Mazda3 Sport: always among the favorites

Photo courtesy Mazda
The Mazda3 Sport has always been so appealing thanks to its original design, road manners pleasant, and his generous endowment.

Jacques Welcome

Sunday, 22 October, 2017 18:23

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Sunday, 22 October, 2017 18:23

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Year after year, the Mazda3 Sport maintains its popularity with quebec buyers of compact sedan hatchback. An attractive aesthetics, a good design and a careful construction explain this success.

Quebecers are fond of cars, compact hatchback, because they are practical, affordable and generally low. The offer in this niche has also diversified in recent years with the emergence, among others, a Honda Civic and a Chevrolet Cruze to the rear opening. This does not preclude some well-known models to stay safe values, such as, for example, the Mazda3 Sport.

Launched in 2014, the current version of the Mazda3 Sport might seem outdated. However, when compared to its many rivals in the niche automotive the largest in Canada (the Korean Elantra and Forte, the japanese Civic, Corolla iM, Versa Note, Impreza and Lancer, the German Golf, the same as the us Cruze and Focus), the small Mazda maintains an undeniable attraction that create a successful silhouette which ages well, but also a range that is well thought out, bringing together a trio of versions and engines adapted to the expectations of the customer of this niche.

Three models, two engines

The Mazda3 Sport GX and GS are aimed at motorists likely to prioritize low power consumption. These two versions share a 4-cylinder Skyactiv-G 2.0 L. This engine with direct injection, which is characterized by a high compression ratio of 13.0: 1, produces 155 hp and 150 lb-ft of torque. This allows him to carry out acceleration to be very honorable for a small family car. On the consumption side, the average scores of 7.4 and 7.5 L/100 km, associated respectively to the transmission automatic and manual, to enable these cars to compete with models from other brands that use the boost gauge or an automatic transmission variation continues to do as well or better.

Photo courtesy Mazda

A tailgate light discovers a safety deposit box at a volume flexible very satisfactory.

The Mazda3 Sport GT displays, moreover, a greater propensity to performance. This version, which we tested, is equipped with a 4-cylinder 2.5 L also characterized by a high compression (13.0: 1). This engine Skyactiv-G direct-injection produces 184 hp and 185 lb-ft. These superior ratings demonstrate why this model can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in eight seconds, whereas it takes almost two seconds longer to GX and GS to do the same. This engine is distinguished also by this enthusiasm increased which it shows at times. Naturally, this passion is the currency for consumption is a little higher. The average scores of 7.9 and 8.3 L/100 km attributed, respectively, to the version with automatic transmission and the manual, however, remain reasonable and very realistic, as evidenced by the average of 8.0 L/100 km measured at the end of the test we have done behind the wheel of a GT with automatic transmission.

It is interesting to note that these consumption ratings are obtained with gearboxes that have only six reports. At a time when the manufacturers promise the multiplication of reports of this mechanical component of the powertrain, often to promote their new products before all, the fact that Mazda offers a manual transmission and an automatic transmission that do a great job with “only” six reports is a feat in itself. What’s more, the manual has a clutch supple and well calibrated, so that the handling of the lever is very precise. For its part, the automatic gearbox has reports storied wisely, and their passage is done with gentleness. The Mazda3 Sport GT with automatic transmission that even has paddle-shift report attached to the steering wheel, which helps the driver to better exploit the power of the engine when the occasion arises.

These powertrains well-arranged help to make driving the Mazda3 Sport nice, just like its rigid chassis and its suspension settings are effective, which largely confined the roll in a curve. This inspiring leadership and the behavior predictable and reassuring the driver. As for the tires, 18-inch around the alloy wheels of the GT, they make the ride more firm and leave it sometimes seem too much the defects of the coating. Tires 16-inch versions GX and GS provide naturally a smooth superior ride.

Staffing attractive

The interior is distinguished by its craftsmanship and the high quality of the materials used, two qualities that do not share all of the cars in this niche of the market. A color screen multimedia “floating” 7 ” occupies the central part of the dashboard of the three versions. In addition to its touch interface, it can be controlled using a knob located on the centre console. This screen shows, among other things, the images captured by the camera, an accessory series which compensates, to a certain extent, the rear visibility is reduced.

Photo courtesy Mazda

The interior of the Mazda3 Sport is distinguished
by the high quality of the materials used
and the careful finish.

The endowment of series includes, in addition, a Bluetooth system allowing the use of cell phones to hands-free mode, a tilt-telescoping steering wheel with cruise control, and a system of push-button start. However, the heated front seats and leather-wrapped steering wheel (heated also) are reserved for GS and GT. The GT version even has a display of speed “head high” which is very convenient.

Some systems of driving assistance attractive are among the equipment of the Mazda3 Sport. For example, the three versions are equipped with a system of brake assist designed to detect obstacles located in front of the vehicle when it is in motion and, depending on the circumstances, to avoid a collision or reduce the damage. The GS and GT also have a system of monitoring blind spots, and a detection system rear cross traffic.

The bucket seats are form-fitting to wish. The driver has moreover six settings. However, given the premium status assigned to the GT version, a seat with so many possibilities of adjustments for the front passenger would be desirable. The rear seats, by the way, are better adapted to persons of small size. As for the trunk, it is transformed in a jiffy. It is sufficient to fold the folders, 60/40 split rear seat to change the useful volume from 572 to 1 334 L, which allows to carry objects too bulky as a bike.

Recall, finally, that the products Mazda are covered by a warranty program without mileage limits, the only one of its kind in Canada. Even the roadside assistance program benefits from the particularity suitable to arouse the interest of motorists having to travel to a mileage important each year.

Many novelties in Tokyo

Photo courtesy Mazda

By its forms, this concept car heralds the styling of future products Mazda.

Mazda will have several new products to introduce to the visitors of the auto Show in Tokyo in 2017, which will open its doors first to the press on 25 and 26 October next, then to the public, from 28 October to 5 November.

This program loaded begins with the unveiling of two vehicle concepts, one that embodies the orientation aesthetic adopted by the brand for its future products (in the photo), while the other foreshadows a new generation of commercial vehicles, perhaps even the successor to the current CX-5.

Mazda will also introduce a new gasoline engine dubbed Skyactiv-X. It is also a world first as the standard engine will be the first to operate a compression ignition, a technology that enables it to be also low consumption of fuel than a diesel engine. This new engine would be for another scoop, which the visitors won’t discover, however, that the metal frame of its monocoque chassis. In effect, this structure would be used to a future compact sedan to 5-door. We will see a new generation of chassis, Skyactiv. A structure designed, in all likelihood, the next generation Mazda3, you should see for the first time in 2018 or 2019.

Mazda3 Sport

Base price

• 19 800 $ (GX);
• 21 300 $ (GS);
• 25 000 $ (GT).

Transport and preparation

1 695 $

Powertrain

(GX and GS) L4 DOHC, 2.0 L, 155-hp at 6,000 rpm, 150 lb-ft at 4 000 rpm; (GT) L4 DOHC, 2.5 L, 184 hp at 5,700 rpm, 185 lb-ft at 3,250 rpm. Gearbox 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic. Front-wheel drive.

Features

Four-wheel independent Suspension. Disc brakes to all four wheels. Anti-lock braking system series. Tires : 205/60R16 (GX and GX); 215/45R18 (GT).

Ratings

Wheelbase : 2,700 mm; length : 4 470 mm; width : 1 795 mm; height : 1 455 mm. Weight : 1 307-1 406 kg. Tank Volume : 50 litres. Trunk Volume : 572-1 334 L. towing Capacity : towing a trailer is not recommended. Average consumption (test; WG PVA) : 8.0 L/100 km.

Competition

Chevrolet Cruze 5p, Chevrolet Volt, Fiat 500L, Ford Focus 5p, Honda Civic 5p , Hyundai Elantra GT, Hyundai Ioniq hybrid, Kia Forte5, Mini Cooper 5p, Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback, Nissan Versa Note, Nissan LEAF, Subaru Impreza 5p, Toyota Corolla mi, Toyota Prius, Volkswagen Golf

Strengths

• Elegant Silhouette
• 2.5-litre engine is very flexible
• Fine finish and fine quality
• Consumption reasonable

Weak Points

• Rear visibility reduced
• The rear seats and little spacious