by Dan Lyons

There’s always a market for cool, small cars. Anything with a low sticker price and a high fun factor will never go wanting for buyers. Mazda seems to know this as well as anybody, and they prove the point again with the latest 3’s. The 3 is available as a four or a five. That is, the Mazda3 is offered this year as a 4-door sedan or 5-door hatchback.

The 3 four has a standard four with standard five, or an optional four with optional four. Meanwhile, the five’s four is standard on the five, along with a standard or optional five. Got it? Let’s review: the Mazda3 4-door is fitted with a 2.0 litre four cylinder engine (150 hp, 135 lb. ft. of torque), with an available 2.3 litre four banger (160 hp, 150 lb. ft. of torque). You shift with a five speed stick or available four speed automatic in the 4-door. The 5-door has the larger four cylinder engine linked to a five speed manual transmission, and if you opt for the automatic, its got five gears too. Either motor gets the job done, and if you like to shift, the manual helps get the most out of your motor. Most out of your mileage, too, though only by a whisker. EPA says a 2.0 with stick will net you 28 mpg’s city/35 highway; 26/34 with the automatic. The 2.3 weighs in with 25/31 stick, 26/32 auto. Drive-wise, the 2.3 gets the edge only because it has a skosh more torque (for better off-the–line response) and it’s a tad smoother. Both engines are notable for what they’re not, which is to say coarse. Many small car motors are fine when putting around town, but step on their tail to merge with traffic and – obscure rock reference ahead – they go all U2 on you. You know, rattle and hum. The Mazda fours are small enough to go easy on gas, but they’ll get out of their own way, and they don’t sound or feel stressed as they go about their business.

Speaking of bidniss, small hatchbacks are all about taking care of it, inside. Most Mazda3 buyers are expected to buy a four door sedan model and if you do, you get 11.4 cubic feet of cargo space in back. However, those who buy a hatchback (and I don’t honestly know why you wouldn’t), have 17.1 cubic feet of take out space, convertible to 31.2 cubic feet if you fold both rear seats forward. Hatches also allow you to organize the cargo bay into upper and lower sections, if you need to keep things separate.

Up front on either body style, the Mazda3’s interior continues the high cool factor that starts on the exterior. Instruments are red-light and housed in long, tube-like binnacles. The three spoke steering wheel is fat and grippy; the gear shift lever is at arm’s length. Controls for everything are easy to find and operate. The glove box is big enough to hold a notebook computer or 16 CD’s. Seats are comfortably supportive and Mazda offers a variety of colors and fabrics inside to customize the cabin. There’s six footer type room up front and it’s even possible to fit like size folks in back, if front row passengers agree to compromise their leg room just a little. In the mood for some moon ‘n tunes? There’s an option package that combines a power moon roof with an in-dash, 6 CD player for $890.

On the road, the Mazda3 is sporty and fun to drive. The 3’s frame is some 40% stiffer than the model it replaces (a.k.a. Protégé). The 3 has the sort of direct steering feel and well planted (fully independent) suspension that you want if you’re hustling a car through twisty roads, and the ride comfort is road trip rated. Mazda3 is front wheel drive, so winter driving here in the Capitol District is not a stretch. Antilock brakes are standard on all models equipped with the 2.3 litre engine; optional (and advisable) elsewhere.

When Mazda rolled out their latest generation 6 series in 2004, the cars (especially the five door) impressed me with their combination of fun and function. Ditto here, as the Mazda3 puts that same philosophy to work in the compact class. I suggest that small car buyers take an especially hard look at the five door. It looks cool, it won’t break the bank, and - thanks to a shot of DNA from its sporty sibling (the MX-5 Miata) - it has a fun to drive feel that sets it apart from the compact competition.

Number and Dollars

2006 Mazda3 S Touring 5-Door

MSRP: $17,615

As tested: $19,065

Drivetrain (as tested)

Engine: 2.3 litre inline four cylinder

Horsepower: 160 hp @ 6,500 rpm

Torque: 150 lb. ft. @ 4,500 rpm

Transmission: 5-speed standard

Weights and Measures

Wheelbase: 103.9" Height: 57.7”

Length: 176.6” Weight: 2,808 lb.

Width: 69.1”

Interior

Head Room: 38.2” f (w/moon roof), 38.3” r Leg Room: 41.9” f, 36.3” r

Trunk: 17.1 – 31.2 cubic feet

Chassis

Suspension: MacPherson strut front, Independent multi-link rear

Brakes: Four wheel disc, ABS

Mileage

EPA city/highway mpg - 26/32

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