New Mazda3 First Drive Review
MAZDA3 REVIEW
What’s hot: Great lines, on-road zest and classy interior.
What’s not: It looks bigger… like it’s encroaching on the 6.
X-FACTOR: It’s still got it: Mazda’s new 3 keeps its youthful appeal, but adds a bucket-load of refinement.
Vehicle style: Small hatch (and sedan)
Price: TBA
Engine/trans: 2.0 SkyActiv petrol | 6spd manual (2.5 litre also available)
Power/torque: 114kW/200Nm (2.0 litre); 138kW/250Nm (2.5 litre).
OVERVIEW
Drive the new Mazda3 and you will immediately notice a few things. Like the tight cockpit feel; everything feels closer, more ‘square-on’ and focussed on the driver than in the previous model.
It also feels more solid and substantial, both for interior feel and in the settled way it engages with the road.
It’s like the 3 has grown up; that it’s a wholly more serious car.
But no question: this new Mazda3 is a car that young Aussies are going to like. And when it lands in showrooms early next year, the new model will continue the barnstorming ways of the first and second-gen models.
If Golf, Focus or i30 were hoping for a few chinks in the new 3’s armour, they will be disappointed. This is one very good car.
We drove it in Germany - in pre-production European spec - and have good things to report.
MORE: Mazda3 Revealed In Melbourne: Photos & Features
MORE: All-new Mazda3 Sedan - New Features, Fast Facts
THE INTERIOR
The up-spec Euro model we drove, aside from a new minor detail differences, largely matches the model we’ll see at the top of the range in Australia.
As for the entry and mid-spec models, we’ll have to wait to report on those.
But look around this interior and it’s clear that Mazda is intent on answering the quality challenge slapped down by the Golf and Audi A3.
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