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2010 Mazda 3 Drives Away With Top Honors From IIHS, EPA

Posted on 25. Mar, 2009 by DeuxEx3 in Mazda3 Guide, What's Hot

Mazda has a lot to celebrate with the 2010 Mazda 3. The new love it or hate it design has drawn attention of critics but one thing that can’t be debated are the fuel economy improvements of 10% over the outgoing model. Mazda’s new use of technology like SISS (Smart Idle Start System) has helped the company walk away with a SmartWay designation by the EPA. Vehicles designated with SmartWay are more fuel efficient and emit fewer pollutants than their comparable brethren.

In addition to the 2010 Mazda 3 receiving the SmartWay hat tip the Mazda 3 was just awarded an overall rating of “Good” from the IIHS for frontal crash safety which is the highest level of safety possible. The 2010 Mazda 3 achieved five “Good” ratings and one “Acceptable” to form the overall good rating. It’s worth noting the 2004-2009 Mazda 3s were also rated “Good” overall by the IIHS but received six “Good” marks for crash safety whereas the 2010 Mazda 3 received a tick less. Check out the press releases for each story below:

ALL-NEW 2010 MAZDA3 EARNS COVETED SMARTWAY DESIGNATION FROM EPA

WASHINGTON – March 24, 2009 – Mazda North American Operations is pleased to announce that the all-new 2010 MAZDA3 has earned the coveted SmartWay designation from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), certifying it as one of the best environmental performers among light duty vehicles.

EPA developed the SmartWay light duty program to give consumers the opportunity to identify and compare vehicles according to their environmental performance. Each vehicle receives two environmental scores, on a scale of 1-10: A Greenhouse Gas Score (reflects carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gas emissions) and an Air Pollution Score (reflects vehicle tailpipe emissions that contribute to local and regional air pollution). The SmartWay certification mark is achieved if a vehicle receives a minimum of a 6 on both the Greenhouse Gas Score and the Air Pollution Score AND receives a combined score of 13 or higher.

The MAZDA3i with manual transmission achieves 25 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway – a 10 percent increase over the comparable highway figure for the outgoing 2009 model. MAZDA3i models are fitted with the MZR 2.0-liter engine, providing 148 hp and 135 lb-ft of torque. It features compact and light aluminum block and head construction with two chain-driven overhead camshafts operating four valves per cylinder for complete combustion, maximum efficiency, and minimal exhaust emissions.

MAZDA3s customers benefit from a healthier injection of Zoom-Zoom, attributable to a move from 2.3 to 2.5-liters of displacement, now with 167 hp and 168 lb-ft of torque.  Despite an increase in power and displacement, fuel efficiency ratings show no loss over the 2009 2.3-liter models, with EPA figures of 21 city and 29 highway with a manual transmission, 22 city and 29 highway with the new automatic.

Mazda Motor Corporation announced in 2008 that it will reduce the fuel consumption of Mazda vehicles sold globally by an average 30 percent by 2015 through the introduction of a new family of four-cylinder engines, improved aerodynamics and reduced weight and rolling resistance.

ALL-NEW 2010 MAZDA3 RECEIVES TOP SAFETY RATING

IRVINE, Calif., March 24, 2009 -  Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) today announced the all-new 2010 MAZDA3 has received a “Good” rating – the highest possible – for frontal crash performance in recently released Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) tests.

The IIHS frontal crashworthiness evaluations are based on results of 40 mph frontal offset crash tests. Each vehicle’s overall evaluation is based on measurements of intrusion into the occupant compartment, injury measures recorded on a Hybrid III dummy in the driver seat and analysis of slow-motion film to assess how well the restraint system controlled dummy movement during the test.

“Safety is at the forefront of every Mazda we build and we are proud that the MAZDA3 demonstrates that safety can come in small packages,” said Robert Davis, senior vice president, Quality, Research and Development, MNAO.  “Our customers care about the total package – safety, style, performance and fuel economy, all tied together with the soul of a sports car.”

The 2010 MAZDA3 excels in agility, maneuverability, and ease of control at the limits of braking and cornering adhesion. Powerful disc brakes, ABS and electro-hydraulic power steering are standard equipment. Dynamic Stability Control and Traction Control are standard on most models.

To minimize the likelihood of injury when a collision cannot be avoided, the MAZDA3 uses a technology called Triple-H unibody design. Efficient H-shaped reinforcements in the floor, roof, and sides of the body structure resist intrusion and support crush zones at both ends of the vehicle. Six airbags and active head restraints are also standard MAZDA3 equipment. Side-curtain air bags, which help protect all outboard occupants, are a new fast-inflating design with 40-percent larger coverage area.