2015 Mazda Mazda3 S Touring

The 2015 Mazda3 is Mazda's compact car, offered as a sedan or hatchback and a natural rival to the Honda Civic and Ford Focus. It's genuinely fun to drive, with sharp steering and a willing engine that makes even the base model feel lively around town. The ride is on the firm side, which helps handling but means you'll feel more road noise on the highway than in some rivals. Inside, the cabin looks more upscale than its price suggests, though back-seat legroom is tight for adults. The 2.5L I4 makes 184 horsepower and returns 32 mpg combined through the six-speed automatic, so it's genuinely quick without drinking much fuel.