If you can find a more stylish economy car than the Mazda3, we'd love for you to show it to us. This little car, sold as a sedan and hatchback (dubbed Sport), was last fully redesigned in 2014, and gets updated styling and some new technology for 2017.
Key among the tech updates is something Mazda calls G-Vectoring Control, or GVC. Mazda says this system adjusts the engine's power "in response to steering inputs in order to provice integrated control of lateral and longitudinal acceleration forces and optimize the vertical load on each wheel for smooth and efficient vehice motion." In more straightforward terms, GVC briefly reduces engine output when the driver turns the steering wheel to transfer weight onto the front wheels and improve the car's handling responses. For all that, we suspect GVC's effects will be pretty subtle; you're not going to notice anything without a 2016 model to compare to.
Appearance-wise, Mazda says it's given the 3 a new grille treatment and LED headlights, the hatchback gets a new rear bumper and GT models boast a new 18-inch wheel design. Inside, there's a new steering wheel and restyled dashboard. Functional changes include an electric parking brake, the gauge cluster is updated and the optional head-up display is now in colour.
Mazda3's two available drivetrains carry over unchanged: GX and GS trims use a 2.0L four-cylinder engine making 155 hp and 150 lb-ft of torque, and GT models get a 2.5L good for 184 hp and 185 lb-ft. In the sedan, GX trim can only be had with a six-speed manual transmission; all other models get a choice of that or a six-speed automatic. And in 2.5L cars with the automatic transmission, a capacitor-based energy regeneration system called i-ELOOP stores electricity to be fed to run the car's electrical system, and allows the alternator to be shut down during acceleration to improve performance. i-ELOOP also cuts fuel consumption by a couple tenths of a L/100 km.
The lineup starts with a $15,900 GX sedan that is the only version of this car to lack standard air conditioning. Otherwise, there are 16-inch steel wheels with covers, push-button start, keyless entry, power windows and a four-speaker stereo.
For $19,550, GX Sport (hatchback) models add Bluetooth, Mazda Connect infotainment with seven-inch central display, six-speaker stereo, upgraded interior lighting and cruise control -- all items that can be added to the sedan in an optional convenience package.
Move up to the GS ($20,300 and $21,300 in hatchback form), and and Mazda adds A/C, backup camera, Bluetooth, tachometer, trip computer, 16-inch alloy wheels, heated front seats, automatic headlights, leather-trimmed steering wheel and shifter, heated side mirrors with turn signal repeaters, upgraded interior lighting and Mazda Connect infotainment system with a seven-inch central display.
GT trim (sedan: $24,000; hatchback: $25,000)gets dual-zone automatic climate control, and can be optioned a technology package that bundles a number of active safety items, and a premium package that brings leather seating, navigation and bi-xenon headlights.
