Better than: Toyota Carolla
But not as good as: Mazdaspeed3
GRM Bang For The Buck Index: 73.11
Mazda's small cars have grown up. Yesterday's R100 and GLC have given way to the recently redone Mazda3. The Mazda3 got a new look for 2010 plus a wider, lighter, longer chassis.
We got to test the Mazda3 s Sport. It gets the 2.5-liter four--which replaces the old 2.3--plus a six-speed manual transmission and 17-inch alloy wheels. Navigation, rain-sensing windshield wipers and electroluminescent gauges are also part of the package.
Mazda's small car has grown up into a car that's not so small. That's good if you have to cart around a family, but not so good if you're looking for a small, tossable sedan.
Our particular test car gets props for having a six-speed manual box, though. It's smooth and does what you'd want. The rest of the car is more Altima than Cooper, though.
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