By Karl Peskett.
With the introduction of the new Mazda3, the Japanese carmaker also introduced a new font. The Zoom-Zoom message has been toned down a little, with “Driving is believing” the new tagline which is more prominent.
It’s all in aid of changing the brand, leaving behind the highly italicised and slightly dated look that the brand has stuck with over the past decade or so. Now, it’s more classy, more modern and more upmarket.
And that’s a good way to describe the company’s current lineup as well. The CX-5, CX-9, Mazda6 and even the Mazda2 are all some of the best vehicles in their class. But one model is now not just one of the best, it is the best in class – the new Mazda3.
Sure, there are some elements that are leapfrogged by other vehicles, but as a complete package, the Mazda3 just has everything going for it.
Our test model for this week was the Mazda3 Astina, the top of the line version, and if you want a small hatch with everything but the kitchen sink, this is it. There’s leather everywhere, a smooth drivetrain, excellent handling, brilliant stereo, modern infotainment interface and enough space for most people.
Every Mazda 3 receives a start button, seven airbags, radar-based active cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and both front and rear autonomous emergency braking which is able to detect cars, pedestrians and cyclists, in both day and night conditions. The Astina also gets sunroof, gloss black wheels, auto high-beam function and a 360-degree around-view camera.
The interior is what’s most impressive. With a new, swooping design and stacked leather dashtop, it’s more reminiscent of a Lexus than a Mazda, which is no bad thing. The quality of the hide is second to none (it also smells wonderful), and the padding of the seats is perfect for long-distance driving.
Sure, it could use a little more room in the back, but the packaging is clever enough so that even families with teenagers won’t get too many complaints. A slightly larger boot would be nice, too (295 litres is adequate, nothing more).
The infotainment has a new user interface which is cleaner and more high resolution than before, and doesn’t glitch or take ages to respond like the last software. The menus are now easier to work through and pairing your phone happens in seconds. And you can use Apple Car Play or Android Auto if that’s your preference.
The standard Bose stereo rivals systems from B&O and Harmon Kardon in far more expensive vehicles, with amazing clarity and bass but little distortion at volume.
The fuel gauge was perhaps the most frustrating part of our time with the car. The range is shown on a small digital gauge right next to the analogue dial, meaning there’s a direct comparison between the two. But the two don’t always give you the same info.
For example, the range had dropped by around 100 kilometers (roughly the distance we had already driven), which would give you the impression that the fuel gauge would drop by a certain amount. Except it didn’t. It stayed firmly on the full marker.
Shortly thereafter it dropped by nearly a fifth. Starting the car after some more driving later and it dropped to a quarter. If it was a consistent fall, it would be far easier to figure out when to fill up. As it is, we just used the range gauge. Hopefully that was only a fault with this particular car and not a model-wide issue.
Driving is where the Mazda3 feels like a different car to its predecessors. Gone is the incessant road noise, replaced by a far quieter ride, but one that is very firm. The ride/handling balance is good, but not to Golf standards. Instead you get excellent steering feel and good handling, with the occasional jolt over harsh bumps.
The engine is a carryover 2.5-litre four-cylinder with no turbocharging, and it’s quite good, but we’re still awaiting the latest SkyActive X engines to arrive, and when they do, the Mazda3 will most likely leave the European vehicles in its dust. We’re used to the current engine and the transmission works well with it, but it would be nice to see a smaller capacity turbocharged engine at some point. In the meantime the cylinder deactivation (which you can hardly feel) is a good way to save some fuel.
Overall, the new Mazda3 is an easy small hatch to hop in and get comfortable with. It suits a wide variety of driving positions, it feels welcoming, looks suitably luxurious (both inside and out) and has just enough space to be workable.
But it’s the interior that really sells it. With fabulous seats, an intuitive infotainment system, leather all over the place and quality feeling switchgear, it’s just a lovely place to spend time – and that’s where you want to be when you have to drive somewhere.
