Mazda 3 Sedan

The interior has also received changes in the mid-season upgrade primarily in the form of cup holders in the center console. This is thanks to the electronic brake that frees up space in the middle. There is now a new steering wheel that comes from the CX-9. This steering is adjustable for both tilt and telescopic movement making it convenient to find the best driving position. The instrument cluster is upgraded as well and now has new graphics and fonts. The heads-up display (Active Driving Display) is now full color but only on the High variant. Infotainment is handled by a 7” touchscreen MZD Connect infotainment system that comes bundled with 6 speakers and a whole host of connectivity options. The High also gets GPS navigation (both 3D and 2D). The driver seat is power adjustable on the High while the rest of the seats are manually adjustable. The 60:40 split rear seats get three headrests and a center fold-down armrest. The seats are leather in the High but both variants get a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear knob. The High also gets automatic air-conditioning and paddle shifts. Both, however, are equipped with auto leveling and operating headlights, automatic rain wipers, engine start/stop button, advanced keyless entry, driver side one-touch up/down power windows with anti-pinch and reverse camera with distance and width guidelines. So not lacking on features and comfort by any measure. The space in the boot is also great at 419L.

The Mazda 3 like all current Mazdas is a sight to behold. The recent facelift has made the car look even better – of you can tell the difference that is. The subtle changes include a new and more prominent front grille with a wider chrome surround that blends into the headlights. The front bumper is also redesigned and gets new sleek LED fog lamps that share space with the wider lower intake. The logo has shifted lower on the grille too. The indicators on the rear view mirrors are also now in the form of LED strips instead of corner mounted ones. All these changes make for a more mature and bolder look. The rest of the car looks the same from outside. That means it is just as pretty as before. The bold curves on the side profile meet the front and the rear sections to create a silhouette that is just sublime. The headlights and taillights (especially the LED ones on the High) keep the design flowing. The 10 spoke 16” alloys (18” on the High) give it infinite presence. The sedan is 4580 mm long, 1795 mm wide and 1450 mm high. Its 2700 mm wheelbase looks very well proportioned with the rest of the car. Tires are 205/60 R16 tires on the GL and 215/45 R18 on the High. Mazda has some extremely flashy colors too on offer. These include Arctic White, Deep Crystal Blue, Meteor Grey and Sonic Silver. Premium Metallic colors (machine grey and Snowflake Pearl White) cost an extra RM 1886.     

Moving under the hood, we find the now familiar Skyactiv G 2L petrol engine. The inline 4 cylinder DOHC with 16 valve engine produces 162 hp at 6000 rpm and 210 Nm of torque at 4000 rpm. The transmission uses a 6-speed SkyActiv Drive automatic gearbox. Both cars also get Mazda’s idling stop and drive select system. The i-Stop system cuts the engine when idling after a certain time and the drive select allows a Sports mode. The biggest upgrade, however, is the inclusion of Mazda’s SkyActiv-Vehicle Dynamics suite that comes with the G-Vectoring Control system. Earlier, this system was only available on Mazda’s CX-3 and CX-6 cars but has now become available on all their cars after 2017. This system makes for a more dynamic and responsive drive by controlling the torque depending on steering input. This helps control the pitch and roll of the car and allows greater control and inspires confidence while taking corners. The engine itself is capable of going from 0-100 kmph in 7.8 sec and up to a top speed of 209 kmph. But not all the focus is on performance either. Mazda claims an impressive fuel economy figure of 12.3 kmpl.

The Mazda 3 does a great job of providing its passengers with safety. The same level of safety equipment is kept across both the cars, which is something we really like. Both cars come with 6 airbags, ABS with EBD and emergency brake assist, traction control, dynamic stability control, hill start assist, and emergency stop signal. Even the seatbelts are impressive with seat belt warning, height adjustable anchor points, and emergency locking retractors. The High additionally gets smart city brake support, lane departure warning system, blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert. No wonder it has a 5-star safety rating from the NHTSA and is also the top safety pick of 2018.

There is no doubt that the Mazda 3 is a beautiful and exciting car to drive. With its safety and in-car infotainment features, it can even punch above its weight. Certainly, a car to keep on your radar.