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Two Takes: 2014 Mazda3 Sport

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This week, Driving’s Nick Tragianis and Jodi Lai set out to find out if the thoroughly reworked 2014 Mazda3 really is, as Mazda says, a game changer.

Overview With nearly every single detail reworked, the newest Mazda3 definitely lives up to the hype
Pros Top-notch interior, bang for your buck, sexy sheet metal
Cons Base 2.0-litre engine feels underpowered on the highway
Value for money Excellent
What would I change? A manual transmission on the top-level GT would fulfill its fun-to-drive credentials

The mid-level GS starts at $20,695 and comes standard with a 2.0-litre SkyActiv four-cylinder and a tight six-speed manual transmission.

The mid-level GS starts at $20,695 and comes standard with a 2.0-litre SkyActiv four-cylinder and a tight six-speed manual transmission.
Jodi Lai, Driving

Nick Tragianis Remember when compact cars used to be the epitome of cheap transportation? A compromise between frugality, economy and sheer boredom? I’m really glad that’s not the case anymore, thanks especially to the Mazda3. Ever since it was introduced in 2004, the Mazda3 practically kept other automakers on their toes thanks to its rather good looks and upbeat driving dynamics. With the smiley-faced generation now (thankfully) in the history books, Mazda bills the thoroughly redesigned Mazda3 as a game changer. But, as impressive as it is, does it live up to the hype?

The People’s Road Test: What does an average citizen
think after driving the 2014 Mazda3 for a week?

Jodi Lai The Mazda3 basically owns the compact segment right now and more than lives up to the hype. I have not been this impressed with a car since it was a Porsche, and, we’ll, this isn’t a Porsche, so that means a lot.

The swoopy lines and mean front grille definitely add a muscular stance, making the Mazda3 look more expensive than it is.

The swoopy lines and mean front grille definitely add a muscular stance, making the Mazda3 look more expensive than it is.
Jodi Lai, Driving

Like you said, the Mazda3 makes no compromises. Not one. Not one corner was cut and not one detail was overlooked. Not only does this newer generation Mazda3 have an engaging drive and a top-notch interior (things that made previous generations such high-volume sellers) but now it finally has the looks to match. This Mazda is easily the best looking compact in the segment. With its muscular stance, mean front grille, swoopy lines and a general overall look of a more expensive car, I think the Volkswagen Golf has some catching up to do.

How does the Mazda3 stack up against the Ford Focus?

NT I wouldn’t say only the Volkswagen Golf has some catching up to do, even if it has been the (albeit pricey) benchmark in the compact segment. I’d say every other car has some catching up to do, because with the new Mazda3, Mazda has reworked nearly every single detail.

The top-level Mazda3 GT shares its 184-horsepower engine with its bigger Mazda6 brother.

The top-level Mazda3 GT shares its 184-horsepower engine with its bigger Mazda6 brother.
Nick Tragianis, Driving

For starters, Mazda has done away with its non-SkyActiv engines, previously found on the base and GT Mazda3 models. For 2014, the Mazda3 shares its two SkyActiv engines with its CX-5 and the Mazda6 siblings. The base is a 2.0-litre SkyActiv four-cylinder, good for 155 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque, while the range-topping four-cylinder found in the GT trim pumps out 184 hp and 185 lb.-ft. of torque.

The Mazda3's cabin is impressive all around.

The Mazda3′s cabin is impressive all around.
Nick Tragianis, Driving

JL I’m saying the Golf has catching up to do because the Mazda’s interior is nicer and the sheetmetal is more daring. The Golf’s interior needs updating and its exterior is quite conservative. The Mazda also feels sportier and more responsive, although I’m sure when the 2015 Golf arrives with the new 1.8L turbo four, the gap won’t be as wide between the two. It’s enough to make me, a Volkswagen fan, think really hard about whether I want to upgrade my Rabbit for a Mazda3 or a new Golf (or a motorcycle, but that’s another story).

I’m really digging Mazda’s preoccupation with pumping out engaging and fun cars. The Mazda3 feels tight when thrown about and the steering wheel feels connected and gives great feedback. It also strikes the balance of being weighty enough where the car doesn’t feel floaty but also isn’t a workout to drive. Many cars in this segment have overly assisted steering that makes highway driving very twitchy. The Mazda3 isn’t afflicted by such problems.

The Mazda3's infotainment system is controlled by a central knob, but it's fairly intuitive and easy to get used to.

The Mazda3′s infotainment system is controlled by a central knob, but it’s fairly intuitive and easy to get used to.
Jodi Lai, Driving

NT It’s not. In fact, in the fun-to-drive department, the 2014 Mazda3 is a lot like its predecessors, which we all know has always been one of the most engaging cars in the compact segment. Mated to a precise six-speed manual, the 2.0-litre Mazda3 is peppy, but if you’re merging onto the highway or need to pass another driver, the power isn’t really there. “Underpowered” never crossed my vocabulary with the 2.5-litre Mazda3 GT, but the weirdest thing is, the GT’s only transmission is a six-speed automatic. It’s a fine automatic gearbox, but Mazda offers a stick across the board with the 6, even on the GT. Why not the 3?

But that doesn’t take away from the Mazda3 being one of the better buys in the compact segment. Our mid-level GS tester topped out at $24,390 including destination, and came nearly fully loaded with stuff like a push-button start, a back-up camera, rain-sensing windshield wipers, a blind-spot monitor, heated seats … I could go on. Bottom line, there’s a lot of bang for your buck, and this is just the midrange trim. There’s even more of that in the GT. At $28,550 with destination, it comes standard with 18-inch wheels, HID headlights and LED tail lights, GPS navigation and even a head’s up display. The readout is a little fuzzy, but kudos to Mazda for including it in a compact car.

JL I’m an advocate for the manual, so the omission sucks, but I’m really sure more people would buy the automatic regardless. This Mazda3 is impressive in every way, and I do think it’s the “game changer” its makers intended it to be. The only thing I’m left wondering is how much the upcoming Mazdaspeed3 will impress us, too.

Much like its predecessors (and the rest of the cars in the Mazda lineup), the 2014 Mazda3 is definitely fun to drive.

Much like its predecessors (and the rest of the cars in the Mazda lineup), the 2014 Mazda3 is definitely fun to drive.
Jodi Lai, Driving


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