The 2007 Mazda3 is what you get when you take a luxurious full-size sedan and shrink it down to a compact. Reliable, fuel-efficient, and affordable, but with a first-class cabin you don’t often find in cost-efficient compacts.
Is the 2007 Mazda3 a Good Used Car?
- Overall Rating 8/10 – The Mazda3 combines Honda Civic-like performance with a high-end luxury-sedan interior.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 8/10 – Taller passengers may find the leg room a bit tight in the back row. This is the only legitimate complaint regarding the interior.
- Reliability 9/10 – Honda-like longevity is part of what makes the Mazda3 so special.
- Safety 6/10 – When it comes to safety, the Mazda3 is merely adequate on the whole, but you’ve got to dock a point for hiding the anti-lock brakes away in the mid-range model.
- Gas Mileage 8/10 – The entry-level 2.0L offers excellent fuel economy. The mid-range 2.4L is just okay.
- Value 8/10 – There are cheaper compact cars for this model year, but they don’t offer the same combination of luxury and longevity.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the 2007 Mazda3?
Consumer Reports name the 2007 Mazda3 one of the “most well-rounded models in the small car category.” They especially liked the smooth, quiet ride, the agile handling, the impressive fuel economy, and the high-end interior finish.
Kelley Blue Book users give the 2007 Mazda3 an overwhelming recommendation of 93%. Special praise is handed out for the quick acceleration and fuel economy, as well as the stylish design, intuitive layout, and first-class cabin. Some road noise and stingy standard features in the entry level model earned the car a few criticisms.
Edmunds liked the Mazda3’s “athletic handling,” praising the car’s well-designed engine lineup, strong braking, high-end cabin, and stylish body. They note that the 2.3L engine is mediocre on fuel economy, and the car could use more standard safety features.
What Common Problems Does the 2007 Mazda3 Have?
The 2007 Mazda3 has just 219 complaints on file with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. More than a third of these are for steering problems, with drivers reporting power steering failure at various speeds, despite a 2010 recall on the matter.
A number of drivers have reported airbag lights staying on, with a few reports of airbags failing to deploy in the event of an accident. There was a recall for shattered airbag covers in 2021, but there is as yet no official response to many of the airbag complaints on file.
There are 22 complaints on file with the NHTSA for engine issues, with one driver reporting that their motor mounts simply broke while the car was parked in the garage, dropping the engine flat onto the axle, damaging it. There have been no recalls on the matter, but incidence rate is very low.
The 2007 Mazda3 has just 3 recalls on file with the NHTSA. All told, the car’s NHTSA numbers are remarkably low for a vehicle this old.
How Long Will the 2007 Mazda3 Last?
Mazda3 drivers typically report lifespans of anywhere from 200,000 to 300,000 miles. In a used model, excellent care should get you to around 250,000 miles before the really expensive repairs start to pile up. A new Mazda3 might last twice as long, but a used car buyer has to account for the previous owner’s maintenance habits.
Repairpal estimate an annual maintenance cost of around $408 for a 2007 Mazda3 driver, which is pretty low for a used compact. ABS control modules and new radiator fan assemblies account for the most expensive common repairs, starting at around $1,029 and $640, respectively.
Yes it is very reliable, when I bought my car, Japan made it. But now America makes it so I don't know how the new models run
It's a reliable car, my car has had some problems in the past. Engine went out once but it wasn't too hard to fix
How Is the Technology?
Technology in the 2007 Mazda3 is good for the model year. CD players come standard, and you can upgrade that to include a 6-disc changer, auxiliary input, and 7 Bose speakers.
Safety technology is okay, but too many features are tucked away behind the higher trim levels. Anti-lock brakes and traction control, for instance, are available, but not standard.
Is the 2007 Mazda3 a Good Value?
The 2007 Mazda3 is a pretty good value. An entry-level hatchback typically sells for around $5,518, while a high-end sport model may list for around $7,642.
There are cheaper compacts for this model year, and you might not be comfortable spending more than seven grand on a car that’s more than fifteen years old. But, when you consider the money you’re saving on refueling and maintenance, and the Mazda3’s longer-than-average life expectancy, you’ll make up the difference in the long run.
What are the Different Models of the 2007 Mazda3?
The 2007 Mazda3 is available in two body styles, sedan and hatchback, and five trim levels, ranging from the i Sport to the s Grand Touring.
The entry-level i Sport features:
- CD player with 4 speakers
- Cloth seating
- Manual windows and door locks
Next up is the standard i model, adding:
- Manual air conditioning
- Remote keyless entry
- Power windows and door locks
The mid-range s Sport features:
- Fog lights
- Premium cloth seating
- 2 extra speakers
With the high-end s Touring you’re adding:
- Anti-lock brakes and traction control
- Leather wrapped shift knob
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio and cruise controls
Finally, the top-of-the-line s Grand Touring adds:
- Heated front seats
- Leather seating
- Rain sensing windshield wipers
- Automatic air conditioning
- Cruise control
What Engines Come In the 2007 Mazda3?
- The base engine found in the i model Mazda3s is a 2.0L inline-four delivering 148 horsepower and 135 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a 4-speed automatic transmission in front wheel drive, and it averages 28/35 miles to the gallon, city/highway.
- s model Mazda3s feature a 2.3L i4 delivering 156 horsepower and 150 lb.-ft. of torque at an average 26/33 miles to the gallon. This is paired to a 5-speed automatic in front wheel drive. Both engines are available with an optional 5-speed manual transmission if you prefer a stick-shift.
What Colors Does the 2007 Mazda3 Come In?
How Comfortable Is the 2007 Mazda3?
The 2007 Mazda3 is one of the more comfortable cars in its class for this model year. The biggest complaint you’ll find is that taller passengers may find the rear leg room a bit wanting. But the first-class cabin trim, firm seating, and reliable suspension make for a smooth ride overall.
How Much Storage Space Does the 2007 Mazda3 Have?
The 2007 Mazda3 starts you out with 11 cubic feet of trunk space. Which is enough for five medium suitcases, but not much else. The hatchback offers up to 44 cubic feet with the seats folded down, bringing us close to compact-SUV territory, and making it the obvious choice if you’re planning on doing a lot of road trips.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The Mazda3’s 1st Generation ran from 2004 to 2009, making the 2006 model the third year for the nameplate.
2004: The Mazda3 debuted as a four-door sedan/saloon style car based on the same C1 platform as the Ford Focus.
2005: The biggest change for 2005 saw the s trim being upgraded from a 4-speed automatic transmission to a 5-speed.
2006: The base 2.0L engine got a horsepower boost thanks to some under-the-hood tweaks, bringing it up to 150hp.
2007: 2007 saw a slight cosmetic refresh for the Mazda3.
2008: No big changes for 2008, but the front bumper was redesigned.
2009: No big changes for 2009, either. The car had more standard airbags than before, but that’s about it.
2010: The 2nd Gen relaunch for the Mazda3 wasn’t a total overhaul, but an upgrade across the board, with a stronger body design, and the inclusion of Bluetooth and dual-zone automatic air conditioning options.
How Does the 2007 Mazda3 Compare to the Competition?
The Mazda3 holds its own corner of the compact market as an affordable compact with a first-class cabin, making it a hard car to beat at the mid-range.
But, as a budget car, the Hyundai Elantra is just as low-maintenance, just as fuel-efficient, with pricing starting at a couple thousand dollars cheaper, with more standard features in the entry-level model.
As a high-end compact, the Honda Civic sells in around the same price range, and it delivers comparable performance with superior fuel economy.
Where the Mazda3 excels is in the cabin. It’s not hard to find a mid-range sedan with such a high-end interior, but in a compact, at this price, it stands nearly uncontested.
Do Owners Recommend the 2007 Mazda3?
It’s amazing! Had it for 12 years and never gave me a problem. I feel safe in my car and wouldn't have it any other way
Yes it's a good vehicle I think it drives really well for its age I want a faster car in the future but it's still a great car