Mazda 3

The Mazda3 has been one of our top-scoring small cars for several years, distinguished by agile handling and a well laid out, good-quality passenger compartment. The interior has been further upgraded, but the rear seating area remains a little tight. Road noise is still pronounced.

Trim-line designations are bound to confuse. The i series is a sedan with a 2.0-liter engine; the s can be either a hatchback or a sedan and gets the 2.5-liter.