While a number of manufacturers rely on giant-sized grilles, beefy aero kits and gimmicky styling details to get their compact

Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press

models noticed, Mazda has turned to good, clean, elegant design in order to keep their faithful customers coming back, as well as win over the hearts and minds of new potential buyers.

The 2014 Mazda3 is arguably the most attractive compact model on the market, in either hatchback or sedan body style. My most recent tester was the latter, dressed up in mid-grade GS trim and replete with its optional Convenience package. Therefore, along with its good looks my example included such niceties as automatic headlights, heatable exterior mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, three-way heated front seats, and a leather-wrapped three-spoke steering wheel, leather-wrapped shift knob, plus a leather-wrapped parking brake handle and boot, all accented with racy red stitching for a sporty look.

Together

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with this upgrade package, my tester also incorporated the full menu of GS features, such as 16-inch alloy rims on 205/60 all-season rubber, turn signals integrated into the side mirror housings, bright finish window trim (instead of black), and a rear spoiler to the car’s exterior, plus great looking high-grade cloth upholstery on the inside, as well as a digital tachometer, trip computer, easy-to-use manual air conditioning, cruise control, and perched atop the dash, a full-colour touchscreen infotainment display integrating a rearview camera and six-speaker AM/FM/HD/CD/MP3 audio featuring an SD card slot, auxiliary input and USB port, all controlled via a lower console-mounted rotary HMI Commander knob and surrounding buttons. Up above, an overhead console houses a handy sunglass holder, while in back a fold-down centre armrest with cupholders gets added,

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as do 60/40-split folding rear seatbacks (the base model gets a single folding bench-style seatback).

The list of base GX features is long too. It includes the usual powered windows and locks, but also a few unexpected items such as pushbutton ignition, steering wheel-mounted Bluetooth and audio controls, both USB and auxiliary audio input jacks, an audio display screen, tilt and telescopic steering, automatic headlight shut-off, variable intermittent wipers, and a sport dual exhaust system that sounds great. The standard features list continues further, adding four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and electronic brake-force distribution, traction and stability control, whiplash-reducing front seat headrests, an anti-theft alarm, and a full assortment of airbags.

This

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full list of features is all set within an interior that’s as upscale as the mainstream compact segment gets, with a full soft-touch dash top plus soft-touch front door uppers for a nice feel and good sound absorption. Everything below the dash mid-seam and door pulls/armrests is harder plastic, but it’s the nicely textured matte finished stuff that at least looks appealing. And let’s be fair, luxury brands like BMW and Lexus use harder plastics on the lower extremities of their entry-level models as well, so such is expected amongst mainstream brands.

A carbon fibre-like surface treatment that mimics the black striped seat inserts accents the steering wheel spokes and panel that houses the power window, power lock and remote mirror switchgear, while a thin strip of piano black gloss plastic spans the dash, accents the console around the shifter and infotainment controls

Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press

and highlights interior door handles. The Mazda3 GS’s interior is a cut above, nearing premium levels of quality while besting most competitors for style points.

Style wouldn’t matter much if driver and passengers were cramped and uncomfortable, but no one experienced with compact four-doors should complain about the 3’s accommodating cabin. Both front seats offer ample space for most body types, while rear roominess is excellent for the class, as is trunk space at 350 litres.

The Mazda3 can be had with one of two engines, a 2.0-litre, DOHC, 16-valve SkyActiv-G four-cylinder capable of 155 horsepower and 150 lb-ft of torque, and a 2.5-litre variation on the four-cylinder theme that makes a maximum of 184 horsepower and 185 lb-ft of torque. My GS tester came with the former, standard in base GX trim too, the larger mill dedicated to top-line GT trim. A welcome surprise

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was the inclusion of the standard six-speed manual gearbox, a wonderfully smooth shifting device that combines well with the car’s nice positive yet light clutch take-up. The entire drivetrain is ultra-smooth, while the high-revving engine delivers energetic response off the line and easy passing power when on the highway. While all of these attributes are commendable, the powertrain’s most affable trait is fuel economy, which comes rated at a claimed 6.8 L/100km city and 4.8 highway when mated to the manual transmission and 6.7 and 4.7 respectively when the six-speed automatic is chosen.

As expected from Mazda’s 3, great handling is standard. The little four-door slots in and out of busy city traffic with nimble athleticism, while it just as easily winds through fast-paced corners on circuitous backcountry roads. To make this happen Mazda includes a proven rack-and-pinion steering system enhanced by rev-sensing

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variable power assist that adds feel plus greater responsiveness when moving quickly, while a fully independent suspension setup includes MacPherson struts with coil springs and a stabilizer bar up front, and a multi-link system with coil springs and a stabilizer bar in back. It’s all top-tier stuff, expected in the premium class but not always offered amongst mainstream compacts. The end result is a car that handles all driving conditions very well, improving performance and safety. It’s certainly a cut above.

That’s true about the entire car. The Mazda3 is a cut above most of its competitors from nose to tail, inside and out. From styling to interior quality, refinement and features, to its unique and effective approach in balancing performance and fuel economy, it’s a car that commands respect.
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