Used 2012 Mazda 3 4-Door Sedan Trims & Features

The Mazda 3 4-Door Sedan is equipped with a 2.0-liter SkyActiv engine that makes 155 horsepower and 148 foot-pounds of torque; both are more than adequate for this model's needs. This allows for plenty of smooth acceleration, with the new 6 speed automatic transmission merging beautifully with the incoming torque. At 70 mph the engine spins at a low 2200 rpm, making for smooth and silent experience. With the 6 speed manual, it runs 70 mph at 500 rpm more, but you still can't really hear it.

The 6-speed automatic will go down in shift qickly and then go back up at a low rpm; there aren't many engines that will do that. It will do what you ask it to, and no more, quicker and smoother than before. SkyActiv was introduced to make the car upshift to 15 milliseconds.

The 6 speed manual controls used on the Mazda 3 4-Door Sedan is also integrated with SkyActiv. By changing bushing to bearings replining the shafts and moving the oil reservoirs, Mazda was able to shorten the throw of the shift lever, making the Mazda 3 feel a lot like the Mazda MX-5's gearbox. It's a tight driving car with the quickest, smoothest shift in any class, according to Mazda's engineers.

The well-equipped base Mazda 3 4-Door Sedan i SV model uses the older 2.0 liter engine and 5 speed manual transmission that has been featured in the Mazda 3 since its introduction in 2004. It comes equipped with power windows and steering-wheel controls, but curiously lacks air conditioning and power locks. The Mazda3 i Sport sedan makes the addition of air conditioning, power locks, a remote keyless starter and even a choice between a 5 speed manual or the 5-speed automatic transmission. The sedan's trunk has 11.8 cubic feet of space. The rear seats are split to a 60/40 pattern and they fold nearly flat, in order to make the cargo space greater.

The Mazda 3 4-Door Sedan i Touring trim level features the new SkyActiv 2.0 liter engine and 6 speeed automatic or 6 speed manual transmission. Touring also gives the driver wireless Bluetooth support, a series of alloy wheels, a cruise control feature, a leather seat trim that works with the steering wheel and a strong stereo sound system. The i Grand Touring, also with that powertrain, throws in moonroof/sunroof, Bose premium sound system and more than half a dozen different seat adjustments.

The Mazda 3 4-Door Sedan s Touring package is offered with the choice of the 2. -liter engine and 6 speed manual or 5 speed automatic. The fully loaded Mazda 3 s Grand Touring trim level includes leather used extensively throughout the interior, onboard navigation system and 6 speed manual or 5 speed automatic transmission. It's worth noting here that the manual transmission has been retooled by SkyActiv and makes for a far superior driving experience, making the s Touring package the most appealing in our book.

Options include wipers that can activate themselves upon rain and bright bi-xenon lights on the front that are offered in only one other car in the compact segment; the car has two zones for air conditioning and 8-way power driver's seat, a feature that not many offer.

Safety equipment on all of these models includes front, front side and curtain airbags, a series of active front head restraints, an accurate tire-pressure device and anti-lock brakes that use a convenient brake assist along with an electronic brake-force distribution controls. It also has traction control to keep the vehicle on its wheels are standard on the i Touring and all s models. Optional safety equipment in the Technology Package includes a blind spot monitoring system, headlamps that adjust themsleves according to light in an area and LED tail-lamps.