Pretty, Peppy and Planted
While some enthusiasts bemoan the demise of the Mazdaspeed name, the company seems to be chasing another market instead – people who actually buy cars. We like the new Mazda3 very much. Whether it’s a sedan or a hatchback, both cars tick a lot of boxes we like. They’re incredibly stylish, priced fairly and drive well for the most part, even if it doesn’t feel like the ‘zoom zoom’ factor is as apparent this time around. But that’s okay. The average buyer likely does not care. It’s got all the makings of an appealing package, and now Mazda’s one-upped it with the addition of All Wheel Drive.
AWD is a popular feature in Canadian markets. The apparent extra grip and handling granted by the system leads many buyers to opt for it whenever possible – even if AWD does add extra weight and some added complexity. But again, the average buyer likely does not care. If it handles well in inclement conditions and is fuel efficient and reliable, that’s usually enough. Luckily the Mazda3 AWD does all that, and more.
Styling is once again a strong suit for the 3. The hatchback can be a little polarizing for some, but we happen to like it. It’s especially sharp in Mazda’s signature Soul Red finish. We are especially partial to the Nardo Grey-esque Polymetal Grey over Red Leather. But it’s hard to make this car look bad in our eyes. The sexy styling does hinder rear visibility during shoulder checks in the hatchback somewhat however. But safety features like the blind spot monitor do help offset that.
The Mazda3 is equally sharp inside too. The clean, minimalist dashboard is well thought out user friendly. The seats are among the most comfortable we’ve sat in – especially at this price point. It’s not just comfortable for a Mazda. It’s just comfortable, period. Surfaces you are likely to come in contact with are covered in some premium-feeling soft touch materials, and accents like the brushed metal speaker grilles on the optional Bose sound system contrast nicely. We didn’t hear any rattling in the speakers either, which is almost expected at economy cars. The Mazda3 punches above its weight.
How does the All Wheel Drive perform? Well, in the snow, it’s hard to say as our evaluation took place in the summer months. But that said, you shouldn’t be depending on AWD to get you through snowy conditions. A proper set of winter tires will do you better, no matter what drivetrain you’ve got. Regardless, you can still get a feel for the system in corners and turns like a highway on/off-ramp. In those situations, the AWD system was honestly quite marvelous. It’s front-wheel-drive biased, which isn’t going to mean a whole lot to the average person. It drives well and keeps you planted and confident.
The extra weight of the AWD system does have an impact on fuel economy however. We averaged between 7 and 10 L/100km depending on the driving conditions. Now that’s not a bad figure at all. Except the fuel tank on the Mazda3 is so small that we found ourselves at the gas pump more often than we’d like. Speaking of filling up, the fuel filler icon on the Mazda3 seems to suggest the filler cap is on the passenger side – when really, it’s on the driver’s side.
All things considered, the Mazda3 Sport AWD is a nice package. The GT trim level comes with some nice quality-of-life features like navigation, traffic sign recognition and some slick black wheels. But with every Mazda coming from the factory fitted with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, it might be worth saving the money and just sticking with the GS package. You can even get those black wheels if you really wanted them. But if you’ve got the cash to spare and you don’t mind the extra cost, it’s hard to say anything bad about what the GT package gives you. The Bose sound system is well tuned for the car, keyless entry and ignition is very handy, especially in winter, and the improved front and rear lighting is most welcome.
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