2017 Mazda Mazda3 Sport

The Mazda3 is Mazda's compact car, offered as a sedan or hatchback, and it goes up against the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla. It's one of the most fun-to-drive cars in its class, with sharp steering and a willing chassis that makes everyday commutes feel engaging. The cabin feels upscale for the price, with quality materials and a clean layout, though rear legroom is tight for taller passengers. Some owners note that road noise is noticeable on the highway, and the low-profile tires on larger wheels can be prone to damage from potholes. The Sport is the entry-level trim, so you skip the Touring's extra convenience features and step up to the 2.5's power, but you save a few thousand dollars and still get the same sharp chassis. It rides on 16-inch alloy wheels with taller tires, so it soaks up bumps better than the Grand Touring's 18s, but you give up the sharper turn-in of the lower-profile rubber.