You can still buy a Mazda3 i with the same old “MZR” 2.0-liter inline-four available in last year’s model, at the low price of $15,200. That motor will net you 148 horsepower, 135 pound-feet of torque, and 33 miles per gallon on the highway. You’ll also have to settle for an older transmission, be it a manual or automatic, five-speed either way. If you have the extra $3250 to spare, though, you’ll definitely want to opt for the new Skyactiv model. If you’re just playing the numbers game, you’ll like that it offers more power (155 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque), as well as improved fuel economy (27/39 mpg with the manual transmission). From our experience, though, the numbers are never enough basis to make those kinds of decisions, especially when we’re going to want to be able to have some fun with the car. As always, we need to actually pilot the vehicle to get a true sense of its merits as a driver’s car.
