The brakes consist of 4 wheel discs which use ABS and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution. The latter helps maintain control in emergency stopping situations by enhancing the ABS function to provide stopping power to the wheels according to exactly how much each one needs. This is very useful, for instance, if your rear seat is folded down and you are transporting something very heavy in the back which would otherwise throw the balance of the car off. On bare pavement, the grip offered by the 17 inch tires was more than enough to stop the car in a real hurry without needing the ABS function. Total stopping power was more than adequate- I was impressed at how well the 3 brushed off its speed. The suspension works well with the brakes, an initial dive in the front end when stopping hard, followed by precise, consistent response to any further inputs means that the 3 drivers can go from zoom-zoom to total stop with complete confidence, even in adverse conditions.

(Photo: Justin Pritchard, Auto123.com)

So this 3 marks off all the checkboxes for performance, attitude, looks, usability and fun. Even with all this fun, the 3 attains a respectable 42 miles per gallon on the highway when equipped with the manual gearbox. You can drive with confidence while covered with a competitive 100,000 km powertrain warranty. As far as a 5 door vehicle in this price range goes, there is still one more question: Can you take it camping? The answer is yes- the 3 gladly accepted a weekends worth of camping gear with 3 of the seats still upright. I didn't pack a tent though, because once the rear seats are down, simply throwing a pillow and sleeping bag in the rear provides a dew free sleeping space with no need for pegs or zippers, albeit slightly cramped for my nearly 6 feet tall. Just don't forget to set the parking brake.

Mazda has created a gutsy, inexpensive hatchback that does interesting tricks with its features and seating, handles like a smaller car, stops in a real hurry, and has interior refinement and quietness comparable to a luxury wagon. Its engine is powerful but a little shy, it has competitive warranty coverage and an impressive resume of international achievements. Graduates in the past 4 years can even save an additional $500 off the purchase price. Add to all of this the grin-inducing zoom-zoom treatment in styling and attitude, and you'll agree that the 3 does a great job as a usable 5 door hatchback, a sports car and a luxury wagon all at once. It also makes a very stylish tent.