2013 Mazda 3 Short Review

The horsepower wars that besiege luxury and sports cars, and even full-size family sedans, largely bypass the compact-car class. Whether due to cost or design, power yields to efficiency in this class. Yet the 2013 Mazda 3 is among the few that deftly combines both of them.

Introduced last year, Mazda's new direct-injected 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (dubbed Skyactiv-G) returns as the star of the Mazda 3's power. Joined to a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission, this engine helps the Mazda 3 achieve 40 mpg on the highway without resorting to tricks like special aerodynamics or automatic transmission shift programming that settles into the highest gear before you've left the driveway.
Nor has the increased efficiency compromised horsepower. The Skyactiv engine slots between the 3's base 2.0-liter and top-end 2.5-liter engines, and its acceleration times are quite competitive for the class. Only the 2013 Ford Focus offers a better combination of power and fuel economy, but it only achieves 40 mpg highway with its add-on Super Fuel Economy package.

The Skyactiv engine complements the 3's other strengths, including sharp handling, a stylish interior and the available hatchback body style. But with increased competition, the 3 isn't the automatic pick it once was. The Chevrolet Cruze, Ford Focus and 2013 Hyundai Elantra are all excellent choices for a small sedan or hatch. But for competitive fuel economy integrated with energetic driving character, the 2013 Mazda 3 is still hard to beat.

Vehicle Overview :

The compact five-seat Mazda3 is available as a sedan or four-door hatchback and is available with Mazda's high-efficiency technologies marketed under the SkyActiv name, including an optional engine rated at up to 40 mpg on the highway. It competes with the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla and Volkswagen Golf and Jetta, to name a few.

What new for 2013 ?

Air conditioning is newly standard, and the SkyActiv 2.0-liter four-cylinder now comes on the i Sport sedan in addition to the i Touring and i Grand Touring.
The i Sport, i Touring and i Grand Touring add a USB port and a driver information system.

Exterior :

The front bumper was smoothed last year, and although the smiling grille's detailing changed, its size remains the same. Most of the changes to the exterior and underbody were made to improve aerodynamics by 7 percent for both body styles.
When equipped with the optional SkyActiv engine, the Mazda3 has a blue ring around each projector-beam headlight lens, extra badging and a blue engine cover under the hood. 

Best exterior features include:

• 16-inch steel wheels 16- or 17-inch alloy wheels available
• Available fog lights
• Available side mirrors with integrated turn signals
• Available bi-xenon high-intensity-discharge headlights
• Available rear spoiler
• Available power moonroof

Interior :

Interior changes for 2012 included silver trim on the finer touch points, such as knobs and vent pulls. The gauge markings are backlit, day or night. The dashboard LCDs are white, though the performance-oriented Mazdaspeed3 version features red gauge backlighting. The fabric seat upholstery on lower and higher trim levels has different patterns. 

Best interior features include:

• Standard air conditioning
• Available navigation system with a 5.8-inch touch-screen 
• Available push-button start

Under the Hood :

With the addition of SkyActiv, the Mazda3 now offers three engines. 

Best mechanical features include:

• Base engine is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that produces 148 horsepower and teams with a five-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission
• SkyActiv 2.0-liter direct-injection four-cylinder produces 155 hp and teams with a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic
• 2.5-liter four-cylinder makes 167 hp and works with a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic 
• Engines use regular gas

Safety :

Best safety features include:

• Antilock brakes
• Electronic stability system with traction control
• Front-seat side-impact airbags
• Side curtain airbags
• Available blind spot warning system
• Available adaptive headlights

Colors :

Available Exterior Colors

	Velocity Red Mica
	Liquid Silver Metallic
	Indigo Lights Mica
	Graphite Mica
	Dolphin Gray Mica
	Crystal White Pearl Mica
	Black Mica

Available Interior Colors

	Dune
	Black

Photos : 

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2013 Mazda 2 Short Review

The 2013 Mazda 2 is closely related to the impressive Ford Fiesta, a legacy of a Mazda-Ford platform-sharing partnership. And that's a good thing. Like the Fiesta, the Mazda 2 features a short wheelbase, a basic but responsive suspension design and quick steering. Thanks to its diminutive size and weight, the Mazda 2 doesn't need a lot of engine power to make it fun to drive.

But the cute hatchback carries some sacrifices as well. It's not particularly spacious; a Honda Fit can carry twice as much gear thanks to better interior packaging. The Mazda 2's rear seats are cramped and not an ideal space for adults on longer drives, and its fuel economy falls midpack. And the Mazda 2 offers limited convenience and tech features that are quickly becoming standard on rival models.

The Mazda 2 charms with its eager driving feel and no-frills personality, but overall we think there are better choices for a subcompact. The 2013 Fiesta is the most direct competitor,and offering a similar fun-to-drive experience with a nicer interior etc. The 2013 Chevrolet Sonic offers more room, an equally engaging drive and an available turbocharged model, while the 2013 Hyundai Accent and Kia Rio can't be beat for total value.

Vehicle Overview :

The subcompact five-seat Mazda2 arrived stateside in 2011 as Mazda's newest entry-level offering. It's only available as a hatchback and is slotted below the Mazda3. The Honda Fit is a major Mazda2 competitor, as are a host of other small cars, from the Ford Fiesta and Chevy Sonic to the Toyota Yaris. The Mazda2 comes in Sport and Touring trim levels.

What New for 2013 ?

The Mazda2 now includes a USB port, but there are no other significant changes for 2013.

Exterior :

Thanks to an arcing black garnish atop the air dam, the Mazda2 carries the smiling expression Mazda has affixed to most of its cars. The lower air dam dominates the Mazda2's nose; a thin grille with Mazda's logo sits above it. Around 155 inches long, the Mazda2 is a bit longer than the tiny Yaris hatchback, but it's significantly shorter than most other competitors. 

Best Exterior features include:

• Standard body-colored door handles and side mirrors
• Available fog lamps
• Available 15-inch alloys
• Available rear spoiler
• Available chrome exhaust tip

Interior :

The cabin seats five, with textured fabric upholstery in Sport models and upgraded fabric with red piping in the Touring. The stereo display sits within a circular cutout. The rear seats fold down in a 60/40 split, allowing 27.8 cubic feet of maximum cargo volume. 

Best Interior features include:

• Standard power windows and locks
• Standard air conditioning
• Standard CD stereo with an MP3 jack and USB port
• Standard keyless entry
• Available leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls
• Available trip computer

Under the Hood :

The Mazda2's 1.5-liter four-cylinder makes 100 hp and 98 pounds-feet of torque. Transmission choices include a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic. 

Best Mechanical features include:

• Engine uses regular gas
• Front disc and rear drum brakes

Safety :

Standard safety features include:

• Side-impact airbags
• Side curtain airbags
• Antilock brakes
• Electronic stability system and traction control

Color :

Available Exterior Colors

	True Red
	Spirited Green
	Liquid Silver
	Crystal White Pearl
	Clear Water Blue
	Brilliant Black Clearcoat

Available Interior Colors

Black

Photos :

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2012 Mazda Miata Short Review

Since 1989, the reasonably priced Mazda MX-5 Miata has been thrilling sports car fans with its featherweight rear-drive chassis and drop-top fun-in-the-sun persona. The Miata's organically responsive handling, mixed with a large dollop of 1960s British roadster, drew buyers by the tens of thousands. But it's no stretch to say that it was Mazda's brilliant five-speed manual transmission that created much of the trill. The stubby little shifter was so effortless that it moved with just a modest flick of the wrist. The second generation Miata in 1999 got one more gear for the 10th anniversary models; that six-speed remained optional (the five-speed was standard) well into the third generation and was equally great to use.

Miata's sports car formula has lasted for more than two decades, and it's no surprise. For 20-plus years Mazda has offered one of the best manual transmissions available on any car at that price.

Vehicle Overview

The two-seat Mazda MX-5 Miata roadster has been around for more than 20 years. Much has changed over the decades, including the disappearance of the Miata name from the car's exterior in 2006 as part of a redesign. The Miata name has since returned, but what hasn't changed is the formula: small, lightweight and affordable.

What New for 2012? 

An electronic stability system is now standard, but there are no other significant changes.

Exterior :

Best Exterior features include :

• Manual-folding soft-top
• Smile-shaped grille
• Exhaust pipes flush with rear bumper
• Standard 16-inch wheels
• Optional 17-inch wheels
• Optional power-retractable hardtop
• Optional high-intensity-discharge headlights

Interior :

The MX-5 Miata is small, but the two-seat configuration provides more driver space than expected. 

Best Interior features include: 

• Standard air conditioning
• Standard leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Standard cloth upholstery
• Optional leather seats
• Optional heated seats
• Optional steering wheel-mounted cruise and audio controls

Under the Hood :

A 2.0-liter four-cylinder powers the MX-5 Miata with 158 horsepower when teamed with the optional six-speed automatic transmission. When equipped with the five- or six-speed manual, it produces 167 hp. The difference comes from a higher redline with the manual: 7,200 rpm rather than 6,700 rpm with the automatic. 

Best Mechanical features include:

• Rear-wheel drive
• Intake runner tuned to provide a sporty sound
• Dual exhausts

Safety :

The MX-5 Miata has the mandated front airbags, and the passenger's airbag can be deactivated. 

Best Safety features include:

• Standard side-impact airbags
• Standard antilock disc brakes
• Standard electronic stability system with traction control

Available Exterior Colors

	Velocity Red Mica
	True Red
	Stormy Blue Mica
	Liquid Silver Metallic
	Crystal White Pearl Mica
	Copper Red Mica
	Brilliant Black Clearcoat

Available Interior Colors

	Dune Beige
	Black

Photos :

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