Pros:

Upscale interior Quiet cabin Handsome styling

Cons:

Choppy ride Tight passenger space High price for segment

For the 2019 model year, Mazda took a different road for its compact sedan and hatchback. The 2019 Mazda3 obtained premium-ish styling both inside and outside, raising itself from the rest of the econobox segment. But in trying hard to make its ride more refined, the change from an independent rear suspension to a torsion beam weakened the sharp handling the previous 3 was known for, in the process killing any semblance of emotion or fun.

The fittings of the Mazda3's interior look like they're taken from European sedans, with simple and well-executed lines, especially with the stitching around the cabin. "It's quite handsome for the segment," editor-in-chief Ed Loh said. "The interior is very nicely executed. It definitely has an Audi vibe—upscale, upmarket—but executed with a lot of black plastic."

The 8.8-inch screen is easy to control with the rotary knob, though changing a radio station requires diving through menus, and the Mazda Connect infotainment system's graphics have been updated with fonts and visuals that look more upscale.

And although its exterior design is handsome, the small windows and the associated blind spots they create were an issue for some of the judges. Those small windows also mean sitting in the rear, particularly in the hatchback version, is a bit claustrophobic. Poor rear-seat packaging for the segment further contributes to the feeling. Unlike the Corolla and Civic, which offer plenty of rear legroom and headroom, the 3's space is tight. "I can't get in the back seat unless I slide the driver seat way forward," executive editor Mark Rechtin said. "Unacceptable for a compact car these days."

And although its styling was well received by the judges, the Mazda3's driving experience was not. The defanged powertrain and the changes in the suspension caused the car to feel weaker than the previous model, taking away part of the fun the 3 was known for.

"The Mazda3s used to be fun to drive, and these new ones aren't," international bureau chief Angus MacKenzie said. "The basic goodness is still there in the chassis despite the cost-cutting switch to a torsion-beam rear axle, but the lethargic powertrains mean you can't exploit it. These 3s are slow, dull, and one-dimensional."

The 2.5-liter engine delivers 186 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque, and although that's on par with the segment, you just don't feel the same kind of oomph or emotion at the wheel like in the previous generation. Opting for a six-speed manual in the hatchback brings a bit more emotion to the game, but the sedan's six-speed automatic and a new all-wheel-drive system felt sluggish. It's unfortunate that we don't get the Skyactiv-X engine Stateside, as it could bring a different kind of experience to the 3.

See all 7 photos

Oddly, even though the Mazda3 is still a smidge quicker to 60 mph than a Toyota Corolla, "it feels slower," Rechtin said. "It bogs when you ask it to accelerate, and you wonder, what happened to the Mazda3 I used to love?"

We welcome the premium styling, but we're disappointed that the new model doesn't drive with the fun of the previous generation. And by taking a road toward the upscale market, it's hard to justify its value when you look at how the rest of the segment is doing. The Mazda3 has been a favorite among MotorTrend staffers, but the new generation doesn't have enough to win our hearts again.

As guest judge Chris Theodore summarized: "Mazda has lost its Zoom."