Mazda said it comes from Opti-Space, the company's efforts to engineer into the car the maximum room and comfort. In the ES, there are both front and rear stabilizer bars, too. The ES, overall, feels nimble and not unbalanced. It maneuvers easily, with good steering response, yet the ride isn't cheap-feeling, as it might in this car segment. When the engine is being pushed, the ride can be noisy.
Riders also notice wind buffeting of the car when driving in high winds.
That's not unexpected, though, in a vehicle weighing just 2,573 pounds. No wonder it's easy to think of it as a trusty friend. Ann Job, who worked in Detroit as an automotive writer, now lives in Sacramento. 1999 Knight Ridder Inc. and may not be republished without permission.