The compact class is a fierce battleground with 24
brands offering 52 nameplates. Mazda lobs its third-generation 3 into the mix,
confident the newcomer will continue to lead the pack
2014 Mazda 3
The Mazda 3 is a popular car here with 29,000 of them on NZ
roads. It launched back in 2004 and Mazda NZ has moved some 15,000 NZ-new
versions over two generations, the other 14,000 being used imports. The all-new
third-gen model landed this month, an improved car that enters the market at
price points virtually equivalent to those of the outgoing models. Those
industry stalwarts, wise of years, reckon new cars have never been better value
based on the amount of added safety and convenience equipment on offer, along
with all the tech gadgets. Moreover, these new models are roomier, better
performing and more efficient than those they replace. And that about
sums up the new 3 nicely.
2014 Mazda 3 Rear
A brief update
We’ve covered the new Mazda 3 a few times already from its
various previews but here’s a recap. Underpinning the new sedan/hatch range is
the common platform architecture of the Mazda6 and CX-5, scaled to suit. This
sharing of common parts, along with new manufacturing processes, helps reduce
costs. It’s around one-third stiffer than the old car, and slightly lighter
too. The SP25 manual we tested scaled up 38kg lighter despite its extra
specification. The new 3 is the same length as the old model but it’s
40mm wider, riding on a 60mm longer wheelbase to improve passenger space. The
suspension uses the same Mac strut and multilink systems which underpin the
bigger 6, and it utilises the firm’s new 2.0- and 2.5-litre direct
injection, high compression petrol engines with increased outputs and a 30 per
cent improvement in fuel consumption. The new six-speed auto contributes to
enhanced economy. There’s new electric power steering with a quicker ratio, but
missing is the i-Eloop kinetic energy recovery system from the Mazda 6. This
hasn’t been specified on NZ cars due to the added cost. Apparently it
would reduce consumption by a further 0.3L/100km. But the new car has
significantly reduced claimed fuel consumption figures anyway,
addressing the major problem with the previous model. The 2.0-litre auto sedan
is now down from 8.0 to 5.7L/100km (hatch 5.8) and the 2.5-litre auto moves
from 8.6 to 6.0 (hatch 6.1). Helping here is the sleek, slippery form with a Cd
factor of 0.28 for the hatch and 0.26 for the sedan. Infotainment and
connectivity are handled by Mazda’s MZD Connect system, and safety levels
improve with added active and passive equipment.
Cabin has a
Golf-rivalling premium feel and better levels of specification.
