2009 Mazda MAZDA3: What's New, Specs & Features

Last updated August 4, 2026

The biggest change for the 2009 Mazda3 is that key braking and side-impact safety equipment became standard across every trim. Otherwise, this final first-generation model year is a light update, with modest cabin changes rather than a redesign.

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About the 2009 Mazda MAZDA3

1st generation Mazda3/Mazdaspeed3 (BK), final US model year before the all-new 2010 redesign.

Mazda positioned the 2009 Mazda3 as the compact car for drivers who wanted fuel economy and everyday practicality without giving up steering feel, handling, or a more upscale look and feel. The sedan covered mainstream compact-car duty, the hatchback added extra cargo flexibility and a younger look, and the Mazdaspeed3 turned the same basic formula into a true hot hatch. Against rivals like the Civic and Corolla, Mazda leaned hardest on fun-to-drive character and a richer cabin feel.

The regular Mazda3 ranges from straightforward 2.0-liter i sedans to more polished 2.3-liter s models, with s Grand Touring adding leather, heated front seats, and an 8-way power driver’s seat. The Mazdaspeed3 is the performance hatch, pairing a turbocharged 2.3-liter engine with a 6-speed manual and a limited-slip differential; its Grand Touring trim adds Alcantara and leather seating, Bose audio, and xenon headlights.

What changed, by category

Safety

i Sport gained ABS with brake assist, front-seat side airbags, and side curtain airbags. That made this safety equipment standard across the full Mazda3 lineup.

Styling and cabin equipment

Mazda lightly freshened the interiors of 2.3-liter Mazda3 models and the Mazdaspeed3, while exterior styling stayed essentially unchanged. Grand Touring trims gained a standard 8-way power driver’s seat.

2009 Mazda MAZDA3 specs and features by trim

Feature	2009 Mazda MAZDA3i Sport0 in stock	2009 Mazda MAZDA3s Sport0 in stock	2009 Mazda MAZDA3s Touring0 in stock	2009 Mazda MAZDA3i Touring Value0 in stock	2009 Mazda MAZDA3s Grand Touring0 in stock	2009 Mazda MAZDA3MAZDASPEED3 Sport0 in stock	2009 Mazda MAZDA3MAZDASPEED3 Grand Touring0 in stock
Engine	4-Cyl, 2.0L 148 HP	4-Cyl, 2.3L, 156 HP	4-Cyl, 2.3L 156 HP	4-Cyl, 2.0L 148 HP	4-Cyl, 2.3L, 156 HP	4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.3 Liter	4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.3 Liter
Transmission	Automatic, 4-Spd w/Overdrive & Manual Mode	Automatic, 5-Spd w/Overdrive & Manual Mode	Automatic, 5-Spd w/Overdrive & Manual Mode	Automatic, 4-Spd w/Overdrive & Manual Mode	Automatic, 5-Spd w/Overdrive & Manual Mode	Manual, 6-Spd w/Overdrive	Manual, 6-Spd w/Overdrive
Drivetrain	FWD	FWD	FWD	FWD	FWD	FWD	FWD
Fuel Type	Gas	Gas	Gas	Gas	Gas	Gas	Gas
MPG City	24 mpg	22 mpg	22 mpg	24 mpg	22 mpg	18 mpg	18 mpg
MPG Highway	32 mpg	29 mpg	29 mpg	32 mpg	29 mpg	25 mpg	25 mpg
Horsepower	148 hp	156 hp	156 hp	148 hp	156 hp	263 hp	263 hp
Torque	135 lb-ft	150 lb-ft	150 lb-ft	135 lb-ft	150 lb-ft	280 lb-ft	280 lb-ft
Trunk/Cargo	11.5 cu-ft	11.5–17.1 cu-ft	11.5–17.1 cu-ft	11.5 cu-ft	11.5–17.1 cu-ft	16.5 cu-ft	16.5 cu-ft
Rear Legroom	36.3 in	36.3 in	36.3 in	36.3 in	36.3 in	36.3 in	36.3 in
Seats	5	5	5	5	5	5	5
Doors	4	4	4	4	4	4	4
Safety & Security
Alarm System
Automatic Headlights
Cruise Control
Rain Sensing Windshield Wipers
Stability Control
Traction Control
Exterior Features
Alloy Wheels
Fog Lights
HID Headlights
Power Moonroof
Power Mirrors
Rear Spoiler
Entertainment & Electronics
Navigation System
Satellite Radio
Comfort & Convenience
Automatic Air Conditioning
Heated Front Seats
Leather Seats
Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel
Power Driver Seat
Power Locks
Power Windows
Remote Start
Remote Keyless Entry
Tilt/Telescoping Steering Wheel

How the 2010 Mazda MAZDA3 compares

The 2010 Mazda3 is an all-new, second-generation model, making this a major change year. The sedan, hatchback, and Mazdaspeed3 all move to redesigned bodies with more refined cabins and stronger underpinnings.

See the full 2010 changes

Frequently asked questions

What is the biggest change to the 2009 Mazda3?

The biggest change is that ABS, brake assist, front-seat side airbags, and side curtain airbags became standard across the entire 2009 Mazda3 lineup after being added to i Sport.

Was the 2009 Mazda3 redesigned?

No, the 2009 Mazda3 was not redesigned. It was the final U.S. model year of the first-generation car before the all-new 2010 Mazda3 arrived.

Did the 2009 Mazda3 get different engines?

No, the engines carried over for 2009. The i models use a 2.0-liter four-cylinder, the s models use a 2.3-liter four-cylinder, and the Mazdaspeed3 uses a turbocharged 2.3-liter engine.

What changed inside the 2009 Mazda3?

The 2.3-liter Mazda3 models and the Mazdaspeed3 received a light interior freshening. Grand Touring trims also gained a standard 8-way power driver’s seat.

Which trims were added to the 2009 Mazda3 lineup?

The 2009 lineup added i Sport, i Touring Value, s Sport, s Touring, s Grand Touring, Mazdaspeed3 Sport, and Mazdaspeed3 Grand Touring.