Strengths

Revamped appearance looks even sportier; the stylish interior of a more expensive car; great steering and handling; good fuel economy (3i model)

 

Changes

The Mazda3 has been completely remodeled for 2010. Compared to the outgoing version, the new Mazda3 has upgraded safety, more standard features and optional equipment and enhanced refinement.

 

Value

The Mazda3's interior is reason alone to put this car on your list; its appointments are like no other car in its class, featuring Mazda's flair for details and materials that are fashionably different. That being said, the Mazda3 can be equipped either as a basic, economical sedan (3i) or a sporty-feeling sedan or hatch (3s); base Mazda3i models are a great value considering their low base price, while top-of-the-line 3s Grand Touring models feel like rivals to the entry models from luxury brands and offer some exclusive tech features. Mazda says that the 3 is the first car in its compact class to offer Adaptive Front Lighting and self-leveling bi-xenon headlamps.

 

Overview

The Mazda3 is powered by a choice of two different 4-cylinder engines, corresponding to the two quite different 3i and 3s models. Base Mazda3i models feature an economical 2.0-liter engine making 148 horsepower, while sportier Mazda3s models get a 167-hp, 2.5-liter engine. Both engines make slightly less power in California-emissions states. A 5-speed manual transmission is standard on i models, but sporty s models step up to a 6-speed manual; a 5-speed automatic is available with either engine. The 2.0-liter gets quite good fuel economy figures of 24 mpg city, 33 highway with the manual transmission, while the s model is rated just 21/29.

The Mazda3 is offered in two body styles-a 4-door sedan and 5-door hatchback. The sedan is offered in 3i or 3s variants, in a full range of trims, but the hatchback is only offered in 3s form, and only in the most expensive trims.

The Mazda3 gets an even more aggressively styled front end than before, with styling cues borrowed from the RX-8 sports car and a more wedge-shaped silhouette. Yet the overall profile of the Mazda3 is more aerodynamic, with a coefficient of drag now as low as 0.29.

Inside, the focus is on top-rate materials-like leather upholstery, French-stitched seams, and soft-touch surfaces-and more design flair than nearly every other small car. The Mazda3's cabin has a sliding armrest between the front seats, atop a center-console storage bin, along with pewter-painted trim. Seats are more aggressively bolstered than is typical among affordable small cars, but sport-seat upper bolsters are optional for those wanting even more support in cornering.

The Mazda3 is one of the best-handling small cars, with front struts and rear monotube dampers, along with a multi-link setup in back that's configured for handling stability. s models get big 17-inch wheels with V-rated tires, and across the line the rack-and-pinion steering has speed-dependent power assist and is one of the most tight and direct in feel. Both models also get 4-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock and brake assist. Front side airbags and side-curtain airbags are on the standard-equipment list, along with active head restraints. Electronic stability control is offered on top trims but isn't available throughout the model line.

As a sedan, the Mazda3i is offered in SV, Sport, and Touring trims, and the 3s is offered as a Sport or Grand Touring. Base SV models come with power windows, tilt/telescopic steering-wheel adjustment, and a 4-speaker CD/MP3 sound system, but air conditioning isn't available. Sport models add A/C, while Touring trims add alloy wheels, Bluetooth, cruise control, and a 6-speaker sound system, plus added trim and interior appointments. Top Grand Touring bring leather heated seats, LED taillamps and an Adaptive Front Lighting System, which can swivel the lights up to 15 degrees to help illuminate around corners; the system also includes self-leveling bi-xenon lamps.