2017 Mazda3: Converging Reality

Years ago, car manufacturers distinguished themselves through specific specialities. I recall that Ford had good audio systems, Hondas were fuel economy champions, Toyotas were reliable, Pontiacs were sporty, Volvos were safe and Volkswagens could jump.

Fast forward a few decades and few if any manufacturers still own outright specific or distinctive characteristics. Audi’s not the only one with AWD, BMWs are no longer the best driving cars, and Hyundai is not the only brand packing more value than sense into their cars.

Today’s reality is that all cars have to be all things to the buyer. The new 2017 Mazda3 is only the latest example of a car that does it all.

If you read my review of the 2017 Mazda3 on The Car Guide, note the number of times I use “refined” to describe the car. Mazda’s ironed all of the harshness out of the new 3, bringing it to near-luxury car levels of refinement. There’s the word again…

This is only one aspect that makes the 3, or most any other car, a complete and well-rounded product. The compact Mazda is also roomy, safe, relatively economical, handsome as heck, good to drive and fairly reliable. No, it doesn’t have AWD (although I hope the next MAZDASPEED3 with the SKYACTIV-G 2.5T engine will…) and won’t jump, unless you really try.

What’s changed over the recent past is that luxury, content and comfort are no longer reserved for larger cars. There was a time when heated seats were reserved for the midsize, more expensive automobile. Today, you can get a heated steering wheel in a Mazda3.

Right sizing could be “blamed” for this as was and is the increasing price of energy. The bottom line is that once exclusive content is now available at a much lower price point. That means everyone wins, especially if your budget and parking spot are somewhat limited.