Superb styling and engineering; best-in-class driving dynamics; value
40-degrees in Adelaide highlighted no rear seat air-vents
‘Benchmark’, ‘Best Of The Bunch,’ ‘Numero Uno’, - label it however you like but there’s no doubt the all-new Mazda3 is the best of the mainstream small cars. We suspected so after driving some prototypes late last year, but confirmation came at the national media launch when Mazda announced the prices – from $20,490.
Yes, despite major advances in every conceivable area - not the least of which is the handy combo of more power and reduced fuel consumption – the all-new Mazda 3 has a starting price $1,500 less than its predecessor. And the sporty SP25 model brings the more powerful 2.5-litre engine into play starting at $25,890 – the lowest price ever for a Mazda3 2.5-litre.
The all-new Mazda3 is the third generation of Mazda’s top-selling vehicle which has racked-up global sales of more than 3.8-million. In fact the Mazda3 accounts for almost 1-in-3 of Mazda’s total sales.
Mazda3 has won many hearts in Australia since it first appeared in 2004. The outgoing Mazda3 was Australia’s number one best-selling individual model in 2011 and 2012 and was narrowly beaten last year by the Toyota Corolla (but remember Mazda3 production was winding down in advance of the new model launch).
Mazda3 Overview
A clean-sheet design, the all-new Mazda3 is the third Mazda model to feature the full range of the company’s ground-breaking ‘Skyactiv’ technology – the others are CX-5 and Mazda6 - engines, transmissions, chassis and body. All-new Mazda3 is on-sale now and is offered in both sedan and hatchback variants.
Entry-level Neo, as well as Maxx and Touring grades are powered by Mazda’s 2.0-litre, four-cylinder engine, while SP25, SP25GT and range-topping SP25 Astina score the more powerful 2.5-litre powerplant. All Mazda3 models are available with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission.
As well as the new looks, Mazda engineers have worked hard to deliver a even sharper driving dynamic (that Skyactiv chassis features reduced weight, sharper next generation electric power steering and Mazda-first 780MPa high tensile steel for suspension arms), plus significantly enhanced infotainment with updatable software and more safety in the form of blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning, smart brake support and smart city brake support.
All-New Mazda3 Pricing
|
Model |
Engine |
Transmission |
MLP |
|
Mazda3 Neo |
2.0 litre petrol |
6MT |
$20,490 |
|
Mazda3 Neo |
2.0 litre petrol |
6AT |
$22,490 |
|
Mazda3 Maxx |
2.0 litre petrol |
6MT |
$22,990 |
|
Mazda3 Maxx |
2.0 litre petrol |
6AT |
$24,990 |
|
Mazda3 Touring |
2.0 litre petrol |
6MT |
$25,490 |
|
Mazda3 Touring |
2.0 litre petrol |
6AT |
$27,490 |
|
Mazda3 SP25 |
2.5 litre petrol |
6MT |
$25,890 |
|
Mazda3 SP25 |
2.5 litre petrol |
6AT |
$27,890 |
|
Mazda3 SP25 GT |
2.5 litre petrol |
6MT |
$30,590 |
|
Mazda3 SP25 GT |
2.5 litre petrol |
6AT |
$32,590 |
|
Mazda3 SP25 Astina |
2.5 litre petrol |
6MT |
$36,190 |
|
Mazda3 SP25 Astina |
2.5 litre petrol |
6AT |
$38,190 |
Mazda3 Engine
As we know, at the heart of Mazda’s game-changing Skyactiv-G petrol engines is a very high compression ratio of 13:1. That’s especially impressive for a road car with expectations of a six-digit kms engine lifespan and running on regular pump petrol (the naturally-aspirated Formula One racing engines ran a similar compression ratio but they just had to last one Grand Prix before rebuilds and used exotic – and very expensive - fuel).
But there’s no doubt there’s some complexity with Skyactiv-G engines. Mazda’s California-based engineer Dave Colman brought an exhaust manifold to the launch to illustrate the extra length of the pipes from the engine to the catalyst – needed to prevent ‘knocking’. The resultant manifold looked like a work of art which should be hanging in the Guggenheim Museum in Los Angeles.
But computer-controlled CNC machining gives Mazda flexibility so four-cylinder, V6, petrol and diesel engines can be assembled on the one line back in Hiroshima, Japan. Some 45 machining operations have been pared-back to just four (and one of those is unique to the V6) and assembly time for each engine is cut from six hours to just 1.3 hours…and all of that saves dollars.
The Skyactiv engines in the all-new Mazda3 are open throttle Miller-Cycle engines at cruise and the extra 16Nm of mid-range torque included in the all-new models has enabled Mazda to fit taller gearing – which of course saves fuel.
For all-new Mazda3 Neo, Maxx and Touring models, the 2.0-litre Skyactiv-G petrol engine delivers 114kW at 6000rpm and peak torque of 200Nm at 4000rpm. Mazda3 SP models employ the 2.5-litre Skyactiv-G engine with 138kW at 5700rpm and 250Nm at 3250rpm.
Both engines have fuel-saving i-stop and combined cycle fuel consumption is rated as low as 5.7l/100kms for the 2.0-litre and 6.0l/100kms for the 2.5-litre.
Mazda3 The Interior
Lots of smart thinking at Mazda on interiors. We like the driver focus – the cockpit is snug and sporty with well laid-out instrumentation (digital speedo and analogue rev-counter) while the front passenger layout is spacious.
And we like the new interior colours – the SP25 Astina we drove was trimmed in the new light coloured combo which looked very stylish.
Overall, Mazda has really stepped-up with the Mazda3 interior. The new head-up display doesn’t project onto the windscreen, instead it has its own small screen on the top of the instrument binnacle – very nice – and the infotainment/satellite navigation screen sits proud centre dashboard (both ergonomically designed for easy reading).
Mazda says its ‘MZD Connect’ system is a clean-sheet design addressing its driver-focussed mantra to overcome visual, cognitive and manual distractions in its use. For example you’ll find no radio station information around the vital gauges.
When it comes to rear seat space, Mazda reckons the all-new Mazda3 is best-in-class with 909mm of leg-room and seatbacks which are 50mm taller. All-new Mazda3 also offers impressive head-room for those in the back.
Luggage space too is more than reasonable – 408-litres for the sedan and 308-litres for the hatchback.
Mazda3 Exterior & Styling
Kenichiro Sarawutari, the Hiroshima-based Mazda3 program manager visited Australia to introduce his latest model to the Australian media almost exactly a decade since the nameplate debuted. ‘Innovating Sport Concept’ is how he explained the theme behind the latest looks. Mazda says the all-new Mazda3 is an evolution of its ‘Kodo’ design language – in a small car package.
And that packaging (both sedan and hatchback) is excellent – the all-new Mazda3 providing a cohesive look with nice proportions and a broad, powerful on-road stance.
As per the current trend, the 16-inch and 18-inch wheels are covered by bold wheel-arches and both head-lights and tail-lights are complex designs.
At the front, all-new Mazda3 features the hallmark Mazda ‘wing’ and low-mounted grille.
And there are hints of the latest Mazda6 with prominent curves and creases lending a sophisticated look from any angle.
Mazda3 On The Road
‘Only’ 44-degrees when we headed-off from the Adelaide CBD for a winding run to the Barossa and back. Carshowroom.com.au started at the top with a Mazda3 SP25 Astina sedan ($38,190) and for the run back we swapped into a Maxx Sport hatchback manual ($22,490).
Both were very tightly put together with Mazda’s usual high-standard manufacturing. Just some slight wind noise from the door-mounted exterior mirrors at around 115km/h.
In terms of engines, both were nicely refined and responsive with the 2.5-litre, as expected, providing nice urge as we worked through the gears climbing the hills. But we must say the 2.0-litre surprised us with its strong mid-range torque and, especially considering its slight fuel consumption advantage it would loom large in our minds if buying a Mazda3.
And, as we’d previously gleaned driving the all-new Mazda3 around the test track and Anglesea, Mazda’s improved suspension has made the newcomer even better than its accomplished predecessor. Steering feel is definitely the superstar amongst similar small cars, turn-in is crisp, roadholding even at high-speeds is impressive and chassis balance is spot-on.
Mazda3 Challenges
A surprise even the range-topping Mazda3 SP25 Astina lacks rear seat air-vents and both it and the Maxx we drove at the national media launch showed a hint of wind noise around the exterior mirrors.
Some may find the ride of the Astina a tad firm on the 18-inch alloys.
Mazda3 Verdict
We’re running the ‘Value For Money’ banner up the flagpole here. Not only has Mazda sharpened the pencils with the all-new Mazda3 lineup starting at $20,490, don’t forget Mazda does not charge extra for metallic paint (except $200 for Soul Red) and the newcomer’s arrival coincides with the launch of Mazda Service Select which provides capped-price servicing for life and flexibility in service times.
Factor that into the mix with the all-new styling, better driving dynamics, better engines, extra technology and improved safety and the conclusion is inescapable – the all-new Mazda3 is the mainstream small car by which all others should be judged.
Mazda3 The Competition
Here’s the new small car pecking order: Number one is Mazda3, number two is the Volkswagen Golf, number three is the Ford Focus and number four is the Toyota Corolla (as we write the Corolla sedan is yet to launch).
Co-incidentally a Volkswagen Golf GTI was in the Carshowroom.com.au garage at the same time as the Mazda3 media launch. Of course Golf has one thing the all-new Mazda3 lacks – a diesel engine - plus some stunning technology like the DSG transmission. But for us, the all-new Mazda3 edges ahead thanks to better all-round driving dynamics and better value-for-money.
Ford’s German-origin Focus remains a Carshowroom.com.au favourite and its starting price of $20,290 will appeal to those tight on folding. Focus also offers a diesel alternative.
