Any difficulty getting it into gear soon was a distant memory once underway. Much like the Protegé the 3 dances through the curves, but even more so as its body structure is quite a bit stiffer. Steering turn-in is direct, but not enough to throw it off-line at high-speed where it tracks like a much larger car. This might have something to do with my GT tester's 17-inch alloy rims on 205/50R17 all-season tires - part of the optional GFX package that also includes sportier bumpers, front mud guards, sport fog lights, side sill extensions, a body-color front grille, and a power glass moonroof with integrated front map lamps. Regular GTs wear 205/55R16 all-season tires while base and GS models get 195/65R15 year-round rubber.
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| The optional GFX package adds a number of stylish goodies, including sportier bumpers, a body-color front grille, and a power glass moonroof. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, Canadian Auto Press) |
I was also blown away with the new 3's larger brakes - discs all-round by the way which is another positively unusual trait for its segment. Assisted by ABS on my test car, response was immediate with hardly any fade after repeated full-on stops, giving me more confidence at higher speeds.
Part of that confidence can be directly related to the layout behind the wheel. The thick 3-spoke steering wheel and leather-aluminum short-throw shifter look and feel as good as Momo aftermarket pieces, and the heavily-bolstered driver's seat fit me perfectly. I was a
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| The thick 3-spoke steering wheel and aluminum short-throw shifter look and feel as good as Momo aftermarket pieces. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, Canadian Auto Press) |
bit put off that Mazda doesn't offer seat heaters even in top-level trim, making the mid-winter icy leather too much of a wakeup call for my tastes. Call me a wimp but this would be a deal breaker for me, as I rely on bun warmers for regular lower back pain therapy. Now that I'm complaining I don't like the Ford-derived ignition switch either. It forces the driver to press an awkwardly placed button before removing the key. While I'd most likely get used to it over time, it's annoying and unnecessary as every other automaker makes do without such a device.
