2010 Mazda 3 gets impeccable interior styling and a great big grin
2010 Mazda 3 gets impeccable interior styling and a great big grin
After a tenth of a second standing in front of the new Mazda 3, you’ll notice that it looks very happy about something. Unlike that creepy person on the subway, the 3 actually has a valid reason to smile: the original car was a smash-hit, and Mazda’s just updated the new one to do it all over again.
Holy beaming bumpers, Batman!
Styling has become even sportier and more up-front than the last generation car, with dual exhaust peeking out from the rear bumper, exaggerated fenders, a wide stance, and plenty of complicated sculpting to keep the eyes busy. The tester rode large alloy wheels, and the front is capped by a massive, beaming bumper with oversized venting and an enormous grin.
Some love Mazda’s new mile-wide smile, but by my personal count, about half of first-generation Mazda 3 owners prefer the look of the former to the latter. Some agreed that it ‘grew’ on them, though.
A modern, upbeat and techy cabin
Like its body, 3’s interior is unique, distinctive and very modern looking. High-tech and sophisticated are good descriptors, and the black panelling was broken up with flashes of aluminum trim and contrasting colors.
Add in a display screens, gorgeous instruments and a few strategically-placed LED mood-lights, and you’ll probably find this one of the market’s coolest-looking cabins. This holds especially true after dark– when everything lights up gorgeously. Hope you like orange illumination, though.
Storage, gadgets, comfort
Looks aside, the cockpit also feels accommodating and well put together. The steering wheel has no less than 17 buttons fixed to it, putting common controls at fingertip’s reach. Storage is adequate for the items you’ll need at hand, seats are comfy, visibility is pretty good, and the stereo thumps on par with an aftermarket setup.
The up-level GT tester was priced at $24,195, including the automatic gearbox. Buyers can save $1,200 by shifting themselves, and another $500 through Mazda’s grad rebate program.
The 3 GT also includes Bluetooth, a 6-CD changer, an auto-dimming rearview mirror and a comprehensive driver computer. The screen coloring for the latter is white, and it manages to look a bit out of place amidst all the blue and orange hues– especially after dark.
Other complaints included awkward placement of the interior door handles which partially block access to the window switches, as well as a fussy trunk lid that often required a good slam to close properly.
No issue with entry or exit, and there’s room enough for 4 adults, no problemo.
The nutshell? Existing Mazda 3 drivers will feel right at home after they warm up to the changes inside, and shoppers new to the market will discover one of this car’s most compelling attributes.
The 3’s new 4
Just ahead of the restyled dashboard was a new 2.5 litre four cylinder engine. It replaces the old 2.3 litre mill and generates 167 horsepower. A smaller 2.0 litre mill is available, as is a six-speed stick.
The 2.5 litre engine runs gracefully, generates a pleasing level of thrust and feels remarkably refined. It’s quiet when drivers are gentle, where real-world mileage should average around 8L / 100km. Open things up, and the mill comes right to life as the tachometer climbs.
In ‘drive’, you’ll be hard-pressed to feel a shift, and there’s a manual mode available if you like to call the shots. It’s not the most instantaneous or quick-shifting semi-manual setup on the road, but it’s still enjoyable enough to use regularly.
Most will find powertrain refinement impressive here, though the engine simply isn’t as loud and ‘in your face’ as the rest of the car. Enthusiasts opting for the 2.5 litre mill will almost certainly wish for more aural feedback from under the hood. If that sounds like you, consider intake and exhaust modifications to taste.
Ride and handling
If you’ve ever accelerated for an on-ramp or blasted through some twisty backroads when nobody was looking, you’ll appreciate the way the 3 handles. Steering is lively and eager, the chassis feels stiff and sporty, and the suspension is balanced nicely between taut and comfortable.
3 takes a set almost instantly when tossed into a corner, and stays flat and composed until exit. The only notable downside is that road noise gets a bit loud in some situations– and the ride can get a touch harsh with the large alloy wheels bolted on.
In all, the new 3 remains a car with a higher than average level of attention paid to driving dynamics and enjoyment. If you’re a driving enthusiast after an affordable, up-scale and high-tech ride, the 3 should be a priority test-drive.