For 2014, the Mazda3 loses its smiley face but improves upon its Zoom Zoom heritage

The Mazda3

In the dictionary next to the definition of "sporty hatchback" there should be a picture of the Mazda3 as it has nearly managed to erase, at least in my mind, the memories of the very first hatchbacks that came to market here in the U.S. - those hideous and best-forgotten 70's-era econoboxes.

2014 Mazda Mazda3 hatchback

Having said that and like many car enthusiasts who have a penchant for affordable, nice-handling cars, I have a soft spot for the Mazda brand as evidenced by the 2005 model in my garage.
2014 Mazda Mazda3 hatchback
I bought it because my oldest daughter was learning to drive and, due to physical issues, was unable to use a manual transmission. While I lost much of the entertainment value of my manually-equipped previous vehicle, the Mazda3 surprised me in a number of ways.

For one, expressway driving netted between 35 and 37 mpg, while around-town driving averaged in the high 20s.Secondly, even sans a manual tranny, it's still one of the most entertaining small sedans I have ever driven.
2014 Mazda Mazda3 sedan
2014 Mazda Mazda3

I might have considered trading it in when the second-gen model was introduced in 2009, but despite all its goodness I just couldn't get past its "Nagare" styling.
2014 Mazda Mazda3 sedan
But the Mazda faithful can now breathe a collective sigh of relief as the newest 3 follows the company's new "Kodo" design language and is every bit as compelling as its big brother, the Mazda6. Earlier this month I was able to garner a brief amount of seat time in a 3i hatchback and 3i sedan – both manuals. Here is what I came away with:

Having severed its ties with Ford, the 2014 Mazda3 is a complete re-design from the ground up. As such, both models ride on a 2.4-inch longer wheelbase and are wider by over an inch and a half. Despite the increase in wheelbase, both the sedan and hatchback are shorter overall – the four-door by half an inch and the five-door by 1.8 inches.
2014 Mazda Mazda3 hatchback
Engines

For 2014, two engine choices will be offered, both featuring Mazda's SKYACTIV suite of technologies that include direct injection, variable valve timing and a 13.0:1 compression ratio. The larger of the two is an all-new SKYACTIV-G 2.5-liter engine the produces 184 horsepower and 185 lb.-ft. of torque.

As our test vehicles were both equipped with 6-speed manuals, not yet available on the 2.5-liter unit, both were powered by a carryover SKYACTIV-G 2.0-liter engine generating 155 horsepower and 150 lb.-ft. of torque. I should also point out that the six-speed manual, also a carryover, was reworked last year, shortening the throws and reducing internal friction.
2014 Mazda Mazda3 sedan
Exterior

Outside the newest Mazda in both hatchback and sedan versions is undoubtedly the best-looking 3 ever. The sedan looks like a seven-tenths version of the handsome Mazda6, while the hatchback looks even better in its new more sophisticated garb sans that former gaping smile up front.
2014 Mazda Mazda3 hatchback
Interior

The new look is completed when you step inside the new cabin.

Here you'll not only find a pair of the nicest front seats this side of a pair of Recaros, there's also a new sense of style and a much higher attention to detail than the outgoing model.
2014 Mazda Mazda3 hatchback
Although there's a bit too much dust and scratch-attracting piano black trim for my tastes, all horizontal and many more vertical surfaces are now covered in soft-touch materials – accented by brushed aluminum trim around the instruments, air vents and shifter as well as on the steering wheel.

In a side-by-side comparison, both front and rear headroom, as well rear leg room is down slightly from the 2013 version. At the same time, both front and rear should room as well as hip room is up.
2014 Mazda Mazda3 hatchback
Equipment

To simplify matters Mazda markets the 3 in two body styles and six trim levels. Only the four door sedan is available in base SV trim. Opting for the hatchback (now just a $500 premium over the sedan), you have a choice of five trim levels – i Sport, i Touring, i Grand Touring, s Touring and s Grand Touring.

Be that as it may, our 3i 5-door Grand Touring tester came standard with a slew of features including automatic climate control, power windows, door locks with keyless entry, push button start and heated outside mirrors as well as a leather-wrapped brake handle, shifter and steering wheel (with audio, cruise and Bluetooth controls) that both tilted and telescoped. Alloy wheels, moonroof, variable heated front seats, variable intermittent wipers, a rear wiper and washer and window defroster were also standard.
2014 Mazda Mazda3 hatchback
Also included was Mazda's new Connect infotainment system featuring a 7-inch color touchscreen, voice command, rear-view camera, nav system, Bose speakers, Aha, Pandora and Stitcher internet radio integration along with an AM/FM/CD/MP3 player with an auxiliary audio input jack.

Finally, blind spot monitoring with rear cross traffic alert, dynamic stability control, ABS with EBD and brake assist as well as traction control and driver/passenger, side and front and rear side curtain airbags are also standard.
2014 Mazda Mazda3 sedan
On the road

As Colin Chapman used to admonish, "Adding power makes you faster on the straights. Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere."

And speaking of faster everywhere, the 3i Grand Touring makes the most of a 154 pound weight loss and improved power to weight ratio.
2014 Mazda Mazda3 sedan
Toss it into a corner and you're rewarded with what is undoubtedly the best handling chassis in the C segment. The engine never sounds buzzy even at full throttle, and the shifter snicks through the six forward gears smoothly and effortlessly. The suspension soaks up minor road imperfections with aplomb, while even rough washboard surfaces hardly affect it.

Underfoot the brakes never grab and are easy to modulate. Feedback through the steering wheel is also excellent – certainly the best electric setup I've ever experienced.
2014 Mazda Mazda3 sedan
Pricing

2014 Mazda Mazda3 new car pricing, including a $795 destination charge, begins at $17,740 for a base 4-door i SV model with a 5-speed manual transmission and can hurdle the $29,000 mark for a loaded s Grand Touring with an automatic and all the extra bits.

Our manually-equipped 3i 5-door Grand Touring tester had a base price of $23,245. Adding the $795 destination charge plus a $70 cargo mat and a $300 Soul Red paint job brought the as-tested price to a still-reasonable $24,410.
2014 Mazda Mazda3 hatchback
The Bottom Line

All in all, the newest Mazda3 accomplishes the disparate missions required of the best of the compact class - fuel economy, handling and performance - in nothing short of spectacular fashion.

Here at Lot Pro we're looking forward to getting one for a bit longer for more of an in-depth look.

2014 Mazda Mazda3 hatchback