Mazda3, along with Honda Civic, remains one of the better-looking mid-size cars in Malaysia. But with the sheer number of Civics around, Mazda3's styling, especially in hatchback form, is sure to attract attention of those seeking something different. The interior styling is one of simplicity and neatness, with red-coloured highlights on the dashboard and metre cluster to showcase Mazda3's sporty intent. Based on the same sporty chassis setup as Ford Focus, Mazda3 handles competently, providing for an engaging drive over demanding roads. Body control is excellent, with minimal body roll during cornering and agile responses through bends. Grip levels are good while the steering is accurate, but we prefer 1.6's more responsive hydraulic steering to 2.0's electronic hydraulic steering. The ride is quite firm but not overly so. Refinement has improved with the new underbody cover and door seals, but some wind and road noise are still noticeable at highway speeds. Drivers should not have any problems getting comfortable with the tilt/telescopic steering column and height-adjustable driver's seat. Ergonomics are well thought out and controls are all easy to operate. The build quality has been paid much attention as can be seen from the high fit-and-finish standard, but material quality is disappointing with the use of some hard dashboard plastics. According to JD Power customer satisfaction surveys, Mazda has consistently taken the top few spots in terms of reliability. And we expect Mazda3 to maintain that record. Both 104 bhp 1.6-litre and 145 bhp 2.0-litre deliver lively performance on the roads. The 1.6-litre is refined and smooth, but while the 2.0-litre revs smoothly, it sounds rather coarse when worked hard, which can make long-distance cruising tiring. Both engines are paired to a four-speed automatic, which lags the five ratios some rivals have. Mazda3 sedan's sloping roofline affects the rear headroom, a problem the hatchback does not have. Rear legroom is only slightly less than Honda Civic's, and of course the front two enjoy no lack of room. The boot has an useful shape with class-competitive capacity, while the rear seats can 60/40 split-fold for additional space and versatility. Fuel economy for the 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre stands at 14.5 km/litre and 12.7 km/litre respectively. Mazda3 owners should however be prepared for higher servicing costs and steeper depreciation than for Honda Civic and Toyota Altis. Mazda3 has no 1.8-litre engine option that both Honda Civic and Toyota Altis offer. But both 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre models are competitively priced, although the former makes more sense as a package. With its sharp styling, sporty handling and quality, spacious cabin, Mazda3 is compelling and should really be stealing more sales from Altis and the class-leading Civic. 1.6-litre model gets rear spoiler, electric exterior mirrors, air-conditioning, radio/CD/MP3 player, four speakers, power windows, keyless entry, immobiliser, dual front airbags, front seatbelt pretensioner, whiplash-reducing front seats, Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA). 2.0-litre model adds front fog lamps, side spoiler, steering wheel mounted audio controls and fully-automatic air-conditioning among others. Improved aerodynamics have helped reduce the fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions, enabling Mazda3 to close the gap with Honda Civic and Toyota Altis in the area of environmental responsibility.