Welterweights, Pt 6

Well, here we are. 1st place. I'll bet you're dying to know what it is.

1st Place: Mazda3


I know what you're thinking. "WHY SO SERIOUS?" Joker grin aside, this little car has enough going for it to put a grin on your face.

For starters, let's talk about this car's pedigree. Mazda is one of the few car companies out there that makes its mission to have every car it makes be fun to drive. Not just the sport models. Every.
Car.
This is where their "Zoom Zoom" philosophy comes from, and if you make that big of a claim, you better be able to back it up. And this little car is key to doing that.

First, let's talk engines: buyers have a choice of a 2.0 I4 with 148 horsepower, their new 2.0 liter Skyactiv system (more on that later) with 155 horsepower, a 2.5Liter I4 at 164 horsepower, and for the crazies, you have the Mazdaspeed3,with a turbocharged 2.3 liter I4 good for a whopping 263 horsepower. Transmissions are also varied, with five speed autos and manuals for the regular 2.0 liter and 2.5, while the Skyactiv engines and the supercharged 2.3 come with a six speeds.
In all versions, the suspension is firm without being harsh, and cornering offers very little body roll. At all speeds the car feels planted, with no dead spot on steering. Turn in can be aggressive for those not used to it, but that's good for a pocket sized driver's car.

Pricing is right on the money too. You can have one for as little as $15,200, which is spartan, but comes with plenty of spunk. At the high end, you'll run about $25,000, and there you have the choice of either the high end trim (Grand Touring) or you can get yourself a Mazdaspeed3. Both levels are nicely appointed.

You can have the car as either a sedan or a hatchback (though the Mazdaspeed3 is hatchback only). It should be noted that the hatchback starts off at about $19k, although at that level the base engine is the Skyactiv or the 2.5 liter. Plus it has more starting features, such as Bluetooth.

By now, you're probably wondering what this Skyactiv stuff is all about.

Essentially, it's Mazda's new approach to having not only fuel efficient cars, but fun ones as well. The 2012 Mazda3 is the first of Mazda's cars to implement these initiatives in a mid cycle refresh. (The first full Skyactiv Mazda is their brand new CX-5, which you can see photos of in my earlier post at the Silicon Valley Auto Show). What does this mean for the Mazda3?
40 mpg, ladies and gentlemen. Now you can have your cake and eat it too.


The weak points? Well, the interior is plastic-y, and while the steering wheel buttons are easy to get to, they are a little small. At some of the lower trims, the materials feel a little cheap. Plus, the rear passenger leg-room isn't much unless you're a kid.

And a lot of you are probably still staring in disbelief at that goofy grin on the front.

But when you're talking about entertainment value for your money, and having a car that will last you a long while, look no further.

Driver's Pick: Any of them, really, but if you can, shell out the extra cash for one of the Skyactiv engines.