By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

(April 19, 2020) Mazda it seems is covering every niche of the compact/subcompact family hauler market with three vehicles — the Mazda3 compact hatchback, the Mazda CX-3 crossover, and the all-new Mazda CX-30 crossover/car-like hatchback. The good news is that all three are among the best and most affordable family vehicles currently on the market. The differences in design, technology, performance and infotainment are small.

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

The updated 2019 Mazda3, which comes in sedan and hatchback configuration, is a good example of why Mazda has earned the reputation for building high quality well-engineered and superbly designed cars and crossovers with luxury-like interiors. In the case of the Mazda3 you can add precise handling, an energetic engine, and decent gas mileage.

Additionally, Mazda has added all-wheel drive as an option for just $800 to give drivers a viable choice. And Mazda has made the previous optional engine — a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder — the standard powerplant across the lineup endowing all Mazda3's with 186 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque.

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

Mazda introduced its second-generation three-row CX-9 crossover at just the right time in 2016 as the SUV market was exploding, and over the past four years it has performed quite well holding its own against the increasingly more sophisticated competition. Mazda's remake of the CX-9 in 2016 was startlingly good pushing the three-row crossover to the top of its class in terms of most things a buyer wants — three useable rows of seats, a healthy and fuel-efficient engine, a high-quality interior loaded with technology, the latest in safety equipment, an engaging driving experience, and styling that will turn heads.

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

Prior to the 2018 refresh, the Mazda6 came with only one engine choice, a first-rate 2.5-liter 4-cylinder making 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Today’s base engine gets cylinder deactivation for 2018†that improves fuel economy now measured at 27 mpg city, 36 highway and 29 overall. It's capable of 0-to-60 in just a tick over 7 seconds and a quarter mile time of 15.5 seconds.

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

One of the most popular automotive segments in the U.S. is the compact crossover, and prospective buyers have a vast array of very good products from which to pick. But like every other segment, there are standouts — vehicles that rise like cream to the top. The second-generation Mazda CX-5 is one of those handful of vehicles that stand taller than the rest. The CX-5 was redesigned for 2017 with a comfortable ride quality, a full slate of the latest safety and technology features, a surprisingly sprightly driving demeanor, and a refined interior that could live quite well in a luxury SUV.

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

Mazda has developed a knack for building stylish fun-to-drive small cars such as the compact Mazda3 sedan and hatchback that can pamper its owner with an upmarket feel belying its price that undercuts many mainstream vehicles. The fact that it is outsold by much of the competition is a head-scratcher, making the Mazda3 one of the best kept secrets in the industry.

By David Finkelstein

Since Mazda introduced its first generation compact Mazda3 back in 2004, a success story has been written with motorists globally with 5 million units sold. The Mazda3 was co-developed with Ford in 2004, but now it's exclusive Mazda from bumper-to-bumper.

By David Finkelstein

Premium features will likely be one of the major driving forces to attract subcompact crossover SUV buyers to the 2018 Mazda CX-3. It’s a vehicle designed to meet the needs of a new generation of car buyers. The CX-3 shares the same quality and award winning attributes of other Mazda vehicles in their product mix.

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

Mazda checked all the boxes with its first compact CX-5 crossover introduced in 2012, and it has followed up with a second-generation that takes everything up a notch from build quality to styling to driving dynamics to cargo and livable passenger space.

By David Finkelstein

For the 2017 model year, the Mazda6 sedan is positioned as a midsize family automobile capable of going “above” and “beyond” in delivering a fun driving experience while still exhibiting practicality and overall efficiency. The car further gains customer appeal with premium refinements as well as being one of the best-handling and most-engaging vehicles in its popular segment. Competitive makes are often cross shopped such as the Kia Optima, Hyundai Sonata, Toyota Camry and the Honda Accord.