I like the long front end and the distinct coupe profile. It looks like a sports car. Completely in line with Vision Coupe Concept which visualizes Mazda's new design language. It seems that Mazda has given the young designer, Yasutake Tsuchida, freer rein than its predecessors.
Sports car feel inside too
Leather seats, black interior and black headliner, soft padding on the dashboard, in the door panels and a wonderful, wide, padded center armrest. The instruments are not particularly hi-tech. They consist of 3 analogue clocks with small digital displays in between which show additional information, such as consumption and the like. The center screen is easy to read and mounted high enough – and is operated with a steering wheel on the center console near the center armrest. The driver's seat is electrically adjustable with electric lumbar support. I found it best to sit a little low. It goes well with the sports car feel, although I think the seats could have been a bit sportier.
Mazda has jumped on the hybrid wave
All car manufacturers are now trying to catch on to the hybrid wave. Mazda's solution, called M Hybrid, is of the light variety. It uses regenerative braking energy to charge a 24-volt lithium battery that both supplies power for secondary services such as audio and navigation, as well as a tiny electric motor. It pushes the car into motion during automatic start and stop, and it should help keep the car moving smoothly when it gears up. The electric motor is only 7 HP.
Mild hybrid
As I drive, I try to map out how the hybrid system works - or rather - find out om it at all works. The first sign is when I start from a standstill - completely silently and without engine vibrations. When I look at the tachometer, I see that the engine is already running. I guess the electric motor just gives the car a small, initial push. It helps with comfort, with consumption during city driving and probably results in less wear and tear on the automatic gearbox. I'm also trying to track down the downsides. The first came already when I started. Then the engine started buzzing at around 2000 revs, but ran perfectly normally when I started driving. Also while driving, I noticed that the revs went up to around 2000 by themselves - without applying the gas. I assume it was to charge the lithium battery.
On the way to Hadeland Glassverk in Jevnaker
"Mazda?" exclaimed my wife. "That was it far ran". My father-in-law's last vehicle was a Mazda 323 with automatic transmission. All his adult life he had been a "keen driver" who believed that automatic transmission - it was for old aunts. But when his own legs began to fail, the Mazda with an automatic transmission came to the rescue to get a few extra years on the road.
The first impression
I understood that I had a challenge to break old prejudices. I explained that Mazda has worked hard to create a premium feel. “When you get in, you'll notice how the car envelops you. You will feel at one with the car.” ... "If this is leather, it's bad leather", my wife commented. "Skai seats!". I will admit that Japanese leather seats are similar to the skai seats from the cars of my childhood - such as Opel Rekord and Ford Cortina. The leather is smooth and seems thick and stiff. But on the way up towards Sollihøgda we could hear the seats creaking, - so - yes - it must be leather. In the question of whether the Mazda 3 belongs to the premium class, we ended up with 1 vote for and 1 against.
For those of us who like to drive
Father-in-law would have liked the new Mazda 3 MHybrid. It is undoubtedly a car for those of us who like to drive. The chassis provides a great balance between sportiness and comfort. Through the bends between Klekken and Jevnaker, I noticed how well it lay on the road. Nice weight distribution. I accelerate out of the turn and feel the grip through the steering wheel. I'm enjoying myself. The sound level is pleasant both from the road and from the engine compartment. The 2-litre is almost inaudible - only with pleasant low-frequency sounds. The wife's favorite channel, P5 Hits, provides great sound with super bass. So good that I feel my ears ringing, but it's not Mazda's fault.
Fancy a weekend trip?
Hadeland Glassverk is a great starting point for a weekend trip. Jevnaker is located at an appropriate distance from most of the towns in the eastern part of the country. The place is surrounded by fine country roads. Ideal for outings with the family's fine car - the one you take out in the spring. This time I got a closer look at a number of Mustangs from the Drammen area and some Austin Healeys. a couple of them from my own regions. The outlets offer bargains on hand-made crystal glass with insignificant flaws at reduced prices - and disposable glass, farm food and beer from microbreweries - as well as eateries. It's almost like being at IKEA. It is best to leave there hungry and empty-handed.
Mazda's new engine technology
When Mazda launched the new Mazda 3 for the 2019 model year, it was also announced that it would get Mazda's SkyActiv-X engine with SCCI (Spark Controlled Compression Ignition). There is something as special as a self-igniting petrol engine. It builds up high compression with a compressor – and the resulting heat ignites the fuel mixture – like in a diesel engine. Self-ignition only occurs when the engine is running at low load. At high load, the mixture is ignited from spark plugs. I assume that the control of this takes place through advanced electronics. Self-ignition of a petrol engine sounds unfortunate to my ears. Then I think about after-ignition - you know, where the engine continues to bump and run after you've turned off the ignition.
Aspirated engine that requires some practice with the accelerator
"Our" Mazda 3 is a 2019 model produced before the new SkyActiv-X engine was ready, so it got the predecessor's SkyActiv-G engine instead - i.e. a normally aspirated 2-litre petrol engine with 122 HP. It seemed responsive and easy to breathe and did not dampen the driving pleasure. During acceleration uphill (overtaking), the automatic transmission let the revs rise too high before shifting, giving an unwanted "lag" in the acceleration. Here you have to lift the accelerator at the right moment to make the gearbox shift faster - and maintain acceleration. Other than this, the transmission felt well programmed for the 122 horse. With active driving, it is possible to get a lot from the 122 horse.
The new engine with SCCI gives a maximum performance of 180 HP with approximately the same consumption as "our" engine. The torque is about the same, but is achieved at a lower rpm. I wonder why Mazda didn't just install a turbo? Maybe they wanted to create a better driving experience?
Place
You can say that Mazda has prioritized form in front of place. The sporty feel gives disadvantages in terms of space. Do not misunderstand. There is not bad space in the Mazda 3, but it is far from class-leading.
The narrow windows and the black roof covering contribute to the rear seat feeling more cramped than in, for example, the Toyota Corolla. Sitting in the back seat behind myself was the tightest thing for the legs, but the height was ok. I had chosen a rather low sitting position in the driver's seat, which pulled the driver's seat backwards. If I had chosen a higher sitting position, it would have given more space in the back seat.
The luggage compartment is 351 litres. It is completely on par for the class. The items must be lifted over a loading edge.
Safety
The Mazda 3 was tested in 2019 with the same engine as in "our" car. The total score for protection of adults was 98% and for children 87%. I don't think I've seen so many green fields in the report before. This is very good! For comparison, the new Golf 7 was also tested in the same year. It scored as well as the Mazda in terms of protection children, but was beaten by Mazda for the protection of adults. But Golfen's score wasn't bad, either.
Euro NCAP test report for 2019 Mazda 3
Economy
In 2019, the Mazda 3 MHybrid 2,0 122 HP aut. Cosmo NOK 326. A similar car with a new SkyActiv-X engine with 600 HP then cost 180 more at the same time. Today, you get a one-year-old Mazda 25 with 000 HP and negligible mileage for just under NOK 3. It is a good price, especially considering that a similar new car with 122 HP now costs NOK 300 plus winter tyres.
I have not measured the fuel consumption. The average consumption in mixed driving is stated at 0,67 litres/mile (WLTP). No matter how you look at the numbers, the Mazda 3's 2-liter engines can never claim to be among the best in the class in terms of consumption. The effect of the hybrid solution counts for very little - and far less than, for example, a similarly motorized Toyota Corolla Hybrid. Toyota's hybrid solution is far more extensive than in the Mazda 3. Toyota advertises that the cars run on electricity half the time, which we can confirm is possible. The Corolla's average consumption is 0,49 in mixed driving (WLTP) - i.e. 0,18 litres/mile lower. This corresponds to the Mazda using 216 liters more than the Toyota per year at an annual mileage of 12 km. Calculated according to today's petrol price, the annual additional expenditure is NOK 000.
Conclusion
Let's round off by comparing the Mazda 3 MHybrid with the Toyota Corolla Hybrid. In terms of price, they are fairly similar. I choose to compare the two with the 122 HP engine that I have driven. But both can actually also be delivered with 180 HP.
- Driving pleasure: Mazda provides driving pleasure on par with the best in its class. Toyota's hybrid powertrain is known to have a few annoyances. Among other things, it often allows the revs to go up too high during normal driving.
- Soundscape: Mazda has both a lower and far more pleasant sound image than Toyota.
- Comfort: Equal.
- Place: Actual space conditions are equivalent, but the Toyota is perceived as more spacious.
- Safety: Mazda scores best in Euro NCAP's test. In Toyota, the test dummy on the driver's side was beaten because the airbag in the steering wheel was too weak.
- Loss of value: I assume Toyota gets a lower loss in value. Many customers search for Toyota without considering the competition.
- Fuel: Toyota has significantly lower consumption due to its hybrid solution.
- Supporter: Mazda can tow larger trailers. 1300 kg against Toyota 750 kg.
The Mazda 3 MHybrid scores on driving pleasure. It also gives a more sporty feel, and a slightly more premium feel than the Toyota Corolla Hybrid. The Corolla scores on its low consumption and its more advanced hybrid solution.
Drivetrain
Engine 1: Petrol, 2,0 litre, 122 HP, torque 213 Nm at 4000 revs.
Engine 2: Electric, 7 HP
Gearbox: 6-speed automatic
Performances
Top speed: 197 km/h
0-100: 10,4 seconds
Weights and Measures
Length, width and height in cm: 446, 180, 144
Wheelbase in cm: 272
Own weight: 1364 kg
Luggage compartment: 351 litres
– with folded seats: 1026 litres
Petrol tank: 51 litres
Max trailer weight with brakes: 1300 kg
– without brakes: 600 kg
consumption
WLTP mixed driving: 0,67 liters per mile
Tires
Bridgestone Turanza summer tires
Dimension: 215/45R18
About the car
Place of manufacture: Hofu, Japan
Colour: Polymetal Grey
Equipment level: Cosmo - leather - black headliner
Mileage: 13
Km driven: 152
Owner: Kverneland Car
Rented through Neighbor's car without key
Source: Auto-Data.net
cdn.euroncap.com
mazda.no
Pictures of the mazda 3 MHybrid
See
