1. 84.7% Mazda3
And here we have it folks: The 2014 Mazda3 is our No. 1 compact car following this comparo test, the winner of the head-to-head with the Corolla, and the recipient of our 2014 Auto123.com Compact Car of the Year award. Truly, this new Mazda3 is nothing short of brilliant.
Mazda’s been very hard at work on its design language, its powertrain technology, as well as the HMI experience for passengers and it is all slowly (not so much perhaps) paying off.
The Mazda3 is picking up trophies and accolades everywhere it goes and believe us, they are all warranted. What Mazda has managed to do with their hit small car is leave no stone unturned: In other words, with the least amount of compromises.
Well done Mazda. You have achieved your goal.
Inside and Out of the 2014 Mazda3
The comparisons between the new Mazda3 and Mazda6 are inevitable and desirable. If the 6 won’t leave dealer lots, the 3 simply won’t stick around long enough. The bottom line here is that both cars are gorgeous.
Our GT tester was clad with the 18” wheels, rear spoiler, and fog lights that all helped to further class up the car.
The class continues onboard where Mazda has also put much effort into making their superstar both attractive and user-friendly. The dashboard’s layout is smart, and styled to today’s demanding consumer tastes. Craftsmanship is beyond good and matches and surpasses what the Germans have made us accustomed to.
In perfect harmony with its surroundings, the seats provide comfort and support all-around and the driving position is excellent. The only failing in the cabin is Mazda’s attempt at giving the owner a little more with the available heads-up display. Although functional, it gives off the impression that it’s nothing more than a cheap parlour trick. We think Mazda should pull it, that simple.
Driving the 2014 Mazda3
And driving we did. Each and every one of us found something to rave about the moment we’d step out of the 3 between car swaps.
SKYACTIV might as well be synonymous with “win” when it comes to powertrain efficiency, performance, and responsiveness. The 6-speed autobox and 4-pot function as one like few others we’ve ever experienced in this segment. The Jetta is a close 2nd but sport mode must be selected. The Mazda3 has no such mode; it’s simply always that way.
Throttle tip-in is met with immediate engine revs and a kickdown from the ‘box and off the car goes. Don’t be thinking this is at the expense of fuel economy as the 2014 3 turns out to be the most frugal of the test.
From there, the chassis makes short work of any and all road surface conditions. Like the Jetta, the 3 evens out rough surfaces with authority and does the same when the banking gets steeper and the corners get sharper. On the latter, the 3 felt better planted to the tarmac than the Jetta.
What we’ve got here is a great car that drives as well as it serves the family.
And here we have it folks: The 2014 Mazda3 is our No. 1 compact car following this comparo test, the winner of the head-to-head with the Corolla, and the recipient of our 2014 Auto123.com Compact Car of the Year award. Truly, this new Mazda3 is nothing short of brilliant.
Mazda’s been very hard at work on its design language, its powertrain technology, as well as the HMI experience for passengers and it is all slowly (not so much perhaps) paying off.
The Mazda3 is picking up trophies and accolades everywhere it goes and believe us, they are all warranted. What Mazda has managed to do with their hit small car is leave no stone unturned: In other words, with the least amount of compromises.
Well done Mazda. You have achieved your goal.
 |
| Photo: Philippe Champoux |
Inside and Out of the 2014 Mazda3
The comparisons between the new Mazda3 and Mazda6 are inevitable and desirable. If the 6 won’t leave dealer lots, the 3 simply won’t stick around long enough. The bottom line here is that both cars are gorgeous.
Our GT tester was clad with the 18” wheels, rear spoiler, and fog lights that all helped to further class up the car.
The class continues onboard where Mazda has also put much effort into making their superstar both attractive and user-friendly. The dashboard’s layout is smart, and styled to today’s demanding consumer tastes. Craftsmanship is beyond good and matches and surpasses what the Germans have made us accustomed to.
In perfect harmony with its surroundings, the seats provide comfort and support all-around and the driving position is excellent. The only failing in the cabin is Mazda’s attempt at giving the owner a little more with the available heads-up display. Although functional, it gives off the impression that it’s nothing more than a cheap parlour trick. We think Mazda should pull it, that simple.
Driving the 2014 Mazda3
And driving we did. Each and every one of us found something to rave about the moment we’d step out of the 3 between car swaps.
SKYACTIV might as well be synonymous with “win” when it comes to powertrain efficiency, performance, and responsiveness. The 6-speed autobox and 4-pot function as one like few others we’ve ever experienced in this segment. The Jetta is a close 2nd but sport mode must be selected. The Mazda3 has no such mode; it’s simply always that way.
Throttle tip-in is met with immediate engine revs and a kickdown from the ‘box and off the car goes. Don’t be thinking this is at the expense of fuel economy as the 2014 3 turns out to be the most frugal of the test.
From there, the chassis makes short work of any and all road surface conditions. Like the Jetta, the 3 evens out rough surfaces with authority and does the same when the banking gets steeper and the corners get sharper. On the latter, the 3 felt better planted to the tarmac than the Jetta.
What we’ve got here is a great car that drives as well as it serves the family.