Brown's Alexandria Mazda

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Driving Impressions

As with so many cars, the character of the Mazda3 is determined by its engine.

The 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine will produce 148 horsepower if you roar it to 6500 rpm, but it requires some intensity to wring out everything it has to give. We think this engine is really designed to offer great fuel economy, as its EPA rating of 28 mpg City/35 mpg Highway on regular-grade gasoline suggests. High-tech variable valve-timing helps improves torque low in the rpm range.

The 2.0-liter engine costs less and is a good choice if you're concerned largely about fuel economy. The engine itself is great, but the Mazda3 itself is a little heavy, so you need all the power you can get. If you're looking for a combination to crawl in commuter traffic, the wide-ratio four-speed automatic is an acceptable choice, but you'll be have to use the transmission's manu-matic shifting feature to have any fun.

The 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine uses all of Mazda's latest technology to deliver substantial power over a wide range of rpm. Its tractable mid-range power helps deliver good throttle response without the need to shift gears frequently. This character sets the Mazda 2.3-liter apart from its competition, and it's more like an engine from an Accord or Camry (larger, more powerful sedans) than its competition in the compact class.

Variable valve-timing and variable intake system improve low-rpm power, while electronic throttle control improves response. Counter-rotating balancers substantially reduce vibration, making this a particularly smooth-running powerplant. At the same time, the engine really does its best work above the torque peak of 150 pound-feet at 4000 rpm as it pulls to its power peak of 156 hp at 6500 rpm, so it needs a little help from the driver's shifting skills to stay in the fat part of the powerband. At the same time, the engine's fuel-economy ratings indicate there's also good things to be had when you drive at a relaxed pace, as it delivers and EPA-rated 26 mpg City/33 mpg Highway on regular grade gasoline.

Both the sedan and the five-door are set up to take advantage of the strong personality afforded by Mazda's MZR-generation engines. The steering with its electro-hydraulic power assist responds crisply and accurately to your command, and the tires afford plenty of grip in the corners. The brakes are up to the task as well. Electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist are standard for S-models and optional for i-models. For 2007, traction control and stability control are available for s-models. As a fun-to-drive package, the Mazda3 has better credentials than its competition.

It might not be entirely correct to put the Mazdaspeed3 in this group of Mazda3 models, as its turbocharged engine with direct fuel-injection delivers 263 hp at 5580 rpm. This front-wheel-drive car also has all the hardware to keep up with so much power, notably a six-speed manual transmission that rips off quick, clean shifts in a way that no other front-wheel drive car can match.

The Mazdaspeed3 is a legitimate 155-mph automobile, yet it's really in its element in the corners. The chassis stays balanced and predictable right to the limit of tire adhesion, and there seem to be no surprises in the way it handles. The limited-slip differential helps keep both front tires delivering optimal power right to the limit, and it carves through the corners in a way that's distinct from its all-wheel-drive competitors like the Subaru WRX and Mitsubishi Evo. Meanwhile, the Mazdaspeed3 also has a quieter, calmer personality on the freeway than its competition.

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