What makes it so special? Start with styling that pulls major cues from the sleek
6, one of the sexiest cars in the midsize class. Of course, the 3 is shorter, and still needing to be as tall to accommodate all shapes and sizes doesn't look quite as rakish. Still, those who like Mazda's sporty new look should have no problem buying into the new 3.
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| Pulling styling cues from the sleek 6, those who like Mazda's sporty new look should have no problem buying into the new 3. (Photo: Mazda) |
I saw the Sport, what was then the MX Sportif concept, in Detroit last January. Actually, I didn't just see it, I mauled it. Hopping in and out, checking out the high gloss black lacquer interior trim, sitting back in the heavily bolstered black and blue seats, gripping the thick 3-spoke steering wheel framing a sweet looking tri-binnacle gauge cluster, it was my kind of car. I knew then that Mazda would build something very similar to replace the current Protegé 5, and it doesn't look that much different in road-going trim.
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| Not quite as radical as the exterior, the Mazda 3's interior is still bold, sporty and equipped with a great sound system. (Photo: Mazda) |
The interior is slightly less radical. Gone is the black lacquer, probably a good thing as in real life it's difficult to keep scratch free. The seats aren't quite as bold, but still sport color fleck to spice things up. The cool red pinstripe across the center stack remains however, something I didn't expect to see make the transfer from prototype to production. It keeps the glow in the dark HVAC knobs too, one of my favorite features in the 6.
Mazda's made a name for itself in audio systems, sporting some of the best name brands in the business, massive subwoofers, removable faceplates and MP3 technology, before any other manufacturer's engineers even knew how to download a music file. Just the same the new 3 doesn't offer a CD changer standard. You've got to move up to the GS model for that. All the same the stereo is integrated seamlessly into the center stack, controlled by two large knobs or via steering wheel mounted switches - a feature not normally offered in the compact class.
