Still smiling...
On the road, the 2010 Mazda3 will keep the smile on anyone's face. This car is so much fun to drive. For such an entry-level product, the dynamics are outstanding.

I found this mill pretty lively yet very flexible.

The 167-horsepower, 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine under the hood is borrowed from the Mazda6. Therefore, if it can move a midsize family sedan, it surely works wonders with a compact four-door. I found this mill pretty lively yet very flexible.

There are only two little black marks: noise and fuel consumption. It's not so much that the engine is loud; it's just that the cabin lacks soundproofing. As for the latter complaint, I can only blame the good old brick that's my right foot! In normal conditions, the Mazda3 can easily average a little over 7.5 liters per 100 kilometers, which is quite commendable. Problem is, the car is so entertaining on the road that you always feel the urge to push it a bit closer to the limit. As a result, fuel consumption rises to 10-12 liters per 100 kilometers.

Sure, you can ease off the throttle, but expect the fun factor to drop accordingly! That said, every other technical element of the 3 is geared toward dynamic driving, including the delightfully-precise, six-speed manual transmission. Meanwhile, the brakes offer a nice feel and predictable stops. The steering is ultra-sharp and largely contributes to the driving excitement. The suspension is properly dialed and remains firm enough in corners. Overall, the Mazda3 is pleasantly responsive and docile at all times.

Competition
The compact sedan segment is one of the most crowded and arguably the most popular of all. Direct competitors of the Mazda3 GT with GT-E Package ($27,180) include the Honda Civic EX-L ($23,480), Hyundai Elantra Limited ($23,795), Mitsubishi Lancer GTS ($22,998), Saturn Astra XR ($21,425), Subaru Impreza 2.5i Sport ($24,695), Toyota Corolla XRS ($22,250) and Volkswagen Rabbit Comfortline ($21,950).

Wrap-up
The 2010 Mazda3 GT is an accomplished little car offering distinctive styling and driving dynamics. Despite its entry-level compact sedan status, people turn their heads as if it were a Ferrari. This shows you how much value and appeal the new 3 has. In fact, it produces so many smiles that doctors could prescribe it as an antidepressant.

From my standpoint, the new model is a smile-inducing success, with innovation and modern cues aplenty.

Photo Credit : Matthieu Lambert