zhoebless COLUMBUS, Ohio — Curt Cignetti’s eyebrows dipped, his lips pursed and his head cocked back in disbelief and, maybe, disgust. “Is that a serious question?” the Indiana coach launched toward an inquiring reporter after . “I’m not even going to answer that. The answer is so obvious.” Seconds later, Cignetti did answer, in the form of a head nod and a “well, of course, dude” expression. It is, after all, playoff lobbying season. And though Cignetti side-stepped the original playoff question here Saturday, he couldn’t resist commenting the second time around. But for many across the country — especially those residing in a particular part of our great nation (ahem, the South) — Indiana’s candidacy is not so obvious. And it didn’t get any more clear, for them, after the 38-15 loss to the Buckeyes. In fact, while writing away on this column, high above Ohio Stadium, this reporter received a couple of messages from those folks down South. Ah, yes — it’s that time of year. However, the SEC’s best argument for five teams — yes, — to get into the 12-team field likely fizzled on Saturday afternoon. Just minutes after Ohio State beat Indiana, , a bubble playoff team whose loss likely paves the way for the Hoosiers — and Tennessee too — to get in the field. Or does it? Last week’s College Football Playoff committee rankings seemed to position any Big 12 or ACC runner-up behind those programs. But we’ll know more Tuesday night when the committee releases its rankings. For now, let the politicking continue. Within Ohio Stadium after Saturday’s game, Cignetti and players met reporters with the playoff cloud lingering overhead. QB Kurtis Rourke is hoping for a “rematch” against Ohio State in the postseason, and linebacker Aiden Fisher says the Hoosiers — a team with 20 Group of Five transfers — showed their physicality against what is likely the most talented roster in college football. “People ask can this Group of Five team hold up? Look at the film,” Fisher deadpanned. He’s right, in a way. This wasn’t too disastrous of a performance by Cignetti’s crew. Ohio State scored in the final seconds to extend the lead from 16 to 23, and the Buckeyes got 14 points off special teams miscues from the Hoosiers. Indiana allowed a 79-yard punt return from star Caleb Downs, and it dropped a punt snap to give Ryan Day’s team seven more. In fact, IU’s defense allowed just 316 yards. But its offense, oh brother, its offense. The Hoosiers scored 15 points, 30 points below their average, and had 151 yards, more than 300 yards below their average. After its game-opening 70-yard touchdown drive, Indiana gained 81 yards on 48 plays. It gave up five sacks, completed just eight passes and averaged 2.6 yards a play. “Every time we dropped back to pass, something bad happened,” Cignetti said. Cignetti pointed to a couple of factors for the offensive outing: the noise and Ohio State’s talent. The Buckeyes are “loaded,” he said, and the Hoosiers needed to switch to a silent count because of the noise, something that rattled the squad and resulted in O-line miscommunication. “I didn’t think we played our best game today,” Cignetti said. But did it show enough to be in the playoff? “I don’t make those decisions,” Cignetti responded. “It’s more important now that I focus on the next game. Big rival [Purdue]. That needs to be everybody’s focus.” The focus for the masses was, is and will be Indiana’s schedule, ranked 106th among 137 FBS teams entering Saturday. Their opponents have a cumulative record of 10 games below .500. They’ve played one ranked team (Ohio State). Before Saturday, they’d beaten just one program with a winning record (Washington at 6-5). Those are the negatives. There are positives, too. Indiana beat nine of 10 opponents by double figures, was top five in the country in both scoring offense and defense and hung around — at least for a quarter and a half! — with the Buckeyes. Before kickoff Saturday, Cignetti, boastful and brash, let his feelings be known in an interview on ESPN. “We’ve got the largest scoring margin in college football, right?” he said. “There’s a narrative out there that’s created another chip for us. People can stick that narrative up their you-know-what.” Plenty of other bubble teams have their own problems, too. Tennessee lost to five-loss Arkansas. Any ACC or Big 12 champion will likely have at least two losses. SEC teams Ole Miss and South Carolina have three defeats, and Clemson lost at home to Louisville (not to mention the season-opening slaughtering against Georgia in Atlanta). Even two-loss Georgia, despite playing the country’s toughest-ranked schedule, struggled for three quarters with UMass (the Bulldogs allowed a whopping 226 yards rushing). Every team has a wart or two or three or four. It’s a near-impossibility to separate the group of potential at-large squads, a thankless position for committee members and the poor sap (Michigan AD Warde Manuel) that the CFP unnecessarily trots out each week to explain the rankings. Perhaps it’s why professional football has no committee. No at-large teams. No silly data-driven decisions and wacky metrics to separate playoff squads. In the NFL, it’s quite literally settled on the field, with postseason berths tied to division and conference finishes. Some want that model for this sport. One of them was here on Saturday: Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti, a man who in the spring . The model would include three or four automatic qualifiers for each the SEC and Big Ten; two each for the ACC and Big 12; one G5 auto bid; and then three to five at-large spots in a further expanded 14- or 16-team field. Is that the future? Maybe. For now, let the lobbying, the silly metrics and the impossible debates continue.

MT. STERLING, Ohio , Dec. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- WillowWood, a global leader in prosthetic solutions, is proud to announce its receipt of the prestigious Gold Anthem Award Honor in the Product and Innovation category for its 2024 rebrand. The award recognizes the transformative collaboration with DD.NYC that has redefined WillowWood's visual identity, emphasizing its mission to improve mobility, push the forefront of the prosthetic industry, and enhance the quality of life for individuals worldwide. The Anthem Awards is the largest and most comprehensive social impact award, recognizing work across five areas of impact including Awareness, Fundraising, Community Engagement, Product, Innovation & Service, and Team & Internal Initiatives, for seven causes: Diversity Equity & Inclusion, Education Art & Culture, Health, Human & Civil Rights, Humanitarian Action & Services, Responsible Technology, and Sustainability Climate & Environment. By amplifying the voices that spark global change, the Anthem Awards are defining a new benchmark for impactful work that inspires others to take action in their own communities. With over 2,300 submissions from 44 countries around the world, 10,000+ reviews from jurors, and over 33,000 supporters in the Anthem Community Voice, the 4th Annual Anthem Award Winners were announced on November 19, 2024 . WillowWood's rebrand stood out among this global competition, showcasing an unwavering commitment to empowering prosthetic users through advanced technology and compassionate care. "This recognition is a testament to the heart and soul of WillowWood's mission and DD.NYC's commitment to reimagining brands in a way that stays true to that heart and soul," said Mahesh Mansukhani , CEO of WillowWood. "Our partnership with Digital Design NYC allowed us to craft a brand identity that not only honors our legacy but also propels us into the future. The rebrand reflects our promise to provide innovative prosthetic solutions that enhance mobility and transform lives." The creative process was a seamless collaboration between WillowWood and DD.NYC. Together, the teams developed a rebrand strategy that blends contemporary design elements with an innovation-centered focus. Key features include a revitalized logo, a cohesive color palette inspired by movement and vitality, and a redesigned website offering an intuitive user experience for clinicians and prosthetic users alike. "From the outset, we sought to encapsulate the essence of WillowWood's dedication to improving lives through innovation," said Anjelika Kour , Creative Director at DD.NYC. "The resulting rebrand is both striking and meaningful, capturing the spirit of mobility and resilience that defines WillowWood." The Gold Anthem Award underscores the significant impact of WillowWood's reimagined brand, resonating with both the prosthetics community and broader audiences. As a leader in the industry, WillowWood continues to champion inclusivity, innovation, and hope. To explore the award-winning rebrand and learn more about WillowWood's mission and products, visit willowwood.com . To learn more about the many industry-changing projects and services of DD.NYC, visit dd.nyc . About WillowWood: Based in Mount Sterling, Ohio , WillowWood Global is an industry leading designer, manufacturer, and distributor of prosthetic products, including liners, feet, vacuum systems and components. Recognized for its products' superior innovation, quality, and patient outcomes, WillowWood's portfolio includes the Alpha ® family of liners, including the first myoelectric Alpha ® Control Liner, the META ® family of feet, the LimbLogic ® vacuum system, and now the XtremityTT ® socket system. For over 117 years, WillowWood's prosthetic products have helped individuals with limb loss find comfort and functionality, remain active and live life to the fullest. About DD.NYC: DD.NYC® is an award-winning Manhattan -based creative agency specializing in branding, web design, packaging, and video storytelling. Since its founding in 2015, the agency has been recognized for its innovative approach and adaptability across industries, with a strong focus on the medical and healthcare sectors. About The Anthem Awards: Launched in 2021 by The Webby Awards, The Anthem Awards honors the purpose & mission-driven work of people, companies and organizations worldwide. By amplifying the voices that spark global change, we're defining a new benchmark for impactful work that inspires others to take action in their own communities. The Anthem Awards honors work across seven core causes: Diversity; Equity & Inclusion; Education; Art & Culture; Health; Human & Civil Rights; Humanitarian Action & Services; Responsible Technology; and Sustainability, Environment & Climate. This season's partners include Ms. Magazine, The Female Quotient, Sustainable Brands, NationSwell, and TheFutureParty. The Awards were founded in partnership with the Ad Council, Born This Way Foundation, Feeding America, Glaad, Mozilla, NAACP, NRDC, WWF, and XQ. About The Webby Awards: Hailed as the "Internet's highest honor" by The New York Times , The Webby Awards is the leading international awards organization honoring excellence on the Internet, including Websites and Mobile Sites; Video; Advertising; Media & PR; Apps & Software; Social; Podcasts; Games and AI, Metaverse & Virtual. Established in 1996, The Webby Awards received nearly 13,000 entries from all 50 states and over 70 countries worldwide this year. The Webby Awards are presented by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences (IADAS). Sponsors and Partners of The Webby Awards include WP Engine, LinkedIn, Meltwater, NAACP, KPMG, Wall Street Journal, Vox Media, Deadline, AdAge, TechCrunch, The Hollywood Reporter, The Hustle, Morning Brew, Passionfruit, Embedded, Link in Bio, Creator Economy NYC, Creator Spotlight, AIGA, Vote Save America, and The Publish Press. Media contact: Marketing@willowwood.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/willowwood-rebrand-by-ddnyc-wins-gold-anthem-award-for-product-and-innovation-in-2024-rebrand-302337766.html SOURCE WillowWood GlobalPresident-elect Donald Trump on Thursday named former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi as his pick to serve as U.S. attorney general in his incoming administration, after Matt Gaetz withdrew from consideration earlier in the day. “For too long, the partisan Department of Justice has been weaponized against me and other Republicans - Not anymore,” Trump said in a Thursday post announcing the pick on his Truth Social platform. “Pam will refocus the DOJ to its intended purpose of fighting Crime, and Making America Safe Again. I have known Pam for many years — She is smart and tough, and is an AMERICA FIRST Fighter, who will do a terrific job as Attorney General!” Bondi is a longtime Trump ally and was one of his lawyers during his first impeachment trial when he was accused — but not convicted — of abusing his power as he tried to condition U.S. military assistance to Ukraine on that country investigating then-former Vice President Joe Biden. She has been a chair at the America First Policy Institute, a think tank set up by former Trump administration staffers. Bondi is from Tampa and spent more than 18 years as a prosecutor. She was Florida’s first female attorney general. This is a developing story and will be updated. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

In a tragic turn of events, Shivaji Patil, who emerged victorious from the Chandgad assembly constituency, was injured during his victory celebrations when a fire broke out, an eyewitness reported. The incident also left several women injured, casting a shadow over the festivities. A video that has swiftly garnered attention on social media reveals that the blaze was triggered when a large quantity of 'gulal' inadvertently fell from a crane onto the 'aarti' plates being used by the women to honor Patil at Mahgaon. The blaze resulted in burns to Shivaji Patil and others present at the scene. Patil's victory was significant, securing a win over NCP's Rajesh Patil with a substantial margin of 24134 votes in the Chandgad constituency, located in western Maharashtra. The celebrations, however, were marred by the unforeseen mishap, drawing widespread attention online. (With inputs from agencies.)Newly-crowned Grand Slam of Darts champion Luke Littler continued his red-hot form with a stunning six-leg blitz of world No 4 Rob Cross in the first round of the Players Championship Finals in Minehead. The 17-year-old was in imperious form to dispatch Cross 6-0 in just over 15 minutes. He ensured he was virtually unplayable, averaging 112.73 to begin his campaign - the second highest in the tournament's history. Littler will be joined in round two by defending world champion Luke Humphries who cruised past Gabriel Clemens with a 6-2 win. However many big names will not feature in the next round after a raft of shocks on Friday saw household names including Michael van Gerwen, Gerwyn Price, Stephen Bunting and Chris Dobey knocked out. Trending Van Gerwen in particular languishes in a calendar year without a televised title for just the second time since 2012. The star of the night undoubtedly was once again Littler, for whom there is long way to go as the format is relentless, with multiple matches to negotiate on the Saturday and Sunday. Also See: Stream the Darts and more with NOW World Darts Championship: Latest news Ally Pally sold out after record interest Darts in 2024: Key dates and big events However has shown little sign of slowing down after winning his 10th title of his debut year on the PDC Tour and a third major title of the year, surely setting a marker to be considered one of the favourites for next month's World Championships, live on Sky Sports. Who will win the Paddy Power World Darts Championship? Watch every match exclusively live from December 15-January 3 on Sky Sports' dedicated darts channel. Stream darts and more top sport with NOW .

The 55th GST Council meeting, held under the leadership of the country's finance minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, came to an end on Saturday, December 21. The minister, along with her associates, is expected to hold a press conference at 18:00 IST. Insurance Tax Cut Deferred Some of the key aspects that have emerged from the meeting are decisions or lack of some much-discussed issues. When we look at the marquee issues that have been, the following have been learnt. Decisions on the most talked-about issues of insurance premiums (health and life), that is, lowering the GST rate on insurance premiums, have been deferred due to a lack of consensus among the GST council members. Let us know! 👂 What type of content would you like to see from us this year? Currently, a GST of 18 per cent is levied on entire life insurance and health insurance. States Oppose ATF Rate In this regard, a Group of Ministers or GoM is expected to meet on insurance premiums in January 2025. Up next, the issues of lowering tax on food delivery have been deferred due to a lack of consensus in the panel. Here again, the current GST rate on food delivery stands at 18 per cent. Let us know! 👂 What type of content would you like to see from us this year? Another major issue that has been deferred is the issue of bringing ATF, or Aviation Turbine Fuel under the ambit of the GST regime. This issue was also deferred as the states, that are a part of the council opposed the move. GST On Used Cars Some other aspects that have emerged in the meeting include a possible 18 per cent GST on the sale of used cars. Let us know! 👂 What type of content would you like to see from us this year? GST On Popcorn It is also being understood that the GoM report on rate tax Rationalisation has not being submitted. In addition, clarification on the GST levied on popcorn was also issued. A 5 per cent GST will levied on ready-to-eat popcorn, a further 12 per cent for pre-packaged, and an 18 per cent GST will added to caramel popcorn. Namkeens or savouries are currently taxed at 12 per cent, meanwhile, confectionary items are charged at 18 per cent.or signup to continue reading New year, same old ? Not quite, but updates for the 2025 model year aren't exactly obvious on first glance. After all, the basic formula remains unchanged. It still comes wrapped in the same gorgeous swoopy bodywork, with a choice of naturally aspirated four-cylinder engines under the skin. Rather, the updated Mazda 3 brings sweeping tech and safety upgrades, from the introduction of Mazda Connected Services to wider standardisation of the Vision Package safety suite. Unfortunately, there's no such thing as a free lunch. That means spec improvements have been accompanied by price rises, to the tune of up to $2320. Both the big ticket inclusions feature on the vehicle tested here – a . It sits right in the middle of the range, positioned to compete with similarly well-equipped hatches such as the and . So, is an inflated price tag enough to put us off this charming small car, or does the extra kit catapult the new Evolve SP above its rivals? Prices are up by between $720 and $2320, with the higher-end increases due to previously optional equipment becoming standard. You've probably heard this before, but Mazda's premium push has worked wonders from an interior presentation standpoint. I wouldn't go as far as to say the G25 Evolve SP looks a million dollars, but it would definitely compare favourably to cars in the $50,000 ballpark. From the driver's seat the car wraps around you like a welcoming cocoon. There are soft touches everywhere, from the leather armrest to padded door card and centre tunnel trims. The entire dash is also tactile and squidgy – kudos to you, Mazda. High traffic areas including the steering wheel and shifter score even better materials, smooth leather in this case. All the physical buttons throughout the cabin have a satisfying click. It's not quite perfect. The doors feel tinny, and scratch-prone gloss black plastic surrounds the shifter and infotainment controls. Nevertheless, this is a lovely cabin to spend time in. The mid-spec G25 Evolve SP features grippy, firmly-bolstered cloth seats which proved to be up to the rigours of everyday driving and comfortable over long journeys. Both front seats appear identical, but the driver is treated to electric adjustment with lumbar, while the passenger seat comes with do-it-yourself manual controls. None of this is new to owners of the pre-update Mazda 3, as the most apparent changes lie in the technology department. As part of the newly-standard Vision Package, the Evolve SP now comes with a larger 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen. That's a good thing – size matters when it comes to useability, and the graphics appear crisper than before. The 10.25-inch unit is a proper touchscreen too, unlike Mazda's previous products that required the use of a rotary dial. However, as a taller type that tends to sit further back that most, I found the screen to be too far away from my driving position to be used regularly as a touchscreen. It was physically more comfortable, and safer, to use the dial than reach forward while driving. It's an ergonomic compromise that I've faced in Mazda vehicles before, the main problem being that the screen sits too deep on the dash. I'm sure many will get on with the layout in the Mazda 3 just fine, and the infotainment system itself is uncluttered and easy to navigate. You're initially greeted by a compact scroll menu layout with no more than five tabs for vehicle information, entertainment, communication, navigation and settings. Simples. It's the same interface that we've seen for a while with Mazda – classy white font on top of a black background. Easy to read, if not overly inspiring. I spent most of my time with the Mazda 3 in Apple CarPlay, which can be accessed wirelessly with the upgraded infotainment system. The CarPlay connection was quick and consistent, providing easy access to apps like Spotify and Waze. Having said that, it'd be nice if there was a fixed shortcut button to exit smartphone mirroring. Ahead of the driver sits a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster. Well, that's what they call it. Really, it's a set of digitised gauges with a small customisable centre screen. The gauges build on the theme of classy simplicity that resonates throughout the cabin, and I'd expect the setup to appeal to mature motorists seeking familiarity in their small car. Young tech-heads, not so much. Rather, they can marvel at the small head-up display projected on the windscreen. In a similar vein to the gauges, the climate controls are old-school, a mix of physical buttons and dials. Despite the compact feel of the Mazda 3, there's plenty of storage space up front. A spacious split centre console and absurdly deep glovebox are highlights, while you also get skinny door bins, a sunglasses compartment, centre cupholders, and a coin tray next to the steering wheel. Device connectivity is covered by a pair of USB-C outlets in the centre console, plus a 12V socket. A wireless phone charger is located under the centre stack, although it only worked intermittently in my experience. It may be surprisingly roomy up front, but it's a completely different story in the second row. First and foremost, there's very little space for passengers. At 6'1′′, I was forced to perform an unflattering leg spread, wrapping my legs around the driver's seat to get achieve some semblance of comfort. Even then, I could barely close the door. Headroom is also restrictive – passengers topping 5'10" will come into contact with the ceiling. The combination of limited space, a black headliner and small windows makes the back of the Mazda 3 feel quite claustrophobic. In other words, the second row is best suited to kids and cargo. The list of back seat amenities isn't great. There's a centre armrest with integrated cupholders, puny door bins and a single map pocket, but no USB outlets or air vents. Now that I think of it, kids mightn't love it back there either. If it were practical, I'd recommend folding the rear seats down (60/40 split) and treating the bench as extra luggage space. However, the two front seats need to be all the way forward for the rear seats to fold flat. That renders the bench storage next to useless. Adding insult to injury, boot capacity is a meagre . To put that into context, the Hyundai i30 N Line offers 395L, while the Kia Cerato GT boasts 428L. The boot may be small, but the aperture is nicely square and the manual tailgate opens high enabling easy loading of items. A space-saver spare tyre is located under the boot floor, which is nice to have in case of emergency, especially for owners in remote areas. No changes have been made to either drivetrain for 2025. G25 examples feature a 2.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. If you treat cars like glorified white goods, then it's unlikely you'll appreciate what the Mazda 3 has to offer. You sit nice and low in the cockpit-like cabin, perfectly positioned to take full control of the driving experience. Indeed, the Mazda 3 is a properly engaging little car to drive, especially with the 2.5-litre engine. The extra displacement ups outputs to 139kW and 252Nm, increases of 25kW and 52Nm over the 2.0-litre, respectively. That's enough to make the sleek G25 feel nippy enough, and the power is delivered in a familiarly linear manner, but it still doesn't feel quick unless you push towards redline. Hardly an issue for buyers who plan to eat up highway or countryside kilometres, but city-slickers will be left wanting when they search for a hit of lowdown torque from a set of traffic lights. A firmly planted right foot will eventually see the Mazda 3 take off but the harder you push it, the more noise it makes. And that's unlikely to make for a relaxing commute, or impress your passengers. We've been spoilt rotten by modern turbocharged and hybrid engines, and stepping back into a car like the Mazda 3 reminds you why so many carmakers have made the switch from naturally aspirated power. Fuel consumption is also a key sticking point. Mazda claims our tester can achieve 6.6L/100km, but I was seeing over 10L/100km across a week of mixed driving, which is a lot for a small car. It's the price you pay for a characterful engine that likes to rev. The ride offered in the Mazda 3 is also reflective of its old-school nature – it's on the firmer side, and you feel undulations and imperfections in the road. Indeed, the ride can become choppy on coarse surfaces, and steep speed humps sometimes end in a crashy landing. On the flip side, the car feels nimble and dynamic as a result, helped by well-metered body control and direct, well-weighted steering. The Evolve SP is easy to manoeuvre in traffic, and a joy to zip through the suburbs. Another problem I encountered when driving around town was a lack of outward visibility from the driver's seat. Both the side windows and rear windscreen of the Mazda 3 are on the smaller side due its low roofline, which makes it tough to spot surrounding traffic and perform head checks when changing lanes. The Mazda 3 is likely to appeal to learner drivers given its affordable sticker price, but inexperienced steerers need all the visibility they can get. Parking has also traditionally required an unimpeded view out each side of the car, but the Evolve SP comes with Mazda's Vision Package, which includes a high-resolution surround-view camera that takes the stress out of squeezing into tight spaces. The previously optional Vision Package is now standard on all Mazda 3 variants except the Pure and Evolve. Although it's a worthwhile upgrade, it has also pushed prices up across the range. Mazda's safety and infotainment tech bundle also comes in handy on the highway. The package includes a semi-autonomous driving system that's among the most user-friendly systems on the market. Honestly, the feature is essentially set and forget. Speed and following distance toggles are right in front of the driver, and the software effectively manages both parameters whether you're negotiating heavy traffic or enjoying free flowing driving. The addition of semi-autonomous cruising effectively transforms the Mazda 3 into a comfortable long-distance cruiser, and I wouldn't shirk a long roadtrip behind the wheel. I had no qualms with the other advanced driver assist systems throughout this test. The driver monitoring, blind-spot monitoring and AEB functions rarely overstepped, allowing me to focus on the road ahead. Tyre roar was absent throughout highway stints, although I did notice quite a bit of wind noise in the cabin, perhaps owing to the tinny-feeling exterior panels. G25 versions of the Mazda 3 have more than enough power to reach highway speeds and complete overtaking manoeuvres, especially when you take advantage of the paddle shifters. When left to its own devices the transmission can take a while to kick down when you plant the throttle, but once on song the 2.5-litre is meaty. Flick the switch for sports mode and the transmission will hold gears for a little longer. The combination of a willing engine and involving driving dynamics guarantee this little hatch also feels right at home on a country road. The Mazda 3 offers a lot more feedback and driving engagement than other cars in the segment, even if that comes at the cost of comfort and efficiency on occasion. All grades get additional features for the new model year. The Mazda 3 wears a 2019-stamped five-star ANCAP safety rating based on Euro NCAP testing. The Mazda 3 is more expensive to service than most rivals – the Corolla Hybrid and are both cheaper to maintain over the first five years, while the i30 costs an average of $435 over the first 10 scheduled services. The Mazda 3 G25 Evolve SP has benefited from gaining the latest tech and safety features, but a few familiar pitfalls hold it back from small car greatness. Neither connected services nor the standard Vision Package address the relatively poor packaging of the Mazda 3, and it remains a thirsty beast with high running costs. That said, the Mazda 3 still sets the standard for driving dynamics and cabin presentation and ergonomics, but are those the most important criteria for affordable small car buyers? I'd argue not, in the majority of cases. On the other hand, practicality and efficiency are paramount for most, and the stylish Evolve SP trails the pack on that front. However, there's still plenty to be said for the Mazda 3 from the perspective of a single city-slicker who commutes to and from the office with a briefcase each day. With such a person in mind, I'd recommend our tester as the pick of the range, closely followed by the smaller-engined G20 Evolve. For a more versatile hatch, look to the newer i30, or even the smaller but more sophisticated Skoda Fabia. Content originally sourced from: Advertisement Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date. We care about the protection of your data. Read our . Advertisement

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