Grand Touring Topic Hub

First Drive – 2019 Polaris Slingshot SLR – By Carl Malek

When it comes to 3-wheel cycle cars (aka “autocycles,”) these special vehicles strike a welcome and particular chord in the heart of this author. For those that aren’t familiar with this type of vehicle, it is essentially the best of both worlds between a motorcycle and a car, with each one trying to do something different depending on how much car or motorcycle DNA is in it. Autocycles were invented before traditional four wheeled cars, and for a time were a sales phenomenon, especially in Europe. The Morgan 3-Wheeler is arguably the most iconic and historic of these particular vehicles, …

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Feb 20, 2019 Read more

Road Test Review- 2018 Mazda 3 Grand Touring (Sedan) – By Carl Malek

What makes the Mazda 3 such a good value in the compact car segment? It’s stylish good looks are definitely a good start along with an interior that has always offered occupants a near premium driving experience. But with many of its rivals either upping their aesthetic game, or offering more performance and fundamental value. Can the 2018 Mazda 3 keep up with the changing landscape while still offering the compelling DNA that keeps Mazda loyalists coming back for more? To find out, we revisited this old favorite to see for ourselves if the Mazda 3 has aged into a …

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Apr 29, 2018 Read more

2017 Mazda CX-3 Grand Touring – Marketplace Comparison – By Carl Malek

When we last met the Mazda CX-3, we praised its ability to bring Mazda style fun and flair to a segment that is steadily getting more and more crowded with entries from various automakers. With the segment also booming in sales and overall demand, choosing the right CUV for your driveway can be the most important decision many growing families face. With that said, does the Mazda CX-3 still have what it takes to win a spot in your driveway? To find out we went behind the wheel of a second CX-3, and crunched the numbers to see how it …

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Nov 26, 2016 Read more

2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring (6MT) – Review By Carl Malek + Fiat 124 Visual Comparo!

When Mazda first unveiled the current generation MX-5 Miata back in 2014, it signaled a radical shift in focus, with Mazda designers breathing newfound life into a car that some thought had lost its way since it was first introduced in 1989. With bolder exterior styling, and a renewed emphasis on weight shedding, the newly rejuvenated MX-5 promises to blaze its own chapter in the sports car ranks. Our last sampling of the MX-5 was out on the track, but can it succeed out in the real world? The exterior styling of the MX-5 embraces newfound levels of …

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Aug 14, 2016 Read more

Road Test Review – 2016 Mazda CX-3 Grand Touring – By Carl Malek

The CUV sales boom is in full force. Many automakers are revamping their product plans to take advantage of this renewed level of demand. Mazda is one of these companies and has invested large amounts of money and effort into revitalizing its CUV lineup. The 2016 Mazda CX-3 is the first fruit of this renewed effort, and promises to bring Mazda’s trademark levels of sportiness and vigor to the compact CUV segment. But has this focus on driving perfection blunted its capabilities in the process? The exterior styling of the CX-3 incorporates many of the cues that made their debut …

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Jul 06, 2016 Read more

Road Test Review – 2016 Mazda6 – By Ken “Hawkeye” Glassman

2016 Mazda 6 i Grand Touring By Ken “Hawkeye” Glassman I always look forward to getting a Mazda dropped off in my driveway for a week’s worth of driving. You can always count on a Mazda to deliver three things: peppy performance, great gas mileage, and outstanding handling. Our test car was the top of the line model, the Grand Touring model. As all Mazda 6 models, it comes with a 2.5 liter 4 cylinder direct injection, variable valve timing engine with a very high 13:1 compression ratio and is designed to use unleaded gas. The engine makes 184 horsepower and …

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Apr 20, 2016 Read more

Houston Auto Show Debuts – 2015 Mazda3 Ti Edition Rocks Gloss-Black Body Styling

The new Mazda3 Ti Edition joins a revised Mazda6 and CX-5 on Mazda showroom floors early this year, but had an advanced outing at the Houston Auto Show. This fall, the Mazda range gets really thrilling: the new 2016 MX-5 and hot CX-3 will join in the Zoom-Zoom fun. Production-ready with a window sticker, this new Mazda3 Ti Edition jazzes up the exceptional Mazda3 with some really cool style additions: titanium metallic wheels are joined by a sweet body kit all around in contrast gloss-black. The lower splitter, side sills and rear diffuser are all a pure and silky dark …

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Jan 23, 2015 Read more

Road Test Review – 2014 Mazda3 S Grand Touring 5-Door Drives Like BMW!

By Special Contributor Ken Glassman Mazda has been making some great cars for a long time. And Mazda has been setting themselves apart from the crowd by dialing in more driving excitement. You can always count on a Mazda to offer outstanding handling and excellent performance into all their models. And the 3 series Grand Touring is no exception. EXTERIOR The styling of this 5-door hatchback is slick and unique. Hatchbacks are not nearly as popular in the US as they are everywhere else in the world, but this one may change how Americans look at a hatchback, and see …

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Oct 19, 2014 Read more

2014 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8L V6 – Road Test Review of FAST and FUN RWD Sportscar

Does something or someone become more beautiful the more you love it? I think we all know that the answer is: Yes. Such were my feelings after driving the 2014 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8. Coming home, I find some of the most stunning photos and time-consuming angles of any car in recent memory – and the car is looking stellar. Sporty, lightweight, expensive and fast – but most of all, bright red. Was I so smitten that I kept snapping away long after I had the basics for a road test review? It would clearly seem that way. After all, …

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May 30, 2014 Read more

Road Test Review w/ Pricing and Specs – 2014 Mazda3 Grand Touring

We were amazed with the all-new 2014 Mazda3 from the moment we laid eyes on it – especially the slinky and low-slung sedan variant that just arrived this Spring to Mazda dealers nationwide. After some joyful driving of the loaded 2014 Mazda3 s Grand Touring model, it is clear that the praise we shared in the “2014’s Smartest Compact” article was not sufficient. This might be the best car on the market in general, with no caveats for size or price. It is that good. I am struggling to convey how outstanding a machine it is in all regards — …

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May 07, 2014 Read more

Best of Awards — 2014 Mazda3 Sedan and Hatch — The Smartest Compact Car in America

The Mazda3 is an amazing, incredible achievement. While preparing this article, I could not help being stunned by these tasteful, unique and attractive designs inside and out. Both the 5-door and the brand-new four-door sedan are extremely good-looking and sophisticated cars from all angles. I thought to myself — is this the thinking man’s BMW or VW Golf? As I moved further into the specs, I realized — this is just a brilliant package up and down the range! Automatic, manual, small engine or big: the Mazda3 just nails every single category or theoretical competitor I can think to name. …

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Feb 20, 2014 Read more

2014 Mazda MX-5 Club Brings New Colors, Dark Wheels, Gloss Black Accents and Power Hardtop Option from $26,000

The next MX-5 is in the home stretch of development in Japan ahead of an expected debut some time in 2014 or early 2015, with deliveries to America set to start shortly afterward. The next MX-5 will spawn an Alfa Romeo Spider twin, with both built to quality standards Fiat could not dream of achieving without Mazda’s Hiroshima-based talent. Development of the MX-5 is the cornerstone of Mazda’s sports car teams these days – and for good reason! The MX-5 is the ultimate track-day thriller: with enough power to feel the rush but also enough playfulness to really test your …

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Feb 05, 2014 Read more