Test: 2012 Mazda3

For Australians spending their own money there’s only one choice: the Mazda3. NEIL DOWLING reports. Nov 2011

“FUN to drive” and “family car” together in the same sentence isn’t something you expect in a car test.
But then the rather conventional Mazda3 isn’t what you expect in a multitude of ways.
It’s the biggest single seller to private buyers in Australia.
In numbers, it was just pipped by the Corolla in 2010 and was soundly beaten by Commodore — but both are buoyed by hefty fleet sales. Mazda has no such fleet advantage.
So why is this seven-year-old car so successful? Because everything about it works. It is the right size, right price, looks good — even the gaping smile of the grille doesn’t dissuade buyers — and has an excellent range of must-have features.
Two of my daughters drive these and I wasn’t involved in the choice. Ask them why and they say they saw them on the road, liked the style and liked the Mazda name. Better, they paid for them without hurting my bank account.

VALUE: Excellent. This is a top car — Carsguide tested the hatch but the sedan is the same price — with an eight-model choice from the $21,300 manual Neo to the $33,575 SP25 Luxury auto. There’s a diesel and a turbocharged petrol model.
The Maxx Sport six-speed manual tested is $26,360 and is a slick drive for those who enjoy a clutch. Add $2000 if you want an auto. This model gets satnav, body kit, Bluetooth, six-disc CD player, cruise control and switches on the steering wheel.
This model is the best in the range in terms of value for money.

DESIGN: Practical, distinctive and, if I’m harsh, a bit nose-heavy. But it’s neat and attractive, especially from the rear, and is the perfect size for every buyer, from a couple and two children, to singles and retirees.
Boot space is very good with fold-down and split rear seats giving the hatch a lot of versatility. However, the spare tyre is a space-saver.
The cabin is simple, has oodles of perceived quality plus ooh-aah features such as the red dash lights at night, the little colourful satnav screen and the “hello’ and “goodbye’ messages on the audio when you switch the car on or off.
A decade or two ago that would be corny. Now it’s cute, personally bonding the little Mazda with its owner.

TECHNOLOGY: There’s not much that really comes out and hits you with a stick. But that’s because one of the Mazda3’s biggest strengths is its simplicity.
The platform goes back to a shared arrangement with Volvo (S40) and Ford (Focus) but each then tweaks suspension and steering to suit their desired markets.
The engine is all Mazda and comes from the same family that propels the Mazda6 and CX-7. It is to be superseded with the Sky-Activ engine later this year but that’s a completely different story.

SAFETY: The best news of all for you or your family is the five-star crash rating of the Mazda3.
It also comes with all the electronic acronyms to help improve your chances of avoiding an accident and, as a last resort, to protect occupants from harm in a collision.
Standard is electronic stability control, six airbags, ABS on four discs and
brake assist.

DRIVING: Behind the wheel this feels like home. Its seating position is damn near spot-on, visibility is good and it never feels cramped. There’s plenty of room for large people.
The “fun to drive” aspect is related to the very good response of the engine, the positive feel of the steering, the comfort and support of the seats and the flat cornering stance.
The engine’s performance is aided by the slick six-speed manual gearbox and the well-spread ratios. So light is the gearchange and the clutch action that drivers now accustomed to an automatic could comfortably make the transition.
Mazda has done work on this second-gen Mazda3 to correct the cabin noise of the previous model. It’s heaps better and on the Maxx Sport has been reduced to match the levels of other cars. Apparently low-profile tyres were the culprits.

VERDICT: Value for money is the theme here.
It’s been around for a while yet Mazda has cleverly refreshed the shape and will continue that in the next model due this year.
The Mazda3 is not only good value but should have strong interest on the second-hand market. It is a difficult new car to overlook.

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