Best of Awards — 2014 Mazda3 Sedan and Hatch — The Smartest Compact Car in America

February 17, 2019, 8 pmFebruary 20, 2014, 5 pm by Tom Burkart

The Mazda3 is an amazing, incredible achievement.

While preparing this article, I could not help being stunned by these tasteful, unique and attractive designs inside and out.

Both the 5-door and the brand-new four-door sedan are extremely good-looking and sophisticated cars from all angles.

I thought to myself — is this the thinking man’s BMW or VW Golf? As I moved further into the specs, I realized — this is just a brilliant package up and down the range!

Automatic, manual, small engine or big: the Mazda3 just nails every single category or theoretical competitor I can think to name.

2014 Mazda3 4D CGI (09)

It is so good, so advanced, and so affordable from just $16,900 — it must with the Car-Revs-Daily Best of Award! (Yes, we do these honors year-round when appropriate.)

The new sedan maintains all the merits of the first-launched hatch: including outstanding efficiency, handling and even style.

There really is none of the previous Mazda3 sedan’s ‘stubby-ness’ in the tail section, while the LEDs front and rear might be a new favorite of mine at any price.

So, better than a Golf. A world better than the VW Jetta.

A extra 60 horsepower over the most-potent new Toyota Corolla. Style and tech (and comfort) to make the Honda Civic wilt.

Power Comparisons – 2.0-liter Mazda3 vs. Honda Civic and Nissan Sentra

Power Comparisons – 2.5-liter Mazda3 vs. Subaru Legacy and Ford Fusion (Ambitious!)

In fact, the Mazda3 is my new go-to answer when asked, “Hey, what car should I buy?”

My previous answer was invariably the Ford Focus, which has such a broad appeal that it scores big points with almost any car shopper.

But the Focus sedan, to be frank, is no-where near as desirable as the Mazda3.

INTERIORS

2014 Mazda3 5D NYC (71)

2014 Mazda3 5D NYC (65)

2014 Mazda3 5D interior CGI (12)

Some snazzy turntables of each color are below.

SNOWFLAKE WHITE PEARL MICA*

SOUL RED METALLIC*

2014 Mazda3 Sedan - Red Turntable GIF

DEEP CRYSTAL BLUE MICA

2014 Mazda3 Sedan - Deep Crystal Blue Turntable GIF

2014 Mazda3 — Mechanical Specs Snapshots

Trims and Models

2014 Mazda3 Sedan — Pricing

i SV MT SKYACTIV-G 2.0L ENGINE WITH SKYACTIV-MT 6-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION $16,945
i SV AT SKYACTIV-G 2.0L ENGINE WITH SKYACTIV-DRIVE 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION $17,995
i Sport MT SKYACTIV-G 2.0L ENGINE WITH SKYACTIV-MT 6-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION $18,445
i Sport AT SKYACTIV-G 2.0L ENGINE WITH SKYACTIV-DRIVE 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION $19,495
i Touring MT SKYACTIV-G 2.0L ENGINE WITH SKYACTIV-MT 6-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION $19,595
i Touring AT SKYACTIV-G 2.0L ENGINE WITH SKYACTIV-DRIVE 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION $20,645
i Grand Touring MT SKYACTIV-G 2.0L ENGINE WITH SKYACTIV-MT 6-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION $22,745
i Grand Touring AT SKYACTIV-G 2.0L ENGINE WITH SKYACTIV-DRIVE 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION $23,795
s Touring AT SKYACTIV-G 2.5L ENGINE WITH SKYACTIV-DRIVE 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION $24,595
s Grand Touring AT SKYACTIV-G 2.5L ENGINE WITH SKYACTIV-DRIVE 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION $25,995

JET BLACK MICA

<strong class='lazy lazy-hidden StrictlyAutoTagBold'/><noscript><img alt=

2014 Mazda3 Sedan – Jet Black Turntable GIF” src=”http://www.car-revs-daily.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/2014-Mazda3-Sedan-Jet-Black-Turntable-GIF.gif” width=”800″ height=”345″ />

METEOR GRAY MICA

<strong class='lazy lazy-hidden StrictlyAutoTagBold'/><noscript><img alt=

2014 Mazda3 Sedan – Meteor Gray Mica Turntable GIF” src=”http://www.car-revs-daily.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/2014-Mazda3-Sedan-Meteor-Gray-Mica-Turntable-GIF.gif” width=”800″ height=”345″ />

TITANIUM FLASH MICA

<strong class='lazy lazy-hidden StrictlyAutoTagBold'/><noscript><img alt=

2014 Mazda3 Sedan – Titanium tan Turntable GIF” src=”http://www.car-revs-daily.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/2014-Mazda3-Sedan-Titanium-tan-Turntable-GIF.gif” width=”800″ height=”345″ />

BLUE REFLEX MICA

<strong class='lazy lazy-hidden StrictlyAutoTagBold'/><noscript><img alt=

2014 Mazda3 Sedan – Reflex Light Blue Turntable GIF” src=”http://www.car-revs-daily.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/2014-Mazda3-Sedan-Reflex-Light-Blue-Turntable-GIF1.gif” width=”800″ height=”345″ />

LIQUID SILVER METALLIC

2014 Mazda3 Five-Door — Pricing

i Sport MT SKYACTIV-G 2.0L ENGINE WITH SKYACTIV-MT 6-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION $18,945 $
i Sport AT SKYACTIV-G 2.0L ENGINE WITH SKYACTIV-DRIVE 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION $19,995
i Touring MT SKYACTIV-G 2.0L ENGINE WITH SKYACTIV-MT 6-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION $20,095
i Touring AT SKYACTIV-G 2.0L ENGINE WITH SKYACTIV-DRIVE 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION $21,145
i Grand Touring MT SKYACTIV-G 2.0L ENGINE WITH SKYACTIV-MT 6-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION $23,245
i Grand Touring AT SKYACTIV-G 2.0L ENGINE WITH SKYACTIV-DRIVE 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION $24,295
s Touring AT SKYACTIV-G 2.5L ENGINE WITH SKYACTIV-DRIVE 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION $25,095
s Grand Touring AT SKYACTIV-G 2.5L ENGINE WITH SKYACTIV-DRIVE 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION $26,495

Tom Burkart is the founder and managing editor of Car-Revs-Daily.com, an innovative and rapidly-expanding automotive news magazine.

He holds a Journalism JBA degree from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Tom currently resides in Charleston, South Carolina with his two amazing dogs, Drake and Tank.

Mr. Burkart is available for all questions and concerns by email Tom(at)car-revs-daily.com.

www.car-revs-daily.com

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