The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) announced today that it has awarded its most coveted award, the Top Safety Pick, to yet another Japanese vehicle, the Mazda3. After subjecting the car to its series of crash tests, the organization found that the achieve a rating in all four tests conducted.
Reviewers are most impressed with the Mazda3’s performance, and say the 3’s refined engine and sophisticated suspension produce a fun and aggressive driving experience. The Mazda3 ranks with the top drivers in the class, the Mini Cooper, the Honda Fit and the Ford Fiesta, all of which the auto press regards for their great driving dynamics.
Reviewers praise the 2011 Mazda3’s interior almost as much as its performance. Mazda fitted the 3 with top-notch amenities and didn’t use cheap materials, making the interior one of the nicest in the class. The interior, however, does have a few quirks. In comparison to the competition, reviewers say the controls are not easy to use, and the navigation screen is small and hard to read.
2011 Mazda 3 lineup sees expanded feature availability on some models, and other versions get some new standard equipment. These compact cars come in 4-door sedan and 4-door hatchback body styles, all with front-wheel drive. The 3 is available in "i" and "s" versions. Mazda 3s with the "i" prefix are sedans only and are available in SV, Sport, and Touring trims.
Sport and Grand Touring trim levels are available on 3s with the "s" prefix. The s is offered as a sedan or hatchback. Also available is a high-performance MazdaSpeed 3 hatchback. Mazda 3 i versions have a 148-horsepower 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine. The "s" versions have a 167-horsepower 2.5-liter 4-cylinder. 2.0-liter models are paired with either a 5-speed manual or 5-speed automatic transmission. 2.5-liter versions are mated to a 6-speed manual or 5-speed automatic. The MazdaSpeed 3 reprises its turbocharged 263-horsepower 2.3-liter 4-cylinder and mandatory 6-speed manual transmission.
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