The 2011 Mazda 3 provides more driving enjoyment and greater refinement than its affordable price tag would suggest. If you’re shopping for a small, inexpensive sedan or hatchback, it should be at the top of your list.

The appearance of the popular Mazda 3 was refreshed last year, its new smiling face didn’t immediately win over some people, including us. Of course, the 2011 Mazda 3 looks the same, but now that folks have had a chance to warm up to the perpetually grinning car, it seems that the Mazda 3 is having the last laugh.

The main reason is that the Mazda 3′s fun-to-drive personality has been not only preserved but also enhanced as part of last year’s makeover. This means the Mazda 3’s steering is still communicative, the chassis even more athletic and the ride somewhat smoother, with less vibration coming into the cabin. Furthermore, the new Mazda 3 with the base 2.0-liter four is better on gas compared to the older Mazda 3 base model, which was rather thirsty compared to fuel-sippers such as the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla.

While the exterior of the Mazda 3 might be controversial, the interior is hard to criticize. The Mazda 3 has long been known as having one of the nicest cabins in the economy car segment. One might even mistake the interior of a fully optioned Mazda 3 Grand Touring with its interesting design architecture and leather upholstery for that of an entry-level luxury car.

The Mazda 3 is also notable for the number of upmarket features that are available, including bi-xenon headlights, keyless ignition/entry and dual-zone automatic climate control. For 2011, the Mazda 3′s appeal is further increased thanks to the addition of more standard features. All models now have stability control, while the Mazda 3 Grand Touring receive the formerly optional Bose audio system and sunroof.