Mazda 3 Grand Touring Part 3: Performance

If you'd like to know the reason behind the new Mazda 3's unavoidable smile, all you have to do is get in, buckle up and take it for a ride. But be warned, the knowing smirk plastered on the face of the new 3 will soon make its way to your face too, as you discover how much fun the Mazda 3 has to offer.

At the risk of sounding as if I'm on Mazda's payroll - trust me, I'm not - this new Mazda 3 really does embody the company's Zoom-Zoom philosophy. I know, I know, I said that about the last Mazda I tested, but it's true. This thing is really fun to drive, and I gotta tell you, I didn't expect that to be the case.

Partially responsible for the fun is what sits behind that prominent grille opening. At 2.5-liters, the engine in the Mazda 3 is rather large for a four-cylinder, which results in a nice flat torque curve that moves the car along quite well. In fact, the 3 feels quicker than its 167 horsepower would suggest, thanks to its engine's torquey nature.

But it's really the car's light-on-its-toes demeanor that will win you over. Probably the same thing Mazda refers to as Zoom-Zoom, the new 3 has an eagerness to its moves that translates into sharp, responsive and confidence-inspiring handling. In fact, if our Mazda 3 test car hadn't been hampered by its all-season tires, the handling surely would have been even more impressive. And for all its handling fun, the ride is still surprisingly comfortable and complaint. A true win-win scenario.

The only weak points of the 3's performance are the six-speed manual transmission's somewhat vague shifter and the car's tendency to wander around under hard braking. It's never exactly unstable - as the stability control system wouldn't have that - but it doesn't inspire the same secure feeling you get from the rest of the car's performance. Blame the fact that 61 percent of the car's mass sits over the front axle - and that's before you get on the brakes hard. Still, it must be said that the 3 never missteps, feeling fun rather than scary.

The most surprising aspect of the Mazda 3's repertoire, however, remains its premium feel. This thing doesn't seem like an economy car, or an entry-level car, or anything of the sort. It feels like a premium car that could have been made by a manufacturer somewhere in Germany. And I don't mean that as a backhanded compliment, after all, there are plenty of great cars made in Japan. The 3 just somehow feels very European in its moves.

Which left me with one reoccurring thought: I really can't wait to try out the Mazdaspeed version!

Get behind the wheel of this new Mazda 3 and prepare to understand what that big ol' grin is all about. But be warned, its smile is contagious.

Watch the video
Read Part 1: Design
Read Part 2: Interior & User Experience

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