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- 2008 Mazda5 5MT Sport w/ Popular Package
The Mazda 3 hatchback has long been one of our favorite compact cars. Although not a mega-volume player like the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic, the Mazda 3 has always kept enthusiasts in mind with its responsive handling and robust powertrains. We especially like the styling and packaging of the five-door models, and we think the 2014 model is one of the best examples of Mazdas compact hatch yet. Now that Mazda has flipped the switch on its configurator for the model, we have a better idea of how much lighter our wallets will be when we drive off the lot.
The most basic 2014 Mazda 3 five-door, the Mazda 3 i Sport five-door, rolls off the lot at $19,740, with the 2.0-liter Skyactiv I-4 and a six-speed manual transmission. Even the entry-level model comes well-equipped with push-button start, Bluetooth hands-free calling and audio streaming, power windows and two-stage power remote door locks, and of course, air conditioning.
If you really want to go bananas with the options, its not hard to take the new 3 hatch to above $30,000. Enthusiastically clicking on all the available options, we rang up a grand total of $30,590 for an s Grand Touring with metallic paint, technology package, interior lighting package and remote start, including $795 destination charge. While thats not an insubstantial amount for a compact hatch, based on our experience with late-model Mazdas, we dont think its a ridiculous amount for what we think is one of the best compact cars available.
Mazda USA Configurator
[MotorTrend]
