Mazda3 [Official] 2019 Mazda3 Debuts With Cutting-Edge Style And Tech In LA


The Mazda3 (known as the Mazda Axela in China and Japan -first three generations-, a combination of "accelerate" and "excellent") is a compact car manufactured by Mazda, available as a 5-door hatchback and 4-door sedan across all generations. It was first introduced in 2003 as a 2004 model, replacing the Familia/323/Protegé in the C-segment.
The only question I have is what does Mazda have against real HP and performance now? I mean their designs are pretty cutting edge for this class why not give some performance versions?

M
 
The only question I have is what does Mazda have against real HP and performance now? I mean their designs are pretty cutting edge for this class why not give some performance versions?

M


My guess....

Since they are a relatively small company, they don't want to divert resources to something that, while generating brand enthusiasm, will ultimately have a small take-rate. And with electrification and efficiency being more key among more consumers as well as regulators, I think they rather invest their monies there. That said, a turbo AWD Mazda6 wagon with ~270hp would be the bee's knees. Maybe stop mucking around with their roary-engine pipe dreams and risk a little. PS: They already have a turbo-4 in the CX9 and 6.
 
My guess....

Since they are a relatively small company, they don't want to divert resources to something that, while generating brand enthusiasm, will ultimately have a small take-rate. And with electrification and efficiency being more key among more consumers as well as regulators, I think they rather invest their monies there. That said,...

Yeah I get all that, but still. The turbos in those vehicles are still weak as hell. There is no "zoom zoom" anymore in anything they make.

M
 
Yeah I get all that, but still. The turbos in those vehicles are still weak as hell. There is no "zoom zoom" anymore in anything they make.

M

I think they see luxury and slightly upmarket aspirations as being a more important sales/profitability route than performance models.
 
Yeah I get all that, but still. The turbos in those vehicles are still weak as hell. There is no "zoom zoom" anymore in anything they make.

M

Depends what car you're coming from. I own the 2016 CX-5 with the 4cyl, and also the 2017 CX-9 with the 2.5L 4cyl turbo. While the CX-9 doesn't have eye catching horsepower figure, it has plenty torque. Even in a car that heavy, with 4 adults and two kids (with their car seats and a bulky stroller) the car has plenty of zoom. You just gotta throw it in sport mode first and that motor & turbo get along very well with your right foot. Of course, if you're coming from a German V8 or a turbo-6 anything from Mazda is going to feel weak.

I'll agree the standard 4cyl does feel weak unless you have it in sport mode or manually shift the gears to get higher RPMs, but to be fair, it competes with Honda CR-Vs and Toyota RAV4s, Mazda already has them covered when it comes to sportiness.

With that said, I so would love them to bring back the MPS models. While that isn't likely, they are at least listening somewhat as they put the 2.5L 4cyl turbo in the CX-5.
 
My guess....

Since they are a relatively small company, they don't want to divert resources to something that, while generating brand enthusiasm, will ultimately have a small take-rate. And with electrification and efficiency being more key among more consumers as well as regulators, I think they rather invest their monies there. That said,...

Couldn't agree more! You have to remember how small of a company they are. Their positive working relationship with Toyota will hopefully help them in some way.
 
I think they see luxury and slightly upmarket aspirations as being a more important sales/profitability route than performance models.

Well luxury and upmarket includes performance in every luxury or premium brand doesn't it? Just saying.

M
 
My daughter is thinking about getting the 5-door. We took an extensive test ride last weekend and were really impressed by both looks, tech, and drive. Visually, it has a nice retro touch, the surfaces are so clean, stance is great. Interior is among the best in class, and even better than many in higher segments. Ride is more comfortable than expected, interior noise levels are really low.
Obviously, this little thing is gonna come with AWD and the promising „Diesotto“ engine that is rumored to deliver 200hp. That could be a real game changer then.
 
"Autogefühl-long" review:

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Skyactiv-X First drives:

Autocar
Should I buy one?
Even with the normal and relatively weedy 2.0-litre petrol and 1.8-litre diesel, the Mazda 3 is a highly recommendable hatch. Unsurprisingly then, with a little more fire in its belly courtesy of the Skyactiv-X engine, there's even more reason to pick one as your next family hatch. Some may bemoan the low torque figure achieved at relatively high revs, but you can't argue with the outright performance and those emissions and economy figures.

Pricing is yet to be released, but early indications suggest it should be slightly cheaper than the diesel and will cost less in BIK tax should you be a company car driver. If that price remains palatable, the Skyactiv-X is the best engine for the 3 unless you’re covering mega-miles, in which case the diesel’s even better economy is hard to ignore. With Mazda already saying there’s more to come from Skyactiv-X, we’ll be keeping a close eye on developments.

Top Gear

So, should I buy it?

Well… the manual, front-drive Skyactiv-X is without doubt the best Mazda3. While it’s less refined than the petrol, it’s more economical (until we can try them side-by-side in the UK we won’t know just how much more, though) more powerful, promises to be only a little more expensive and signals support of a technology that, once it’s been developed even further, could ensure internal combustion’s survival long into the future. For the first commercial application of this technology the Mazda3 really is very good, but there’s plainly space for it to be refined even further.

AutoExpress
Does that really move the game on from the turbocharged opposition? Not really, based on our first, somewhat unscientific taste of the technology. It seems as if the SkyActiv-X car won’t be hugely more economical to run than the cheaper SkyActiv-G either. But, importantly, it is a much better performer, and almost certainly the car to budget for. The more powerful engine loses a little refinement, but finally the Mazda 3’s excellent chassis and steering have a whiff of performance to exploit.
 
So smooth and uncluttered that it evokes an almost C257 M-B CLS "vibe". This works well and markedly distinguishes it from all other entries in its' segment.
 

Mazda

Mazda Motor Corporation is a Japanese multinational automotive manufacturer headquartered in Fuchū, Hiroshima, Japan. The company was founded on January 30, 1920, as Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Ltd., a cork-making factory, by Jujiro Matsuda. It changed its name to Toyo Kogyo Co., Ltd. in 1927 and started producing vehicles in 1931. The name Mazda was derived from Ahura Mazda, the god of harmony, intelligence, and wisdom in Zoroastrianism.
Official website: Mazda

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