You can always nitpick, but Mazda's built a small car with no glaring or deal-breaking faults.

It didn't disappoint. The 2018 Mazda 3 offers a fun driving experience with a refined ride for a price that demands consideration.

I've been impressed by Mazda's other models, so I had high hopes for the Mazda 3.

The 2018 Mazda 3 Grand Touring Mack Hogan | CNBC

I spent the last week driving the Mazda 3 and, getting straight to the point, it's superb. That shouldn't' be a surprise. The Mazda Miata is one of my favorite cars to date and I called the Mazda 6 one of the "most impressive and fantastic cars on sale today." Mazda's been doing a stellar job, and it continues to show with the Mazda 3.

The Good

The 2018 Mazda 3 Grand Touring Mack Hogan | CNBC

The Mazda 3 was created by the same design team as the rest of Mazda's modern family of cars. It looks gorgeous for the segment. Despite working with a short, front-wheel drive platform — terrible for proportions — the wizards at Mazda HQ managed to create an athletic and svelte hatchback shape. The Mazda 3 is offered in two forms, including a hatchback model and a sedan. We tested the $26,970 Grand Touring hatchback, and you can expect to pay $750 less for the sedan. The hatchback's styling and improved practicality are worth the added cost.

The 2018 Mazda 3 Grand Touring Mack Hogan | CNBC

That price gets you a lot. Our tester had essentially every option boxed ticked except the automatic transmission, offering a slick six-speed row-your-own gearbox instead.

The 2018 Mazda 3 Grand Touring Mack Hogan | CNBC

Heated leather seats, a heated steering wheel, a heads-up display, radar cruise control and blind-spot monitoring were all included. It also had premium materials throughout and looked more expensive than its price tag would suggest. The Mazda 3 is more fun than any standard-kit Ford Focus, VW Golf or Honda Civic. Still, Mazda still refuses to offer a performance trim — think Volkswagen GTI or Civic Si — so it can't quite claim the crown for the segment.

The 2018 Mazda 3 Grand Touring Mack Hogan | CNBC

It's a great commuter car, too. Despite its fantastic handling and naturally-aspirated engine that makes all of its power in the top of the rev range, the 3 is still happy to settle in for highway cruises. It's composed over rough pavement and relatively quiet. It doesn't blow its competitors away in terms of refinement, but it strikes a near-perfect balance between backroad fun and interstate cruising.

The Bad

The 2018 Mazda 3 Grand Touring Mack Hogan | CNBC

The flaws with the Mazda 3 are minute and mostly unimportant. I don't like the dull gauge cluster or the lack of one-touch up windows, but I don't have any major complaints. I wish Mazda made an even fancier version with the rosewood trim from the CX-9 Signature and more equipment like cooled seats and lane-keeping that centers the car. I wish there was a faster model, too.

The 2018 Mazda 3 Grand Touring Mack Hogan | CNBC

But these aren't actual problems. I like the Mazda 3 so much that I wish there were additional models for every possible use.

How to configure yours

The 2018 Mazda 3 Grand Touring Mack Hogan | CNBC

Start with a 5-door Mazda 3 Grand Touring with the manual transmission. You can get the automatic if you want but it betrays the "driving-first" mantra of the car. Mazda's lovely Soul Red and Machine Gray paints are both $300 options you should consider.

The 2018 Mazda 3 Grand Touring Mack Hogan | CNBC

The Grand Touring trim requires a $1,600 premium package, but you can skip the pricey appearance package. That brings the total to $26,685, just shy of our tester which had extra floor mats and a bumper guard.

Final Thoughts

The 2018 Mazda 3 Grand Touring Mack Hogan | CNBC