s Grand Touring 4dr Sedan
2014 Mazda Mazda3

While that fundamental objective dominated every element of the new Mazda3's development, the design and engineering team was also challenged to give the car contemporary good looks that would stand out from the herd, and also imbue it with a high fun-to-drive index, sustaining Mazda's zoom-zoom image ethos.

Based on substantial drive time with several models in more than one venue, we'd say Mazda has achieved most of its goals. But perhaps not all.

Basics: New from floor pan to roof, the 2014 Mazda3 is roomier than the previous generation. Overall length (180.3 inches for the formal sedan, 175.6 for the hatchback) has actually shrunk slightly, and height is down just over a half inch, to 57.3 inches. But at 70.7 inches, the new car is 1.6 inches wider and that, plus a 2.4-inch wheelbase stretch, adds up to increased interior volume, particularly in the rear seat. For contrast, the Mazda3 sedan is bigger in every dimension than the Honda Civic four-door.

Bigger is only part of the story. Mazda claims a 30 percent increase in torsional rigidity for the unibody, an impressive improvement since the previous generation was noteworthy in terms of its chassis stiffness (and consequent agile handling). Even more impressive, Mazda also claims reduced curb weights, 60 to 100 pounds, depending on body style and trim levels.

The styling that surrounds these roomy interiors echoes the new Mazda6, crisp and eye-catching, with distinctive character creases in the body side sheetmetal, and, mercifully, a new grille, replacing the ugly plastic smile that afflicted the previous generation. The hatchback is the more appealing of the two body styles, to our eye, but the designers have managed to make the sedan stand out, too, which isn't always true in the compact class.

Inside, the Mazda3's redesign is readily visible in new instrument clusters (they vary, becoming fancier in higher trim levels), a new dashboard with improved secondary controls in the center stack, and upgraded materials, even in the basic i SV model. Forward sightlines are better than average, the front seats are sporty and supportive, and of course there's an array of available infotainment features.

As with the 2013 version, the 2014 Mazda3 has two engine options, both four-cylinders, both naturally aspirated, both with direct fuel injection: a 2.0-liter (standard) and 2.5-liter. The 2.0-liter's output is essentially unchanged, although the torque peak occurs much earlier in the rpm range, whereas power from the 2.5-liter is increased in the 2014 Mazda3 by 17 horsepower and 17 pound-feet of torque.

The 2.0-liter engine is the line's fuel economy champ when paired with the optional 6-speed …
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