51 / 60
I wish I could be sharper, smarter and more
sophisticated. So does my wife. I guess it’s
an age thing.
But Mazda doesn’t suffer my failings and they
are exactly the three improvements promised
in the all-new Mazda3 now on sale.
That’s only half the story, though. The popular
Mazda3 (it’s sold more than five million models
globally) features a host of new features inside
and out, and big efforts have been made to
reduce cabin noise, too, making this one of the
most quietly efficient cars in class.
Up front there’s a revised grille and other
exterior changes include different door mirrors
and a redesigned rear bumper. Sharply cut,
high-sheen finish alloys are also ultra smart.
Inside there’s smarter trim, a new leather
steering wheel and an electronic parking brake,
which frees up more space.
I like the excellent full-colour, head-up display
reflected onto the front screen which shows a
digital speedo, plus a traffic sign reminder of
speed limit. This at-a-glance feature saves
the driver taking eyes off the road without
being intrusive – all cars will surely work
this way one day.
Mazda are still very modest about two of
their greatest attributes – reliability and
handling – this is the DNA that runs through
the entire range.
Suspension revisions mean that the
hatchback’s pin-sharp handling is even more
advanced, while also improving ride comfort
and reducing vibration.
Also new is the rather baffling sounding
G-Vectoring Control (or GVC) which varies
engine torque to optimise load on the front
wheels and add more allure to handling
and comfort.
The 2.0 120PS Sport Nav model I have been
testing (£20,645) is deceptively quick and
though there’s little impression of speed,
0- 62mph comes up in a creditable sub-nine
seconds time while the four-cylinder petrol
unit is supremely smooth and refined.
A peachy six-speed, wristy manual gear
change is about the best you’ll get in any car.
To those in the know, smart handling is
what you expect from any Mazda – instantly
enjoyable and involving, while ride quality
is uniformly excellent, even over the worst
of surfaces.
Taking a leaf out of the Germans’ book, Mazda
wisely chooses classic all black for the Mazda3
cabin for doors, dash and seats and simplicity
of layout and sensible ergonomics mean that
the driver instantly feels at home and in control.
A centre-dash ‘infotainment’ screen pokes
rather self-consciously out of the dash but is
managed and sorted quite simply by a rotary
knob based on the centre console – you don’t
have to be a techie to get to grips with it all
pretty quickly.
As a family car, the Mazda3 excels, with bags
of interior space and a highly practical boot –
there’s a surprisingly large amount of room out
the back. Rear seats fold down in one smooth,
fast action to reveal a really useful, almost
completely flat load floor.
With more dynamic and curvaceous looks
than a Golf, the Mazda3’s latest revisions have
ensured that is a serious contender for best in
class. It’s that good. Rivals beware.
51
Sharp’s
the word
Michael Allen finds
the revised Mazda3
a smart move
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Price: £20,545 (Mazda3 range from
£17,595-£24,195).
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Engine: SKYACTIV-G, four-cylinder
16v 1,998cc petrol unit; 120PS
at 6,000rpm.
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Drivetrain: Six-speed manual gearbox
(auto available), front-wheel drive.
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Performance: 0-62mph in 8.9 secs,
top speed: 121mph.
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Economy: Combined 55.4mpg.
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CO2 emissions: 119g/km.
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Dimensions (mm): Overall length 4470,
overall height 1465, overall width 1795.
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Sport Nav model key features:
28-inch alloys; LED headlights with
auto levelling; LED rear lights and
daytime running lights; adaptive front
lighting system; reversing camera; front
and rear parking sensors.
Mazda3 2.0
120PS Sport Nav