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From its lengthy nose (with blunt front) and over its sleek exterior to its high-riding rear deck, the 2014 Mazda3 four-door is quick-looking; you know – zoom-zoom, away we go.

Quickness, though, isn’t what it’s all about with the next-generation “3”.

The changes made for the coming year expand on Mazda’s promise of a fun drive with outstanding handling and top-level fuel economy.

While the wheelbase for the sedan has been lengthened by 2.4 inches, the overall length has been shortened by almost an inch. The new one is an inch and a half wider and it sits a bit lower. Its overall length is a couple inches longer than the Ford Focus and about that same difference shorter than the Toyota Corolla. Weighing in at 2,866 pounds, the Mazda’s torsional rigidity has been increased 30 percent.

Midrange torque has been improved in its 2-liter, 4-cylinder double-overhead cam engine of 155 horsepower and 150 lb.-ft. of torque, mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. Performance is smooth, not powerful, and aided by a manual mode for quicker downshifts.

Mazda’s innovative SkyActiv setup gives the compact an EPA estimate of 41 miles per gallon on the highway. The system loves to cruise the highway in its 6th gear, and the driver must aggressively depress the accelerator to gain a lower driving gear. The high-compression, direct-injection gasoline engine attains higher and smoother torque-transfer efficiency. My use of the Mazda3 review model was split about 60/40 highway miles and produced an overall average of 35.9 mpg.

Fit and finish have been upgraded in the Mazda’s interior, and its leather-trimmed seats are supportive and comfortable and were contoured enough for this driver. Rear-seat legroom and headroom are sufficient. Trunk space is 12.4 cubic feet; noticeably tighter than the 15 cubic feet available in the Chevy Cruze.

An upright audio screen is well-positioned atop the dash, visible without lowering the driver’s sightline, though making selections from dials on the center console are a bit of distraction. Voice commands don’t seem as effective as pushing a button on the center stack.

Firm, independent suspension includes MacPherson struts in front and mutli-link rear. Tires are Yokohama P205/60R16s.

Sticker price on the Mazda3 Grand Touring, the high-end model, is $24,985, which includes navigation, rearview camera, moonroof and heated front seats. Other equipment highlights are dual-zone climate control, push-button start, leather-wrapped steering wheel, Bose nine-speaker audio with Pandora, cruise control, trip computer, intermittent wipers, heated side mirrors and rear deck lip spoiler.

A base-model Sport edition can be purchased $4,000 to $5,000 below that of the Grand Touring four-door.

The Mazda3 is also offered as a hatchback, and an engine option is the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder (184-hp). A 6-speed manual transmission is available with the 2-liter.

The Mazda3 compact showed up in 2003, while still tied to Ford Motor Co. Second-generation model was introduced for the ’10 model year. Today’s third-generation, built in Japan, is wholly independent. The earlier models were noted for big “smiling” grille styles.

Notes from e-mail

I just read that Ray Sauer’s new Shelby Mustang has the most powerful production V-8 on earth. I found that hard to believe with all the high-output engines today. I did a quick search on the web and found No. 1 is a 2011 SSC Tuatara 7-liter V-8 at 1,350 horsepower. I was hoping the Corvette would be at the top. – B.T.

The word “production” was key to Ford’s claim, Bob. Reference was to cars coming off factory production lines. The line runs slow for Tuatara, which sells for $1.3 million.

Why do you always have so many things that are not practical and so expensive no one can get financing to buy them? Kia and Hyundai, about every two months, have a big sale on $10,000 cars. Elio has come up with a low-priced vehicle, great gas mileage. It will be about a year before you can get one, but I think this may be the urban vehicle of the future. You can buy right now electric bikes/motorcycles. Why do you never say anything about them? We had Amphicars in the ’60s; look how far they got. Maybe there is just too much crap, or no one can get financing to buy them. – R.W.

I review all the models, Ron, all the models that the consumers purchase. Recently, I’ve written of, besides today’s Mazda3, the Chevy Sonic, Ford Fiesta, Toyota Corolla, Subaru Outback, Ford Focus, Chevy Cruze and Nissan Juke. Did you notice any of thosecolumns? I’ll not be reviewing electric bikes/motorcycles. Never have, never will. Nor Amphicars. And the three-wheeled Elio? Did the firm find anywhere to build those vehicles?