The compact-car segment spans quite the range in purpose, ranging from the very frugal, simple, and pragmatic, to more comfort-oriented, to downright sporty.
The 2014 Mazda 3 falls in that latter group, next to only the Ford Focus, for the sportiest driving feel of the group.
The Focus, like the Mazda3, has a taut ride, and a very responsive driving feel overall; while we tend to like the Mazda3’s dash better than that of the Focus, the Focus is better behind the front seats.
The Volkswagen Golf is also fun to drive, but it's now aging (a new one is due for 2015) and short on infotainment features for the price.
The Chevrolet Cruze is at the other end of the spectrum; it’s super-spacious, with a back seat that feels like it could be that of a mid-size sedan, and its ride is quiet and absorbent while there’s nothing exciting about the driving experience.
The Honda Civic is right smack in the middle of the segment—so is the newly redesigned Toyota Corolla, of course, and the Kia Forte—and the Civic in particular is a top-notch safety performer.
The Dodge Dart, like the Corolla and Cruze, is only offered as a sedan, but it offers a wider range of powertrains as well as a far more spacious interior—all with quite a bit of comfort yet a sporty design.
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 2014 Mazda MAZDA3Browse Used Listings |  2014 Dodge DartBrowse Used Listings |  2014 Ford FocusBrowse Used Listings |  2014 Honda CivicBrowse Used Listings |  2014 Subaru ImprezaBrowse Used Listings |  2014 Volkswagen GolfBrowse Used Listings |
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| Quick Specs | |||||
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The 2014 Mazda 3 stands out from the small-car crowd, with its sport-car-influenced proportions and sporty driving experience; but its tight, noisy cabin means that it’s not at all the best pick for pragmatists. |
Remember the Neon? The 2014 Dodge Dart brings back some of its personality, but in a decidedly better package. |
Even without considering the top-performance ST, the 2014 Ford Focus is one of the best-driving small cars on the market--with the impression of being an accessible premium car, not a spruced-up econobox. |
The 2014 Honda Civic brings better refinement back to the lineup, but there's more to come, we're told. |
The 2014 Subaru Impreza remains the only option in its class to come equipped with standard all-wheel-drive, where many don't offer it all. It's tough, practical, and looks good, too. |
The 2014 Volkswagen Golf hatchback offers excellent handling and a good ride, premium interior design and materials, and a range of engines--including the efficient TDI diesel--but at a premium price. |
| MSRP From | |||||
| $16,945 | $16,495 | $16,810 | $18,190 | $17,895 | $19,995 |
| Gas Mileage | |||||
| 27 MPG City / 41 MPG Hwy | 22 MPG City / 41 MPG Hwy | 23 MPG City / 37 MPG Hwy | 22 MPG City / 47 MPG Hwy | 25 MPG City / 36 MPG Hwy | 21 MPG City / 42 MPG Hwy |
| Engine | |||||
| Regular Unleaded I-4 | Regular Unleaded I-4 | Regular Unleaded I-4 | Regular Unleaded I-4 | Regular Unleaded H-4 | Regular Unleaded I-5 |
| EPA Class | |||||
| Compact Cars | Mid-Size Cars | Compact Cars | Compact Cars | Compact Cars | Compact Cars |
| Style Name | |||||
| 4-Door Sedan Manual i SV | 4-Door Sedan SE | 4-Door Sedan S | 2-Door Manual LX | 4-Door Manual 2.0i | 4-Door HB Automatic PZEV |
| Drivetrain | |||||
| Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel | Front Wheel Drive |
| Passenger Capacity | |||||
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Passenger Doors | |||||
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Body Style | |||||
| Sedan | Sedan | Sedan | Coupe | Sedan | Hatchback |
| Transmission | |||||
| Manual w/OD | Manual w/OD | Manual w/OD | Manual w/OD | Manual w/OD | Automatic w/OD |
| Detailed Spec Comparison | |||||
| 2014 Mazda MAZDA3 vs. 2014 Dodge Dart | 2014 Mazda MAZDA3 vs. 2014 Ford Focus | 2014 Mazda MAZDA3 vs. 2014 Honda Civic | 2014 Mazda MAZDA3 vs. 2014 Subaru Impreza | 2014 Mazda MAZDA3 vs. 2014 Volkswagen Golf | |
