Mazda3 review

Fun to drive, fuel-efficient, and affordable—that's an inviting combo that can be hard to find in one car. But it perfectly sums up the redesigned-for-2014 Mazda3. It has long been a small-car favorite among our testers, and the agile handling and precise steering of this revamped model make it one of the most enjoyable compacts to drive. It's right up there with the Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf for the highest fun factor in the class.

We tested two versions: a sedan equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission and a hatchback with a six-speed manual. Both were powered by a 155-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, which provided ample power and excellent fuel economy of 33 mpg overall for the sedan and 32 for the hatch. That's better gas mileage than you'll get in any other compact car, or even a subcompact, without spending more for a hybrid or diesel. And with the 2.0-liter's spirited performance, we see little reason to go for the optional 184-hp, 2.5-liter four, which is livelier but gets 2 mpg less, according to EPA estimates.

Both engines carry Mazda's Skyactiv designation, which means they use direct fuel injection and a high compression ratio to help improve fuel efficiency. And our results back that up. On the highway, we got an amazing 45 mpg with the automatic transmission and an impressive 41 with the manual; that's similar to a diesel car. Moreover, the automatic delivers quick, smooth shifts, and the manual is crisp and precise. In fact, driving the manual car reminded us of the Mazda3's ultra-fun corporate cousin, the MX-5 Miata roadster.

Safety is another area in which the Mazda3 excels. In addition to getting an excellent overall rating in our accident-avoidance tests, it has earned top-notch crash-test scores from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, including in the new frontal small-overlap test, which has plagued several of its competitors. In addition, the 3 offers a number of advanced electronic safety systems that aren't typical in this class, including blind-spot monitoring, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and city-braking assist (which helps prevent rear-end collisions).

One downside is ride comfort, which takes a backseat to the car's sporty handling. It's quite taut and provides a decent level of isolation, but the ride can be a bit jumpy. In addition, the cabin lets in a fair amount of noise, with road rumble and wind noise at highway speeds competing with normal conversation.

Inside, the front seats are supportive and well-shaped. Most drivers will find adequate space, although shorter drivers may want to sit up higher for a better view out. The manual telescoping steering wheel provides a generous range of adjustment.

With large front and side windows, visibility is relatively good, although thick rear roof pillars and a small rear window in the hatchback limit rearward visibility. A backup camera comes only with the uplevel Mazda Connect infotainment system, which is standard on Grand Touring and optional on Touring models.

Rear-seat room is adequate but is not among the best in the class. Leg room is a bit tight, and taller adults will run short on head room, especially in the hatchback. The seat is too narrow for three adults to fit comfortably.

The Mazda Connect system has a large in-dash screen and handy connectivity features, although the multifunction control knob takes getting used to. It's easy to pair a phone via Bluetooth, and it quickly reconnects each time you get into the car. You can stream music from Aha, Pandora, and Stitcher by selecting one on the screen or by speaking the name for the voice-command system, and it will initiate the app on your mobile device. The radio in the Touring version requires a long reach.

Visit our 2014 Autos Spotlight special section to find our Top Picks 2014 as well as details on the best and worst new cars and best and worst used cars.

The previous Mazda3 has had consistently above-average reliability, and we expect the same from this new model.

Best version to buy. Skip the basic SV and Sport versions and go for the Touring trim or higher to get standard blind-spot monitoring. Also stick with the 2.0-liter engine, which provides adequate pep and better gas mileage. And with such a good manual shifter, it's almost worth learning to drive a stick, if necessary. Although it's more complex, we'd go for the Mazda Connect system for its added connectivity capabilities. Many of our staff members said that our 3i Grand Touring hatchback, with the manual, was a perfect blend of sportiness and practicality, and exactly the version they'd buy.