2014 Mazda3: Fearless and (almost) Flawless

After ten years of loyal service, two generations and 3.5 million units sold worldwide, the popular Mazda3 was due for a major change. And change it has!
The brand new 3 still retains a small visual link to the past, and that’s not a bad thing. The lines are tighter than before, the sides are beautifully curvy, and the front grille is styled like the Mazda6 and CX-5. The beltline (the line formed by the junction of the body to the side windows) sweeps upwards toward the back, which seriously reduces rear visibility, but is now a must if you want to design a hip car. The wheelbase is 60 mm longer than that of the outgoing generation and the car is 15 mm lower. The proportions are different, making the car seem better planted on the road, especially with the 18-inch wheels that come factory standard on the GT. From the side, it even looks a bit like a Ferrari FF – if you use your imagination, of course.

A simple plastic panel

The passenger compartment remains typically Mazda, but the designers managed to give it a unique look. The gauges are perfectly visible and differ depending on the version. The GT, for example, has an oversized tachometer. The middle part of the dashboard has few buttons because most of the settings are configured using a scroll wheel on the central console. On top, there’s a screen that looks like it was planted there as an afterthought. Though this is not the case – at least I don’t think so. The most posh version even has head-up display screen. Unlike some brands whose systems project the image of the odometer and whatnot on the windshield, the 3’s system displays its figures on a clear plastic sheet that pops up as soon as you start the engine. It’s well executed, but I have my doubts about its long-term solidity. Let’s revisit the subject four years from now.

• Also: 2014 Mazda3 Sport: Nope, it’s Not Good...

Mazda’s marketing department wisely decided to keep the previous naming structure: GX, GS and GT. Certain options packages (Convenience, Sunroof) can be added to the GS while the Luxury and Technology Packages can be added to the GT. The hatchback version is still called Sport and the sedan is called – you guessed it – the sedan.

A closer look

And also like before, the Mazda3 has two available engines: a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder that develops 155 horsepower and 150 lbs-ft of torque and a 2.5-litre four-cylinder that produces 184 horsepower and 185 lbs-ft of torque. Both engines use Mazda’s celebrated SKYACTIV technology. By opting for a GT version equipped with the Technology Package, you get i-ELOOP, an energy recovery system that can apparently save 10% in fuel economy in ideal conditions and 5% in normal conditions. But if Mazda is saying 5%, I imagine that it will be more like 3-4 % in actuality. Since they don’t yet make twelve-speed transmissions for cars, Mazda is offering two six-speeds – a manual (factory-standard on the GX and GS) and an automatic (standard on the GT, optional on the other two).

You’ll be won over by its welcoming nature as soon as you get in the passenger compartment. Whether covered in leather or fabric, the seats are comfortable, and the driving position is easy to find. Most of the materials are good quality, although I found the imitation carbon fibre that covers certain areas rather fragile. The Mazda Connect system, which controls a number of settings via the central screen and the scroll wheel on the central console, is user-friendly. And despite the fact that I’m normally useless with this type of gizmo, I was able to browse through the menus without really losing my way. In fact, the passenger compartment would be perfect it there were more storage spaces: the new and old 3 have that in common. Even though the chassis is completely different from that of the old generation (it uses the same chassis as the Mazda6 and CX-5), the sedan’s trunk opening remains very small.

The 2.5-litre engine

As you’d expect, the versions equipped with the 2.5-litre engine are more fun to drive for fans of an inspired ride. But although there’s some torque effect during spirited accelerations, the accelerations are not really that spicy. An improvised, manually timed 0-100 km/h in an automatic GT (no manual is offered for this trim) took 8.9 seconds. Tests soon to be conducted by the AJAC – Automobile Journalists Association of Canada – will tell us more. At least the sound level was well contained in those conditions.

The steering is just firm enough and extremely precise, the transmission does its job conscientiously and the comfort is flawless. However, because of a questionable choice of roads on Mazda’s part, we only drove the cars in town or on highways that were either packed or under construction. A corner taken terrifyingly fast demonstrated a well calibrated suspension that is not easily flustered. The braking modulation takes some getting used to, but the brakes were up to the rather easy task they faced. According to Mazda, fuel consumption is 7.2 L/100 km city and 5.1 highway (without i-ELOOP). At the end of our test drive, our average was 8.9 L/100 km, but keep in mind that we only drove in town.

The 2.0-litre engine

Next up, we were given the chance to drive a 3 with the 2.0-litre engine. The accelerations aren’t as lively as with the 2.5, but, surprisingly, the difference isn’t all that noticeable. We’ll need the official figures for a better comparison. The steering is lighter and the suspension is a little less firm. You don’t have to be psychic to know that this engine will be the more popular option and will satisfy most people. Yet again, the automatic performs nicely. The manual gearbox, tested at the very end of the day, has a short shifting distance, but I would have preferred a firmer clutch. This gearbox helps get the most out of the engine, even in low gear. For the automatic, the fuel consumption figures published by Mazda are 6.7 city and 4.7 highway, while the manual’s numbers are 6.8 and 4.8, respectively.

Just like the version that it’s replacing, the Mazda3 is a particularly nice car. But, then again, it has to be since it’s in competition with the Hyundai Elantra, Honda Civic, Ford Focus and Volkswagen Jetta – all of which possess excellent qualities, from handling to finish, equipment and price. Mazda has it easy in Quebec, but that’s not the case elsewhere in North America. The Mazda3 deserves a place in the sun – and a nice place to boot!

Oh yeah, I almost forgot. There is no MazdaSpeed3 in the works, at least not for now. Mazda says it needs time to find an engine that truly suits its fiery personality. It’s hard to believe that there isn’t a suitable engine somewhere in the world. Otherwise, there are performance tuners. There are solutions, Mazda, and we want the Speed!