Road Test: 2010 Mazda3 GT Sedan

[svgallery name="09_Mazda3"] Story and  by John LeBlanc It's safe to say that Canadians love small cars – one of every four new cars sold here is a compact. Not surprisingly, Honda's Civic has been the best-selling passenger car here since 1998. But in today's economy, yesterday's norms have been thrown out the powered window. When February's sales numbers rolled in, the Mazda3 was numero uno with year-to-date sales, leapfrogging over the second-place Toyota Corolla and third-place Civic. But then in March, the Corolla edged past the Mazda3 into first with 9,812 units sold so far in 2009, versus 9,691. The Civic was again in third at 8,780. In the months to come? Who knows? Even if it was only for one month, knocking off both the Honda and Toyota (nameplates that have been in compact buyers' heads for 36 and 41 years, respectively) is quite an accomplishment. Especially when you consider Mazda did it with the oldest car among this perennial top-selling trio. Until its substantial updates for 2010, the Mazda3 has been on sale in its current form since 2004 – whereas the Civic was all-new in 2006 and the Corolla was updated just last year. Replacing the Protegé in Mazda's lineup in 2004, the original 3 was seen as a big leap forward for the then-Ford-owned Japanese brand. In a segment where generic styling, tepid handling, lifeless steering and cattle-class interiors was the benchmark, one of the big revelations with the first Mazda3 was its class-climbing driving experience. The first Mazda3 sedan and five-door Sport hatchback models shared a global Ford platform that also produced the more upscale Volvo S40/V50 and European Ford Focus. They stood out in the competitive and crowded economy car ranks for their athletic chassis, clean-cut styling and an attractive, nicely finished interior that wouldn't look out of place in a car costing $10,000 more, even on the sub-$15,000 base models. For 2010, though, has Mazda kept the spirit of the original Mazda3 alive? Or has it chased big sales numbers by dumbing down the first models' appeal to driving enthusiasts? From a pricing standpoint, the five-passenger front-drive Mazda3 is still right in the thick of it. You can get a Mazda3 GX sedan for $15,995. Or for $1,000 more, the Canadian-exclusive Sport GX five-door hatchback. Both come with a 148 hp 2.0-litre four-cylinder and a five-speed manual. Mazda says 75 per cent of Mazda3 customers choose the sedan over the five-door and 65 per cent automatic versus manual transmissions. So it was appropriate that our 2010 tester was a Mazda3 GT with the optional five-speed slushbox. Distinguished by its dual-exhaust pipes out back and slightly different grille work up front, the sportier $22,595 Mazda3 GT Sedan receives the 167 hp 2.5 L four-banger from the mid-size Mazda6. Traction and stability controls and an upgraded stereo also come with the GT badge, as well as a six-speed manual transmission. With the $1,200 five-speed automatic, my Mazda3 GT sedan tester totalled $23,795. That's competitive with a similarly equipped $23,810 Corolla XRS. But the Civic Sedan Si (with no available autobox) will set you back $26,880. While the Mazda's Japanese rivals may be more popular on the sales charts, it's Volkswagen's Jetta that Mazda has always had its sights set on. Yet a Jetta 2.5 Sport package, at $24,875, still makes the Mazda look like a good deal. And not to put too fine a point on it, but the new Mazda3 eats the Jetta's lunch as a budget BMW. The Mazda3's platform and interior remain much the same, but upgrades for the 2010 generation include a larger displacement engine, stiffer chassis, refined suspension and new exterior styling. From the first onramp to the final set of S-turns during a sunny Sunday morning back roads jaunt, it's clear that the 2010 Mazda3 GT has spent some quality time in the chassis department. New shocks and anti-roll bars give the 2010 GT even more body control than the already sporty outgoing model. Its electro-hydraulic steering is now bolted to the chassis in three instead of two spots for an even tighter feel over pockmarked roads. Throw in a body structure that's been buffed at the gym, and the 2010 Mazda3 comes across as a more mature, refined and sophisticated sports sedan than the already athletic 2004-2009 version. In a straight line, however, the new Mazda is less the class valedictorian. Its mid-eight-second run from 0-to-100 km/h is only the equal of the Corolla XRS and Jetta 2.5. Even if you choose the manual gearbox in the Mazda3 GT, the Civic Si (with 30 more horsepower) enjoys a 0.75 second advantage. Based on its popularity, Canadians seem ready to ignore the old Mazda3's relatively weak fuel economy ratings. The 2010 model continues that ignominy. Where the Corolla is the most miserly, rated at 7.4 L/100 km city (38 m.p.g.), 5.6 L/100 km hwy. (50 m.p.g.), the Mazda3 GT posts 9.2 and 6.8 L/100 km (31 and 41 m.p.g.). Even the Mazda3's less powerful mill can't beat the Corolla here. Only the VW, at 10.5 L/100 km city and 7.2 L/100 km hwy. (27 and 39 m.p.g.), is thirstier. Meanwhile, those with sensitive tushes may not like the Mazda's taut ride. And road noise still creeps into its cabin a bit more than its rivals. If you want a softer, quieter ride, in a more miserly compact sedan, go buy a Corolla. As mentioned, the new Mazda3's cockpit is almost unchanged. Dimensionally, the Mazda is generous in shoulder room, but tight in rear hip room. Trunk room is competitive at 335 litres, but the Jetta is the elephant here with about 50 per cent more space. Then there's the new Mazda's exterior styling. Whereas the original was a relatively crisp, clean unfettered look, the 2010 model is a beauty-is-in-the-eye-of-the-beholder deal. A team of Peugeot designers moonlighting for Mazda is the only rational explanation for its new gaping maw front end. But you can't see most of the 2010 Mazda3 GT's sheet metal from the driver's seat, right. And from that perch, the updates make it more rewarding to drive. Things move fast in the industry, so expect the sales rankings of the Mazda3 and its competitors to change frequently. As a sports sedan on a budget, though, the improvements for 2010 only strengthen the Mazda compact's best-in-class status.

2010 MAZDA3

PRICE: (base/as tested) $15,995/$23,795

ENGINE: 2.5 L I4

POWER/TORQUE: 167 hp/168 lb.-ft.

FUEL CONSUMPTION: City 9.2 L/100 km (31 mpg); hwy. 6.8 L/100 km (41 mpg); as tested 8.7 L/100 km (32 mpg)

COMPETITION: Honda Civic Sedan Si, Toyota Corolla XRS, Volkswagen Jetta 2.5 Sport

WHAT'S BEST: BMW-on-a-budget driving experience, upscale interior

WHAT'S WORST: Road noise, firm ride, tight back seat, fuel economy

WHAT'S INTERESTING: Mazda3 is more than 40 per cent of Mazda's worldwide sales

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