We are with the Mazda3 in Thessalonike.
As you know, the Mazda has renewed the 3 Series in 2014 and started to sell it in our country.
But this car was being sold in our country since 2014 with only 1.5 liters petrol engine.
Now, fit for our market, new 1.5 liters diesel engine combination has been added.
This car is now being sold in our country with manual gearbox as well as automatic gearbox.
Let’s see if the Mazda3 has assertive driving features as well as attention grabbing appearance.
Let’s analyze it together.
Lets start to talk about the Mazda3 as always from its design.
First of all, to start with, I have to say that Mazda3 possesses more dynamic, more attention grabbing and more sportive outlook than its rivals in its class, in other words in the compact hatchback class.
In these, naturally, certain details play a part.
When you observe the car from the front, you see the Mazda’s classical logo and its big grill.
Furthermore, prolonged rearwards headlamps provide the Mazda3 to look striking.
When we look the car from the side there is certainly a sportive view due to some shadow plays.
These are, the descending line starting from the bonnet and continues to the end of the front door
and then ascending at the rear door and come to an end at the taillights.
Because of this the Mazda3 Hatchback definitely appears remarkable from the sides.
Alright, how is the rear of the car? Let’s look there together too.
When we look at Mazda3 Hatchback from the rear, there are what we might refer as slant-eyed taillights composed from two parts,
and the rear of the car is really rotundate and reveal that it is a hatchback in real terms.
In my opinion, Mazda3 proves its assertive design from the rear also.
Ok, I wonder what kind of loading capacity is offered behind the boot lid of the Mazda3?
Let’s also look at it all together.
There is a 350 liters loading capacity here.
This value is a bit less than its rivals in the compact hatchback class but nevertheless has a layout to satisfy the expectations of this class explicitly.
Come on now is the time for the rear seats.
The living space of the Mazda3 at the rear seats is as you see it.
There is not bad at all knee room.
The headroom, I can say that is better compared to the knee room.
There is one armrest here and you are able to put two glasses here.
There is a transmission hump here, let me see how much obstacle it will constitute to the third passenger.
To tell the truth, as dimensions are not very big, yes your legs will strain a bit, but if you have to, you can sit here as the third passenger without too much distress.
Now is the time to drive the Mazda3 and see what will this new 1.5 liters diesel engine deliver.
Lets start...
I am behind the steering wheel of the Mazda3.
In my opinion the interior of the Mazda possesses a sportive design as the exterior.
Because, you see a big revolution counter and follow easily the speed digitally from inside it.
Furthermore, with low sitting position, with three spoke steering wheel that fits to the hand well
and gearbox with distinct passes, this car makes you feel as if you are driving more sportive compact hatchback than the rivals in its class.
The quality of the materials used is in a level to satisfy the class expectations.
Soft plastics have been used at the tops.
There are hard plastics below but in general terms; you do not feel any deficiency.
The positioning of the indicators and their use is easy.
There is one A/C with very plain buttons here and most importantly a wide small items cubicle under it.
Furthermore, there are two biggish cup-holders behind the gear lever.
On the top of the console in the center there is a touch screen multimedia but its touch screen only works when you are stationary.
Apart from that, you are able to command the screen from the button here.
The reason it is like this is due to safety but if you ask my opinion, all the brands nowadays use touch screen
and you are able to use them stationary as well as in motion and Mazda sentimentalize and I think the screen should be commanded during drive.
Ultimately, you are able to do your selections from here but by no means reach your aim as fast as touch screen.
You have to push, turn, press and etc. I don’t think this is a right implementation.
Let us consider the engine and driving features of the Mazda3.
As I have mentioned in the beginning, the Mazda3 is not imported to our country with only petrol engine anymore.
Now, 1.5 liters diesel engine called Skyactiv can also be purchased with this car.
This engine develops 105 HP and 270 Nm of torque.
The 105 HP may not come too high to the ear but I can say that it satisfied the expectations during my entire drive.
I at the moment am using the six-speed manual gearbox version of this engine.
Of course, if you wish you have the opportunity to posses the Mazda3 with diesel engine and automatic gearbox that I think more people will prefer.
If you are driving in a city like İstanbul where there are continuous stop and go, the automatic gearbox will be more logical.
But with its passes and short ratios to use the manual gearbox is also very enjoyable.
The engine that display flexible attitude due to 270 Nm of torque works in harmony with this six-speed gearbox.
The sensitivity of the steering is a bit artificial but the car really holds the road very well.
The steering answers your wishes well and I do not think a standard driver will have any negative critic about the steering system.
For example, even on serial bends like this you feel that the car puts its head where you want to go.
Finally let us consider the fuel consumption.
I have been driving this car from Thessalonike towards Halkidiki for 120 km and will reach there shortly anyway.
The trip computer at the moment indicates 5.3 liters fuel consumption averages.
Because of the duration and the route I drove, it is impossible to give you real fuel consumption averages.
But if I have to evaluate in general terms, I can say that this car with this gearbox will be an economic choice.
I have driven the Mazda3 from Thessalonike to Halkidiki for about 150 km.
The car’s driving dynamics are good.
The diesel engine with frugal potential in my opinion definitely deserves praise.
But the one planned to sell better in our country is definitely the diesel engine and automatic gearbox combination.
The prices start from 92 thousands TL. But this is diesel engine and manual gearbox version.
If you want it with automatic gearbox, unfortunately the price of the Mazda3 exceeds 100 thousands level.
I have to say that the Mazda3 with this price will not be competitive especially against bestselling, successful European models.
But I can say this here, if you are interested in Japanese cars and apart from successful driving features, like the design, then you can definitely give the Mazda3 a chance.
See you...
0 comments: