2009 Mazda3 – First Steer
April 8, 2009 by David Twomey
Update: Mazda3 Review
Mazda is on a roll at the moment and in Australia it has been kicking sales goals well beyond its position in the scheme of things, and now it has taken the fight right up to its opposition with the launch of the latest version of the Mazda3.
The car is certainly one of the major new car releases for 2009, given the fact it is now threatening rivals from former co-owner Ford and from Toyota.
On sale today with a starting price of $21,990 the New Generation Mazda3 is up just $500 on the outgoing Mazda3 Neo, and has revised drivetrains, better safety, including Electronic Stability Program (ESP) on all models, better equipment, improved driving dynamics and greater refinement.
The Mazda3 has yet to be safety tested by ANCAP but Mazda executives are confidently predicting a five star result.
Despite Mazda calling it the ‘New Generation” Mazda3 the car is not entirely new, with the platform being a refinement of the Ford Focus/Volvo S40-based C1 chassis.
General Manager Advanced Engineering and Program Promotion, Ruben Archilla, from Mazda North America told the press launch for the Mazda3 that the platform was now so heavily redeveloped that it should be called “C1a or something”.
Mr Archilla, who came to Australia from California to extol the virtues of some of the development work done on the new Mazda3, said that the car was a major refinement of the previous car.
For this Mazda3 the company has gone back to its original naming formula with Neo Sport reverting to Neo, Maxx returns, Maxx Sport continues, and the SP23 becomes SP25 to reflect a larger engine.
Mazda marketing manager Alistair Doak said the diesel would not be around until early next year, to give the new models some breathing space.
However, the range-topping performance model the MPS will hit our shores around August.
Starting with the base Mazda3 Neo you get ESP, a trip computer with speed alert, power windows, MP3 compatible audio, although no full iPod integration like that on Hyundai/Kia competitors, and air-conditioning as part of a comprehensive package.
Unfortunately at this level there is only two airbags, those in front of the passenger and driver and to make a sub-$22,000 price point, additional side/curtain airbags are a $500 option.
Mazda was predicting a 10 per cent uptake on this option in the Neo but after talking to its dealers now thinks that could be closer to 30 per cent.
Moving along to the reintroduced Maxx at $24,990 and all the airbags are included, along with alloy wheels, cruise control, a six-stack CD player and multi-function steering wheel.
The Maxx Sport, at $27,690, strikes us as the best deal as it comes with satellite navigation, plus Bluetooth for your phone, 16-inch alloy wheels, fog lamps and leather steering wheel.
Finally at the top of the tree for the moment is the SP25, which gets bigger, more powerful engine, plus 17‐inch alloy wheels, sports body kit, dual‐zone climate‐control air‐conditioning, side indicators in exterior mirrors, LED tail lamps and overhead sunglass storage box.
Under the bonnet the 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, 16‐valve DOHC S‐VT engine continues in the Neo, Maxx and Maxx Sport but it has a new air‐induction system to give the car a more responsive engine character.
Power output remains at 108kW at 6500rpm and torque is 182Nm at 4500rpm, which results in a little change fuel efficiency of 7.9 litres per 100 kilometres with the all-new six-speed manual gearbox and 8.2L/100km with the new five-speed automatic.
The SP25, with a small increase in engine capacity gets a meatier 122kW at 6000rpm and 227Nm at 4000rpm while fuel efficiency remains the same as for the 2.3-litre at 8.6L/100km.
As already mentioned both transmissions are new and the five-speed automatic adds $2060 to the purchase price of all but the SP25 where it adds $2260 due to the inclusion of steering wheel mounted shifting paddles.
The Mazda3 will be offered in either four-door sedan or five-door hatch form, with the sedan expected to take up 55 per cent of sales.
Unlike the previous car the two body styles now share an identical frontal design, reducing production costs and maintaining a common look across the range, which makes the sedan a better looking prospect than its predecessor in our opinion.
There’s a strong family look to the new Mazda3 with a elements of the outgoing model preserved in the shape, while bolder bulging guards and the ‘smiling’ front of the Mazda2, and Mazda6 are now added.
Mr Archilla was at pains to explain how the distinctive new grille that dominates the longer nose was part of extensive efforts to improve aerodynamic efficiency, a key component of fuel economy at higher speeds.
He also said the air intake had been moved lower, while there’s even an innovative flap that can feed air around the radiator fan at higher speeds, to minutely reduce wind drag without affecting engine cooling.
Mazda aims to keep the pressure on its competitors with the new Mazda3 and aims sell about 31,000 vehicles with year, slightly down on the record figures it has produced with run-out pricing on the previous Mazda3, but still more than enough to have a lot of other carmakers scurrying to sharpen their pencils.
On the road the Mazda3 is still a sharp performer that manages to punch above its weight in both performance and roadholding.
To a large degree not much has changed with the new car but then it didn’t need to, what has changed only serves to make the package better.
The engine revs cleanly and smoothly and will go all the way to 7000rpm with a nice sporty note to accompany it. Curiously we found the Neo Maxx we drove to sound better than the Maxx Sport, which seemed to have more sound damping and this muted any chance of a sporty engine note, at least from the inside.
There’s a better spread of ratios in the new five-speed automatic to better harness the engine’s performance, and the auto will hold gears on hills to improve the performance.
There have been tweaks to the suspension to improve the already competent handling, especially though corners, where the Mazda3 sits nice and flat, even in the more basic models.
Mid corner bumps don’t unsettle the car at high speed, ensuring the body is well controlled for whatever comes next.
Our biggest criticism of the Mazda3 would be the electric power steering, which feels very light, especially at dead ahead, Especially noticeable on the Maxx Sport we drove was a slightly disconcerting lack of information about the relationship between the front wheels and the steering feel during turn in to a corner, which tended to make us hesitant, when we really didn’t need to be.
Once turned in the steering wheel did weight-up and provide plenty of directional feel. Curiously this was less noticeable on the Maxx we drove which had smaller, 15-inch alloy wheels and Bridgestone tyres, as opposed to the Toyo tyres fitted to the Maxx Sport and the SP25.
Road noise is better dampened than in the previous car but we felt this only served to highlight increased tyre noise from the Toyo tyres on the two sporty models in the line-up.
The Mazda3 is no bigger than the old car but the interior has a fresh clean look, with a sweeping feature at the top of the all-new dash housing a trip computer and on some models a 10cm screen for the satellite navigation.
There’s good adjustability in the seating to allow even the tallest driver find a comfortable position, although this can leave the rear seat room a little challenged.
Mazda has recognised that it has a winning formula with the Mazda3 and has resisted the temptation to mess with that formula, instead wisely opting to ‘improve’ what’s already one of the best small cars on the market.
New Generation Mazda3 Range
six‐speed manual five‐speed Activematic
Mazda3 Neo Sedan $21,990 $24,050
Mazda3 Neo Hatch $21,990 $24,050
Mazda3 Maxx Sedan $24,990 $27,050
Mazda3 Maxx Hatch $24,990 $27,050
Mazda3 Maxx Sport Sedan $27,690 $29,750
Mazda3 Maxx Sport Hatch $27,690 $29,750
Mazda3 SP25 Sedan $30,690 $32,950
Mazda3 SP25 Hatch $30,690 $32,950
Options
Safety Pack (Side and Curtain Airbags) $500 (Neo only)
Luxury Pack: $2400 (SP25 only)
‐ Leather seat trim
‐ Bose premium 10‐speaker system with subwoofer
‐ sliding centre console armrest
Power sliding glass sunroof $1600 (SP25 only)
Print it: 
Eww wtf is with some people and VW Golfs?! No one can possibly consider the golf’s exterior design as anything but ugly and incredibly dull. No one can possible consider it’s interior as anything but ugly and incredibly dull. Even though it is fairly well made, admittedly. Cars like the mazda3, focus, and civic dont lose to the golf in regards to performance/chassis engineering/build quality. For that price there are so many better cars out there to get into. If you really want to buy german, get a bloody merc, audi, or if you dont care about styling, a beemer.
I just signed up for a new M3 Neo. Added Cruise C, Safety Pack, Parking Sensors and got them to throw in some Mats.
Got a drive away price of $25K and they offered $1.5K for my 8 yr old piece of crap Daewoo Matiz(no need to insult me, I had to drive it – it was all we could afford at the time. Though to give it credit, it cost very little to run, did Melb to Syd in 2002 for $45!!)
So it’s costing me $23.5K, which I thought was a pretty good deal. I did think I was going to be getting a Golf, but the price changed my mind.
I thought about getting the other M3 models, but didn’t see the value. I can read maps so don’t see the point in Sat Nav. Bluetooth is for tossers. Hardly ever drive through fog. The extra plastic trim doesn’t add that much in looks. Cd’s almost don’t exist these days so who needs a 6CD stacker? (Ipods etc are taking over) We’re getting the Graphite colour so black handles aren’t a problem, wouldn’t have bother me even if the wife let me get the red
one like I wanted.
Would have liked leather seats, but an extra $15K or so for seats! Can’t see why we couldn’t have optioned it on, surely the seats all bolt on the same way? Would have optioned on the alloys but the wife has a tendency to scratch hubcaps on the curb, so I’ll live with plastic. Although the alloys do look much better.
It drove great, felt comfy and ticked all the boxes. The back end is a bit frumpy, but that’s your problem as I won’t be looking at it ;) And as others have said here the silly grin doesn’t look that bad in real life. So if anyone’s interested I’d recommend checking one out. Obviously there are better cars out there, but for under $25k, I think the M3’s a winner. Just don’t let the dealers tell you they’ve no room to move on the price. Our guy moved $3.25K of his original quote.
PS – to all the tossers here who are slagging each other, everyone’s got an opinion, and none of us are wrong. So grow up, state yours and then except other people’s. Only a fool thinks he is right. The rest of us know there’s a chance we could be wrong.
Got a Maxx today at 25,500 drive away in Brisbane. Is that a good deal ?
Hi Micky
I am looking at buying a M3 MAXX auto and have been quoted $27800 drive away from a dealer on the Gold Coast. Is your car an automataic? If so, what dealer in Brisbane did you get yours from – as that sounds like a fantastic price. Are you happy with your purchase and is it running well? Thanks in anticipation.
Lucy
New Owner
You need help not only with the price that you paid for your car NEO (M3 ??), but maybe you are the tosser.
To New Owner:
Which dealer u went to? I am from Sydney and went to a dealer today asking the exact same thing u had plus tinted. I asked for $26k drive away and they said they can’t do it.
To Need Help and New Owner.
I am from Sydney and there is a Nth Side Mazda dealer that will do good discounts – I am not sure about the NEO, however the Auto Maxx Sporty drive away (no-trade) $31000.00 and that’s without any neigotation. If you are interested in buying a car, PSE let me know and I will put you in contact with the sales person / Dealer.
Hey guys! im looking to buy M3 SP25 with the lot! (sunroof, leather) in manual. I live in sydney, what is a good price for this? i dont mind it being a dealer demo!
regards
I am looking for a mazda dealer on the gold coast to get a good value new Mazda 3. The last one I went to would not budge on $32,000 for a Maxx auto drive away. Does anyone know a decent dealer that I would be able to haggle with or is it too early to get discounted cars?
I’ve just had a weird experience and wondering if its happened to anyone else. Been driving around no problems at all. Arrived home and couldn’t get out of the car. The door wouldn’t open. Checked to see that I hadn’t locked the the accidently. No – lock in open position. The only way I could get out of the car was by a friend opening the door from the outside.
Tried quite a few times and still cannot open the drivers side door from the inside. All other doors open from the inside>
Hi Katin, what model and year?
Mazda 3 neo, 2009 – 5 weeks old!
oh that cannot be good, I’m sure the dealer should be able to help you out with that. That’s scary!!!!!!
How much did you pay for your NEO? What colour ;)
To Jared – What ae you buying a Maxx or Maxx Sport. If you are interested oin buying a car in Sydney, I will put you onto a Syd dealer and you can buy the Maxx Sport cheaper that 32K and if it’s just a Maxx, then it will be cheaper again.
I identified the prices in my comments of 26 July 09 abouve at 31K and that’s 1K cheaper that the Gold Coast – have you tried Bris. Let me know and I will give you the Syd dealers & sales persons name. TED
Hey, All.
Bought the Mazda 3 Maxx Sport in Brisbane for $30900, incliding light protectors, mats and extra year extended warranty. No trade. Good deal?
Forgot to say – auto.
Mark: That seems like a good deal Mark. Did u ask for the extra year warranty? Can you give me the name of the dealer and salesperson?
Ted: Thanks for your help Ted. I have just been looking on the Gold Coast but will probably try Brisbane next. I can’t understand how there can be up to $2500 difference between different dealers!!!!!!!!!!!
I think I am getting a good deal now. Just bought a Mazda 3 Maxx Sport auto in Brisbane for $30800, with floor mats and rear parking sensors, also comes with extra year Factory extended warranty and 3 years Factory road side assist.
Hey Carvern, that seems like a good deal. Can you please tell me the name of the dealer?
Cheers,
Jared
Hi, Jared.
Yup – asked for all the extras (including the warranty). Send me your email address and we’ll talk further.
Mark.
Hey Mark,
My email address is jpa46@ext.canterbury.ac.nz
Cheers mate!
Hello Guys
Just need to ask you, could you please advise me how much km\’s your SP25 runs in a full tank.
Thanks
@ New Owner: sure you can live without the body kit, gizmos etc. – but what about the extra airbags, stability control and the extra star safety rating?
I’m not having a go at you, but seriously, these are extras that you literally may not be able to live without! Please tell me you got the safety pack at least…
I drove it (sp25) and loved it so much I bought it (sedan with luxury pack, sunroof tints, rear sensor options) just a tad over 40k driveaway.
Love the bluetooth (for mobile phone and wireless ipod) and the satnav has been useful on a few occasions. Lots of zoom zoom…
These days I’m making any excuse to take it for another spin !
Drivenit,for a tad over $40G, you should have bought a new MPS.
Hi, ordered an SP25 for $32168 including mats, drive away. National Car Search. Novating at 9.1% and so will cost less than $450 per month..cheaper petrol, insurance, rego and servicing by salary packaging….be rude not to.
dude..that’s a grt price…how much can you buy one for anyway??
Have owned the car for about a week now and nearly done 400 kays. If you dont buy it, you gotta at least take a look at it in the metal and drive it. Whacks the crap outta all its competitors (although i admit to not having driven or riden ALL small/medium cars under $30000). Looks great in and out, cabin materials feels a class above, decent economy, good build and finish, sweet dynamics, nice standard features (except for that annoying passenger seatbelt sensor). Honestly cannot think of one car in this class that even comes close. My smile is almost as big as that grill. Just dont take it that seriously.
Got my red hot SP25 Luxury pack abit more than 3 weeks ago.
I gotta say it ;looks stunning up close. U dont even notice the smiley grin
for those who don’t like it.
The red sparklers in the sun and it looks amazing.
The leather seats are very comfy and the 10 speaker SUB pack totally rocks.
Love the bluetooth option, very convenient and you can even get the car to dial numbers for you with the power of your own words!
Car done just over 500kms now.. on a full tank i can do close to 650kms.
The 6 speed manual shifting is smooth and nice. My sp23 friend is jealouse!
His only got 5 speed manual on it and its a bigger throw to change gears compared to mine he said!.
The total was $36500 (from sydney Liverpool Mcgrath dealer).
I had a 1996 Honda Civic sedan auto. that i traded in (it had done 160000kms).
Chucked in windshileds, sp25 floor matts, full tank of fuel.
Drove away for $31,600. After bargain + trade in.
Not bad for a SP25 LUXURY!
You get what you pay for.. its an awesome car!
Hi, I am going to buy a Mazda 3 MAXX in the next two weeks. I am wanting to know if anyone has boight one recently in the Brisbane/Gold Coast area? If so and you got a good deal could you please let me know what dealer you went with.
$17.5k change-over, not 1 penny more! :-)
Mate I don’t have a trade in so no change over! Are you drunk or something?
i’m in adelaide and i’m looking at buying a maxx sport auto. haven’t gone as far as negotiating prices yet as i’m not quite ready. a dealer has said he’ll give me $2000 for my car though. any ideas from anybody as to what a reasonable change over figure would be. never bought a new car before so all new to me! thanks tanya
Be *REALLY* nice if you told us WHAT you where trading in so we can assit you:-)
Sorry for not been able to read minds……………..
I don’t see what difference it makes what I’m trading in, a dealer has looked at it and said we’ll give me $2000…. I suppose I’m wondering do you have more room to move apart from what they’ll give you for the trade in? e.g retail $325000, $2000 trade in, would it be unreasonable to ask for a $28000 change over?
To Jared
got a maxx 3 auto, another 3 year warranty, mats, light covers, tinted windows, full tank of petrol, no trade, for $29800.00 Oldmac Mazda Cleveland brisbane
Getting my SP25 Auto Sunroof delivred tomorrow, with Mats, Slimline plate, full tank, audio cable, for 33K drive away. I am in Melbourne.
On the weekend I drove both the SP25 and the Maxx Sport both auto. I found the Maxx Sport to be lively with more throttle response and quit inside. Ths SP25 sounded like a front load washing machine and I do not think the extra 3K is worth it for the SP25 – only thing I would like in the Maxx Sport would be the Auto A/C. The SP25 did not feel any quicker than the SP25 and this may be dues to the it being near 80kg heavier that the Maxx Sport. I think that Mazda needs to reduce litre size and add turbo / supercharger to smaller, fuel efficent engines – I also think that Mazda makes excellent Rotary motors and many years ago, I have a hand full of rotary models. (put a rotary in the 3) If Mazda made piston engines like Honda, then we would have a nice package.
Thoughts anybody.
Ted