car than an affordable compact car. Its 17-inch Yokohama Avid all-season tires wrestle with freeway expansion joints, but around the smooth surface of the skid pad they grip without distraction to a limit of 0.82 g. Again, the Mazda holds true to its dynamic lineage.

 

[MazdaMatt]

damn good car......

for EU the hatch w/full power diesel engine (185hp) will be a real competitor for diesel 1 Series , a bestseller for under 30 "a-la-page" guys...

 

[Mazda3]

Typically Edmunds performance numbers are a little low. I'll wait to see what Mototrend tests the new 3 at before I judge. In this months Mototrend first drive they estimate 0-60 at 7.0sec, which is almost a full second better than Edmunds pulled here.

This is a very mixed review. They seem to be judging the 3 against what they hoped it would be, instead of its actual competition. They bottom line is that this car kicks the competiton's ass just like the 1 gen 3 did.

 

[bazooka joe]

"Of course, as the Mazda 3's grille also proves, sometimes functional isn't always attractive." yikes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!(boom04)

 

[altspace]

Don't forget adaptive auto-leveling bi-xenons!

Already got em'.

The RX-8 center grill is the same. Only the bottom half is actually open. Here you can see my RacingBeat Cold Air.

 

[xtrememps]

You don't count though! LOL..you and your spinny little engine.

Already got em'.

The RX-8 center grill is the same. Only the bottom half is actually open. Here you can see my RacingBeat Cold Air.