Image Credit(s): Motor1
Thabiso Malimela
Built by the car manufacturer whose badge looks like a thong, the 3rd generation Mazda3 was more than just an affordable, comfortable, and practical C-segment budget car contender. It was an arrowhead pointing in the direction that Mazda wanted to take the brand, a place where Mazda would be a by-word for things like premium build quality and affordability. And to a certain extent, Mazda has done just that. Having revealed an all-new and 4th iteration of the Mazda3 this July, should fellow contenders in this segment be shaking in their boots or should they just stop and giggle?
Image Credit(s): Motor1
Just by looking at the statistics, it is easy to see why Mazda should throw their best arm at making the new ‘3. The outgoing model’s sales represent 30% of Mazda’s total earnings (despite rising pressure from the CX-3 as buyers continue to gravitate toward SUVs). This means that if you have 10 Mazdas, chances are that there will be three Mazda3s – sorry, I couldn’t help myself… According to Mazda South Africa, the new ‘3’s mission is to build on their legacy and deliver a product that will exceed customer expectation while also shaking up industry standards. So, let’s see what Mazda has done to the Mazda3 to put substance behind their statement that the “Next generation of Mazda cars will enhance the value of the car-ownership experience.”
The Mazda3 Kicks Things Off On a Rather…Confusing Note
Also released in 2019 was the new Toyota Corolla Hatch which arrived with an all-new turbocharged engine for the first time in the Corolla’s history (when even Toyota is surrendering to turbo engine technology, one should frantically take notes). Turbocharging is to the motoring world as what compound interest is in finance; it’s a wonderful thing that’s very hard to argue against and everyone should try it. So, when Mazda revealed that the new Mazda3 will arrive with a pair of naturally aspirated (non-turbo) petrol engines, I had to check that the 1st of April had indeed passed in case my sense of humour was on leave that day. As it turned out, Mazda is adamant that the pair of high compression SKYACTIV-G petrol engines will be a gamechanger with regards to fuel efficiency and power delivery.
The smaller of the two engines is a 1.5 litre 4-cylinder delivering 88 kW and 153 N.m of torque, while a better-endowed 2.0 litre 4-cylinder producing 121 kW and 213 N.m is also offered on the new ‘3. Both engines are available with a 6-speed automatic gearbox while a 6-speed manual is exclusively offered in the smaller and less potent power plant. Going for a test drive with either of the two engines, it won’t take you too long to realise that the Mazda 3 lacks some of the urgent power delivery that a turbocharged engine delivers. While it’s power and torque figures are on par with its competitors, it’s the manner in which that power is served that leaves you yearning for more power. Clearly, this car is one to be driven in a suave manner because while the engine operates unctuously in eerie silence and power is delivered in a linear and progressive manner, it does tend to be on the asthmatic side especially when driven at high altitude. Just like the engine, the automatic gearbox reminds me of that one song by Sade…it’s a Smooth Operator. All in all, for daily use the new Mazda3’s engine(s) will provide you with plenty of refinement, however, if an opportunity to overtake presents itself, you have to treat it like a fan of erotic asphyxiation and grab it by the neck!
And Just Like Local Politics, The Mazda3 Gets More Confusing
I guess it’s safe to say that the Mazda3 suffers from an identity crisis. While it traditionally belongs in the C-Segment where quality is imperative however not entirely, Mazda placed so much emphasis on quality and refinement with the ‘3 that you could be forgiven for placing it in the subcompact executive vehicle category along with Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz especially when you realise that the dimensions on the Mazda3 Sedan aren’t a far cry away from the German executives. The sedan is 82 mm longer, 2mm wider and 5mm lower in height than the outgoing model. The hatchback, on the other hand, is 10 mm shorter and 15 mm lower while the width remains the same as the old model and altogether, both the hatch and the sedan have their wheelbase augmented by 25 mm to accommodate an all-wheel drive model (which we probably won’t get). But still, that’s nice to know.
Image Credit(s): Motor1
Just as I mentioned before, the degree of quality and refinement that Mazda has dialled into the interior of the Mazda3 is both perplexing and unheard of in this segment. It’s like when a magician performs a magic trick right before your eyes. While you might be in utter awe, it is your intrigue that has you itching to find out the secret behind the trick…or to check if you’re not being ripped off. Jump inside the cabin of the Mazda3 and you will find that clutter has been kept to a minimum. Everything you need to know or see on the dashboard is accessible without too much cause for distraction from the road ahead. The screen and controls are angled towards the driver while all and any type of information is displayed in a clear and concise manner. Altogether, the interior of the Mazda3 oozes premium class elegance and simplicity that one would expect to find in a higher price bracket.
Image Credit(s): Motor1
Image Credit(s): Motor1
Looking like it just sprung out of the dashboard like a Jack-in-the-box toy is an 8.8-inch MZD Connect System infotainment display but instead of being startling like the toy, this stunningly limpid non-touchscreen display is a pleasant surprise. You might be wondering why Mazda chose to stay away from a conventional touchscreen setup. Apart from looking repulsive enough to cause dry heaving when garnished with oily fingerprints, Mazda says that such awe consuming technology that the driver can interact with presents a safety concern as it obscures the driver’s vision and attentiveness. While the former point is of my opinion, the latter goes to prove that Mazda engineers and the people who resurrected the flat earth movement might have the same backward thinking mentality in common. Even with the disgusting finger marks, touchscreen displays add some versatility and customisability to any interface. Even though you might not be able to touch the screen (ohhh, so that’s why it’s a little more than an arm’s length away), you will be able to connect your smartphone using Apple Car Play or Android Auto (depending on whether you prefer being a vanity slave or using Android devices) and use satellite navigation, Bluetooth, and USB connectivity. All of these infotainment features are solely controlled using the Commander Control, which is a rotary dial that sits on a girthy centre console, which in itself, makes you feel like there is a lot of car around you and thus very reassuring. However, I’m sure I’ve seen this rotary dial from a car manufacturer whose name rhymes with Audi…oh wait!
But Wait, There’s More…Like, A Lot More!
If you’re the type of person that spends an eternity at fast food tills struggling to decide on what you’re having for lunch, then stay away from any Mazda dealership because while other companies offer four or five different model specifications, Mazda is giving us no less than twelve. These are then subdivided depending on whether you want the hatch, or the sedan and each body type is further subdivided into the entry-level Active, Dynamic, Individual and finally, the range-topping Astina model. All specifications apart from the Astina are available with either the manual or automatic transmission. Yes, the Astina only gets the Smooth Operator gearbox.
Image Credit(s): Motor1
You’re again reminded of the eager attention to detail and exceptional build quality when you get to touch some of the soft touch and high-quality materials you’ll find on the dashboard. Sitting behind a multifunctional leather steering wheel is a customisable 7-inch TFT digital instrument cluster on the Individual and Astina model, which isn’t as exciting as what you’d find from the Germans, but I guess the effort can be commended. Standard across the range, however, is a head-up display which projects information onto the windscreen. So, if you’re upset about the TFT screen, keep your head up because the head-up display is there to brighten your day…I GOT BARS!
Mazda even goes as far as to apply some of their upmarket moves on the car’s audio system, an afterthought for many other car manufacturers. A standard 8-speaker audio system is fitted higher up in the car (i.e. not low down in the doors) for a superior in-car experience and better acoustics. However, if this is still not impressive enough for you, you can upgrade to the Individual model or higher to get a 12-speaker BOSE sound system which features a subwoofer.
Is It Nicer Inside Than A Rolls-Royce?
Absolutely…. not! Well, it’s not exactly presidential, however, for us mere mortals, the Mazda3’s interior is enough to make your derriere one of the happiest in the world. The leather front seats (wrapped in black cloth on the Active and Dynamic model) feature 10-way power-adjustability and power-adjustable lumbar support for the driver on Individual and Astina models. In the hatchback Mazda3, you have an option of fitting burgundy red leather seats which sounds like a good idea unless you drive to work in bright yellow overalls, in which case you might get pulled over by the fashion police.
Getting in the rear is a different story. While you don’t have to be any sort of contortionist to be able to get inside, it is worth mentioning that because of the hatch’s low roof, headroom is at a premium and you end up wondering if you should go with the sedan instead, as the conventional sedan shape proves to be more backseat friendly in this case. It’s not at all appalling and average-sized people will be able to live with it (or even live in it), however, you’re still left wanting more.
What’s It Like to Drive?
Take the Mazda 3 for a drive and you get a glimpse of what it’s like to ride a mute and chain-smoking horse whose legs are made of magnetically levitating clouds. What’s more surprising than the fact that I didn’t need any psychedelic drugs to come up with that analogy is how the Mazda3 manages to be altogether softly sprung and more compliant than ever without blunting its sharp handling characteristics. The now simpler torsion beam rear suspension setup doesn’t take anything away from the comfortable but taut ride and on-road refinement – it’s unclear whether Mazda’s designers are engineers or magicians. Overall, you get fewer vibrations and road/tyre noise coming through into the cabin as a result of Mazda’s exceptional damping and NVH improvements.
The three-spoke steering wheel is beautifully weighted and responsive enough to inspire the driver confidently carve precise lines through flowing bends. In fact, it’s almost as if the steering wheel itself is coated in a confidence bacterium which infects the driver as soon as they come into contact with the leather-wrapped around the wheel, and that right there is the mark of a brilliantly engineered car.
The Mazda3’s Achilles heel, however, is its lack of visibility. Do you know how anxious you begin to feel when your peripheral vision is obscured? – try walking without looking anywhere other than straight ahead for at least 500 m. Yeah, I’m sure you get my point by now (if not, you’re probably an insect or a chameleon and you shouldn’t be driving anyway). While the imposing C-pillar (or rear 3 quarter) might be cool to look at from outside, it presents huge blind spots and poor rear visibility from the inside. However, you have plenty of technological safety assists such as Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) (Astina only), Rear Reversing Camera (Astina only), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) (Astina only), Rear Parking Sensors (Dynamic and upward) and a plethora of other safety features whose acronyms sound like rare medical conditions, to help you see better out of your Mazda3.
After Parking It Comes the Best Part Yet
Image Credit(s): Motor1
Image Credit(s): Motor1
Having a comfortable and enjoyable journey is very nice indeed, however it doesn’t eclipse the euphoric feeling of arriving at your destination and seeing what you just drove there in – a breath-taking piece of art with fluidic lines adeptly sculptured onto its sleek metallic body. And in the case of the Mazda3 hatch, a breath-taking arse too! With regards to the face of the Mazda3, you get a certain animalistic whiff from its ruthless expression. What I’m trying to say is that if you park it next to a cheap and cheerful VW Up!, you might end up in a situation worthy of some David Attenborough commentary…
Final Thoughts
With the tide of buyers receding away from the shores of big hatchbacks as people see better value in their SUV brethren, will the Mazda3 eventually follow the Ford Focus and fade into dust or will forward leaps in build quality and refinement keep Mazda’s C-Segment contender’s flame burning? I guess only time will tell. With newcomers such as the Toyota Corolla Hatch having enjoyed some sales success and with the upcoming Volkswagen Golf 8 looking to most likely dominate the market, it is interesting to see how the new Mazda3 will fair against such fierce competition, especially when the CX-3 which it shares a platform with undergoes a revamp as well. Fortune telling aside, it’s the pricing of the Mazda3 that is the biggest cause for debate. While some might argue that it is poorly priced, others might use the slew of features on the spec sheet and calibre of quality found in the interior and argue that the Mazda3 is indeed over-qualified to be in this segment anyway and thus that the price is justified. Hell, some might even say it’s a bargain in the company of the German giants such as the Mercedes-Benz A-Class and the new BMW 1-series.
Sure, the Mazda3 trumps its rivals in the segment with regards to perceived quality, refinement, ride comfort and the technological features you get as standard. It sticks out as the comfortable and long distance-friendly offering in this segment even though it falters in the engine department. It offers timeless good looks that appeal to your most primal instincts in that those who like its aesthetics absolutely fall in love and those who don’t spit at the thought of it. The hatch might not be the most practical hatchback around with it having rather claustrophobic rear seating and a boot smaller by 13 L than before at 295 L, however, the sedan is there to save the day. In the midst of all this information, it is still difficult to figure out what type of buyer would take delivery of a brand-new Mazda3. Will it be someone looking for a compact C-segment vehicle but has some money to spare or will it be the one looking at the subcompact executive German offerings but after doing some simple arithmetic, discovers that there is money to be saved in the Mazda3?
The Mazda3 In a Sentence: Confusing, but brilliant…but still confusing!
Aftersales Maintenance
3-year / unlimited km service plan
3-year warranty
3-year roadside assistance
5-year anti-corrosion warranty
Pricing
- Mazda3 1.5L Active Manual Hatch – R359 900
- Mazda3 1.5L Active Manual Sedan – R357 000
- Mazda3 1.5L Dynamic Manual Hatch – R374 200
- Mazda3 1.5L Dynamic Manual Sedan – R371 300
- Mazda3 1.5L Dynamic Auto Hatch – R387 000
- Mazda3 1.5L Dynamic Auto Sedan – R384 100
- Mazda3 1.5L Individual Manual Hatch – R421 900
- Mazda3 1.5L Individual Manual Sedan – R418 800
- Mazda3 1.5L Individual Auto Hatch – R434 700
- Mazda3 1.5L Individual Auto Sedan – R431 600
- Mazda3 1.5L Astina Auto Hatch – R474 000
- Mazda3 1.5L Astina Auto Sedan – R470 800
