2012 Mazda 3

2012 Mazda 3 is offered in two body styles: the sedan and the hatchback. Both come in 3i and 3s trim levels which are further divided into sublevels. In short, the 2012 Mazda 3 is available in six trims namely, i SV, i Sport, i Touring, i Grand Touring, s Touring, and s Grand Touring. All the trims come equipped with standard features like a tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel, a 60/40 split-folding rear seat, and a four-speaker sound system with a CD player, 16-inch steel wheels, power mirrors, power windows, a height-adjustable driver seat, an auxiliary audio jack, and steering wheel controls.

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Among the various options for trims on the 2012 Mazda 3, opting for the Mazda 3i Touring trim will give you the best performance and the best fuel economy. Additionally, it comes with all the essential features along with a few driver assistance and convenience options. 

A 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine is equipped in the Mazda 3 i SV and Sport trim levels, generating 148 horsepower and 135 pound-feet of torque. There is a five-speed manual transmission standard on both sub-trims, but there is an automatic transmission available for the Sport. A new, more advanced 2.0-liter four-cylinder (Skyactiv-G) makes 155 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque for the Grand Touring and Touring trims adds additional power to the sedan. Standard is a six-speed manual transmission, while a six-speed automatic transmission can also be ordered. s trims get a 2.5-liter four-cylinder that produces 167 horses and 168 lb-ft of torque.

With precise steering for control and lightweight construction, you'll enjoy agile around-town maneuvers and effortless highway cruising in the 2012 Mazda 3. In fact, its refined suspension delivers a remarkably smooth ride for an award-winning ride experience. With respect to performance, it can run the quarter-mile in 16.1 seconds while it is capable of going from 0-60 in 7.8 seconds. 

Ford Focus and Chevrolet Cruze are both equipped with Inline-4 engines with 138 and 160 horsepower, respectively. Subaru Impreza is the only car in this segment that drives on all four wheels, while all other sedans drive on front wheels only. With the Cruze, it takes 9.3 seconds to reach 60 mph and 17.3 seconds for the quarter-mile and with the Focus, it takes 8.2 seconds and 16.2 seconds respectively.

The new Skyactiv engine in the 2012 Mazda 3 is widely praised by critics for its exceptional fuel economy. Mazda3 achieves 28 mpg in city areas and 40 mpg on the highway with its Skyactiv engine, which is very impressive for this class of vehicle. EPA estimates for the base Mazda3 are lower, with 25 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway.

When compared, the Ford Focus, Subaru Impreza, and Chevrolet Cruze offer relatively the same mileage, managing 30 MPG combined, respectively. The Focus and Cruze come with a fuel tank of 12.4 and 15.6 gallons, respectively, which is above average in this segment. In terms of range, the Mazda 3 outperforms other cars managing a combined mileage of 478 miles.

A sense of style, comfort, and luxury extends throughout the 2012 Mazda3, from its stylish and comfortable interior to its refined ride and handling. The 2012 Mazda 3 is a small car that can be customized to your comfort level. With the zoom zoom remote start and heated seats, you'll have warmth and technology to use while driving any distance. The sporty and spacious feel is emphasized by placing the driver and passenger seats far back allowing for abundant knee room, which translates into a more upscale ride. 

The ergonomic steering wheel is designed for ease of use, and the radio/navigation system has Bluetooth capabilities to enable wireless downloads of music from your phone or other Bluetooth-enabled devices. With its refined high-quality premium materials and luxuries, the spacious yet compact 2012 Mazda3 simultaneously offers a sporty adventurous spirit through exhilarating performance!

In comparison, the Ford Focus, Subaru Impreza, and Chevrolet Cruze can seat 5 people too. The Cruze offers ample cargo space of 15 cu. ft, which is the largest in this segment, while the Focus offers 13.2cu.-ft of cargo space. When comparing the headroom in the rear row, Ford Focus offers the most at 38 inches. Both the Subaru and Mazda have almost similar trunk volumes, while the farmer has best-in-class space for front-seat passengers.

Major interior features include-

• Height-adjustable Driver Seat
• Tilt-and-telescoping Steering Wheel
• 60/40 Split-folding Rear Seat
• Leather-wrapped Steering Wheel
• Heated Front Seats
• Leather Upholstery
• Sliding Front Center Armrest

How intuitive is the 2012 Mazda 3’s infotainment unit?

The 2012 Mazda 3 has a bold and edgy new look backed up by the latest infotainment and technology. As standard, the Mazda 3 features a four-speaker stereo system with a CD player, auxiliary audio jack, and steering wheel controls, which can be upgraded to a six-speaker system. The higher trim levels can also be equipped with a 10-speaker Bose surround-sound audio system. Optional features include a navigation system, a rearview camera, Bluetooth connectivity, and an HD radio. 

 Some other salient infotainment features include:

• Six-speaker Sound System 
• 10-speaker Bose surround-sound audio system (on higher trims)
• Bluetooth connectivity
• Sirius XM Radio
• USB ports
• HD radio

The 2012 Mazda 3 comes in two body styles: a 4-door sedan and a 5-door hatchback. All have a sleek, eye-catching shape with modern lines. The stylish look complements the ergonomic interior. The 2012 Mazda 3 sedan provides a sporty new exterior design that embraces the award-winning KODO - Soul of Motion design philosophy. A perfect mix of youthful energy and sophistication, the pillars, grille, and hood features are designed to have a fluidity of motion that makes it stand out in the crowd.

The 2012 Mazda 3 rides on a lightweight chassis and has very low curb weights. In profile, the 3 sports a bold combination of straight lines and pronounced curves that flow from the front to the back. It rides on 17-inch wheels with LED headlights and Adaptive Bi-Xenon headlights in the higher trims. The Mazda is smaller than its competitors in several aspects, especially its ground clearance and wheelbase, both of which measure 4.7 and 103.9 inches, respectively.

In the competition, the Chevrolet Cruze is the heaviest car in the segment, while the Ford Focus is the lightest, weighing 3,118 and 2,907 lbs, respectively. The Cruze is 181.0 inches long, and it holds the best wheelbase in the competition at 105.2 inches. The Impreza is 180.3 inches long with a wheelbase of 104.1 inches. 

Few major exterior features include-

• Fog lights 
• LED Tail lights
• Deck Lid Spoiler 
• Adaptive Bi-Xenon Headlights
• Automatic Wipers
• 17-inch alloy wheels

For overall crash protection, the 2012 Mazda 3 received four out of five stars from the government. For overall side protection, it received three stars. A frontal offset test and side impact test, as well as a roof strength test, gave the 2012 Mazda 3 the highest "Good" rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. As standard on every 2012 Mazda 3, there are antilock disc brakes, side airbags, and side curtain airbags. With Grand Touring trims, a blind spot warning system is optional.

 Other salient safety features include:

• Brake Assist
• Traction Control
• Stability Control
• ABS
• Blind Spot Warning System
• Available Blind Spot Monitor
• Available Auto-Leveling Headlights

The 2012 Mazda 3 makes driving fun again with its SKYACTIV Technology, making it more responsive, smoother, and more efficient. The Mazda 3 has an athletic design that is sensual to the touch, exhilarating to drive and offers spirited performance coupled with uncompromising quality. With a variety of features available, the 2012 3 is sure to fit your lifestyle. Take the road less travelled and make it worth remembering.