Mazda Announces NBCUniversal Partnership for 2015 Nonprofit Contest One Charity Will Win $30,000 In-Kind Contribution to Support Their Special Cause

Do you know of an organization or individual that is helping their community and could benefit from increased awareness and a donation to help boost their efforts? Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) and NBCUniversal have again partnered for the 2015 Mazda Drive for Good^® program to help one lucky nonprofit with an in-kind contribution in the form of goods and services valued at $30,000 in other marketing materials. All Viewers can nominate others involved in nonprofits[1] for this year’s Mazda Drive for Good community charity contest beginning October 14 and ending October 28, 2015, and submit their story via http://www.nbc.com/christmas-in-rockefeller-center/mazda-drive-4-good.

“We build cars the way we do because we believe driving matters. We developed Mazda Drive for Good because we believe giving back to our local communities matters,” said Jim O’Sullivan, president and CEO, MNAO. “The continued partnership with NBCUniversal gives Mazda Drive for Good a louder voice. Together, we hope to make a positive impact on more people.”

"Our longstanding partnership with Mazda around their Drive for Good initiative shines a light on important local philanthropic initiatives nationwide, and we’re excited to empower communities to tell their stories just like we do every day,” said Alison Tarrant, Executive Vice President, Client Solutions Group, NBCUniversal. "Together with Mazda, we are harnessing the power of branded content to reach our viewers throughout the holiday season to highlight this important cause."

The partnership will span across NBCUniversal’s broadcast, cable and digital networks with calls for nominations featuring actress, Academy Award® nominee and philanthropist, Minnie Driver. Viewers will be encouraged to nominate themselves through an online contest where they can tell their story and why their community needs assistance. Click here to learn about last year’s recipient 3B Braeden's Brown Bags.

The selected organization representative will be notified of the award by Driver through a surprise in-person appearance.  The organization representatives will attend NBC’s annual Rockefeller Tree Lighting at Rockefeller Center on December 2 to be recognized for their award and good deeds.

“Mazda Drive for Good isn’t just about giving monetarily or volunteering,” added O’Sullivan. ”One of the most impactful ways we contribute to our charity partners is growing awareness through great partnerships like the one we have with NBCUniversal.”

The Mazda Drive for Good winter event is in its third year of fundraising and in 2015 Mazda will continue its donation of $150 per new Mazda sold or leased between November 23, 2015 and January 4, 2016. Over the last two years, Mazda has donated more than $7.9M to charity. While monetary giving is always important, Mazda believes its biggest contribution is its volunteering. Every test drive of a new Mazda taken throughout the same time period triggers a pledge by Mazda of one hour of charitable service to be paid back in 2016. Over the last two years, Mazda has helped local charities by donating over 120,000 volunteer hours through its corporate, dealer and partner employees.

Mazda is committed to helping this community through monetary donation and volunteer service, and again will work with four national charities and more than 40 local charities, all of which will be announced at a later date. Follow the conversation at #MazdaDrive4Good or InsideMazda.MazdaUSA.com/Drive4Good.

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[1] All entries must include a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (“Charity”). Employees of a Charity are eligible to be nominated.

Contact:        
Nick Beard, Mazda North American Operations, (949) 727-6567
Eric Booth, Mazda North American Operations, (949) 727-6144
Ally Federbush, NBCUniversal, (212) 664-2865

Mazda Announces 2015 Mazda Road to 24 Shootout Finalists Nine Racers Seeking $100,000 Mazda Scholarship for 2016 MX-5 Cup

IRVINE, Calif. (October 20, 2015) – Finalists have been announced for the 2015 Mazda Road to 24 Shootout. This is the single-largest prize in grassroots motorsports. Launched in 2006 as the Mazda Club Racer shootout, the Mazda Road to 24 Shootout has annually promoted one talented club racer into the professional ranks. The $100,000 scholarship package supports a drive in the 2016 Battery Tender Mazda MX-5 Cup. For 2016, this will be in the all-new Global MX-5 Cup car, which  went on sale on October 1.  

John Doonan, director of Mazda Motorsports, noted: “The nine finalists in this shootout are all highly competitive. The fact that the judges identified nine outstanding racers, from the 23 eligible, shows the tremendous depth of talent we are working with today. Mazda is so proud to offer this prize to our grassroots racers and customers; there is simply nothing like it in the world.”

The shootout will take place at Carolina Motorsports Park in Kershaw, SC, on November 8-10. The racers will be tested on the track for their driving skills, and in the garage for their technical understanding of the sport.

The aspiring professional racer who wins the prize will have the best range of skills required to succeed. These skills include speed, consistency, race craft, technical feedback and off-track business, marketing and PR skills.

Additional information about the Mazda Road to 24 shootout, and 2016 MX-5 Cup race car, can be found at www.mazdamotorsports.com Mazda Motorsports will be providing live social updates from the Carolina Motorsports Park event on Twitter at @mazdaracing and with hashtag  #MRT24.

Mazda North American Operations is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States and Mexico through nearly 700 dealers.  Operations in Mexico are managed by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City.  For more information on Mazda vehicles, including photography and B-roll, please visit the online Mazda media center at www.mazdausamedia.com.

Contact:
Dean Case, Mazda Motorsports (310) 318-4582    Mazdaspeed@MazdaUSA.com
Jade Gurss, Mazda Motorsports (317) 517-4121    MazdaMotorsports@icloud.com

National Teen Driver Safety Week October 18-24, 2015

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for 14-18 year olds in the US. In fact, in 2013, there were 2,614 teen (15-19 year old) passenger vehicle drivers involved in fatal crashes and an estimated 130,000 were injured. Yet, a recent survey shows that only 25% of parents have had a serious talk with their kids about the key components of driving. Parents need to take the time to talk with their kids about the many dangers of driving. Those dangers include alcohol, seat belts, texting, speeding, and extra passengers.

Even if you think they don't hear you, they do. Remember, the "5 to Drive" – Set the Rules Before They Hit the Road. 

1. Distracted Driving 
2. Extra Passengers
3. Speeding
4. Alcohol
5. Seat Belts

Your teen sees a driver's license as a step toward freedom, but you might not be sure your teen is ready for the road. One thing is certain: teens aren't ready to have the same level of driving responsibility as older adults. Teen drivers have more fatal crashes, mainly because of their immaturity and lack of experience. They speed, they make mistakes, and they get distracted easily - especially if their friends are in the car. To help your teen stay safe behind the wheel, 46 States and the District of Columbia now have graduated driver licensing (GDL) programs that limit high-risk driving situations for new drivers. These programs can reduce your teen's crash risk by as much as 50 percent.

What Can You Do? 

Learn about your State's GDL program, if there is one. Know the restrictions placed on your teen's license and enforce those limits. Even if your state doesn't have an official program, you can lay some important ground rules for your teen driver. Restrict night driving and passengers, prohibit driving while on the phone, and require seat belt use at all times.
Be a good role model. Remember that your child looks to you as a driver, so practice safe driving yourself. Set aside time to take your teen on practice driving sessions. It can be a great way to spend time together and to allow your teen to improve some basic driving skills. Your teen's learning starts at home.
Don't rely solely on a driver's education class to teach your teen to drive. Remember that driver's education should be used as just part of a GDL program.
Bottom Line:

You have more influence on your teen than you may think.
Get Involved

NHTSA and its many highway safety partners across the country are encouraging you to get the facts and start the conversations-this week and every week-to talk it out with your teens and help keep them safe behind the wheel.

Check out our materials to help you talk it out with your teens and Set the Rules Before They Hit the Road.

The Best West Coast Road Trips for You and Your Mazdaspeed

7/24/2015 From the CorkSport Blog 

Last month, when The Smoking Tire featured our turbocharger in a beta tester’s Mazdaspeed 6, we loved watching how the car handled switchbacks as much as we loved hearing the turbo purr every few seconds.

It got us thinking, What are the best West Coast road trips to take a Mazdaspeed?

That isn’t the most objective of questions, but all the same we wanted to share a list of some of the spots we found—as well as why we love them. Tell us what you think, and what we missed.

California’s Pacific Coast Highway

Did we have a choice to list anything else first? These 123 miles of highway may be the most iconic in the whole country, much less the West Coast. If you like curves and the thrill of driving right up against a cliff face, you can’t do much better than taking your Mazdaspeed here. It should take about 5 hours at a leisurely pace, but you can probably cut that down to 3.5, right?

The Oregon Painted Hills

Called one of the 7 Wonders of Oregon, the Painted Hills in Eastern Oregon make for a breathtaking destination. They also offer some great vistas and stops along the way. There are rivers, fossil fields, and plenty of little towns to stop and grab a bite, as well as Mount Hood National Forest if you’re coming from the West, which always makes for gorgeous driving.

The Olympic Peninsula of Washington

There’s still no road that traverses the interior of the Olympic mountains, but that’s okay: Just driving on the loop around them on highway 101 gives you a thousand beautiful views. Most people only ever see one angle of the Olympics, from Seattle, so take a road trip in your Mazdaspeed to gain an experience few people ever do.

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park in Alaska

No, we didn’t forget about our friends up north. This drive should be on every nature lover’s bucket list, though you may not be able to cross it off till you retire or earn a long sabbatical if you plan to take your own Mazdaspeed. The whole route, Anchorage to Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, takes you along Alaska 1 (Glenn Highway), Alaska 10 (Edgerton Highway), and McCarthy Road, which of course doesn’t include the trek up through Canada. While we’d love to see some #CorkSport shots on this drive, be careful about driving your baby all the way. Once you get to Wrangell-St. Elias, you face a 59-mile gravel road to reach the heart of the park.

Have fun, wherever you choose to drive.

Cheers,

Corksport

http://www.corksport.com/blog/the-best-west-coast-road-trips-for-you-and-your-mazdaspeed/

Bringing Baby Home – Driving Matters™ | 2016 Mazda CX-5 | Mazda USA

One of the most nerve-wracking drives is transporting your newborn home from the hospital. That's why Mazda builds cars that make you feel confident and in control. At least on the road.

Mazda MX-5 Receives "Red Dot: Best of the Best" Award

Fourth-generation of the legendary roadster honored for its innovative design

Essen / Leverkusen, Germany (June 30, 2015) – Mazda accepted the “Red Dot: Best of the Best” prize for the all-new Mazda MX-5  on 29 June at a gala ceremony in front of some 1,200 guests at the Aalto Theatre in Essen, Germany. The “Best of the Best” prize goes to exceptionally ground-breaking designs across many industries; only 1.6% of all submissions received the distinction during this year’s Red Dot Award: Product Design competition.

“The MX-5 has always been about creating smiles, and design is a key part of its success,” says Kevin Rice, Mazda Europe’s design director, who accepted the Red Dot trophy together with Vice President Communications Wojciech Halarewicz. “Balancing tradition and progress, the new model was an exercise in knowing what to change and what not to. And I believe every inch of this car radiates life, movement and the promise of fun behind the wheel.”

With its aggressive face, sweeping lines, wide stance and short overhangs, the latest MX-5 is perhaps the most unique adaptation yet of the critically acclaimed KODO – Soul of Motion design theme on which all new-generation Mazdas are based. The company also won two other Red Dot product design prizes this year: a “Red Dot” for outstanding design quality for its all-new small SUV, the Mazda CX-3, and an “Honourable Mention” for the Mazda2. Five new-generation Mazdas have now captured Red Dot awards.

The Red Dot product design jury of 38 international experts evaluated the entries based on criteria ranging from the degree of design innovation to functionality, ergonomics and ecological compatibility. The jury appraised 4,928 submissions from 56 countries this year, selecting the best entries in 31 categories, including vehicles. They have earned the right to bear the Red Dot symbol, an international seal of design excellence. Initiated in 1955 by the Essen, Germany-based Design Zentrum Nordrhein Westfalen, the annual product competition is considered the world’s largest.

Mazda North American Operations is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States and Mexico through nearly 700 dealers.  Operations in Mexico are managed by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City.  For more information on Mazda vehicles, including photography and B-roll, please visit the online Mazda media center at www.mazdausamedia.com. 

Mazda Mobile Start to Enhance Overall Driving Ownership

IRVINE, Calif. (July 9, 2015) – Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) has announced the launch of Mazda Mobile Start, the only Smartphone Remote Engine Start system engineered and designed specifically for Mazda vehicles. Meeting all of Mazda’s exacting factory standards and specifications, Mazda Mobile Start can be purchased and installed at local authorized Mazda dealers.

“Mazda Mobile Start comes with more than just the features and functions of the app; it also comes with peace of mind,” said Trisha Quezada, manager, accessories, sales and marketing at MNAO. “Mazda Mobile Start was created with convenience and safety in mind to enhance the overall driving experience that matters so much to our customers.”

With Mazda Mobile Start, owners can conveniently control many of their car's settings through their smartphone:

Engine Start

Mazda Mobile Start allows owners to start and stop their engine from virtually anywhere with a smartphone[i]. With the app, owners can start their engine and allow it to idle for up to 30 minutes at a time to preheat or cool the car. The app also features a timer to show how long the car has been running and how much longer it will run. Once the vehicle is started using the app, the settings last used on the climate control system and defroster will activate to help ensure the car will be heated and cooled when ready to go.

Door Lock and Panic Alarm

Mazda Mobile Start allows owners to check the door lock status and remotely lock or unlock doors[ii] leaving owners confident in knowing the car is securely locked. In addition, the panic alarm can be activated for increased security.

Carfinder

Carfinder uses the smartphone camera and GPS technology to help owners find their car with the built in map features. This feature will help locate Mazda Mobile Start equipped vehicles in large open parking areas[iii].

Included with the purchase of Mazda Mobile Start (MSRP $500) is a complimentary one-year subscription to the Mazda Mobile Start app, which is available in the iOS App Store and Google Play. Annual renewal for the service is $65. Mazda Mobile Start is currently compatible with the 2016 Mazda6 and 2016 Mazda CX-5 (automatic transmission only). It is expected that additional models will be added this year. Genuine Mazda Accessories purchased while a vehicle is still covered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty are covered for the duration of the New Vehicle Limited Warranty or the Parts Warranty, whichever is longer. Visit www.mazdamobilestart.com for more information and for a list of compatible smartphones.

 

 

Bringing Baby Home – Driving Matters™ | 2016 Mazda CX-5 | Mazda USA

One of the most nerve-wracking drives is transporting your newborn home from the hospital. That's why Mazda builds cars that make you feel confident and in control. At least on the road.

All-New 2016 Mazda CX-3 Subcompact Crossover MSRP[1] to start from $19,960

- Latest evolution of Mazda's signature KODO design comes embodied in crossover available with premium, class-exclusive features and class-leading fuel economy -

IRVINE, Calif., July 16, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- New vehicle segments don't come around often. So when Mazda had the opportunity to create its very own subcompact crossover to tackle the urban sprawl, as well as the road less-traveled, it did so the only way it would – with the fun-to-drive, stylish and upscale 2016 Mazda CX-3.

Nearing its mid-August expected on-sale date, Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) has released full pricing for its entry-level CUV offering, starting at an MSRP² of $19,960 for the entry-level CX-3 Sport with front-wheel drive. As a $1,250 upgrade, buyers can select CX-3 Sport with Mazda's predictive i-ACTIV all-wheel drive that takes temperature, road conditions, steering-angle and weather into account, among other factors, to help optimize to which wheels engine power is routed for maximum performance and stability.

"We wanted to send a strong statement that new buyers, early adopters, empty-nesters and right-sizers can get everything they want in a crossover that fits their needs," said Jim O'Sullivan, president and CEO, MNAO. "CX-3 offers the same technologies and thrilling driving experience seen across the rest of Mazda's award-winning lineup that we believe will be a great gateway to the Mazda brand."

CX-3 comes standard with a SKYACTIV-G 2.0-liter engine producing 146 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 146 lb-ft of torque at 2,800 rpm, with all trim levels equipped with a quick-shifting SKYACTIV-DRIVE six-speed automatic transmission. In front-wheel-drive configuration, it nets a class-leading³ EPA-estimated fuel economy⁴ of 29 mpg city/35 mpg highway/31 mpg combined (27 mpg city/32 mpg highway/29 mpg combined with i-ACTIV AWD).

All CX-3 models also come with MAZDA CONNECT™, a seven-inch, full-color touchscreen infotainment suite that is integrated with a commander control knob and Bluetooth hands-free phone pairing and audio streaming. MAZDA CONNECT™ helps drivers and passengers safely keep connected while on the go, integrating phone controls, radio, internet radio services like Pandora and Aha by Harmon, and available navigation into a single system.

All 2016 CX-3s also have backup camera and push-button starter as well as power windows, power door locks and remote keyless entry.

Stepping up from CX-3 Sport to the mid-level CX-3 Touring yields additional niceties like leatherette seating surfaces with cloth inserts, heated seats, Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM), Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA), Mazda Advanced Keyless Entry, heated door mirrors, a center armrest and leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter. The available Touring Technology Package adds a one-touch power moonroof, SiriusXM and HD radio and a rear cargo cover.

CX-3 Grand Touring ups the ante with a one-touch power moonroof, navigation, Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS), Active Driving Display pop-up head-up display, leather and Lux Suede two-toned seats, a seven-speaker Bose^® premium audio system with SiriusXM satellite and HD radio, a rear cargo cover, steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters and LED headlights, fog lights, daytime running lights and tail lights.

When equipped with the Grand Touring i-ACTIVSENSE package, CX-3 packs features unavailable in rival vehicles like Mazda Radar Cruise Control, Smart City Brake Support, Smart Brake Support, High Beam Control System, Lane Departure Warning System, rain-sensing wipers and auto on/off headlights.

MSRP⁵ for each CX-3 trim level is as follows (add $1,250 to each model for i-ACTIV all-wheel drive):

• CX-3 Sport: $19,960
• CX-3 Touring: $21,960
  • Touring Technology Package: $1,410
• CX-3 Grand Touring: $24,990
  • i-ACTIVSENSE safety package: $1,920

Mazda North American Operations is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States and Mexico through nearly 700 dealers.  Operations in Mexico are managed by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City.  For more information on Mazda vehicles, including photography and B-roll, please visit the online Mazda media center at www.mazdausamedia.com.

¹ MSRP does not include $880 for destination and handling ($925 in Alaska). Dealers set actual prices. MSRP, options and availability subject to change.
² MSRP does not include $880 for destination and handling ($925 in Alaska). Dealers set actual prices. MSRP, options and availability subject to change.
³ Subcompact Crossover Utility Vehicle class of vehicles consists of the following vehicles: 2016 Mazda CX-3, 2015 Mini Cooper Countryman/Paceman, 2015 Chevrolet Trax, 2015 Buick Encore, 2015 Nissan Juke, 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, 2016 Honda HR-V, 2016 Jeep Renegade and 2016 Fiat 500X with entry-level engines when paired with automatic transmissions. Class may vary from EPA-specified categories.
⁴  Fuel economy is estimated by the U.S. EPA. Actual customer mileage will vary.
⁵ MSRP does not include $880 for destination and handling ($925 in Alaska). Dealers set actual prices. MSRP, options and availability subject to change.

2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata Specs and Details Announced

• The 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata will offer 155 horsepower, 148 lb-ft of torque
• Curb weight is down about 150 pounds from today's 2,500-lb figure
• Mazda has not yet announced when the MX-5 Miata will go on sale

Mazda has officially announced several new details about its all-new, fully redesigned 2016 MX-5 Miata, which is scheduled to go on sale later this year. The new details include final weight, horsepower and torque figures as well as other specifications of importance to fans of the popular sports car.

The most eagerly anticipated new piece of information from Mazda is the 2016 MX-5's horsepower figure. According to the automaker, the new Miata will use a 2.0-liter SkyActiv4-cylinder that will make 155 hp, which is down 12 hp from the current model. But the 2016 MX-5 Miata's torque figure, 148 lb-ft, is up 8 notches from last year's number, suggesting that acceleration will be roughly the same.

In fact, the new Miata might even be a little faster than last year's model. Mazda recently confirmed that the next-generation MX-5 will boast a 150-lb weight reduction compared to its predecessor. That's not a small figure, considering last year's model weighed in at just 2,500 lbs.

Beyond the weight and power numbers, Mazda has announced a few other key details about the new MX-5 Miata. Among them are dimensions, with the new Miata measuring 154.1 inches in length, about 3 inches shorter than the current model, and transmissions, which will include a 6-speed manual or an optional 6-speed automatic. The new MX-5 Miata will also offer two wheel sizes: 17-in alloys in Club and GT trim, or 16 in base-level Sport guise.

Unfortunately, Mazda has not yet announced pricing for the 2016 MX-5 Miata, though we expect it'll be close to today's base price of around $25,000 with shipping. Mazda also hasn't announced when the new MX-5 Miata will reach dealers, though we're expecting to see it this spring or summer.

What it means to you: The 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata will boast more torque and a lighter curb weight than its predecessor, but it'll make less horsepower.

Honda Civic Vs. Mazda 3: Compare Cars

7.8

TCC RATING

2015 Honda Civic

 

8.6

TCC RATING

2015 Mazda MAZDA3

By Bengt Halvorson

Deputy Editor The Car Connection

January 27, 2015

2015 Mazda Mazda3

Fazda have excelled not just at making good, fuel-efficient subcompact sedans (and hatchbacks), but also those that are nimble and fun to drive, with more personality than a lot of the other driving appliances out there at their price. With the latest Mazda 3, this is true, more than ever; and with its latest Civic, Honda appears to have bounced back gracefully from an ill-conceived redesign.

The Honda Civic got a redesign for 2012 that made it feel, undeniably, a little more conservative; to Honda's credit, it did retain much of the futuristic look and rakish roofline of the previous Civic versions, but with a somewhat careful, evolutionary look in front, combined with a more utilitarian look inside, Honda's clearly emphasized practicality over style this time. Then a quick restyle for 2013 made the Civic much more handsome and chiseled from the front, and darker interior themes and more soft-touch materials made it feel more sophisticated inside. What remains in today's Civic from a design standpoint is still tough to love, mostly the Dali-esque instrument panel curvature.

The Mazda3 is the winner here, and remains one of the most distinctive small-car picks--especially if you opt for the five-door hatchback (a layout not offered in the Civic). Inside, the Mazda3 is more inspiring, more aspirational and cockpit-like, and the upscale look and feel of the new cabin materials clearly trumps those in the Civic. 

The Civic might remain nimble and responsive compared to most other subcompacts, but it's clearly the second choice in terms of performance; its 140-hp, 1.8-liter four is still one of the best, but the steering isn't as precise or as well-weighted as the Mazda's. Honda retired its aging five-speed automatic transmission, replacing it with a continuously variable transmission (CVT); a five-speed manual still is available.

The Mazda 3 offers a 2.0-liter four rated at 155 horsepower and 150 lb-ft of torque, and a more powerful 2.5-liter version putting out 184 hp and 185 lb-ft of torque. Whether you go for the six-speed manual gearbox or a six-speed automatic transmission, these transmissions bring out a perky driving feel and return good real-world gas mileage. The latest Mazda 3 feels tight, precise, and pleasing in all the right aesthetic and tactile ways from the driver's seat. Steering is the only thing that isn't a clear step ahead, but it still has a more precise feel on the road than the Civic.

Mileage for either of these models is now great, with city ratings in the upper 20s and highway ratings up around 40 mpg--even if you spring for the larger 2.5-liter engine in the Mazda 3. Keep in mind that the Civic also offers an Si model, with a larger 2.4-liter four, as well as a Civic Hybrid, which returns an EPA-rated 44 mpg.

We used to caution away from the Mazda 3 for its harder ride and cabin harshness, but the latest version is better, with a more sophisticated ride and less cabin boom. What we still would point to as a weakness of the Mazda 3 is its cramped cabin, and especially the 'scrunched' feel of the back seat compared to that of the Civic. It's true that the Mazda is offered either as a sedan or hatchback, but it's the case in either body style that form trumped function to a higher degree than in the Honda--which would be our choice of the two if you need to carry adults in the back seat at times.

The former Mazda 3 wasn't a strong performer for safety, but what a difference a new edition makes. For 2015, the Mazda 3 is a IIHS Top Safety Pick+ choice, with top scores all around, and available forward-collision warnings with Smart City Brake Support, which can anticipate a collision and activate emergency braking under 19 mph. The Civic? It's a Top Safety Pick, an excellent crash performer but a car without the forward-collision warning system now sought by the safety agency.

Honda has packed many more features into the Civic in the past couple of years, without any major price hike (although it lost the base DX). All Civics now get Bluetooth hands-free calling connectivity and audio streaming, text-message functionality, Pandora integration, and a rearview camera system. Yet at the top of the lineup, the Mazda 3 offers more, in things like rain-sensing wipers and adaptive bi-xenon headlamps. All 's' versions, as well as 'i' Grand Touring (and optioned 'i' Touring models) include the Mazda Connect system, which brings a large, colorful, high-contrast touch-screen display atop the dash.

Overall, if you simply go by the numbers and consider only value for the money--or want a simple commuting car--you could be satisfied with either the Civic or the Mazda 3. The Civic has become a much more agreeable sedan for commuters, and those who put pragmatism at the top. But especially if you like driving, and want a sharp-looking, sharp-performing car, the Mazda 3 is the clear choice.

The MX-5 Miata: The World's Fastest Convertible | Maita Mazda Sacramento CA

Mazda has done it again! The MX-5 Miata is the world's fastest convertible (sort of...)

Service Tip- Power Steering Fluid | Maita Mazda Sacramento CA

Maita Mazda Service Manager, Darrell Lewis, shows us how to check the power steering fluid level on a Mazda.

For more information or questions please call (916)-486-8500 or visit us on line at http://www.maitamazda.com/

2016 Mazda CX-5 keeps it simple | Maita Mazda Sacramento CA

By Steven J. Ewing
Take a long, hard look, folks. This is the refreshed 2016 Mazda CX-5, which makes its debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show today. And if you're thinking, "Say, that looks just like the old one," you really aren't alone. The visible updates certainly aren't major – Mazda has instead focused on giving the already-good CX-5 some thoughtful upgrades to make it a more attractive package than ever.

Outside, there are some slight changes to the styling, including new LED light signatures at the front and rear, as well as redesigned foglamp housings. Uplevel models also ride on attractive new 19-inch alloy wheels, with a dark finish.

Under the hood, it's all the same. Mazda's Skyactiv 2.0- and 2.5-liter four-cylinder engines carry over, with 155 and 184 horsepower, respectively. Front-wheel-drive, 2.5-liter models get a small bump in fuel economy, too – the CUV is now rated at 26 miles per gallon city and 33 mpg highway, up from 25/32. Models equipped with the automatic transmission now benefit from different drive modes, as well.

Moving inside the cabin, the biggest news is the upgrade to the newer Mazda Connect infotainment system that debuted in the Mazda3. It uses a larger screen, with a cleaner, better-designed interface. This is an update that couldn't come soon enough. Additional interior improvements include more sound deadening, a new electronic parking brake, as well as some improved material and trim finishes. There's a host of new active safety features available, too, including radar-based cruise control with auto-brake support, lane-departure warning, and so on.