Good looks, fun-to-drive characteristics have put Mazda in the limelight in numerous occasions. Especially in the recent decade or two, the marque has been famed for its 'X-creations' such as the MX-5 and RX-8, which are deemed as some of the best driver's cars on the market with a relatively low price tag (note "relative" - no car comes cheap in Singapore).
Somewhat expected, the marque's four-door offerings have a considerably different fate from its sportscar stablemates. Pause to think for a moment, the last statement is actually pretty much arguable. Let's not forget what the Japanese carmaker did in the 1990s - the good heydays people carrier stirred countless emotions, namely the two different generations of 323 Astinas; one of which even dawn the era-psyche pop-up headlamps.
The predecessors of the Mazda 3: Who would have thought that bread-and-butter cars could look so good?
Fast forward today, there is no doubt that the largely unchanged Mazda 3 is still one of the cult-leading, smarter-looking compact sedan in the market. And as if the designers already know a thing or two, the latest variant still carries that smirk on its face.
Somewhat expected, the marque's four-door offerings have a considerably different fate from its sportscar stablemates. Pause to think for a moment, the last statement is actually pretty much arguable. Let's not forget what the Japanese carmaker did in the 1990s - the good heydays people carrier stirred countless emotions, namely the two different generations of 323 Astinas; one of which even dawn the era-psyche pop-up headlamps.
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Fast forward today, there is no doubt that the largely unchanged Mazda 3 is still one of the cult-leading, smarter-looking compact sedan in the market. And as if the designers already know a thing or two, the latest variant still carries that smirk on its face.
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Exterior
Mazda's best hit takes a subtle stand in aesthetics changes for the new 2012 mode, where it will take more than a keen eye to spot the differences between the pre and post facelift offerings.
Besides a slightly re-worked front bumper, the side and rear profiles are kept similar. Despite the minute changes, Mazda engineers have claimed that the revised outlook is now more "slippery", which means better fuel efficiency thanks to the reduced drag coefficient.
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Interior
On the inside, the car retains the all-familiar symmetrical dashboard layout that is also found in earlier variants. While being fuss-free and relatively easy-to-grasp, the arrangement somehow feels dated, especially when the same spot is increasingly being occupied by larger screen displays, and some even with interactive infotainment systems.
Buttons and switches symmetrically laid-out provides fuss-free accessibility, but starting to feel dated
As if to make up for the afore-mentioned shortcomings, the bread-and-butter workhorse comes with an array of gadgetry niceties, such as automatic headlamps with HID function, as well as rain-sensing wipers.
In terms of cabin space, the Mazda 3 does well, but is no leader in its class. Both front and rear occupants will enjoy commensurate allowances in the head and leg areas, with the only shortfall being seating three full-grown adults abreast at the rear.
On the inside, the car retains the all-familiar symmetrical dashboard layout that is also found in earlier variants. While being fuss-free and relatively easy-to-grasp, the arrangement somehow feels dated, especially when the same spot is increasingly being occupied by larger screen displays, and some even with interactive infotainment systems.
Buttons and switches symmetrically laid-out provides fuss-free accessibility, but starting to feel dated As if to make up for the afore-mentioned shortcomings, the bread-and-butter workhorse comes with an array of gadgetry niceties, such as automatic headlamps with HID function, as well as rain-sensing wipers.
In terms of cabin space, the Mazda 3 does well, but is no leader in its class. Both front and rear occupants will enjoy commensurate allowances in the head and leg areas, with the only shortfall being seating three full-grown adults abreast at the rear.
Heads-up display located just below line-of-sight provides ease of reading; graphical design however looks a tad simplistic In general, the cabin retains the level of quality that lives up to the marque's name. But with the neighbouring competitors catching up, it needs to inject more new elements to keep up with the pack.
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The Drive
On the straights, the 1.6-litre powerplant of the Mazda 3 fares relatively well, delivering adequate punch for our local roads. Doing without the 2.0-litre variants which features the much talked about SkyActiv technologies, the local-bound models comes with the 1.6-litre powerplant which is carried over from its predecessor.
As with on paper, many would find in reality that the weaker link in the Mazda 3 lies with its transmission. The four-speed automatic, like many others found in competing marques, feels exhaustive when stretched - the root of which is having less-than-adequate number of ratios for the potent powerplant to be fully explored.
What seems to be the 'fewer' rights with this latest variant is the inheritance of the chassis and suspension setup. The car feels solid even when encountered with pocketed tarmacs. And as with the last few predecessors, it is in the bends that the car feels much more alive, delivering a joyous experience.
On the straights, the 1.6-litre powerplant of the Mazda 3 fares relatively well, delivering adequate punch for our local roads. Doing without the 2.0-litre variants which features the much talked about SkyActiv technologies, the local-bound models comes with the 1.6-litre powerplant which is carried over from its predecessor.
As with on paper, many would find in reality that the weaker link in the Mazda 3 lies with its transmission. The four-speed automatic, like many others found in competing marques, feels exhaustive when stretched - the root of which is having less-than-adequate number of ratios for the potent powerplant to be fully explored.
What seems to be the 'fewer' rights with this latest variant is the inheritance of the chassis and suspension setup. The car feels solid even when encountered with pocketed tarmacs. And as with the last few predecessors, it is in the bends that the car feels much more alive, delivering a joyous experience.
Conclusion
In a much less-stunning manner the Mazda 3 continues to offer what it does best - driving enjoyment, albeit dulled by the less potent gearbox. In this round of revisions, it seems that Mazda has put in more effort in the 2.0-litre variant. But with current COE prices, it is no surprise that the bigger brother would not make a competitive package on our local shores.
Intense competition from the up and rising Korean competitors is definitely a cause for worry for the Japanese carmakers. But with the strong heritage and technical-know-how, we can still look forward to more exciting offerings from the Japanese carmakers. Let's keep our fingers crossed.
In a much less-stunning manner the Mazda 3 continues to offer what it does best - driving enjoyment, albeit dulled by the less potent gearbox. In this round of revisions, it seems that Mazda has put in more effort in the 2.0-litre variant. But with current COE prices, it is no surprise that the bigger brother would not make a competitive package on our local shores.
Intense competition from the up and rising Korean competitors is definitely a cause for worry for the Japanese carmakers. But with the strong heritage and technical-know-how, we can still look forward to more exciting offerings from the Japanese carmakers. Let's keep our fingers crossed.
