Mazda 3

The true beauty of Mazda’s redesigned 2010 MAZDA3 5-door is that it doesn’t pretend to be anything that it’s not. Fortunately, the company’s latest achievement is versatile enough to be just about anything.

In Sport and Grand Touring trims, the 2010 MAZDA3’s recent redesign is nothing short of dramatic. Bold and exaggerated, sleek and stylish, the newest 3 is more athletic, more appealing and more downright unmistakable than its immensely popular predecessor. Five-door models take the redesign to an exciting new level, ushering in a new era in modern hatchback style.

In keeping with its company mantra, Mazda sculpted its newest hatchback to convey an overwhelming sense of driving enjoyment, a concept that is brilliantly reflected in the five-point, black mesh grille that characterizes the vehicle’s front end. The 3’s gaping grille creates an oversized, mischievous grin that, in a certain light, suggests that the vehicle may be up to something. Available self-leveling bi-xenon high-intensity headlamps slice into either side of the grille, giving eyes to the MAZDA3’s distinctive face.

Lines on the 5-door are sleek and modern. Like strokes of a brush, they sweep elegantly from front to back, pouring over the attractive 17-inch alloys and tapering off at the vehicle’s edgy rear spoiler. The hatchback’s rear end bulges, and features the sleek wrapping of a set of available LED taillights stretched over the versatile liftgate. Subtle features like dual chrome exhaust and optional low-mounted foglights dot the MAZDA3’s aerodynamic surface.

The new 3 drives as fun as it looks. Beneath the hood, Mazda’s latest houses a standard 2.5-liter DOHC four-cylinder engine that generates a spirited 167 hp and 168 lb/ft of torque through a new six-speed manual or available five-speed automatic sport transmission. Advanced variable valve timing helps the hatchback’s powerplant deliver responsive power and throttle control without sacrificing fuel economy (up to 29 mpg).

Mazda’s MacPherson strut front and independent multi-link rear suspension system works brilliantly with the rack-and-pinion steering system to provide pinpoint, aggressive control like never before. More than any other vehicle in its class, the MAZDA3 is a driver’s dream, combining exciting acceleration with tight, responsive handling. Advanced dynamic stability and traction control systems, as well as standard antilock brakes, harness that power into something confident, controllable and eminently enjoyable.

Inside, the 5-door’s cabin is surprisingly sophisticated for a vehicle so fixated on fun. Though unmistakably driver-oriented, the cockpit features substantive style and comfort for all. The oversized electroluminescent gauges, subtle, athletic blue welcome lighting and exceptionally contemporary dash design brilliantly complement the boldly redesigned exterior, and create an attractive and functional cabin. In addition to supplying innovative storage options throughout the cabin and flat-folding rear seats, Mazda’s 5-door with its cavernous rear cargo area envelops upward of 17 cubic feet of gear.

The seats themselves are bolstered and comfortable, and the leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearshift have been intuitively repositioned for enhanced comfort. Climate and audio interfaces compose the MAZDA3’s sleek center stack while steering wheel-mounted buttons place all controls within easy reach. The newest Mazda features the incomparable sound of an available 10-speaker Bose Centerpoint® surround-sound audio system, as well as an accompanying Bluetooth hands-free communication interface. Instead of a distracting, oversized navigation screen embedded in the stack, the MAZDA3 subtly integrates its optional system high on the dash, more in-tune with the driver’s natural line of sight.

For safety, in addition to its intelligent lighting setup, advanced steering and braking systems and driver-oriented cockpit, the MAZDA3 employs everything from active front headrests to three-point safety belts to front, side and newly-expanded side-curtain airbags. The body itself has been reinforced and intelligently engineered with innovative support beams and collapsible crumple zones.

The versatile new 2010 MAZDA3 5-door features an exceptionally affordable starting MSRP of $20,290. No wonder it’s grinning.