TOKYO - While technology cannot eliminate accidents, Mazda is making the low-speed rear-end collision easier to avoid. Dubbed Smart City Brake, Mazda is making this feature available across their 2018 model lineup, including the compact Mazda 3.

Designed to work at speeds under 20 miles per hour, a windshield-mounted laser senses an imminent collision ahead and, lacking driver action, delivers maximum braking while cutting engine power. While not designed to replace driver attentiveness, Smart City is more of an aid to lessen impact.

It's one of several changes on the 2018 Mazda 3 including a larger touchscreen, emergency notification system and rearview camera.

After spending a week behind the wheel of the 3, we were impressed with its agile handling and overall look and feel — even though most of this sedan is a carryover from last year. Pros: User-friendly infotainment system, upscale interior appointments, fun to drive.

Cons: Noisy cabin, limited cargo space, smallish back seat.

The Mazda 3 is available as a four-door sedan or five-door hatchback and is powered by two four cylinder powerplants; a 2-liter or 2.5-liter version, each connected to a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission.

With what Mazda calls SkyActive technology, the engine, transmission, chassis and body have been tweaked to maximize driving dynamics. Engineers developed a high-compression direct-injected engine that provides greater fuel efficiency and more torque.

The result is a spirited ride with an athletic feel as this sedan rounds corners with enthusiasm while opening up on long stretches. We noticed minimal body roll under acceleration with firm braking. Our top-of-the-line Grand Touring trim level with larger four-cylinder reached 60 miles per hour from a stop in 7.8 seconds, about average for this segment.

A console-mounted switch allows the flexibility of sport mode that holds gears longer while giving extra zoom in lower gears. We call it fun driving from a little car loaded with technology and a dressed-up interior. Base price of the 3 Sport sedan is $18,095, but expect to ante up for Touring and Grand Touring trim levels.

Competition is fierce in this compact segment, but the Mazda nameplate holds its loyal consumer base against rivals' Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, Subaru Impreza and Chevy Cruze.

One area where the Mazda 3 is lacking is in cargo space — the 12.3-cubic-foot trunk holds less than most rivals. If storage is a deal breaker, you can opt for the hatchback and get 20 cubic feet of storage with the rear seats in place and more than 47 cubic feet (SUV-like) with seats folded.

Although we observed road noise under acceleration, the cabin is otherwise a nice place to be. An intuitive interface makes climate, audio and navigation changes on the fly without distracting glances. And an innovative flip-up, heads-up display provides vital information in front of the driver's view through the windshield.