Sometimes you just can't beat "tried and true."

Compact cars have come and gone, and some have even been replaced by all-new models since the Mazda3 was introduced three years ago.

But guess what? Aging though its design may be, the Mazda3 still sits among the top of the class because of its performance, its comfortable accommodations and its just-plain-fun personality.

Our "True Red" 2008 Mazda3 S Touring five-door sedan, a nifty looking front-wheel driver, came with a base price of $19,375 -- which might seem a bit high until you consider what you get for that money.

It has a five-speed sport automatic as standard equipment, independent front and rear suspensions, alloy wheels. Halogen headlights and fog lights, a 60/40 split rear seat, steering wheel audio controls and an input jack for iPods.

Other standard equipment includes a tilt and telescopic steering column, full power controls, and dynamic stability and traction controls.

The 2.3-liter I-4 engine is rated at 22/29, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $1,751 based on gasoline priced at $2.80 per gallon and 15,000 miles of driving.

The first thing you notice about the Mazda3 is its racy styling. This is one sharp hatchback, with ground-hugging body effects, killer alloy wheels, an aggressive front end and a profile that is enhanced by tires that are pushed all the way out to the corners of the car.

You would never know that this design has been around for a while; it basically has needed no updating, although Mazda wisely has been keeping it fresh anyway.

The interior comes with a businesslike instrument panel anchored by round sport gauges. And, even though my car was an automatic, it had a little window that showed you which gear you were in, too.

All of the driving dynamics of the transmission are very much in line with a sporty, manual transmission car in that you can feel the gears going through the motions and there's no discernible "creep" forward when the car's at rest.

Handling is definitely a strong point, too, with all wheels firmly planted in cornering and no body lean heading through curves. Acceleration? There's plenty of that, along with a pleasant sounding exhaust note that ratchets up the fun quotient.

This car is so eager and joyful that the only small car I've driven that I can really compare it to is the Mini Cooper.

Inside, the Mazda3 has a generally ritzy interior, considering this was a compact car, although you did see some hard plastic bits and pieces here and there that diminish the effect.

While front interior room and legroom were pretty comfortable and generous, the back seat is definitely cramped.

I'd recommend it for two adults, not three, as Mazda says.

Owners on chat room Web sites love the speed and performance of the Mazda3, and they appreciate the big trunk space, responsiveness of the engine and the pretty good gas mileage.

On the other hand, they aren't so pleased with the absence of a trunk release on the key fob, tight interior space and what some called average performance from the audio system.

Despite those complaints, when the next generation Mazda3 comes along, it will have some very big shoes to fill.