It might sound strange saying that, but the compact Mazda3 will likely have its own chapter in the history books. The replacement to the Protegé, which everyone recalls with a smile, turned out to be so popular that even the toughest critics are impressed.
You think that's too much credit? Well, you should know that the Mazda3 has won awards after awards across the globe, mainly because of its pleasant, sporty driving dynamics.
As soon as I sat behind the wheel of my tester, I was won over. Like most people know, the 3 displays a little of Mazda's "Zoom-Zoom" personality, which matches well the car's.
A responsive compact
The GS sedan (mid-level model) is motivated by a 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder engine mated to a 5-speed manual transmission or a 4-speed autobox with Sport mode. Despite its compact size, this car boasts an assertive design and appeals to those who don't want to attract too much attention. Having said that, buyers can spice up the look of their 3 with a selection of radiant colors.
In terms of performance, the 2.0L engine/manual transmission combo proves to be responsive and predictable. As expected, takeoffs are less explosive than with sportier models powered by the 2.3-liter mill. Likewise, passing maneuvers are not particularly swift, unless you're willing to push the car to the limit. Therefore, true driving enthusiasts are not likely to opt for the Mazda3 GS.
On the plus side, the steering allows nimble handling while making it easy to maintain your desired trajectory. The suspension is obviously a bit firm due to the brand's sporty character, yet it manages to soak up the majority of road imperfections. However, I found it slightly disappointing in some sharp corners, where body roll is noticeable. But as far as daily driving is concerned, the little sedan is not affected.
As for the brakes, they're quite effective. The pedal sends the driver's inputs to the callipers with precision and responsiveness.
 |
| As soon as I sat behind the wheel of my tester, I was won over. |
You think that's too much credit? Well, you should know that the Mazda3 has won awards after awards across the globe, mainly because of its pleasant, sporty driving dynamics.
As soon as I sat behind the wheel of my tester, I was won over. Like most people know, the 3 displays a little of Mazda's "Zoom-Zoom" personality, which matches well the car's.
A responsive compact
The GS sedan (mid-level model) is motivated by a 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder engine mated to a 5-speed manual transmission or a 4-speed autobox with Sport mode. Despite its compact size, this car boasts an assertive design and appeals to those who don't want to attract too much attention. Having said that, buyers can spice up the look of their 3 with a selection of radiant colors.
In terms of performance, the 2.0L engine/manual transmission combo proves to be responsive and predictable. As expected, takeoffs are less explosive than with sportier models powered by the 2.3-liter mill. Likewise, passing maneuvers are not particularly swift, unless you're willing to push the car to the limit. Therefore, true driving enthusiasts are not likely to opt for the Mazda3 GS.
On the plus side, the steering allows nimble handling while making it easy to maintain your desired trajectory. The suspension is obviously a bit firm due to the brand's sporty character, yet it manages to soak up the majority of road imperfections. However, I found it slightly disappointing in some sharp corners, where body roll is noticeable. But as far as daily driving is concerned, the little sedan is not affected.
As for the brakes, they're quite effective. The pedal sends the driver's inputs to the callipers with precision and responsiveness.
 |
| As expected, takeoffs are less explosive than with sportier models powered by the 2.3-liter mill. |