| The Mazda 3 first hit the market in 2004 and quickly | | | | and the "s" model's 156 horsepower, 2.3 liter engine). |
| established itself as one of the most fun-to-drive | | | | The three trim levels are back as well -- Sport, Touring |
| compact cars around, even better than its closest | | | | and Grand Touring, but the latter is only for the "s" |
| rivals such as the Honda Civic, Mitsubishi Lancer, | | | | model. Select Mazda 3 models also have antilock |
| Nissan Sentra and Volkswagen Rabbit. The new | | | | brakes, and front seat and side-curtain airbags. |
| Mazda 3 for 2007 has been unveiled as well, with its | | | | The Mazda 3's interiors also boast of superior new |
| own hot new updates. | | | | quality. The "i" models come in beige or black interiors |
| With many of its competitors having redesigned as | | | | while the "s" model comes only in black. Of course, it's |
| well, how does the 2007 Mazda 3 compare to its new, | | | | not all black and comes with red and grey plastic trim. |
| souped up competition? | | | | In terms of interiors, however, the Honda Civic and |
| For starters, let's look at how the Mazda 3 has | | | | Nissan Sentra, seem to have a more modern design. |
| updated itself both inside and out. The new model has | | | | All Mazda 3 models for 2007 are equipped with |
| added two new grilles, a squarish housing for its fog | | | | stereos with a CD player and a jack for MP3s. |
| lights, new alloy wheels and more aerodynamic | | | | Air-conditioners are optional. Power windows, locks |
| bumpers. It looks like the new changes were made | | | | and mirrors are available for the Touring and Grand |
| with an eye towards greater stability. Gone are the | | | | Touring models. The Grand Touring also has leather |
| five-spoke alloy wheels from last year's model, which | | | | seats, automatic headlights, climate control and |
| a lot of people were raving about, but the new wheels | | | | rain-sensing wipers. |
| aren't so bad either. | | | | The area where the Mazda 3 dominates the |
| The body also looks more rigid, adding to the greater | | | | competition is in the way it handles on the road. It's |
| stability factor, while its suspension was tweaked a bit | | | | agile, responsive and superior in steering. Try driving it |
| for better handling and greater steering response. | | | | on curvy roads and you can easily spot the difference. |
| More good news: the new Mazda 3 still has the same | | | | ranks the 2007 Mazda 3 as the fourth quickest car of |
| two body styles as before (the four-door sedan and | | | | the year, zooming from 0-to-60 miles/hour in 7.3 |
| the five-door hatchback) and the same two engine | | | | seconds. |
| types (the "i" model's 148 horsepower, two-liter engine | | | | |