The Mazda 3 is one of the most popular compact cars from the legendary Japanese car makers, introduced back in 2003. Mazda offers this vehicle in a three or five-door hatchback setup depending on the demands of the target market. Mazda is currently building the Mazda 3 on the SkyActiv platform, utilizing their in-house KODO design principle, ditching the old Ford C1 chassis.
The Mazda 3 is popular as the Axela in Japan and shares basic design principles with the Mazda 5 and CX-5. The designers at Mazda wanted their vehicles to be in tune with the emotions of their drivers, and this is what KODO is all about. The new-generation Mazda 3 is aerodynamic, agile and sleek, which is hugely different from the other vehicles in the class.
The designers have managed to get the right balance between nimbleness and agility as the Mazda 3 is neither overly aggressive nor excessively boxy and boring. It is much more than your average economy vehicle and boasts of a host of technical and performance features that enhance the general driving experience.
Moving onto the interior, the first impression is the lack of space, even though the vehicle is stacked up with the latest gadgets and gizmos. The 7.0-inch touch screen display in the dash grabs all the attention while the buttons and switches are placed within the reach of the driver. Mazda has taken infotainment a step ahead as the Mazda 3 can do a lot more than play music.
The onboard Aha and Stitcher apps synchronizes with the user’s social media accounts and can read out their latest feeds out loud. The apps can be synchronized with the smartphone to read out text messages out loud too. This is an interesting hands-free feature that reduces the chances of accidents by a considerable margin.
Even though Mazda has added a few potentially unimportant features such as automated wipers, music player, and headlamps, the biggest turn-down is the massive price tag associated with this vehicle. This can be attributed primarily to the SkyActiv technology!
Mazda is currently offering the Mazda 3 in three engine options namely a 1.5-liter V4 engine block displacing 118 BHP, a 2.0-liter V4 engine block displacing 153 BHP and a 2.5-liter V4 displacing 185 BHP. Every engine block runs an inline setup with aligned cylinders.
Reports of the on-road test will be published soon as we plan to bring a hands-on review at the earliest. The release date is yet to be announced, although, we are hoping for a mid-2015 launch. Stay tuned for additional news, reports and updates from the world of automobiles. What is your first impression of the Mazda 3? Fill us in your thoughts via the Comments Section below.