Redesigned for 2010, the new 3 immediately won us over with greater levels of refinement while carrying over the first gen’s tossable, fun-to-drive nature. Yes, it’s a bit heavier than before and some of us have yet to warm up to its new styling, but we all agree it’s among the best choices in its class.

Starting at $22,750 and dressed in Graphite Mica paint—a hue chosen to lessen the visual slap of the awkward “smiley face” grille—our five-door 3 sits just below the range-topping Mazdaspeed 3 in the lineup and is propelled by a 167-hp, 2.5-liter four-cylinder backed by a six-speed manual gearbox. Its standard features are legion. A black leather interior, 17-inch wheels, xenon headlights, heated seats, Bluetooth connectivity, dual-zone climate control, rain-sensing wipers, and a plethora of airbags and safety equipment are all present. Additional amenities we deemed essential include the $1195 Technology package (nav, keyless entry and start, Sirius satellite radio, and a perimeter alarm) and the $1395...caranddriver.com