2010 Dodge Journey, Lincoln MKT, Mazda3 Get Top Safety Award

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has added its Top Safety Pick award — its highest accolade — to three more 2010 models. To qualify for the award, the MKT, Mazda3 and Journey had to get top crash-test ratings in front, side and rear collisions and also include an electronic stability system.. The stability system is standard on the MKT and Journey and optional on the Mazda3.

2010|Dodge|Journey

2010|Mazda|Mazda3

2010|Lincoln|MKT

Cars.com Reviews the 2010 Mazda3 Sedan

Looking for a small, affordable car that doesn’t suck the fun out of taking to the open road? If that’s the case, you should take the 2010 Mazda3 for a test drive, according to Cars.com reviewer Kelsey Mays. Although the Mazda3 has its share of bumps and missteps, Mays finds Mazda has a compelling car for those who want to get a little excitement from their time on the road.

2010 Mazda3 Sedan Review

2010|Mazda|Mazda3

Mazda Adding $500 Cash for Clunkers Bonus

Is the government’s $3,500-$4,500 Cash for Clunkers rebate not enough to get you to buy a new car? Well, we’ve already outlined 10 great cars to spend the federal funds on, but today Mazda is making sure it gets consideration, too. The company is adding a $500 cash incentive for those taking advantage of the legislation, and that’s on top of all current incentives.

That means that on the all-new 2010 Mazda3, which only has financing offers — 3.9% for 60 months through July 31 — you’d get $500 cash back, dropping the MSRP of $15,045 to $10,045 if you qualify for the full Clunker rebate. The base Mazda3 with a manual transmission has a combined mileage of 28 mpg, so it would qualify for $4,500 under the program no matter what you’re trading in. (Clunkers have to get 18 mpg combined or worse to qualify, and new cars have to get 10 mpg better to qualify for the full $4,500.) The automatic version gets 27 mpg combined, meaning your clunker would have to get 17 mpg to qualify for the full $4,500. These are the most fuel-efficient non-hybrid models in Mazda’s lineup.

Other noteworthy deals can be had on the 2009 Mazda6. The redesigned sedan is sporty, with plentiful backseat room and a giant trunk. Plus, it has low financing of 2.9% for 60 months, plus $1,500 cash back. Add another $500, and that takes the $18,550 starting price to $13,050, assuming the $3,500 clunker rebate. Combined mileage for the four-cylinder Mazda6 is 24 mpg.

2010|Mazda|Mazda3

2009|Mazda|Mazda6

Recall Alert: 2009 Mazda3

Mazda has issued a recall for 7,100 Mazda3 vehicles from the 2009 model year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The recall is due to a malfunction in the electronic stability system, which fails to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. During difficult driving situations, failure of the stability system could lead to an accident.

Dealers will inspect the system and replace the malfunctioning unit for free. Owners may contact Mazda at 800-222-5500 or the NHTSA hotline at 888-327-4236.

2010 Mazda3 Video

When competing against the likes of the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla, a car has to have a way of grabbing customers’ attention. Mazda’s angle has always been to sacrifice a few miles per gallon in favor of a superior driving experience. Is the 2009 Mazda3 as fun to drive as Mazda says? Cars.com reviewer David Thomas checks out that claim in this video review.

Recall Alert: 2010 Mazda3

Mazda has issued a recall for 25,400 Mazda3s from the 2010 model year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In some vehicles, the clearance between the engine and the housing of the starter motor may be too narrow.

If the harness covering is damaged by heavy vibration while the car is operating, it could cause a short circuit in certain harness wires. That could result in a malfunction in engine control or degraded shift quality. It could also cause the engine to stall and increase the risk of an accident.

Dealers will inspect the engine harness and add a protector clip if necessary. If the harness is already too damaged, the harness will be repaired free of charge.

The recall covers all 2010 Mazda3s sold to date, and the recently redesigned car has sold briskly so far. Recalls of a first-year model aren’t uncommon, but obviously it’s far from flattering for Mazda.

Owners can contact Mazda at 800-222-5500, or the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236.

Reader Review of the Week: 2010 Mazda3

LoveToDrive from Georgia apparently also loves to write meticulous reviews. If you’re even remotely considering purchasing an all-new 2010 Mazda3, you should check out this review. LoveToDrive takes you on a thorough tour of the Mazda3 and details the options he chose, the interior, the ride, the flaws and the big picture, all at the same time. After reading this review, post your own here.

2010 Mazda CX-9 Debuting at 2009 New York Auto Show

As we get closer to April’s New York auto show, we’re learning more about the few new arrivals scheduled for release. Over at the Mazda booth expect to see a new 2010 Mazdaspeed3, the updated 2010 CX-7 and a just announced 2010 CX-9.

While there isn’t much information on the new CX-9, Mazda does say it received an exterior/interior refresh and some new options and safety features. Judging from the single quarter-profile shot provided above, the CX-9’s exterior refresh amounts to some minor cosmetic surgery to the front lower lip. The result is probably the least successful transference of Mazda’s controversial “smile” design language to an existing model. Both the CX-7 and new MX-5 Miata look more natural sporting the new design element.

Mazda said the “zoom-zoom” driving characters were also improved on the CX-9, which probably means they dialed in the tuning a bit. As for interior enhancements, the CX-7 received higher quality materials and a new gauge cluster. Maybe something similar is in store for the CX-9, which already is quite luxurious inside. It won Cars.com’s Family Car of the Year in 2008, and its upscale interior was one reason it garnered the award. We’ll have more information on the changes when we travel to the New York auto show next month.

2010 Mazda CX-7 Gains New Base Four-Cylinder Engine (KickingTires)
First Look: 2010 Mazdaspeed3 (KickingTires)

2010 Mazda3 Pricing Released

The new 2010 Mazda3 goes on sale next month, and the base Mazda 3i sedan with a manual transmission will start at $15,045. That’s $355 more than the outgoing model, but less than the least expensive Honda Civic, Nissan Sentra and Toyota Corolla. The 3i comes with a 144-hp engine rated at 25/33 mpg city/highway with the manual, a slight increase over the 2009 but still just behind the Corolla and Civic at 26/35 and 26/34 mpg, respectively, with manuals.

The 2010 Mazda3 hatchback will start at $19,230 and come in only the s trim, with a larger, more powerful 167-hp, 2.5-liter four-cylinder that returns 22/29 mpg city/highway.

A fully loaded Mazda 3s Grand Touring sedan will be $240 less than the 2009. Keep reading for a full pricing breakdown, plus option package pricing.

Up Close: 2010 Mazda3 Hatchback

Last night, the Cars.com staff sat around talking cars — as we usually do after a day covering an auto show — and the question of “What would you buy?” inevitably came up. Many of us picked the new Mazda3 hatchback. We saw the sedan at the L.A. auto show in November, but this was the first time the hatchback had been put on display. Surprisingly, though, it was not the hatchback aspects that were impressive.