Mazda 3 Hatchback (04-08) - Review Review by David Ross on 27 October 2005 Last Updated: 12 August 2008 The 3 is Mazda's Ford Focus-size hatchback, with a dash of style from the RX-8 coupe. It follows in the vein of other recent Mazdas, which means it's good to drive, very reliable, well equipped and spacious. Unfortunately the once exciting design now looks bland and the 3 hasn't aged particularly well - inside or out. The cabin has some cheap plastics and the design is drab. There's a decent choice of engines though, including some economical diesels while a facelift in 2006 including a new front end and changes under the skin that made it better to drive. Further revisions followed in 2008 which made the trim levels simpler and improved equipment levels while a Takara model was launched that comes with sporty looks, a rear spoiler and unique alloys. While it's a worthy hatchback, newer rivals have more panache and refinement. 3.5 out of 5 Other Mazda reviews Summary Facts & Figures Equipment Driving & Performance Comfort Costs Safety & Reliability Buying & Selling Also Consider Company Car Info Owners' Reviews Gallery 4.5 out of 5 Equipment The Mazda 3 comes well equipped and even entry-level S models have four airbags, remote central locking, CD stereo, electric front windows, heated electric mirrors, an auxiliary input for iPods and MP3 players and ABS with electronic brake force distribution. TS models add electric rear windows, 15-inch alloys, air conditioning, driver's seat height adjustment and lumbar support plus steering wheel-mounted audio controls. In May 2008 the TS was replaced by the Takara which has climate control air conditioning audio controls, driver’s seat adjustable lumbar support, rear seat centre armrest and full length curtain airbags, plus five equipment items from the higher-spec TS2 derivative, including 16-inch alloy wheels, leather rimmed steering wheel and gear knob, electric rear windows (with global opening/closing), a trip computer and a 6-CD auto-changer. TS2 models have automatic climate control, curtain airbags, traction control plus an electronic stability programme, 16-inch alloy wheels. Sport models add a premium audio system, 17-inch alloys and automatic xenon headlamps. From May 2008 the TS2 is replaced by the Sport. See 252 used Mazda 3 Hatchbacks for sale, starting at £2,490 Get a Mazda 3 Hatchback valuation Compare Equipment Trim Equipment Key: Standard item Optional item 3x3 point rear seat belts ABS Air conditioning Alarm Alloy wheels Audio remote Body coloured bumpers CD CD Multichanger Climate control Cloth seat trim Cruise control Driver`s airbag Electric mirrors Folding rear seats Front electric windows Front fog lights Headlight washers Heated mirrors Height adjustable drivers seat Isofix child seat anchor points Leather seat trim Lumbar support Metallic Paint Partial leather seat trim PAS Passenger`s airbag Rear electric windows Remote locking Sat Nav Side airbags Space saver spare wheel Sports seats Steel wheels Steering wheel rake adjustment Traction control S Sakata Takara TS Tamura TS2 Katano Sport MPS Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Optional Yes No Yes Optional No Optional No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Optional Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes No Yes No No No No Yes No No Yes No Yes Yes No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Optional No No No No No No No No Optional Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Optional Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No Yes No Yes No No Yes Yes No No No No No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No No No No No No Optional No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes No No No No Yes No No No No No No No No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Optional Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No No No No No Yes No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Optional Optional Yes Yes Yes Optional Yes Optional Yes No No No No No No No No Yes Optional Optional No No No No No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No No No No Yes No Yes Yes Car Valuations Find used car prices with Parkers accurate car valuations. Find out more Mazda 3 cars for sale We have 252 models like this for sale. Find Mazda 3 cars for sale Previous: Facts & Figures Next: Driving & Performance