[leadin]We pride ourselves on doing things differently here at GearJunkie. Take car reviews, for example. Rather than an afternoon test drive, we have a penchant for multi-surface, cross-country treks.[/leadin]
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On my first “test drive” a few years back, a cadre of GJ editors and I left Minneapolis and found ourselves sub-zero winter camping without a tent in Moab 36 hours later. As memorable as that sleep-challenged night was, my girlfriend and I opted for a slightly warmer trip this time around. The car was a 2015 Mazda3. The objective: 6,000 miles through the American West in July.
At first glance, the $20,645 MSRP car is decidedly urban. For both city and highway driving, it has the specs you’d hope for: 34 mpg (41 mpg highway), radar blind spot monitoring and plenty of other solid safety features.
Comfy sport seats, a big ol’ grill, and moonroof round out the sleek look. The Bose nine-speaker surround sound and spacious trunk were also appreciated during the 19-day trip.
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Where the Pavement Ends
High Compression Engine
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Things Get Interesting
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