Acceleration

i Touring, man.	i Touring, auto.	s Touring, auto.	s hatch, man.	Class Average
5	4	5	6	4.4

Base i sedans are OK around town, but lack midrange punch, especially with automatic transmission. Peppier s models have better performance overall; test manual-transmission hatchback did 8.0 sec 0-60 mph. Even so, passing on two-lane roads requires planning. Automatic smooth, responsive. Sporty manual has precise, easy shift/clutch action.

Fuel Economy

i Touring, man.	i Touring, auto.	s Touring, auto.	s hatch, man.	Class Average
6	6	6	6	6.7

Test manual-transmission s sedan averaged 27.1 mpg in mainly highway driving; a hatchback averaged 20.8 with more city use and gas-eating performance tests. No opportunity yet to measure i models.

Ride Quality

i Touring, man.	i Touring, auto.	s Touring, auto.	s hatch, man.	Class Average
5	5	5	5	4.9

All 3s have firm suspensions, show good composure except on largest high-speed dips and swells. Impact harshness increases with wheel size; 17-inch tires on S models register some sharp bumps, but ride is never punishing.

Steering/Handling/Braking

i Touring, man.	i Touring, auto.	s Touring, auto.	s hatch, man.	Class Average
6	6	7	7	5.6

Among the best-handling compacts: nimble and balanced, helped by precise, linear steering with good road feel. Excellent directional stability. Braking stable, but be sure to get ABS.

Quietness

i Touring, man.	i Touring, auto.	s Touring, auto.	s hatch, man.	Class Average
4	4	5	4	4.2

Road noise noticed more in hatchbacks than sedans, but isn't intrusive for the class. Same for highway wind rush. Engines get loud at full throttle and aren't that quiet in gentle cruising.

Controls

i Touring, man.	i Touring, auto.	s Touring, auto.	s hatch, man.	Class Average
7	7	7	7	5.9

Gauges recessed, have overstyled graphics, which hampers readability. Dashboard night lighting a bit dim on one test car. Most controls simple and handy, but some testers say climate switches are a stretch, stereo layout a bit confusing. Available navigation system fairly easy to use and a rare feature in this class. Cabin decor shows upscale flair, but some materials have slightly low-buck look and feel.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

i Touring, man.	i Touring, auto.	s Touring, auto.	s hatch, man.	Class Average
5	5	5	5	5.5

Fine six-footer head and leg room, though taller drivers may want more of both. Standard tilt/telescope steering wheel aids positioning in all models. Chair-height seats provide fine comfort, support.

Room/Comfort (rear)

i Touring, man.	i Touring, auto.	s Touring, auto.	s hatch, man.	Class Average
4	4	4	4	3.9

Leg room tight with front seats pushed more than halfway back. Fine toe room under front seats in both body styles. Head room ample in hatchbacks, but taller passengers will want more clearance in sedans.

Cargo Room

i Touring, man.	i Touring, auto.	s Touring, auto.	s hatch, man.	Class Average
2	2	2	7	4.7

Sedan's trunk is a bit small but useful, with low liftover and sufficient height. More versatile hatchback includes handy rear cargo organizer. All 3s have 60/40 split rear seatbacks that fold almost flat. Interior storage just OK, despite extra-large dashboard glovebox.

Value within Class

i Touring, man.	i Touring, auto.	s Touring, auto.	s hatch, man.	Class Average
10	9	9	10	6.2

Though not the quickest-accelerating compact cars, Mazda 3s excel for sporty driving fun. They also deliver solid build quality and a pleasant, efficient interior package. Add in competitive pricing, and you have a worthy Best Buy.

Total Score

i Touring, man.	i Touring, auto.	s Touring, auto.	s hatch, man.	Class Average
54	52	55	61	52

Scores for all Compact Cars

Low Score		37
Average Score		52
High Score		64