2015 Mazda Mazda3

Non-smoker owner, Vehicle Runs Well, Smooth ride, Regularly maintained, Lots of storage, Arctic cold a/c, No pets, Must test drive, Spotless interior, Great first ride, Title in possession, Family friendly, Drives great.Performance & mpgThe 2015 Mazda 3i models are powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 155 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque. It drives the front wheels through either a six-speed manual transmission or an optional six-speed automatic. In Edmunds testing of a Mazda 3i sedan with the automatic transmission, we recorded an 8.3-second 0-60-mph time, which is quicker than average for this class of car. EPA-estimated fuel economy is also excellent. The sedan checks in at 34 mpg combined (30 city/41 highway) with the automatic transmission. The sedan with the manual earns just slightly less at 33 mpg combined (29/41), and you can expect similar numbers for the 3i hatchback. On the 116-mile Edmunds.com evaluation route, the 3i hatchback returned 39.4 mpg.Mazda 3s models get a 2.5-liter four-cylinder generating 184 hp and 185 lb-ft of torque, also with the choice of six-speed automatic or manual transmissions. With the 2.5-liter engine and the manual transmission, in both the sedan and hatchback, the EPA estimates 29 mpg combined (25/37 for the sedan and 26/35 for the hatch). The 2.5-liter engine and the six-speed automatic get an estimated 32 mpg combined (28/39) in four-door configuration and 31 mpg combined (27/37) with the hatchback.Available for the 3s is an optional 'i-ELOOP' system that captures and redistributes braking energy. So equipped, fuel economy rises to 33 mpg (29/40) with the automatic.SafetyStandard safety equipment on the 2015 Mazda 3 includes antilock disc brakes, stability and traction control, active front head restraints, front side airbags and side curtain airbags. A rearview camera and blind-spot monitoring system with rear cross-traffic alerts comes standard on all trims other than the SV and Sport. The available Technology package for the 3s Grand Touring includes a lane departure warning system, forward collision warning and Mazda's Smart City Brake Support, which is a collision-mitigation system that can automatically brake the car to a stop at low speeds if the driver doesn't react to an imminent collision.In Edmunds testing, a Mazda 3i Grand Touring hatchback came to a stop from 60 mph in 120 feet, while a 3s GT did it in 126 feet. Both are essentially average numbers for the segment.In government crash testing, the 2015 Mazda 3 received five out of five stars for overall crash protection, with five stars for total frontal crash protection and five stars for total side crash protection. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the 3 the highest possible rating of 'Good' in its moderate-overlap frontal offset, side-impact, roof-strength and whiplash protection (seats and head restraints) crash tests. It also received a 'Good' in the IIHS's new small-overlap frontal offset impact test, a test in which many vehicles perform worse.DrivingThe base 2.0-liter engine in the Mazda 3 sounds a bit raspy under hard acceleration but provides better-than-average acceleration and has useful midrange torque output, making it a completely viable pick. Nevertheless, it's still tempting to stretch your budget for the larger 2.5-liter engine. It's quicker, smoother and slightly quieter, and there's a minimal impact to overall fuel economy. The automatic transmission is a bright spot, offering shifts that are remarkably intelligent, quick, responsive and smooth. The available 'Sport' mode on 3s Touring/Grand Touring models further improves the already intelligent programming of the automatic transmission.The 2015 Mazda 3 is one of the most engaging vehicles to drive in its price range, as it handles well and offers responsive and precise steering. And for the most part, the 3 has a refined, substantial-feeling ride quality. The exception would be the 3s models, which can