Body style: Coupé (two-door)
Segment: Coupe
Production years: 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998
Mazda introduced the MX-3 in the econo-sport segment in 1991 as a 1992 model-year, and it was a bit of a surprising move for the Japanese carmaker.
While it didn't arrive on the market at the best moment, since there was an economic recession, the MX-3 also had to compete with other serious contenders such as the Nissan NX and the Geo Storm. But Mazda didn't come unprepared.
From the outside, it looked like a proper sports car, not a sedan with some adjustments to make it look sporty. Its flush headlights and the lowered chin spoiler at the front improved the car's image, especially on the upper trim levels and more powerful versions. From its sides, the wide doors allowed for a good ingress and egress to the cabin, while at the back, the sloped-down, curved glass that covered the trunk area was heavily inspired by the RX-7. A small wing at the back completed the sporty image of the car.
Inside, the carmaker chose to install a minimalist-looking interior, but with enough features to make it appealing. For starters, the instrument cluster was not carried over from other Mazda vehicles. It was unique to the MX-3. A large center speedometer was flanked on the right by the tachometer and on the left by the fuel level and temperature gauges. On the center stack, the carmaker placed the ventilation controls and the AC button between the middle air vents. Despite the car's size, Mazda managed to squeeze another pair of seats in the back. Even though the legroom was limited, it could still accommodate two passengers.
But the biggest surprise was under the hood. Apart from the entry-level engine, which sported a 1.6-liter inline-four, Mazda installed a 1.8-liter V6 powerplant. It was the smallest V6 on the market.
ENGINE SPECS - 1.6i 5MT FWD (110 HP) | |
---|---|
Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1598 cm3 |
Power: | 81 KW @ 6200 RPM 110 HP @ 6200 RPM 109 BHP @ 6200 RPM |
Torque: | 99 lb-ft @ 3600 RPM 134 Nm @ 3600 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 12.7 gallons (48.1 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
---|---|
Top Speed: | 112 mph (180 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 10.5 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
---|---|
Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
---|---|
Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
---|---|
Tire Size: | 185/65 R14T |
DIMENSIONS | |
---|---|
Length: | 166.1 in (4219 mm) |
Width: | 66.7 in (1694 mm) |
Height: | 51.6 in (1311 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 57.4/57.4 in (1,458/1,458 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 96.7 in (2456 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 5.7 in (145 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 10.2 cuFT (289 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.32 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
---|---|
Unladen Weight: | 2336.8 lbs (1060 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3284.8 lbs (1490 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
---|---|
City: | 27.4 mpg US (8.6 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 41.3 mpg US (5.7 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 31.8 mpg US (7.4 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 164 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 1.6i 5MT FWD (90 HP) | |
---|---|
Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1598 cm3 |
Power: | 66 KW @ 5300 RPM 90 HP @ 5300 RPM 89 BHP @ 5300 RPM |
Torque: | 100 lb-ft @ 4000 RPM 135 Nm @ 4000 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 12.7 gallons (48.1 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
---|---|
Top Speed: | 111.2 mph (179 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 10.5 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
---|---|
Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
---|---|
Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
---|---|
Tire Size: | 185/65HR14 |
DIMENSIONS | |
---|---|
Length: | 166.1 in (4219 mm) |
Width: | 66.7 in (1694 mm) |
Height: | 51.6 in (1311 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 57.4/57.4 in (1,458/1,458 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 96.7 in (2456 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 5.7 in (145 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 10.2 cuFT (289 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.32 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
---|---|
Unladen Weight: | 2270.7 lbs (1030 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3218.7 lbs (1460 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
---|---|
Combined: | 31.7 mpg US (7.4 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 176 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 1.8i V6 5MT FWD (132 HP) | |
---|---|
Cylinders: | V6 |
Displacement: | 1845 cm3 |
Power: | 97 KW @ 6000 RPM 132 HP @ 6000 RPM 130 BHP @ 6000 RPM |
Torque: | 118 lb-ft @ 5000 RPM 160 Nm @ 5000 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 12.7 gallons (48.1 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
---|---|
Top Speed: | 126 mph (203 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 8.5 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
---|---|
Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
---|---|
Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
---|---|
Tire Size: | 205/55VR15 |
DIMENSIONS | |
---|---|
Length: | 166.1 in (4219 mm) |
Width: | 66.7 in (1694 mm) |
Height: | 51.6 in (1311 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 57.4/57.4 in (1,458/1,458 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 96.7 in (2456 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 5.7 in (145 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 10.2 cuFT (289 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.32 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
---|---|
Unladen Weight: | 2524.2 lbs (1145 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3373 lbs (1530 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
---|---|
City: | 22 mpg US (10.7 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 35.6 mpg US (6.6 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 27.7 mpg US (8.5 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 226 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 1.8i V6 5MT FWD (136 HP) | |
---|---|
Cylinders: | V6 |
Displacement: | 1845 cm3 |
Power: | 100 KW @ 6800 RPM 136 HP @ 6800 RPM 134 BHP @ 6800 RPM |
Torque: | 118 lb-ft @ 3500 RPM 160 Nm @ 3500 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 12.7 gallons (48.1 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
---|---|
Top Speed: | 126 mph (203 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 8.5 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
---|---|
Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
---|---|
Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
---|---|
Tire Size: | 205/55VR15 |
DIMENSIONS | |
---|---|
Length: | 166.1 in (4219 mm) |
Width: | 66.7 in (1694 mm) |
Height: | 51.6 in (1311 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 57.4/57.4 in (1,458/1,458 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 96.7 in (2456 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 5.7 in (145 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 10.2 cuFT (289 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.32 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
---|---|
Unladen Weight: | 2458.1 lbs (1115 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3306.9 lbs (1500 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
---|---|
Combined: | 26.1 mpg US (9 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 214 g/km |