US News Ranking of '14 Mazda 3

[LennyR]

US News now lists the 2014 Mazda 3 as the top Compact Car out of the 22 it ranks as well as first in the categories Affordable Small Cars and Hatchbacks. Here is what the magazine says:

The 2014 Mazda Mazda3 ranks 1 out of 40 Affordable Small Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of published reviews and test drives of the Mazda Mazda3, as well as reliability and safety data.

The ratings are here:

http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/cars-trucks/Mazda_Mazda3/

 

[KuroHouou]

Glad to see the M3 getting some much deserved awesome reviews!!

 

[npaladin2000]

Awesome car, too bad Mazda can't make enough of them.

I'm surprised they ranked the Corolla so low. Yeah, it's a boring beige-o-matic, but people like them, and it does have a huge back seat.

 

[KuroHouou]

Problem with the Corolla is they didn't do anything to the engine, its very low powered, but I guess thats the only way they could get the mpg it does. Also they automatic is just a 4 speed carry over as well. Granted most will probably get the CVT.. Still it seems more like a new shell and that's about it.

 

[npaladin2000]

Yeah, that engine does stink, you'd think they could do better with the tech on it. On the other hand, the 4-speed is rental-special only, so for all intents and purposes it comes with a CVT...which is at least a lesser level of suck. And turning into essentially a 7 speed automatic is pretty smart. Plus that backseat is frigging huge.

Maybe that rental special will end up in a few taxi fleets too? They've had some success selling the Prius to fleets, could be a new market for the Corolla. And Toyota isn't nearly as averse to fleet sales as Honda.