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.

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

Some snazzy turntables of each color are below.

SNOWFLAKE WHITE PEARL MICA*

 

SOUL RED METALLIC*

DEEP CRYSTAL BLUE MICA

 

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

METEOR GRAY MICA

TITANIUM FLASH MICA

BLUE REFLEX MICA

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