2015 Mazda3 Review: Putting the Zoom-Zoom in a Small, Compact Car [Video]

The 2015 Mazda3 injects zoom-zoom into the compact sedan class.
The 2015 Mazda3 injects zoom-zoom into the compact sedan class.

The 2015 Mazda3 S Grand Touring is a compact car with some serious driving chops.  Equipped with a 184-HP Skyactiv four-cylinder engine and a six-speed manual transmission, our test car was just as adept at tackling grocery duty as it was at tackling a set of curvy back roads.

Watch Emme Hall’s video review of the 2015 Mazda3, exploring how this little car can infuse a dose of zoom-zoom into your morning commute:

The magic begins with the 2015 Mazda3’s “smiling,” KODO-inspired face which, on our test car, gave way to a set of 18-inch wheels wrapped in all-season rubber.  According to Mazda, its goal with KODO is to create an emotional connection to the car, in both styling and performance.

On that note, under the hood, Emme’s Mazda3 S Grand Touring test model employed a 2.5-L SkyActiv 4-cylinder engine, good for 184 HP and 185 lb-ft of torque. Power went to the front wheels via a six-speed=manual transmission, although a 6-speed shiftable automatic with sport mode is also available.  EPA fuel ratings are 26/35/29 city/highway/combined MPG, respectively.

SkyActiv technology has also made its way to the 2015 Mazda3’s chassis, notably by way of a lighter chassis with increased stiffness and safety.  The independent front and rear suspension is tuned to provide agility at lower speeds and enhanced stability at higher speeds.

For more information on the Mazda3’s competition, check out our mashup review of the Mazda3 against the Toyota Corolla and the Kia Forte below: