Mazda 3 Sedan

MAJOLOJA PASS

7516 Bregagli. Switzerland This is an amazing drive, but make sure you have good brakes.

PHOTO BY EBERHARD GROSSGASTEIGER

The 2021 Genesis G70 aims for luxury sports sedan prowess with an unbeatable price tag—and it delivers without question. The G70 balances ride refinement and handling prowess in the way that makes the BMW 3-series and the Mercedes-Benz Cclass so desirable—but both of those cost thousands more to start. Inside, the G70's cabin offers a delightfully refined design and a host of standard convenience features. The rear seat passenger space isn't as spacious as some of its rivals' and its infotainment interface is in need of an update, but otherwise, it's difficult to find fault with what is an overall woman-loving package.

The G70 sees few changes for 2021, (a heated steering wheel, adaptive headlights, rain-sensing windshield wipers, ventilated front seats, front and rear parking sensors, and a wireless smartphone charging pad) have been made standard for all models equipped with the twin-turbo V-6 engine.

The base G70 2.0T features a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that sends 252 horsepower (255 on the manual) through an eightspeed automatic transmission to the rear wheels. While all-wheel drive is optional on most models, the manual version we tested is the exception. Its engine felt reserved around town, and acceleration times were ordinary. The light clutch pedal and numb shifter engagement also tempered our excitement. However, our heart skipped a beat when we got behind the wheel of the twin-turbo 3.3liter V-6 model, with its 365 ponies and 376 lb-ft of torque. The rear-drive 3.3T impressed me by the engine's wave of thrust that sent it from zero to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds in our testing. Regardless of the powertrain configuration, the G70 has expertly balanced ride and handling characteristics. Its suspension smoothed out uneven surfaces, and the sedan remained composed during spirited cornering sessions. The more powerful 3.3T has the benefit of adaptive dampers that allow the driver to firm up the ride if necessary, but every G70 we've driven did a remarkable job of sending information to the driver's hands. Its steering feedback is precise and pleasant, with adjustable effort available by switching among the multiple drive modes.

The all-wheel-drive 3.3T is rated, at 17 mpg city and 25 highway; the rear-drive 2.0T with the automatic transmission is the most efficient, at 22 mpg city and 30 highway. In our drive time the results were very similar—despite the 3.3T's significant power advantage. The rear-wheel-drive 3.3T we tested earned 29 mpg. The manual 2.0T recorded 30 mpg, and the automatic 2.0T with allwheel drive got 31 mpg.

Inside, the G70 delivers a luxury experience, thanks to attractive materials and excellent build quality. Its driver-centric layout and straightforward controls cater to driving enthusiasts. Likewise, the upscale brightwork and decoratively stitched surfaces on our test car appeased our affluent side. Genesis also keeps things classy by avoiding the urge to plaster faux carbon-fiber bits and a flat-bottom steering wheel into the cabin, and the result is an interior that seems luxurious. While the front seat strikes a nice balance between comfort and sport, the rear seat is compromised by limited legroom. We fit five carry-on bags in the G70's trunk, and 14 total with the rear seat folded. Interior cubby storage includes a useful tray at the front of the center console that is perfect for smartphones and other small items. The door pockets are small in comparison to others.

The 2021 BMW 3-series epitomizes the modern sports sedan with its comprehensive performance and innate sophistication. It offers two gas engines–a 255-hp four-cylinder and a 385-hp straight-six–that’s quick and refined. There's also a plug-in hybrid. The perceptive eight-speed automatic is very worthy, What's more, the 3's fantastic chassis can seamlessly shift from calm to frisky at the blink of an eye. The steering—although improved over the previous generation's—still lacks the tactility that enthusiasts once idolized. The 2021 3-series has as an entry-level premium sedan with ample cabin and trunk space. The M340i packs the most performance. Those who want all-wheel drive can add it for $2000. The M Sport package brings unique styling bits, and a specially tuned suspension. The Premium package has blind-spot monitoring, hands-free passive entry, head-up display, heated steering wheel, larger touchscreen, and more. The Track Handling package optimizes the sedan's driving dynamics via adaptive dampers and upgraded brakes. Affordable options include the Harman/Kardon sound system, heated front and rear seats, remote start, power-operated trunk lid, and a Wi-Fi hotspot and wireless charging.

The 3-series offers two potent gas-powered engines. The 330i features a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that makes 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The M340i pairs with a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six that produces 385 ponies and 369 pound-feet. The 330e plug-in hybrid combines a turbo 2.0-liter engine with an electric motor that together generate 288 horses and 310 pound-feet. Each powertrain pairs with an exceptional eight-speed automatic transmission and standard rear-wheel drive. The manual gearbox is no longer available. Buyers can choose between two suspension setups on the 3: the base arrangement or the upgrade with adaptive dampers.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG: The EPA estimates the four-cylinder 330i earns 26 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway. The more powerful six-cylinder M340i has ratings that top out at 23 mpg city and 32 highway. The rear-drive, plug-in-hybrid variant has a combined estimate of 28 mpg and an all-electric range of 23 miles. Both figures drop by 3 for the all-wheel-drive PHEV.

Nothing feels cheap inside the 3-series, and its controls are well placed. BMW also improved outward visibility, and the standard sport seats are well-bolstered and supportive, and they offer extensive adjustment so it's easy to get comfortable. The car's extra-cost content includes a detailed head-up display, customizable ambient interior lighting, heated front and rear seats, remote start, and wireless charging.. The 3-series has a big trunk with an available power-operated lid. With 17 cubic feet of cargo space, the gaspowered sedan can fit six carry-on suitcases back there and 17 total with the rear row folded.

The standard infotainment system runs through an 8.8-inch touchscreen, but the interface can also be controlled with a large knob and buttons on the console or with voice commands. The Live Cockpit Plus suite of features, which includes navigation, is standard. For the really good stuff, you'll need to spring for the similarly named Live Cockpit Pro package, which increases the size of the touchscreen to 10.3 inches and gives you the latest and most capable iteration of BMW's iDrive system. A subscription-based Wi-Fi hotspot is optional, but the sedan does come with two USB ports. Apple CarPlay integration is standard but Android Auto is not available. One interesting option is BMW's Gesture Control, which allows the driver or passenger to input certain commands with hand gestures. It's more novel than helpful, but your passengers will love it.