For the most part, 2005 for Mazda will be a year of making things simple for consumers.

Mazda is one of the few auto companies that can take a break from introducing new models because it has some of the best-selling products on the market, mostly sporty, affordable cars that push the styling and technology envelope.

Take the RX-8, the world's only four-door, bonafide sports car. Talk about technology-- this one has a 238 horsepower rotary engine with six-speed manual transmission, or a 197 horsepower rotary motor with automatic transmission-equipped models.

Both models come with standard equipment like power windows, mirrors and door locks, cruise control and a six speaker AM/FM/CD audio system.

This year's changes are few; a satellite radio compatible tuner will be available after the second month of production, and 2004's Lightning Yellow color has been replaced with Whitewater pearl.

The RX-8 generally gets high marks for style, a smooth engine and four-door convenience but less praise for its rear seat entry and exit, the small digital speedometer, and the long throws needed for the clutch.

Meanwhile, the Mazda3 has taken the compact car world by storm. This is a racy model that comes in either three-door or five-door versions with model names of "s" and "i."

This car is so successful because it's styling says speed while its price-- well under $22,000 for a fully equipped model, says affordable. It has all the equipment you can imagine for a car this size, and some things you can't believe, includng an available navigation system.

Driving it is a blast, of course. You fit squarely into the racing style seats of this car, and ahead of you is one of the most contemporary sporty dashboards you'll see, with business-like orange markings, deep-dished gauges and controls that fall right to hand.

Power is provided by a 148 horsepower, 2 liter four or a 2.3 liter, 160- horsepower four. New features for 2005 include a new 15-inch wheel cover design, and the addition of Titanium Gray Metallic for its color choices. You'll also find that a Sirius satellite radio-ready audio system is available for all models.

One of my favorite family cars is Mazda6, available in hatchback, sedan and wagon models. It's sporty and expensive looking, and it's completely different from the blander competitors like Toyota's Camry. The biggest change in this car for 2005 is the reduction of the number of build combinations, a step designed to simplify ordering one for customers. And if you order a model with the sport automatic transmission on V-6 models, you will find that it now has six gears instead of five.

Other changes are the addition of weight-sensing front airbags on all Mazda6 models, and anti-lock brakes and traction control are now standard in the entry level models. A repackaging of option bundles creates new Sport and Grand Touring models equipped with standard side airbags.

Power comes from either a 160 horsepower 4 cylinder engine or a 220-horsepower V-6 engine.

You may find that interior space seems to be a bit less and a bit tighter than its competitors, and the exterior of the car is also somewhat smaller as well.

Prices and fuel economy ratings for the 2005 Mazda lineup were not yet available at press time.