2011 Mazda 3 High Beam Led Swap Review

The Automobile Connection Practiced Review

Senior Editor

November eight, 2010

Likes

• First-class handling and maneuverability
• Nicely configured interior
• Depression, flat cargo flooring
• Lux features in an affordable compact

Dislikes

• Mediocre fuel economic system
• Road noise
• Moonroof cuts into headroom

Buying tip

If you lot similar the look of the Mazda3 merely are peckish a lot more operation, take a expect at the 2011 Mazdaspeed3.

features & specs

4-Door Sedan Automated i Sport

four-Door Sedan Automatic i Touring

4-Door Sedan Automatic s G Touring

The 2011 Mazda3 provides more driving enjoyment than most other small-car models, along with a stylish, racy await; merely with a tight, noisy cabin, it's not without compromise.

The 2011 Mazda3 congenital its reputation around being fun to drive, and information technology looks the part, with fit, flamboyant styling in either sedan or hatchback models.

Last year the Mazda3 was completely redesigned, with a new v-point grille that is the new "global face" of Mazda. It's a handsome, upscale wait with some sportscar wedge to its profile and a "happy" face in front (look at the nose and headlights and maybe you'll encounter its smile, as well). Inside, the cockpit is sophisticated and plush, with refined shapes and expansive pieces of black and toned plastic

The entry-level 2011 Mazda Mazda3 'i' is equipped with a 148-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine mated to either a five-speed manual or automatic manual. The sportier 'south' models come with the two.five-liter four-cylinder engine from the Mazda6 that pumps out 167 horsepower. The larger engine gets a half dozen-speed manual transmission as standard and the aforementioned optional five-speed automatic as the base car. The base engine does a competent task of producing commute-worthy ability, and with the five-speed automatic, it's reasonably swift for lane changes and highway passes. Information technology does tend to boom and whir more than you might similar, though. The two.5-liter four is a much happier prospect for enthusiasts; information technology picks up nicely in most gears and feels more refined.

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No matter which model, handling is the Mazda3's cardinal to delivering 'zoom-zoom' behind the wheel; the suspension tuning is able-bodied and firm, but compliant enough not to compromise ride comfort besides much. The previous version was criticized for a stiff and noisy ride at times. The engineers seem to have made the new motorcar more resilient, even so interruption and route noise sometimes overwhelms the motel. That said, the interior is otherwise a pleasant identify, with generous, supportive front seats and a reasonably all-around back seat—plus a depression, apartment cargo floor with the seats folded down.

Fuel economy is the only area where the Mazda3'southward incomparably mediocre: ratings of 25/33 mpg for the smaller engine with the transmission gearbox to 22/29 mpg for the larger engine with the automated are barely up to snuff for the form.

Mazda continues to set the Mazda3 apart from other affordable compacts by offering features that are otherwise seen only on luxury-make vehicles. The acme-of-the-line 2011 Mazda3 Grand Touring includes bi-xenon adaptive lighting; a three-position memory office has been added to cars equipped with power seats; and features like rain-sensing wipers, a ten-speaker Bose surround-sound organisation, Bluetooth connectivity for cell phones and portable media players, a dock for iPods, and Sirius Satellite Radio are all on offering.

The 2011 Mazda3 is a very fashionable auto; and the hatchback is one of the more distinctive shapes in its grade.

The Mazda3 comes in ii trunk styles: a 5-door hatchback, and a (less expensive) four-door sedan. Merely we think the hatch is the fashion to go, every bit it's by far the better-looking and more than expressive of the 2; the sedan is respectably styled, if a fleck frumpy.

All Mazda3 models were completely redesigned last yr and got an amped-up personality—with more expressive sheetmetal, a new front-finish advent, and a smoother, more than upgraded interior feel.

The flared fenders and character lines of the 2011 Mazda3 altogether bring a more aggressive, distinctive look to the automobile, upwardly close, but it was the front-end design that defenseless some criticism for looking a piffling too much like a wide-mouthed grinning. That'southward the new five-point grille that is the new "global face" of Mazda. Otherwise there's a lot to like in the rest of the blueprint, which is neat and tidy—it's a handsome, upscale look with some sportscar wedge to its contour.

Inside, the cockpit is more sophisticated and plusher than before, with refined curves and expansive pieces of black and toned plastic, some of which looks less pleasing than other bits. It'south a common refrain: carmakers have to rest out expect and feel with the cost of the cabin, and the Mazda3 balances the 2 meliorate than most, only some color choices emphasis the grainier plastics. The new interior look that was introduced last year in the Mazda3 is as well a little smoother and classier in shape than the previous layout—incorporating a sloped eye stack and, atop the middle of the dash, 1 screen for a trip calculator (or nav system on upper trims) and one for the climate control.

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For driving excitement in an economical compact car, the 2011 Mazda3 is tough to superlative.

There isn't much of a difference in performance—or many other vivid distinctions—between the two four-cylinder engines that are offered on the 2011 Mazda3 is offered with one of 2 different four-cylinder engines, and at that place isn't that much of a difference between the 2, merely the hatchback is only offered with the larger of the ii.

The 167-hp, two.5-liter four-cylinder engine has a overnice, robust torque curve; simply off idle, it builds steadily and feels at its about responsive in the 2,500-rpm to 4,500-rpm range—where it'southward going to be for most driving. Though it's downward 19 horsepower from the 167-hp, two.5-liter four, the smaller iv's 148 horses aren't too overworked in keeping upwards with typical freeway traffic and delivering 24/33 mpg fuel economy. With either of the engines, you get a touchy, aggressively calibrated throttle pedal that comes beyond every bit gimmicky, making the Mazda3 initially feel more than manlike than it is.

In either of its forms, the Mazda3 feels best engaged from about 45 mph to 75 mph, the perfect working powerband for commuter traffic. Of course, the transmission gearbox is a more entertaining partner—with a nice, short linkage and straightforward clutch engagement. The automatic shifter's sport-shift mode feels like a manual lever in size and activity, and brightens the driving feel a bit. Unlike in other small-machine models, the automatic isn't such a penalisation box; it'south quite responsive and livable.

What the Mazda3 does well is handling. In that respect, it's a shining star. Find a little narrow, rough backroad and the Mazda3 is a riot to drive; the suspension feels manner more sophisticated than you might expect in a budget hatch, and information technology doesn't succumb to plowing and understeer at the slightest provocation. And if you striking some mid-corner bumps, the pause then smartly soaks it upwards rather than hopping. It's very well-tuned, firm, simply not too hard, and the steering is about perfect—never overboosted and with good feedback in tight corners.

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The 2011 Mazda3'south form and role bring plenty of infinite and versatility to get with its good looks, merely the execution'due south a trivial lacking up close, with lots of motel noise and some slightly disappointing materials.

There'southward plenty of legroom in forepart, but at that place's ane caution for taller folks: with a sunroof, the Mazda3 has compromised headroom that might become in the way for anyone over six feet or so. In dorsum, the accommodations aren't bad at all for a piffling hatchback; headroom is just adequate for six-footers, while legroom is a bit tight. Fold the backseats downwardly, and they form a low, flat floor large enough in hatchbacks to swallow a pocket-sized piece of furniture.

Front seats in the 2011 Mazda Mazda3 are more generously sized—with longer cushions—than most in this class, and the available leather buckets are specially squeamish, with high side bolsters.

Take an up-shut expect effectually the interior, and the execution starts to fall autonomously a bit in the details. The nice hooded gauges are corking, and with the fat, small-bore steering wheel give the 3 a lilliputian chip of sports-motorcar feel. Readouts for the audio and climate controls are upwardly high, however changing the climate controls still involves looking far downward; furthermore, the readouts, with one trip-reckoner screen and some other climate-control screen—one in a grey-white and the other in an orange-red, with completely unlike fonts—leaves something to exist desired, aesthetically and functionally. And plastics? Well, they could be better all around.

1 of its near pregnant drawbacks to the Mazda3 is cabin racket. Provided yous're cruising you won't hear the engine much, simply y'all'll hear tire dissonance and route coarseness at all times on the highway unless y'all have the sound organisation turned up.

Two other recommendations can exist avoided by selecting (or not selecting) particular options. Number one: Don't go the sunroof if you're alpine, as it cuts severely into bachelor headroom, in a car where it'southward already borderline tight. Number two: Avoid the lighter-colored interiors; they're the sort that nobody outside the luxury realm does well, and here they serve to emphasize differences in tint and graining. Plus it would be hard to keep clean.

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The 2011 Mazda3 isn't missing any equipment with regard to safety, and its ratings take been quite good.

The 2011 Mazda3 isn't missing any safety features; starting time terminal year, all models (even the base of operations Mazda3 SV) included electronic stability command, anti-lock brakes, front side airbags, and side-curtain bags. Agile caput restraints are also included.

And for those who would rather avoid accidents in the first place, strong four-wheel disc brakes are included in all Mazda3 models.

Crash-exam results have been very good but not quite at the top of the class. The federal regime, under last year's less-stringent testing, rated the 2010 Mazda3 v stars for frontal impact and iv and five stars for side impact. New 2011 ratings for the model aren't nonetheless out. The insurance-funded IIHS has given the Mazda3 its top 'skilful' rating in frontal offset and side tests, but it hasn't even so tested the model for roof beat out.

With peachy connectivity and amusement features, along with some extras that aren't usually seen outside luxury brands, at that place's no reason to be disappointed with the feature set in the 2011 Mazda3.

Mazda has built quite a reputation lately for offering loftier-end features in cost ranges that typically don't run across many luxury items. The 2011 Mazda3 carries on that tradition with a wide selection of standard and optional features spread across the trims that should appease near any sport compact client, though some options aren't available on all trims. Base Mazda3 SV and Sport models are close kin to the pricier Grand Touring models, though the difference comes in options: Some selection packages offered on ii.five-liter versions aren't fifty-fifty found on the checklist.

But tech-savvy shoppers will be kept happy with Bluetooth standard on most models, along with steering-cycle sound and phone controls. A Bose Centerpoint sound organisation packaged with the moonroof came besides with Sirius satellite radio, making this an ideal version for the driver who needs to be entertained and productive. The options boosted the cost from $xviii,350 (plus $570 destination) to $21,045. The available Bose Centerpoint system sounds excellent, also—just right and not too bass-heavy.

Even in its top 1000 Touring trim, nosotros recollect the 2011 Mazda3 is a potent value. The Mazda3 1000 Touring includes bi-xenon headlamps, adaptive forepart lighting, fog lamps, a bright-tipped dual frazzle, rain-sensing wipers, heated mirrors, leather seats (heated in front), dual-zone climate control, a Bluetooth hands-costless interface, and electronic stability control—all for nigh $23k. Add a new Tech Package, which includes items like rain-sensing wipers, adaptive bi-xenon headlights, and new rear LED combination taillamps, and you're still under $26k.

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Fuel economy is typically a major selling point for compact cars, only that isn't the case for the 2011 Mazda3.

If at that place's one aspect that's a little disappointing, it'south the 2011 Mazda3's fuel economic system. EPA fuel economy ratings range from just 21 mpg city, 29 highway with the larger 'due south' engine and manual manual up to 24/33 with the smaller 'i' engine and automated manual. EPA ratings for a Mazda3 s Grand Touring tester with the 2.5-liter were merely 22/29 mpg, and The Motorcar Connexion saw an boilerplate of just 25 mpg over a week and 200 miles--with more than half of that gentle highway driving.

Whether it'due south the somewhat low gearing of the Mazda3, or its abrupt throttle, a car of this size and relatively light weight should exist doing better.

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Source: https://www.thecarconnection.com/overview/mazda_mazda3_2011