Mazda3 2012 Review

RETROSPECTIVE

Australia’s best-selling car, Mazda3 traces its origins to the 323. First introduced in 2004, Mazda3 then shared its underpinnings with Ford’s Focus. The current, second-generation model is available in sedan and hatch body styles, and with the choice of petrol or diesel engines: a first for a Japanese manufacturer here since the (Isuzu) Holden Gemini in the early 80s.

The stability control is unobtrusive in most situations and the car exhibited good body control and very good suspension compliance, albeit with some front-tyre scrubbing and howl at higher speeds. On the open road 3 felt quite planted, but suspension compliance was limited when loaded.

The auto was reluctant to downshift on occasion, “hunting” backwards and forwards between ratios before selecting the right cog. Many of our testers disliked the orientation of +/- action of the manual override.

VALUE FOR MONEY
Hitting showroom floors with a pre onroad price of $20,330, the Mazda3 has a head-start on some rivals here and is reasonably well equipped for the price. The 2.0-litre engine may be a little dated, but you can’t argue with its capacity, which is not bettered in any of the cars tested. The auto transmission has five ratios, not four as in some cases here. That said it’s no dual-clutch. For your money, you get a satisfactorily-equipped car with a touch of handling sprightliness.

FIT AND FINISH
The Mazda3 draws no complaints for quality, either externally or internally. Its interior is consistent with the brand’s aim to showcase a degree of class in whatever segment it competes.

Thus there is a consistency in presentation, quality of materials and ergonomics that brings a certain simplicity and intuitiveness for the driver, as well as a sense of comfort and style for passengers. This generally extends through the interior and is only let down when the hatch is opened to reveal what looks like a cost-reduced load area with a flimsy floor.

The 73dB noise reading was only marginally better than that of the middle-rating Focus, too.

PURPOSE
The Mazda3 meets all the benchmarks for the small car class with an interior that is roomy enough. It’s not the best in category for rear-seat space, with a decent boot, a good balance of engine performance and road behaviour. Its ease of around-town handling was highly rated.

The Mazda’s sales performance in the Australian market is testimony to how well attuned it is to buyer expectations. Australians seem to have generally taken on board the Zoom-Zoom proposition that implies a sense of liveliness in the brand that separates it from its competition. But the long-serving 2.0-litre engine belongs in another era of efficiency, fuel economy and exhaust emissions.

TECHNOLOGY
Like most other cars in this category, the Mazda3 is competitive without being class-leading in its integration of technology. It gets a trip computer, cruise control, maintenance monitor, CD player with MP3/WMA and steering wheel audio controls.

Shamefully, Bluetooth, which is rapidly becoming standard in this segment, doesn’t get a mention here. Auto headlamps, reversing sensors and USB input are also absent.

See how each of the 10 cars went in the Small Car mega test:

Small Car road-test comparison:

>> Ford Focus

>> Holden Cruze

>> Hyundai i30

>> Kia Cerato

>> Mitsubishi Lancer

>> Renault Megane

>> Subaru Impreza

>> Toyota Corolla

>> Volkswagen Golf

>> Small Car mega-test: The Verdict