Mazda3 upgrade by Steve Rogers
How is this for thinking outside the box? When rivals are going small one car company goes big, dropping a 2.5 litre petrol engine into a family hatchback.
The trend is small turbocharged hybrid engines, but Mazda does what Mazda does and takes a different route. We should not be surprised the Japanese company has been defying convention for decades. It championed the rotary engine, built a two seater roadster when no one else had the nerve, and more recently surprised everyone with a new diesel engine when oil burners are going out of fashion.
So what’s behind all this? We need to go back to 2019 and the launch of the current Mazda3 and a new 2-litre SkyActive-G petrol engine. This was a pretty big leap almost matching the economy and low emissions of a diesel but it was underpowered offering too little when overtaking.
The upshot is that this bigger engine has given it the edge providing a lot more punch in the mid range yet still lighting up the economy stats. I tipped 47mpg puddling around and on a motorway jaunt cruised into the high fifties.
Apart from a new engine, a little more refinement, updates to the navigation system and Alexa voice assist nothing much else has changed; it did not need to. The fourth generation model was bang on the money from the off, its timeless, elegant flowing lines making it the best looking family hatch bar none.
Handling is on point as well, it is what you get from Mazda. Yes the suspension could be a little more forgiving over poorer surfaces but I wanted quick response steering and a drama free ride through twists and tight turns and that is what I got. And don’t shy away from a manual, the six speed box is slick and precise and makes gear changing a real pleasure.
Okay, so we have established that Maz3 is good to drive with a decent engine but what really matters is whether it is up to the task of carting around a family? As far as space goes it is just on par if a little tight in the back where foot room is hampered by a chunky transmission tunnel.
Passengers in the back complained it was too dark, hardly surprising given the shallow windows but that is a penalty of the sharp styling and I wouldn’t want them to change that. Drivers will find rear vision poor for the same reason but with a camera and parking sensors there will be no concerns when reversing.
Boot space is bettered by some rivals but is perfectly adequate although this is another car that would benefit from a two level floor to avoid the drop when loading shopping bags or other smaller items.
An area where there will be no complaint is the quality of materials. Mazda has been knocking on the door of premium brand status for a while and has reached it with its newest models. This car started the drive with an upgrade across the board so expect plenty of soft touch surfaces.
The layout is more or less unchanged although the driver’s binnacle is now mainly digital backed up by an excellent head up display with additional features, while the infotainment screen increased to 10.25 inches.
The touch screen can only be used while stationary which is unusual but adds a level of safety because the driver’s eyes are not focussed on dabbing the screen. Instead all the functions are selected via a rotary controller and quick keys positioned behind the gear lever. I’ve been praising this system for years and believe it could be the perfect template for every car maker. It is the most intuitive set up I have come across and an absolute doddle to master. Heating controls are separate physical switches and most of us prefer that.
Without getting too sentimental I always look upon the Mazda3 as akin to meeting up with an old friend. It is now an ageing beauty and like many hatchbacks pushed to the side by the endless stream of SUVs, but this hatch still has plenty to offer and you don’t even need to go above the entry Exclusive model to get just about all the luxuries and safety equipment you need.
Fast Facts
Mazda3 Exclusive-Line
£26,810
2.5 litre e-Skyactiv G; 138bhp
0-62mph 9.5secs; 128mph
47.9mpg combined
135g/km. First tax £325
Insurance group 19
Boot: 330-1022 litres
No comments:
Post a Comment