NEW FOR 2008:

Click image to enlarge Images courtesy: Mazda

- New Mazda3 Sport GX trim line
- New standard features on GX and GT trim lines
- All exterior colours on GT sedan and Sport now combined with black cloth; grey cloth has been deleted
- Sedan GX and GS changes: Phantom Purple Mica exterior colour now comes with black interior instead of beige; Sand Mica comes with beige instead of black
- Rear centre armrest with two cupholders standard on GS Sport
- Four exterior colours now available on Mazdaspeed3: True Red, Cosmic Blue Mica, Crystal White Pearl and Black Mica

For 2008, models in the Mazda3 line-up undergo trim changes. The biggest news is the new entry-level GX trim line, exclusive to Canada, which uses the 2.0-litre engine found in the GX and GS sedans. Previously, the Sport was only available in GS and GT trim.

The Mazda3 line-up includes a sedan, in GX, GS and GT trim; a Sport hatchback in GX, GS and GT trim; and the Mazdaspeed3 hatchback, in a single trim line. The GX and GS models use a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with five-speed manual transmission or available four-speed automatic. The GT models use a 2.3-litre four-cylinder engine, with five-speed manual or optional five-speed automatic. The Mazdaspeed3 uses a turbocharged 2.3-litre engine with six-speed manual only.

Features on the GX sedan include 15-inch steel wheels, fixed intermittent wipers, CD stereo with auxiliary jack, body-colour mirrors, tilt and telescopic steering wheel, 60/40 split folding rear seat, floor mats, centre console box with lid, anti-lock brakes, and side and curtain airbags. Available options include air conditioning, power mirrors, power windows and power door locks.

The GS adds 16-inch alloy wheels, air conditioning, heated mirrors, automatic headlamps, rain-sensing intermittent wipers, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, cruise control, power locks with keyless entry, map lights, driver's seat height adjustment, rear centre armrest, trip computer and locking glovebox.

The GT adds 17-inch alloy wheels, Xenon headlamps, side sill extensions, LED taillights, fog lamps, sport cloth upholstery, heated front seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel, carbon-fibre finish on centre panel, electroluminescent gauges, and alarm system.

Features on the Sport GX include 15-inch steel wheels, sport-style bumpers, body-colour grille and door handles, fog lamps, intermittent rear wiper, exterior temperature gauge, tilt and telescopic wheel, 60/40 split-folding rear seat, floor mats, and CD/MP3 stereo with auxiliary jack.

The Sport GS adds 16-inch alloy wheels, air conditioning, side sill extensions, rain-sensing intermittent wipers, automatic headlamps, cruise control, power locks with keyless entry, power windows, illuminated vanity mirrors, map lights, sport cloth seats, driver's height adjustment, piano black interior finish, cargo management system, rear centre armrest, electroluminescent gauges, trip computer and wheel-mounted audio controls.

The Sport GT adds 17-inch alloy wheels, Xenon headlamps, LED taillights, heated seats, and leather-wrapped steering wheel.

Features on the Mazdaspeed3 include 18-inch alloy wheels with summer tires, automatic climate control, sport-tuned suspension, front and rear stabilizer bar, limited-slip differential, performance brakes, fog lamps, automatic headlights, LED taillamps, intermittent rear wiper, rain-sensing intermittent front wipers, Xenon headlamps, sport bucket seats with driver's height adjustment, alloy pedals, 60/40 split-folding rear seat, cruise control, tilt and telescopic steering wheel, power door locks with keyless entry, power windows, Mazdaspeed-specific electroluminescent gauges, trip computer, six-CD stereo with steering wheel-mounted controls and auxiliary input, and stability and traction control.

The Mazda3 shares its platform with the Volvo S40 and European Ford Focus, but its powertrain is unique to Mazda; it's an exceptional car for the price, with impressive handling, flat cornering, a tight turning radius and snappy performance even from the base engine. The interior is roomy and comfortable, with plenty of storage space.

Available options on the sedan and Sport models include Xenon headlamps, six-disc CD stereo, automatic climate controls, leather interior and sunroof, although it's odd that the GS Sport includes power windows and locks, but not air conditioning.

The Mazdaspeed3 is great fun, especially for the price: it's lightning-fast, well-balanced and extremely stiff, but it's well-mannered enough that it's comfortable even in stop-and-go traffic. The engine's power is managed by a computer system that limits how much goes to the wheels on acceleration, but even so, there's a lot of torque steer. The U.S. market gets a base model as well, but Canadian buyers get a top-line trim that's sold as the GT south of the border, and a navigation system available to Americans isn't offered here.