Mazda 3 Grand Touring Part 2: Interior & User Experience

The exterior design of the new Mazda 3 is sure to get people talking. With a mouth big enough to rival that of Mick Jagger - or maybe even Rosie O'Donnell, depending on how you look at it - the 3 will probably polarize opinions on the outside. Once you step inside however, there's not much to argue about, as the new 3 has taken the compact class and gone premium.

The Mazda 3 is known as the Axela in the Japanese domestic market. It's based on the C1 platform shared with the European Ford Focus as well as several Volvo Models. So its premium feel shouldn't really be so surprising.

Still, the new 3 offers features you wouldn't expect to find in a compact car. From illuminated door-handles and foot-wells that greet you as you enter the cabin, to a tilting and telescoping steering column, heated seats and dual zone climate control system - it's all there to ensure you find yourself completely comfortable.

Wrap your hands around the leather-covered, multi-function steering wheel and the premium-car first impression is joined by a sporty feeling that invites you to find out what the Mazda 3's smiling about. The sporty theme continues as the six-speed manual's shifter falls right to hand, consistent with the excellent ergonomics of the cabin. And although the shifter is similar to that of the Mazdaspeed3 we tested last year, it can be a bit vague when you try to hustle it through the gears.

Contributing to the sporty feel are the excellent seats of the 3, which are supportive and well bolstered. They're also pretty comfortable for most trips, although extended time in them will leave you wanting some extra lumbar support.

The well bolstered, body-hugging seats are part of the Grand Touring model's many features. One of those features - the optional Technology Package - includes a navigation system with a screen that is disappointingly small and can only be operated from the steering wheel. On the plus side, it is easy to read, as your eyes aren't diverted too far from straight-ahead thanks to its position high on top of the dash. Additionally, Mazda claims that its small size means it will be significantly less expensive than most nav systems from other manufacturers, with its price comparable to that of a Tom-Tom or Garmin portable system.

While there's a lot of content in the interior - navigation, Bluetooth, keyless ignition and more - the design isn't exactly inspiring. There's a two-tier design to the dash, but it doesn't work as well as the similar design of Honda's Civic.

Part of Mazda's Human-Machine Interface concept, the dash sweeps up from the center console and turns toward the driver's side, presenting the Multi-Information Display screen and the navigation screen on the top tier. It works well, delivering the necessary information to the driver, but the design seems a bit unfinished with some vacant real estate just beyond the hooded primary gauges.

Overall there's not much to fault however, as the initial premium feel is backed up by great build quality, a handsome mix of finishes and soft-touch materials - both leather and plastics - where appropriate. With tons of added content increasing its already great value proposition, Mazda has taken an excellent compact car and improved it in every single way. In the process, the Mazda 3 has turned into a near-premium product that will surely win over anyone who steps inside its well-equipped cabin. Now that's progress.

Watch the video
Read Part 1: Design
Read Part 3: Performance

2010 Mazda3 s Grand Touring

Performance
- Acceleration: Large, four-cylinder endowed with flat torque curve resulting in peppy pick-up - six ratios in the gearbox help
- Handling: Great ride and handling balance - much more fun that you'd expect, with adjustable attitude - Mazdaspeed version should be incredibly good!
- Braking: Huge front weight bias makes for an entertaining panic stopper! Stability control system keeps any fears at bay

Design
- Exterior: Happy to see me much? MASSIVE grin is only contagious once you've driven the car, but at least it doesn't look boring - five-door hatchback is much, much better
- Interior: Not as big a departure as the exterior, but still nice - Honda Civic does the two-tier design theme better, though

Utility
- Comfort: Excellent ride and every convenience feature you wouldn't expect in this class! - seats lack lumbar support, but have loads of lateral support
- Space: Great up front, decent in back and in trunk - again, the hatchback does it better

Safety
- Dynamics: Perhaps playful character is too much for evasive maneuvering - but then again, stability control system allows both fun and safety... way to go Mazda!
- Technology: Everything you'd expect and then some

Value
- Price: Hard to believe you get this much car and content for this little money - truly one of the new-car bargains on the market
- Mileage: Quite decent, but big displacement (relatively speaking, of course) means you gotta keep your foot out of it... actually, that's always the case, isn't it?

Emotional Appeal
- Heart thumpin' factor: As good as it is, we'll reserve that for the Mazdaspeed version
- Fun to spank: Surprisingly fun to drive, if not flat out spank - bring on the Mazdaspeed3!

SPECIFICATIONS

Layout: Front engine / Front-wheel drive
Engine: 2.5-liter, Inline-4
Power (SAE): 167 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque: 168 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
Gearbox: 6-speed manual
Curb Weight: 3005 lbs.
0-60 mph: 7.5 sec.
Top Speed: 117 mph (electronically limited)
Mileage: 21 city / 29 highway
Base Price: $22,170
Competitors: Honda Civic, Nissan Sentra, Toyota Corolla, Ford Focus, Chevrolet Cobalt