By Mary Ellen Ash

Yays:

• Value
• Keyless remote entry and ignition
• Lots of cupholders.
• Sliding front seat arm rest for shrimp-lings like me
• Bose Stereo System
• Fold-down rear seats for excellent cargo space

Nays:

• Bluetooth system finicky
• Limited rear passenger leg-room

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The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, also known as the IIHS has just given its highest safety rating to three new model rides: The Dodge Journey, Lincoln MKT and Mazda Mazda3. All three of the cars got top marks in the front, side and rear impact tests and all three featured standard stability control.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety said in a statement that “Criteria to win are tough because the award is intended to drive continued safety improvements.”

Only the Dodge received the IIHS’ top marks in every single category whereas the Lincoln and Mazda received “Acceptable” ratings in other categories. The Insurance Institute said that the Lincoln and Mazda’s overall evaluations were robust enough to receive the “Top Safety Pick” award.

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This guy, the hot hatch version of the Mazda 3, has been rumored, sliced and diced and nearly served up before it made its debut, that there was so much press flying around its introduction that we had to let the dust settle before mentioning it. So here it is, the 2010 Mazda 3 Sedan and hatchback wagon, and best of all the Mazda3 Mazdaspeed.

Motivated by a 2.3 liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, the Mazdaspeed variant should be good for around 268hp. Also, the hot version should use the newly developed RevoKnuckle FWD suspension system from corporate partner Ford Focus RS, but sadly an AWD set-up has been ruled out.

The easiest way to tell the Mazdaspeed variety from its lesser brethren will be the HUGE hood scoop for the turbo, along with the oversized air-intakes in the front bumper, a rear diffuser, large-diameter twin-exhaust pipes, and a big-assed rear wing. The Mazda3 Mazdaspeed goes on sale in Europe in the second quarter this year and should reach American shores before 2011. Mazda will also be offering a 3 series variant that will feature i-stop – a fuel-saving engine stop-start feature.

Source: MotorAuthority

By Kurt Gensheimer

Blings:

• Breaks the bang-for-buck barrier into a billion bits
• Six-speed manual
• Top-shelf interior
• Quieter cabin

Dings:

• Tight back seat
• Styling a bit hard to warm up to - particularly in the i Touring trim.

Ruling: A car that everyone, and we do mean everyone, can love. Read the rest of this entry �

If you’re looking for a moderately-priced quick little vehicle with a contemporary look, top-tier features, and dynamics that make it a pleasure to drive, the 2010 MAZDASPEED3 — the newest version of the MazdaSpeed family — might just be the car for you.

This is the zoom-zoomiest of the Mazdas, with a 2.3-liter direct-injection turbocharged 4-cylinder 263 hp, 280 lb-ft torque engine. They’ve upgraded the Mazda3 concept with this newest version, utilizing the latest design enhancements (many borrowed from its main predecessor, the Mazda6) and featuring the addition of a body kit, dual-exhaust, rear diffuser, new wheels with larger rims, a slightly larger rear wing, and a new bulging hood with an impressive scoop.

The first new MazdaSpeed model since 2007 and the third model in the 2010 MAZDA3 lineup, this car has been described as a “road rocket”; “the definition of sporty”; and “The MAZDA3 kicked up a notch”. The 2010 MAZDASPEED3 tested well at Germany’s famed Nürburgring track last year and car enthusiasts have been anticipating this car ever since.

(Retails for $22,740-$24,455)
Read the Mazda press release after the jump:

We have driving shots of the newly redesigned 2010 Mazda MAZDA3 that was officially revealed at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Mazda also tells us that the 3 will carry over its 2.0L four-cylinder, but be joined by a larger 2.5L engine to replace the current car’s 2.3L. As for the Mazda3 five-door hatchback, we’ll have to wait until some time after the L.A. Auto Show for that.

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By Kurt Gensheimer

Here’s the straight poop on what’s happening at the Los Angeles Auto Show…

2010 Mazda MAZDA3

Since its release nearly five years ago, the MAZDA3 has become a global best-seller due to its incredible balance of sportiness, practicality, fuel efficiency and affordability. In fact, one in every three cars Mazda sells worldwide is a MAZDA3. With the 2010 MAZDA3, Mazda yet again expects to raise the standard of what “economy” cars can deliver with more refined ride quality, a more luxurious-yet-sporty interior, attractive exterior styling resembling the RX-8, improved luggage space and new safety features. In addition, the MAZDA3 will offer new features like dual zone climate control, 8-way power seats, push button start and Bluetooth phone and audio; items not normally optioned in an economy car. The 2010 MAZDA3 will carry over the first-gen 2.0L four-cylinder, but will offer a new 2.5L with the company’s innovative new Start Stop technology that should put out between 175-185 horsepower and deliver up to 33 mpg.

Click the link for video of the new 2010 MAZDA3 sedan

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By Kurt Gensheimer

Blings:

• Top-shelf interior
• Go-kart handling
• Terrific balance of power and fuel economy
• Unmatched value

Dings:

• Weak in the low-end grunt department
• Low backseat headroom
• No Sixth Gear?

Ruling: Power, luxury, style, sportiness, affordability, fuel efficiency, cargo room, comfort, yadda, yadda and yadda; this is the Renaissance Car of the decade.

In our lives we’ve all met people with exceptional and widely varied interests and skills. Whether it’s writing a novel, building a log cabin, flying a plane, playing in an 80’s butt-rock band, reciting the Dictionary or completing more than one Ironman triathlon, we all have friends with some unique and bizarre interests. But what if all these interests resided in one person? A person this multi-faceted is often referred to as a Renaissance Man, and often draws the respect and admiration of everyone he meets. And if there was ever a parallel car to match this beloved persona, it would be the MAZDA3 - The true Renaissance Car.

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The new Mazdaspeed3 landed in the U.S. in mid-September and its sensational. Employing the same 2.3-liter turbo four as the Mazdaspeed 6, but with retuned intake and exhaust systems, and a modified ECU that reduces torque levels in 1st through 3rd gears, this super-Mazda generates 264 hp at 5,500 rpm and 280 lb-ft of torque at 3,000 rpm. That translates into a rather quick 0-60-mph time of 6.1 seconds and more fun than a Slippery-Slide on a hot mid-summer day.

Watch the video review as Kurt sums up the character of this fun hatch and cranks up the boost along the way.

For the full review of the Mazdaspeed3, click HERE