3 is Mazda’s magic number
GILES BLAIR explains why the popular Japanese marque’s family hatchback has the sort of wizardry that should entice many people to buy it
FAMILY motorists seeking a more upmarket drive or retired executives looking to downsize but retain luxuries as they cart the grandkids around should check out the Mazda3.
That’s because the classy Japanese marque’s compact hatchback and saloon is sophisticated in every way – be it exterior design, cabin quality, equipment offered or engineering and driving dynamics.
However, best of all, while it arguably betters so-called premium sector offerings, it is competitively priced to match more mainstream but less-appealing alternatives.
I’ve recently tested the hatchback in high-end GT Sport spec with the 2.0-litre e-Skyactive X petrol engine under the bonnet and was amazed to find it was priced from just £28,655 on the road.
My wife and I took the car from our home south of Glasgow for a long weekend away in the St Andrews area of Fife to visit our daughter. As we explored the countryside, we found ourselves repeatedly remarking about the smooth ride and cabin refinements.
And this Mazda3 faced some pretty bumpy and twisting country roads as well as some steep, narrow streets with tight turns in coastal villages.
But nothing fazed this car, thanks to its really responsive steering, acceleration and braking, as well as a suspension and chassis set-up that soaked up pretty much everything thrown at it.
All that clever engineering was further enhanced by the slick six-speed manual gearbox and tech features such as an auto hold function and numerous safety systems.
With 186PS of power on tap, a 0-62mph time of 8.1 seconds and a top speed of 134mph, motorway cruising and overtaking was also managed without drama.
The powerplant, driving the front wheels, features some groundbreaking petrol-engine technology as well as a clever 24V mild-hybrid system. That
results in the test car managing an official average fuel economy of 53.3mpg, with CO2 emissions of 121g/km – keeping running costs more than reasonable.
On board, my wife, daughter, her boyfriend and even the family dog seemed to appreciate the amount of room available.
Meanwhile, the 330-litre boot easily accommodated luggage, groceries and outdoor gear – fold the rear seats and 1022 litres of space is available.
For my part, I enjoyed the way the cabin seemed to wrap around me, with quite a low-slung, sporty driving position if you wish.
And you’ll be cocooned by very supportive seats – perforated black leather and heated in the case of the GT Sport, which also features plenty of other premium-material finishes.
I particularly liked the sleek chrome blade accents and gloss black detailing around the cabin, as well as the powered sunroof.
The latest Mazda infotainment set-up, with an eye-level, centrally mounted, 8.8in colour screen is easily and safely operated by centre console dials and buttons – and it is superb.
The sat nav/mapping is very detailed – enabling you to negotiate unfamiliar territory even without setting a destination.
There is also full smartphone integration and, in this car’s case, a cracking 12-speaker Bose surround-sound system.
As the driver, I also made the most of the windscreen-projected head-up display – standard across the range – and the very clear information panel.
Cleverly, you can memory link the electrically adjustable driver’s seat position to the windscreen display and rear-view mirror.
Other creature comforts included keyless entry and start, auto lights (including high beam), rainsensing wipers, adaptive cruise control, dual-zone air conditioning and a heated steering wheel.
Parking up in busy tourist spots along the East Neuk of Fife was helped by front and back sensors, a rear-view camera and a tilt-down facility on the door mirrors.
Among the safety/driver aid features worth noting are blind spot monitoring with rear cross traffic alert, lane keep assist, intelligent speed assist, driver attention alert, auto emergency braking and an emergency call function.
Mazda is renowned for beautifully designed cars with flowing lines and sleek elegance that combine seamlessly with bold, dynamic features nowadays.
The looks of the Mazda3 in the GT Sport mirror the characteristics of the driving experience and the company prides itself on eye-catching paintwork options.
Highlights include the large, gloss black, radiator grille underlined by a swooping, dark metallic wing, mirrored by similar dark finishes for the rear roof spoiler and lower moulding.
Stylish 18in alloy wheels and striking LED light clusters front and back further prove that this is a family hatchback well worthy of attention – for a whole host of reasons.