Did you know that over 70% of Mazda3 buyers in South Africa are black? I certainly didn’t realise this. Is it an important statistic? I guess it is, since Mazda itself sprang it out upon us at the launch of the new-generation Mazda3. How they manage to achieve this without much advertising in so-called “black media” is the stuff of a future business thesis I’m sure.
Politics aside the new Mazda3 is the best it’s been. Possibly it is the best car in its class. Yes, this might be quite a statement, especially seeing as though I barely spent a day with the car. But that was close enough to conclude that indeed, this is a top 3 segment car. A longer stint might confirm or decline this; my money is on confirm. Said segment includes cars like the Honda Civic, Peugeot 308, Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Corolla and Mazda3 cousin Ford Focus.
Several reasons prompted me to think about where in the pecking order the new car falls, or even whether it’s better than its predecessor in the first place. A short answer to that is yes, it is better. The layman’s eye might not see much of a difference between the two cars but the differences are quite vast.
The new 3 is quite expressive, especially from the wider “smiling” front grille which is also quite deeper now. The lines are deeper, albeit still wavy in that Mazda bird sort of way. This is true for both the sedan and the sportback, both of which are more aggressive in appearance. The flying bird theme is carried through on the dashboard which is also shaped like the Mazda emblem.
Placed on the dash is the Multi Information Display unit that shows information like average fuel consumption and fuel range. Material quality has improved too; one sits comfortably in the car, feels better at the touch of the finger.
Several engines are available with the new Mazda3. The baseline is a 1.6-litre 4-cylinder engine that produces 77kW (105hp) at 6000rpm and 145Nm of torque at 4000rpm. It is mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox.
Models fitted with the 1.6-litre are the Original, Active, and Dynamic in both 4 and 5-door versions. Highest in the 4-door range is the 2.0-litre Individual with its 110kW at 6500rpm and 187Nm at 4000rpm. A smooth yet sporty 6-speed cog is used to access this power. Changes are nimble and precise, reminiscent of a more powerful sports car. The 5-door has as its range-topper, the 2.5-litre which replaces the 2.3-litre of old. Power is 122kW at 6000rpm and peak torque is 227Nm at 4000rpm. The used transmission is the same impressive 6-speed manual from the 2.0-litre.
Performance fans of the flying bird need not despair as the 191kW (260hp) MPS will be in the country in a few months time, before September at any rate. Although keeping the same power, the MPS now stands out more visually as opposed to its anonymous forerunner.
Improved handling and throttle response ensure that time spent behind the wheel is not wasted time at all. The basic suspension setup has been carried over from the previous car, a move not entirely unwelcome. It features a McPherson strut layout at the front and a multi-link setup at the rear. The body is quite rigid as well but not to the extent of causing discomfort while in the cabin. A funny statistic is that Mazda says it has shed some 7.3kg off the previous 3, something equivalent to letting a 1 year-old child off the car; it makes very little difference overall.
All the cars come standard with ABS, while factory-fitted wheels range from 15-inch to 17-inch. Interestingly the 2.5-litre has a fuel tank that’s 5 litres bigger than in the rest of the cars. Other standard equipment includes air conditioning (dual-zone in the 2.5-litre), a CD player with MP3 compatibility, an auxiliary input and remote central locking.
Mazda’s 5 year/ 90 000km service plan as well as the 4 year/ 120 000km warranty are included in the prices. Thrown into the mix is a 3 year unlimited kms roadside assistance and a 5 year corrosion warranty.
Mazda3 Pricing
4-door
Mazda3 1.6 Original - R193 250
Mazda3 1.6 Active - R208 600
Mazda3 1.6 Dynamic - R220 900
Mazda3 2.0 Individual - R259 900
5-door
Mazda3 Sport 1.6 Original - R193 250
Mazda3 Sport 1.6 Active - R208 600
Mazda3 Sport 1.6 Dynamic - R220 900
Mazda3 2.5 Individual - R266 900
