Mazda claims that every vehicle it builds has the soul of a sports car. While that may be a bit overstated, the Mazda 3 is a fine handling vehicle. The feel is firm and composed, with moderate lean in turns. The steering is sharp and precise, and the driver feels connected to the road.The suspension on the base models deals well with most bumps. Larger ruts, however, can feel harsh, especially with the s model's 17-inch wheels.
The brakes on both models have a linear pedal feel. The Mazda 3s has larger brakes and we prefer the additional confidence of larger binders.
The Mazda 3i model's 2.0-liter engine carries over from 2009. The engine produces 148 horsepower, which will be adequate for most needs. Drivers can get the most out of this engine with the standard manual transmission. New for 2010, however, is the optional five-speed automatic transmission that replaces the previous four-speed automatic, and the extra gearing improves the reponsiveness of the 2.0-liter.
The best news is the base engine's fuel economy, which comes in at an EPA-rated 25 mpg City/33 mpg Highway with the manual and 24/33 mpg with the automatic.