2011 Mazda 3

We would suggest the 3i Touring trim. Not only does it have all the standard features given on the trim range but it also provides optional features such as a power sliding-glass moonroof, a 10-speaker Bose sound system, and a 6-disc CD player. 

The trim range of the 2011 Mazda 3 sedan is divided into two groups. The 3i Group has three trims on sale which are: 3i Sv is the base trim which adds all basic features on the trim range. Move up and the 3i Sport will cost you a bit more but you do get an optional 5-speed automatic transmission and air conditioning system. The 3i Touring trim is the top-tier model in the 3i trim group and offers plenty of features which include alloy wheels and cruise control.

If we move towards the 3s trim group, it has two trims: 3s Sport and 3s Grand Touring. This group adds a more punchy and bigger engine compared to the 3i group. The tech package is only given on the 3s Sport trim and adds a navigation system, SiriusXM satellite radio, Bi-Xenon high-intensity-discharge headlights with auto-leveling, LED clear-lens taillights, perimeter alarm system, adaptive front-lighting system, and rain-sensing front windshield wipers. 

Two engine options are given on the 2011 Mazda 3. The 3i trims carry a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated inline-4 engine. It is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission by default but an optional 5-speed automatic transmission can be engaged with it. It churns out 148 hp and 135 lb-ft of torque. With this setup, Mazda 3 reaches 60 mph from a standstill in 9.1 seconds.

A 2.5-liter is found on the hood of both 3s trims which is mated to a 6-speed manual transmission as a standard arrangement. But for an additional $800, you can choose the 5-speed automatic transmission. This engine produces 19 hp and 33-lb-ft of torque more than the base engine and accelerates the Mazda3 from 0-60 mph one second faster.

The Mazda 3 is the expensive choice of the sedan in comparison with the second powerful engine. The Chevrolet Cruze takes the lead with 148 horsepower but turns out to be the slowest accelerator in the comparison. On the other hand, the Hyundai Elantra has one of the least powerful engines yet accelerates quicker than all three cars in the 0-60 mph run, the Honda Civic turns out to be the quickest in the quarter-mile run.

With the standard engine, as per EPA estimates, Mazda 3 returns a fuel economy of 25 mpg in the city, 33 mpg on the highway, and 28 mpg combined. If an automatic transmission is coupled with the engine then fuel economy drops by one mpg in the city and on the highway. Furthermore, if a 2.5-liter engine is housed with the 6-speed manual transmission in the Mazda 3, it gives a fuel economy of 20/28/23 mpg in the city/highway/combined respectively. Lastly, when the 5-speed automatic transmission is married to the optional engine, the figures will increase by 2 mpg in the city, 1 mpg on the highway, and 2 mpg combined. 

After evaluating the fuel economy figures of Mazda 3 and rivals, the Hyundai Elantra comes out as the least fuel-consuming car in the competition but it has the smallest fuel tank. But ironically, the car in this article is the most thirsty car. The Chevrolet Cruze shares the same fuel economy in the city with the Mazda 3 but the first one is more efficient on the highways. Finally, the Honda Civic is the runner-up. 

The 2011 Mazda 3 has the class-leading. It's not just limited to the top trim, but the lower trims are also furnished with good quality material. The design of the cabin is sophisticated and sleek. The floor carpet and the seats are covered with cloth upholstery as standard. However, one can be upgraded and avail the leather upholstery on the Grand Touring trim. Leather wrapping on the steering wheel and gear shifter is only found in the 3s group. 

Front reclining bucket seats come as standard but can be replaced with the sport bucket seats on the 3s trims. Manual adjustment for the driver seat is standard throughout the trim range but it can be changed with an 8-way power set up on the highest trim which also adds heated front seats. The rear seats have a 40/60 folding pattern. Manual tilt and telescopic steering column, power windows, and door locks, rear window defogger, Remote keyless illuminated entry, and Center instrument display panel are some standard creature comforts on the 2011 Mazda 3.

All the sedans are spacious and spacious except the Civic which has the least shoulder room in both rows. The Elantra has the leading front row legroom while the Mazda 3 has the biggest rear row legroom. If we talk about the passenger volume, the Elantra stands in the first rank with 95.6 cu-ft of whereas the Cruze, the Mazda 3, and the Civic have 94.6, 94.1, and 90.9 cu-ft of passenger volume. That said, the roomiest cargo is given on the Elantra but the opposite is offered on the Mazda 3. Some of the interior features in the 2011 Mazda 3 include:

• Cloth seats
• Leather seats 
• Manual tilt and telescopic steering wheel
• Keyless entry
• Air conditioning system
• Multi-information display
• Steering-wheel-mounted controls
• Push-button start (optional)
• Auto-dimming rearview mirror with compass and HomeLink (optional)

How intuitive is the 2011 Mazda 3’s infotainment unit?

The list of standard infotainment features is very short. It contains, 4-speaker sound system, CD player with MP3 capability, and auxiliary audio jack. Upgrade to Touring trim then you get to enjoy a 6-speaker sound system and Bluetooth. But if you want an even more upgraded sound system from Bose and other optional features then you will have to get the 3s trims. Some of the infotainment features in the 2011 Mazda 3 include:

• 4-speaker sound system 
• 10-speaker Bose sound system (optional)
• SiriusXM (optional)
• Navigation system (optional)
• Full-color MID (optional)
• Bluetooth 
• Aux jack

The exterior design of the 2011 Mazda 3 flows like a knife flows in the butter. There are two defined body lines near the front headlights which gently rise and travel towards the A-beams. On the side profile, there is no flat-black used on the fender treatment, and on the backside, you can observe a trunk spoiler which is only given on topmost trim, and a compact rear gate. 

Clear-lens halogen headlights, Clear-lens taillights, and Integrated rear window antenna are the only standard features you can find on the 3i trim groups. On the 3s you can also get Rear lip spoiler and Clear-lens halogen fog lights. One-touch power sliding-glass moonroof is optional on the Touring and further trim levels. The 2011 Mazda 3 stands on 16-inch steel wheels by default which can be replaced with either 16-inch alloy wheels or 17-inch alloy wheels.

As far as width and height are concerned, Mazda 3 and fellow rivals are in a similar ballpark. Meanwhile, the Chevrolet Cruze is the longest and also the heaviest in the bunch. Moving towards the wheelbase, the shortest one belongs to the Mazda 3 which does provide it agility and easier parking as compared to the competitors but the largest wheelbase is offered on the Hyundai Elantra which makes the ride comfier though there is an increase in the turning radius as compared to Mazda. That said, a rival from Honda can be considered the smallest in terms of exterior dimensions. Some of the exterior features in the 2011 Mazda 3 are:

• 16-inch steel wheels
• Power sliding-glass moonroof with one-touch (optional)
• Rear lip spoiler
• Clear-lens taillights
• Clear-lens halogen fog lights (optional)
• Rain-sensing windscreen wipers (optional)

On the safety front, the 2011 Mazda has received mixed ratings. On one hand, the NHTSA has assigned it an overall 4-star safety rating where it performed worst in the side crash tests. On the other hand, IIHS not only gave it a ‘Good’ rating in all crash tests but also awarded it with the ‘top safety pick’ title for 2011. That said, standard safety features offered on the 2011 Mazda 3 include a Tire pressure monitoring system, ABS, Engine-immobilizer antitheft system, Traction Control System, brake assist, and more. Cruise control is only given on Touring and upper trims. Some of the safety features in the 2011 Mazda 3 are:

• Brake assist
• Cruise control
• Electronic Brakeforce Distribution
• Tire pressure monitoring system
• Dynamic Stability Control
• Perimeter alarm system (optional)
• Adaptive Front-lighting System (optional)

The 2011 Mazda 3 has its fair share of positive and negative aspects. It has acceptable enthusiasm in the acceleration but fuel economy is lacking, it has a roomy cabin but cargo space is cramped. A number of standard features are good but lower-trim gets sacked from many important amenities. Therefore, if you have a budget for higher trims then going with Mazda 3 sounds feasible, otherwise, Hyundai Elantra is the best alternative for you.