Car Review: Mazda3 Driving Impressions

2014 Mazda3 Price

The third generation of the Mazda3 is for sale body with four and five doors. Replaces model that has for sale since 2009 with which it shares no platform or engines. Design and some items of equipment are also new. There will be no station wagon version and a sporty MPS.

Both dimensions are different body variants. The five is 12 centimeters shorter than the four and, despite that, is situated in between the longer models against which, theoretically, competing as it measures 4.47 meters, more than a Volkswagen Golf (4, 25 m) a Ford Focus (4.36 m) or an Opel Astra (4,42). The four-door variant is of size, an alternative pricing models as diverse as the Chevrolet Cruze 4p , the Volkswagen Jetta , Ford Focus Sedan, the Mercedes-Benz CLA and the BMW 3 Series .

Compared to the previous generation Mazda3, the new one is longer and wider but slightly lower, the battle increases from 2.64 to 2.70 meters. The wheelbase is the same for versions 4 and 5 door, so that the increase in length only affects the trunk, in the interior height changes only available in the rear seats, 1 inch lower in the four door .

The trunk volume is 419 liters in the first case (sedan) and 350 in the second, little compared with models of similar length: one Cruze (four gates and 4.59 meters) with 450 liters and a SEAT lion (five doors and 4.26 m) 380 liters. The trunk of the five-door offers a bigger and better access along with a higher load capacity if you will use the space to the ceiling and not just to the tray cubreequipaje. Under the boot floor is the puncture repair kit, there is no storage space.

New Mazda3 Hatchback

In July conducted a preproduction unit and now we've driven the final model. I left a good impression of quality, both the sensations transmitted to the drive as the carrier that is coated with materials that are not very refined dazzle but are sturdy and nice looking. There soft plastics in some parts of the dashboard and front doors. Y drives, robust to the touch, in the remaining areas. Adjustments were also correct. From what little space for improvement are there in doorways, lack of lighting in the glove box and that no accessories to help carry the load organized and secured in the trunk.

The cockpit has two aspects that I value positively. One is the position at the wheel: this can be adjusted widely and made nearly vertical, the legs are relatively straight and can be placed under the seat. The other is that it requires a period of adaptation to manage the most common, which is not true in all Recent cars can be relatively complicated to do things like manage climate control.

There are two types of dashboards. One which is the main indicator of the speedometer needle to his left, a screen which shows a graph with the engine revs. The other (Luxury version), is the main indicator in the tachometer and speed appears in a box. The second table corresponds to versions with the system  projected information (Head-up Display). This device displays data about the speed, navigation and some warnings so that, to the eye, focus point located at a distance of 1.5 meters. The advantage is that, as the eye just have to change the focus and direction, it is safer to consult the instrument panel.

New Mazda3 Sedan 2014

All information related to the multimedia system appears on a screen in the center of the dashboard, on top. This screen can be of two types, one in which there are monochrome physical buttons and a color of a much larger size. The latter is touch operation or by a rotary knob and five buttons between the seats. Use touch only possible when the car is stopped. This system allows you to play music from a Bluetooth-connected mobile, so that stored in your memory as you can get by an application of "streamming" in addition to use certain connectivity.

Although its exterior length is greater than its alternatives, amplitude is located in a medium. A KIA cee'd , a Seat Leon or a Volkswagen Golf-all shorter than the Mazda-are broader. Enough space for four adults to travel in comfort if not taller than about 1.85 meters tall. The interior height allows higher-front passenger almost 2 meters behind around 1.90 - but two passengers will not be left high legroom if they are seated one behind the other. In the rear are two ISOFIX child seats and interestingly three catches' Top Theter "(both the sedan and the five-door).

2010 Mazda3 Interior

Spectrum

The engine range comprises three petrol and one diesel. The gasoline is a 1.5 liter displacement and 100 hp and two 2.0-liter 120 or 165 hp. Mazda differentiates the two petrol engines with the same displacement designation "Standard Power" for lower power and "High Power" for the more powerful. The diesel engine is 2.2 liters and provides 150 horsepower. Depending on the engine, the gearbox can be manual or automatic, in both cases with six gears. All are front-wheel drive versions.

The diesel engine and 165 hp gasoline are the same as those of the CX-5. The 120 hp is not offered in any other model Mazda 100 hp and is brand new. Everyone has a set of technical solutions that Mazda calls "SKYACTIV" and focus on improving the dynamic qualities and energy efficiency. The energy recovery system called "i-EPERM" I have only the petrol version of 165 hp.

Other aspects that Mazda worked to achieve a low consumption are the weight and aerodynamics. Some versions of the new Mazda3 is lighter than the model it replaces. For example, the gasoline engine with 100 hp, weight with driver is 1265 kg, which are only 5 kg less than the previous model with a petrol engine of 105 horses. However, the difference is much more marked if we compare with diesel engine versions of 2.2 liter engine (150 hp both): the new weighs 1395 kg while the old goes to 1465. It's the same weight as an Alfa Romeo Giulietta and Citroën C4 , resembling an Audi A3 Sportback (1385 kg) and less than a Honda Civic (1438 kg), every diesel engine with 150 hp.

The drag coefficient is 0.275 Mazda3 (hatchback version) if you carry the device that opens or closes the passage of air to the engine. Mazda calls it "active air grill" and is kept closed, to improve aerodynamics, provided that the engine does not need much cooling. This item is only the petrol version has 165 hp. The lower part of the body is faired.

Among the petrol engines of 100 and 120 hp has not seemed to be a big difference in performance in normal use. If you travel with a heavy load or do prefer the often overtaking acceleration plus giving 120 hp but for use by city and surroundings, and to travel by highway, I found that 100 hp is enough. The price difference between the two is small, 800 euros. It is curious that both versions, with different engines and different weight displacement, use the same amount in the test cycle. More information on driving impressions .

There are three trim levels called Pulse, Style and Luxury. Safety equipment protruding devices that control the front and side of the body to warn the driver or to intervene in the event that an accident may occur. So, take a system that monitors the distance to the vehicle ahead (available between 15 and 200 km / h) and warns the driver in case that distance is greatly reduced, can also have a device intended primarily for the city able to slow the car itself if you can cause an accident (works between 4 and 30 km / h Mazda calls it SCBS), can also lead active cruise control (MRCC), assistant involuntary change lanes and change alert lane departure . The lighting system can be composed of active headlamps and automatic road crossing lights and vice versa. Depending on the chosen equipment, tires can be measures 205/60 R16 or 215/45 R18.

The Mazda3 is available from 15 850 euros (100 hp version with equipment Press). It is one of the most affordable models its size and power ( list of five-door cars with petrol engine 90-110 hp ). With the gasoline engine 120 hp (from € 18,700) is in a middle ( gasoline comparative listing of 110-135 hp ). And with 150 hp diesel is also one of the most affordable ( five-door passenger car diesel engine with 135 to 165 hp ).

This generation Mazda3 is not yet available in the insurance comparator our website. Ensure all risk one Mazda3 Diesel 116 hp from the previous generation, where the policyholder is a married man of 35 years and more than 15 card make up to 20 000 km per year, typically in a garage park Community take three years without accidents has minimum cost the company € 746.24 Qualitas Auto , which is a relationship between quality and price high (8.15 out of 10).