2009 Mazda Mazda3 s GT Review

CNET reviews the 2009 Mazda Mazda3 s GT which is a good example of what Mazda does differently.

2009 Mazda Mazda3 s GT Review The Mazda 3 it's a little car you won't mistake for the others. That can be good and bad. Let's sort it out and check the tech. Now, base audio in a Mazda 3 is a single CD AM/FM six-speaker rig with a simple aux but surprisingly also A2DP stereo Bluetooth. However, we have the Moonroof Bose package and that bumps the audio system to 240 watts of Bose center point surround technology via ten speakers and the CD becomes a CD changer six disks in dash. No iPod adapter, no HD radio, and your satellite radio choice is serious but that's ala carte with this system. But, for the full tech Monte, you want to go with the Nav package and that puts this odd compact Nav screen up and away on the eyebrow of the dash controlled obviously not by a touch screen because you couldn't reach it, but by buttons on the wheel. And while it is small, it's very clear and very bright and it has a general vehicle info and setup interface as well. Interestingly for data it's neither DVD nor hard drive base but SD card based. And serious satellite radio is rolled up in this Nav package as well along with keyless push button start. Our Mazda 3 SGT has the beefier power train of the family two and a half liter inline four doing 167 horsepower and 168-foot pounds of torque. Miles per gallon, pretty good, 21/29. The base gearbox is a six speed manual but there's also a five speed automatic. Overall, this engine is a Revver and not a stamp on. Handling is crisp and true to Mazda's hurry old zoom-zoom rubric which I'm not even sure they use anymore. It's one of the better driving cars in its category. You'll experience all of these from a driver's office which seems to impress just about everyone, not with tech or ostentation but a general feeling you're driving a more sophisticated car, a dream you are rudely awakened from every time you look at that goofy grinning mouth up front, no way. And it doesn't help that it's flanked by semi pontoon fenders ala Mercedes S class. Honestly, neither of the Mazda three-body styles can be described as handsome but you'll be inside the car anyway. The Mazda 3 SGT, which is near top of the line bases it just over 22,000 with destination. Sirius is 430 unless you get the Nav package where it's included for 1195 along with of course the map, keyless push button start and perimeter alarm system. The Moonroof and Bose package is also key to CNETizing this car and that runs about 1400 dollars, an automatic transmission, 800 more.