Labeled by the company as a sporty car with worldly charm, the 2009 Mazda Mazda3 Hatchback gives drivers the feel of an efficiently-spaced European touring vehicle. Moderately priced MSRPs range from $13,895 up to $22,430. These zippy little cars were designed by three separate manufacturers: Volvo, Ford and Mazda itself. It's a little-known fact the Ford owns 33.4% of the Mazda name now. It pumps out 29/22 mpg and has earned 4-star safety ratings from the NHTSA. Standard warranties cover the car for 36 months or 36,000 miles.

That European feel is complimented nicely with a surprising number of luxury features that are common to American cars. Volvo designed the body of the Mazda3 Hatchback; Ford took care of the suspension system as well as he electronics and Mazda took it from there. The end result is a sporty, quick compact car that feels adventurous and simultaneously luxurious. People love driving the Mazda3 and sales rates are showing it clearly.

Purchasing a Mazda3 will not break the bank, but there isn't anything cheap about it. Even the seating is well-designed, giving loads of comfort even for long drives. The goal was to create a car that was extremely practical, yet still offers a thrilling driving experience. There's plenty of room for family members, friends, or just lots of cargo and/or sporting equipment.

The base engine for the Mazda3 is a 2.3L 156hp V4 that's married to a 5-speed manual transmission (auto optional). There is also an optional Mazdaspeed3 version that features a 263hp turbocharged engine. All Mazdas are sold with 24/7 roadside assistance programs stock in Canada and the US. All models also come with a nice list of standard safety features including front airbags for both drivers and passengers; a brake pedal that is designed to absorb and displace energy; ABS braking systems; electronic stability and traction control systems; tire pressure monitoring and more.

Japanese designers at Mazda went insane with the design for the Mazda3 Hatchback; it has far more presence than the Chevrolet Malibu or other Japanese compacts. It appears bold and actually quite aggressive (as hatchbacks go). On the inside, it is made for convenience and cargo hauling ease. A huge glovebox is complimented by a deep storage box that separates the front seats. Even the rear passengers are treated with integrated cup holders on the armrests.

Overall, the 2009 Mazda Mazda3 Hatchback offers you more for your money than its competition from Honda and Toyota. It's sporty, practical and comfortably-fun to drive - even for long trips.