I owned a Mazda Protege5 for 18 years, loved it, but I needed a new car. I don't like big cars, this is not a big car, in fact I think it's smaller than the MP5. The cargo area is certainly smaller, but I really don't care, I don't haul things, and I don't have dogs or kids.I opted for the Grand Touring model, with the upgraded interior. I don't think I have ever owned a car this nice. I really wish it had been offered in a stick shift, but the little CX-3 has a manual mode, and paddle shifters, how cool is that.My old iPod connected to it, no problem, so I can easily listen to all my music, much like on my old car, but this system is much easier to control. I just bought the car, so I can't say too much yet. I love the color, they call it Soul Red.