Mazda 3 Overview

Mazda 3 Launch

The fourth generation of the Mazda3 was launched on August 14, 2019 with two body types to choose from. The compact car is available in either Sedan or Sportback variants. The sedan has two trim levels, the Elite and Premium variants, and can be had with either a 1.5-liter or a 2.0-liter gasoline engine during the launch. The Elite variant is only available with a 1.5-liter engine while the Premium variant gets the 2.0-liter engine.

The Mazda3 was launched with prices starting from P1,295,000 for the Elite variant and P1,495,000 for the Premium variant.

Mazda 3 Chassis, Platform & Powertrain

The Mazda3 is powered by either a Skyactiv-G 1.5 F-P5 engine or a Skyactiv G 2.0 PE-VPS engine. The 1.5-liter produces 109 hp and 146 Nm of torque while the 2.0-liter produces 152 hp and 200 Nm. Both engine options can be had with a 6-speed automatic transmission. There is no manual option for the Mazda3 in the Philippines.

For the chassis, the Mazda3 rides on Mazda’s SkyActiv Architecture. The Japanese car company claims that the chassis prioritizes ride comfort and handling stability. Front and rear suspensions are McPherson strut and torsion beam axle, respectively. All wheels are equipped with disc brakes.

Mazda 3 Driving Performance

Powering the sedan version of the Mazda 3 is either 1.5 or a 2.0-liter engine. These engines are, however, carryovers from the previous generation. What these engines lack in horsepower, they make up for it in torque. The vehicle’s sole transmission is a 6-speed automatic.

Thanks to the new chassis, the vehicle is able to perform well and can take on high speeds and winding roads. The driver-centric layout makes sure that the driver feels comfortable and is in control of the vehicle at all times.

Mazda 3 Technology Features

The vehicle comes standard with a non-touchscreen 8.8-inch monitor infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. To help the driver navigate the infotainment, the vehicle comes standard with steering wheel mounted audio controls and dedicated controls near the gear shifter. The sedan also features G-Vectoring Control Plus, which adjusts power delivery when cornering and by shifting vehicle weight. This makes for a much smoother and less fatiguing drive.

Mazda 3 Exterior

The Mazda3 Sedan gets a different grille design and bumper compared to the Sportback. These small design differences help set both vehicles apart from each other. It also has fake air vents on the lower bumper where the fog lights should be. The vehicle itself does not feature fog lights but instead features LED headlights that Mazda claims that will eliminate the need for fog lights.

Compared to the previous generation, the design of the current Mazda3 is more subtle and features more curves than angles. The Elite variant comes with 16-inch alloy wheels, while the Premium and Speed variants ride on 18-inch alloy wheels.

The Mazda3 comes in six color options: Soul Red Crystal Metallic, Jet Black Mica, Deep Crystal Blue Mica, Snowflake White Pearl, Sonic Silver Metallic, and Machine Grey.

Mazda 3 Interior

The interior of the Mazda 3 is populated with soft and hard touch plastics. The top trim level of the sedan retains the same black interior of the Elite trim. The red accents and red interior trimmings are only available on the top of the line Sportback variant.

The cabin space is ample all around but the headroom might be an issue for those at the back because of the sleek roofline. There are plenty of storage spaces within the vehicle.

Mazda 3 Safety

The Mazda3 compact sedan comes with seven airbags, traction control, and vehicle stability control. Added safety features are a 360-degree camera, front and back parking sensors, cross-traffic alert, driving monitoring, and cruise control. These features help make the vehicle easier and safer to drive.

The Mazda3 doesn't have an official ASEAN NCAP rating yet, but its European hatchback counterpart got 5 stars at EURO NCAP standards.

Mazda 3 Pros and Cons

The pros of the Mazda3 start with the interior where Mazda paid special attention to the use of materials for the dashboard, leather, and screen integration. If you are an audiophile you will also love the sound system in the vehicle.

The cons, getting used to using the infotainment may be hard at first but once you get over the learning curve it should become easier. If you are a fan of touchscreens, this might be a negative for you. Head- and leg-room at the rear seats also might be an issue for taller folks out there as the new design limits these aspects.