Mazda3 gets a serious upgrade for 2014
HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — For Mazda Canada, no other vehicle in its stable is as important as the Mazda3 — it accounts for more than half of all sales. This means reworking the crown jewel has to be done very carefully.
An evolutionary upgrade may satisfy the loyal, but it does little to attract new buyers. Push too far and there is a risk of alienating all. In redesigning the third-generation Mazda3, stylists got it about as right as it gets — edgy without being over the top.
It’s a much sharper-looking car than the outgoing model, which was no slouch either — I liked the smileyfaced grille, but that sentiment was far from universal.
The latest Mazda3 has a much stronger, more expressive and planted appearance. While the sedan looks like a mini-Mazda6 (not a bad thing), the Sport (hatchback) has a much tidier look from the side and back-end — it has, to quote the lady bellhop, “a great bum.”
Regardless of the trim level selected (both versions are offered in GX, GS and topline GT) all inherit a full slate of Mazda’s Sk ya c t iv t e chnologies. The underlying thrust is to improve the handling and overall efficiency of the car.
In this instance, the Mazda3 grows significantly in stature. Not only does the body’s stiffness jump, the wheelbase has been stretched by 60 millimetres to a long 2,700 mm and the car is 40 mm wider.
These changes improve the handling and bring more interior space — the hatchback’s cargo capacity increases by 3.2 cubic feet. The Skyactiv technology allowed the upsizing while reducing the Mazda3’s overall mass — on average the new car is 45 kilograms lighter than its predecessor.
The Mazda3 arrives with 2.0-litre and 2.5L Skyactiv- G engines, both of which are available with six-speed manual and six-speed automatic transmissions. The entry-level 2.0L engine delivers 155 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque, which is on par for the compact course and enough to deliver an enthusiastic drive.
The larger engine, however, puts better zest into the drive. With 184 hp and 185 lb-ft of torque on tap, this engine is stronger over its entire operating range.
It pulls nicely in the low and mid-ranges without feeling strained. A big part of the new-found performance in both engines boils down to the outrageous 13:1 compression ratio and the 4-into-2-into-1 exhaust manifold — it is like a good old-fashioned header. When the 2.5L engine is paired with the automatic transmission, it hauls the Mazda3 from rest to 100 kilometres an hour in 8.5 seconds and accomplishes the more important 80-to-120km/h passing move in 5.3 seconds.
Both are strong times that do not come at the expense fuel economy; the 2.5L engine with the automatic transmission is rated at 7.2 litres per 100 kilometres in the city, which is a considerable 2.0 L/100 km improvement over the outgoing engine.
Where the Mazda3 really impressed me was how it tackled the twists and turns running through the canyons northeast of Hollywood. There was very little body roll yet the ride was entirely comfortable.
Likewise, the steering was sharp to the feel and it was perfectly weighted, which made corner carving a precise affair.
The new car has been improved in every area — better looks, greater comfort, superior handling and decidedly perky performance.