Used 2012 Mazda 3 5-Door Sedan Review & Ratings

Mazda is one of those rare companies that deliver the promises that their advertising department offers. Each redesign of every Mazda vehicle adds value, style and efficiency, not to mention the "zoom zoom" factor that is featured in their ads these days. The Mazda 3 5-door sedan fills a niche market with a nicely appointed, fun car with a new engine that sets it apart from its competition in this class.

Great gas mileage and positive driver experience oriented chassis are fused with a premium interior and upgraded styling to form the 2012 Mazda 3 5-door sedan and hatchback. Mazda is proving that you do not have to spend a ton of money to get a lot of car.

The 2012 Mazda 3 takes a big move with SkyActiv technology. The big change for 2012 is the introduction of a new 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that receives this SkyActiv treatment, delivering a 148 horsepower and 135 pound-feet of torque. This is paired up with a standard five-speed manual, but a five-speed automatic is available. The 3i Touring and Grand Touring get the same engine that is tweaked a bit to improve horsepower and torque by just the slightest amount. If you are looking for a little more power than what the base models have to offer, you will want to explore the 3 S trims that are equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. This engine produces 167 horsepower and 168 pound-feet of torque, accelerating zero to 60 mph in 8.1 seconds. A six-speed manual is standard, but a five-speed automatic is optional. The SkyActiv engine runs on regular gasoline.

When you explore the cabin, you immediately notice how comfortable the front seats are. Not only that, the rear seat offers plenty of head, leg and shoulder room, even for adults. There is also a tremendous amount of cargo space, and of course, seats can always be folded down to create more.

The 2012 Mazda 3 5-door sedan will definitely surprise people looking for more budget-friendly vehicles. Communicative steering and chassis tuning make it easy to manage on tougher and tighter roads. Also, the highway ride is comfortable even though drivers that prefer soft sprung compacts like the Toyota Corolla might find the ride to be too firm. If you prefer a little more of a run and sporty vehicle to your cars, you will love the 2012 Mazda sedan.