We are with Mazda3.
The 3 that is the model of Mazda in the compact class has been renewed completely.
I have come to İzmir to drive this car and have been driving it from İzmir to Ayvalık. Now is the time to share my views with you.
The new 3 is imported to our country with two different body types as hatchback and as sedan as previously. And now it is imported only with 1.5-liter new petrol Skyactiv engine.
Of course before reviewing Mazda3's engine features, as always, I would like to mention the exterior and interior details.
First thing first, I think the Mazda3's exterior design as hatchback and as sedan really has very dynamic lines.
In other words it is very clear that the Mazda engineers have targeted the younger generation when manufacturing this car.
I personally think the Mazda3's exterior design is much more exciting than what we may call the boring designs of its rivals in the compact class.
I have mentioned in the beginning that this car has been renewed completely.
Therefore there are important changes in the interior too. Primarily this touchscreen main unit that you see here.
This main unit screen looks quite similar to the screens that we are familiar with at the Mercedes A, B and CLA Series. But the graphics and resolution of this screen is very high.
And that's why I think it is very successful. But there is one negative sign and that is the touchscreen does not work, as it should. How so?
You can use it as a touchscreen only when the car is stationary. If like now, when you are on the move the screen comes to nothing.
In short to command it there is a control here behind the gear lever. You need to use this and only then you can select your choices.
The interior design is successful in the general sense, that is you can reach the A/C controls easily, the gear lever is just under your hand.
The hand brake is next to the drivers leg as Japanese always prefer. And you can reach it easily too.
The display's design is very stylish. There is one big rev counter and inside it shows the speed digitally.
At two sides of this there are digital indicators and they are pleasing to the eye. I have clearly liked these displays.
As living area there is no bother in the front, at the rear the knee room is so great that I can not be sure but the Mazda3 may be offering the best knee room of its class.
The hatchback version that I drove has 350-liter trunk capacity. And for a compact hatchback car it is a good value.
Now it is time to review the Mazda3's engine. As I have mentioned in the beginning this car has only 1.5-liter petrol engine.
The Mazda refers to it as Skyactiv. Many European brands apply turbo charge to their small capacity engines to develop more power. But in this engine this technology is not available.
In other words it is a naturally aspirated engine. The 1.5-liter capacity has developed 120 HP and 150 Nm of torque. These values easily fulfill the expectations of everyday use.
But as I mentioned previously due to it having no turbo charge it is not very agile.
Therefore when you want to accelerate you have to be patient and force the upper revs. The torque is a bit weak at low revs.
You can buy the Mazda3 with 6 speed manual gearbox or 6 speed automatic gearbox like the one I drove.
The gearbox is not bad, its passes are good and although it is not very fast it gives opportunity to manual use.
You can do this from the pedals behind the steering wheel or from the gear lever.
This car is manufactured at Ford Focus's platform. In other words it has to have a driving pleasure and joy.
And honestly the suspension system and the steering reactions has been sat so good as to get pleasure.
The engine sounds when you reach higher revs makes you feel as if you are driving a powerful naturally aspirated car.
And lastly I would like to mention the fuel consumption. As I have mentioned in the beginning I have driven the car from İzmir to Ayvalık.
Therefore I had no change to test the urban consumption. The trip computer shows me 7.5-liter average fuel consumption and it is not a bad value.
As a result the Mazda3 with its successful driving features and for me with the body that combines style and sportiveness together possesses an alternative to the drivers who wants to be different.