A good friend under the hood
The Mazda3 continues to rely on the good old 2.0-liter, 16-valve, 4-cylinder engine introduced in 2004. With 148 horsepower on tap, my tester's was mated to the optional 4-speed automatic transmission ($1,000). This powertrain delivers a commendable performance for a city-oriented sedan, allowing you to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in a little over 10 seconds. It's one of the most powerful engines in the entry-level compact segment (along with the Lancer's and Cobalt's).

This flexible 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine delivers a commendable performance for a city-oriented sedan.

This autobox features a convenient manual mode that allows sportier driving from time to time by taking advantage of the engine's flexibility. That said, the standard 5-speed manual gearbox is precise and benefits from nicely-spaced gear ratios. Purists will be happy.

The 2008.5 Mazda3 also offers a precise steering and a quality ride. The suspension settings allow superb balance and driving dynamics. And the sporty feel is undeniable. The four-wheel disc brakes are easy to modulate, which only adds to the driving experience. Of course, we're far from the high-performance Mazdaspeed3, but at least the Mazda3 GS keeps the dream alive...


Photo Credit : Luc Gagné