So it wasn’t a completely long-term test, the trio spent three months with us, but we still managed to get to know it very well.
–
For some time I don’t like the word “controversial”, I remember one article where the author wrote about its overuse and that today it is “controversial” where what. I had to agree, the controversy had become a terrible cliché, and I forbade the word.
But now I have to go back to him, because I can’t think of anything more concise in connection with the Mazda 3. Yes, the Mazda 3 Skyactiv-X180 (132 kW) AWD GT Plus is a controversial car for me.
She’s having fun, but she could do more
Not only did I write in virtually every test of the latest Mazda models, that sometimes the effort to differentiate is good and we are very happy for it, but sometimes we would like to talk to Japanese engineers about exactly what they wanted to say.
I’ll start with the most positive, which is why I liked the trio the most. It’s another cliché, but the current Mazda is just fun to drive. And it’s not just a very well-tuned chassis, which is enough with a simple rear axle (this also applies to our ATV), the trio creates a very driver-friendly environment overall. Remember how I wrote about the exemplary position behind the wheel? And about the steering wheel itself, which I even dared to compare to the exemplary round ideal from Porsche? In the Mazda 3, you really sit the way you sit and how pleasant it is for most drivers who really like to drive. Add to that exemplary ergonomics and a truly functional and easy-to-manage infotainment (Standa Kolman comments in more detail in his article) and the driver can be happy. On nice roads, I often found myself driving a little faster than necessary. And that I sit perfectly level, I hold the steering wheel properly, I drive around corners nicely maz With all the above-described, the mazda “forces” to force you to enjoy the ride.
–
–
Most likely it will still be at reasonable speeds, because the trio is working very slowly into the irrational ones. It’s probably not worth repeating a lot here, the Skyactiv-X180 petrol action definitely doesn’t behave according to the stated power of 132 kW, the dynamics really don’t correspond to this number. Due to the torque of 224 Nm, I’m amazed a little less, but even so, the flexibility is below average at best.
And the consumption was again slightly above average, we kept around seven liters, which was mainly due to the highway and Prague use of the car. A liter lower when Mazda was traveling on first class roads, but count on seven.
It’s a strange combination, a car with an engine like this, which has ticked off the technological lead, but… well, I can’t say much more positive about the unit. And unfortunately there is nowhere to take it, apart from the tested petrol-diesel, the Mazda 3 is only sold with a two-liter petrol and 90 kW 110 liter petrol. Even here, the driver will probably not get the added fun.
–
–
For me, non-dynamic motorizations are the only, albeit quite substantial, complaint about the Mazda 3. Objectively, I can still complain about the little space in the back and the more cramped feelings here. And also for an impractical and smaller suitcase. But I would take this a bit as a characteristic feature of a hatchback, which looks more than practical at the experience behind the wheel. But as I have written several times, I miss one important thing about the experience.
Stanislav Kolman
Mazda is a carmaker that likes to do things its way. We won’t talk now about whether it’s always good, but in the case of the multimedia system, it hit me perfectly. Unlike the others, it does not have a single touch screen in the cab. That this is unthinkable nowadays? Yes, yet the Japanese show that it works.
The multimedia system is represented by a rather inconspicuous 8.8 “screen in the middle of the dashboard, which is not touched. You control it through the rotary control on the center console, which is a solution inspired by the BMW iDrive concept. No exaggerated colors, no endless setting options. Just a simple and easy menu in which everyone knows. The picture is high quality, scrolling through the individual items is brisk…, and if the built-in navigation does not suit you, the mirroring of the smartphone is available. Unfortunately, Mazda does not know it wirelessly yet.
–
–
Another big plus are the classic rotary knobs for setting the temperature. A solution with which carmakers are saying goodbye and prefer digitization. That the cabins are said to have a cleaner and more luxurious impression. I don’t know, but when I look at the driver’s workplace in the new “three”, I really like it. Quality materials, nicely crafted instrument panel, in addition, everything ergonomically designed. For example, the steering wheel heating indicator light is not in the middle (where it would not be visible through the rotary knob), but on the side. A small detail that will please with everyday use. Keep it up!
––
–
David Bureš
I was looking forward to the long-tested Mazda 3 in advance. I fell in love with the car during previous tests and I was looking forward to testing the unique four-cylinder 2.0 Skyactiv-X with a longer experience. Due to the workload and testing a quantum of other cars, I didn’t drive the trio as often as I personally wanted, but I still managed to get a deeper opinion on it than after a week of testing as part of a traditional journalistic loan.
After those few months, I found out, for example, that it is a car that you have to be in the mood for. When I had a business trip to the Giant Mountains, for example, the trio was, in the words of a classic, a clear choice for me. I knew I would enjoy the trip with her and that I would have a lot of fun. The steering is well informed about what’s going on under the wheels and the chassis works perfectly and adds a sense of security. And as a result, I didn’t care that it wasn’t as fast as one would expect given the performance.
–
–
But then the next day it was only necessary to return the hatchback to my colleagues in the newsroom, ie to cross the congested Prague, and suddenly it was not quite that. The once great chassis suddenly seemed hard on the Prague cubes, respectively, there were 18-inch wheels, the clutch pedal operation was too stiff and the view from the car was only average. In short, with such an ordinary move from point A to point B, when you can’t even cross the popular road with points C, D and E, I would rather sit in something more comfortable, more spacious and ideally with a vending machine.
But if I remember anything in the case of the Mazda 3, it’s definitely a great shift. Ideally rigid, with ideally long tracks and absolutely accurate, this manual transmission should inspire manufacturers across the segment. On the contrary, the interior was a bit disappointing, on the one hand, its size (or smallness) limited Mazda to two-seater use, and on the other hand, this seemingly beautiful luxury interior with excellent materials creaked a little after a few thousand kilometers, especially in the free-standing multimedia display. system.
– .
/nginx/o/2019/12/02/12782099t1hdb0e.jpg "“There were flabby legs!” On the anniversary of the relationship, Kasher tells about a romantic acquaintance with a loved one – Celebrities")