THE AUTO PAGE
By
John Heilig
- MODEL: 2019 Mazda3 AWD
- ENGINE: 2.5-liter 4
- TRANSMISSION: 6-speed automatic with manual mode
- HORSEPOWER/TORQUE: 186 hp @ 6,000 rpm/186 lb.-ft. @ 4,000 rpm
- WHEELBASE: 107.3 in.
- LENGTH X WIDTH X HEIGHT: 183.5 x 70.7 x 56.9 in.
- TIRES: P215/45R18
- CARGO CAPACITY: 13.2 cu. ft.
- ECONOMY: 25 mpg city/33 mpg highway/18.2 mpg test
- FUEL TANK: 12.7 gal.
- CURB WEIGHT: 3,248 lbs.
- TOWING CAPACITY: Not recommended
- COMPETITIVE CLASS: Chevrolet Bolt, Kia Forte, Volkswagen Golf
- STICKER: $30,635 (includes $920 delivery, $1,845 options)
- BOTTOM LINE: The Mazda3 is a serviceable compact car the offers a good ride but is slightly underpowered.
The great thing about
testing cars over a long period of time is change. I remember driving a Mazda3
several years ago and wasn’t overly impressed. This edition, however, offers a
lot of amenities that you’d expect from a larger car at a more reasonable price.
The Mazda3 is still a compact, however, and displays some of the
characteristics of that segment.
For example, ride quality is
borderline good. It tends to be choppy on less-than -perfect road surfaces, but
it’s fine on asphalt.
Under the hood is a
2.5-liter 4 that is rated at “only” 186 hp. Many cars have smaller 2.0-liter
engines that deliver more power. In general, the power level of the Mazda3 is
decent, although it could use a tad more. On my hill climb test, I had my foot
to the floor on a couple of sections, although most of the time power was
adequate.
Also on the hill climb I
used the manual shift paddles tucked behind the wheel. These paddles are
smaller than most, but they work just as well. They don’t get in the way.
Shifting was a lot of fun.
Like few cars in its
segment, the Mazda3 offers a heads-up display, where your speed is projected on
the windshield. Most HUDs are almost impossible to read if you’re wearing
polarized sunglasses. You must tilt your head to read the HUD clearly. However,
Mazda either “pre-tilts” the HUD or has compensated for the polarization issue
and you can read the HUD even when you’re wearing sunglasses.
Front seats are comfortable
with some side support. Great support isn’t necessary because this isn’t one of
the Mazda’s you’d race. Rear seat legroom is cozy and passengers back there get
intimate with the backs of the front seats. In addition, there’s a tall center
hump that would make it even more uncomfortable for the center passenger back
there.
In the center of the dash is
a larger horizontal infotainment screen. The home menu has a choice among
information, entertainment, communication, navigation and settings. For
entertainment, I found it impossible to change the Sirius XM station and
resorted to Bluetooth and my iPhone.
The master controller on the
center console has major choices, then you can use it to “fine tune” once
you’ve made a major choice. An owner should spend some time with the owner’s
manual before taking the Mazda3 out on the road and trying to figure it out
there.
The air conditioner worked
very well during our test. We had 100-degree weather and the AC cooled us as
quickly as could be expected.
Interior storage consists of
a large cubby at the base of the center stack. Cupholders are tucked in under
the center stack. There’s a medium-sized console/arm rest with a Qi charger
inside plus 12-volt and USB outlets. I liked that you can slide the arm rest
forward.
What impressed me a lot was
the large trunk that was wide enough for my golf bag. A foursome could make it
to the course in the Mazda3 with all their gear, so long as the two in the back
seat aren’t too robust.
I have a few complaints. When
you shut the car off, the emergency brake automatically sets. It won’t unset until
you fasten your seat belt.
And the radio comes on every
time you start up, even if you shut it off manually.
Overall, the Mazda3 fares
well among its competition. The only knock is the tight rear seat and the
difficulty in trying to tune the Sirius XM radio.
(c) 2019 The Auto Page Syndicate
No comments:
Post a Comment