Since its first release in 2003, Mazda 3 has already been the driver’s choice for its excellence. Throughout the years, Mazda has never lost its touch and only surprised consumers by pushing the limits of the Mazda 3 in terms of design, performance, and fuel economy.
Japan truly is a place of immense wonder and innovation, which is why it’s easy to see how and why the Mazda 3 hatch is as successful as it is now. It always has something new to offer for the family or a lone rider, and it serves as a role model for its competitors – something that most carmakers should strive to be or be better at.
Even after 17 years, here is why people still love the Mazda 3:
Design
The Mazda 3 is available as a sedan or hatchback. Just by looking at the exterior design of the Mazda 3 hatch, the roof curvature and sleek edges at the front and backside of the car, you can clearly see that it’s very professional-looking and a lot fancier than its rivals.
Whether you’re a driver that’s used to driving large SUVs or a driver that has more experience driving city sedans, you won’t have any problem transitioning, driving, and feeling comfortable with the Mazda 3 as it is made for drivers of all shapes and sizes. There’s a wide range of adjustability for the driver’s seat and the steering wheel. While other cars only allow you to move the steering wheel up and down, the Mazda 3 also allows you to move it in and out. Also, there’s a wide central armrest which makes long drives a lot more comfortable for the driver.
Performance
The Mazda 3 hatch is capable of running from 0-100kph (0-60mph) in 9.4 secs, which is significantly quicker than its rivals. Mazda surely didn’t compromise the speed and performance of this vehicle for the looks. The entry-level petrol engine, despite not having a turbocharger, still produces 120bhp, making your driving experience in those inclined roads a lot smoother and faster.
If that isn’t enough for you, you can opt for the 2.0-litre Skyactiv-X petrol engine which can produce up to 179bhp.
Comfort
For the smoothest ride, it is recommended that you stick to the 16-inch wheels of the Mazda 3 which comes standard for the SE-L and SE-L Lux trims. If you dislike bouncing out of your seat when driving on a bumpy road, then the Mazda 3 hatch is a great fit for you. The Mazda 3 is well tied down, the suspensions and the handling work hand-in-hand in keeping you and your passengers comfortable and safe inside even on high-speeds.
Economy
The most efficient setup for the Mazda 3 is the Skyactiv-X with the 16-inch wheels, which is capable of running at 21.9kpl (51.4mpg). The four-wheel-drive configuration reduces that number to 19.4kpl (45.6mpg) which is expected with four-wheel drives.
If you’re looking for a fairly priced hatchback with strong driving performance and efficient fuel economy, consider going for the Mazda 3 2.0 Skyactiv-X MHEV SE-L 5dr which only costs less than $42,000 AUD, only about $2,000 AUD more than the entry-level Mazda 3 hatch. It is capable of producing up to 180bhp with a relatively high fuel economy sitting at 21.9kpl (51.4mpg).
