The Road Beat: 2019 Mazda 3 - Cementing its number one compact spot

Mazda has an “all new” Mazda 3. It has some resemblance to the prior generation Mazda 3 but it is a new fourth generation and it had a new designer, Yasutake Tsuchida. Tsuchida continued with the “Kodo” design theme using a very similar, aggressive front end while smoothing out the body ridges and incorporating a sleeker, less complicated rear end. It uses a similar window line except for the “Hofmeister kink” now present in the termination of the rear side windows. It is a better-looking car (then its prior generation) and retains the title of the best-looking compact car. In its Soul Red livery, it received dozens of positive and exclamatory comments. Wow was often heard.

Mazda 3 has grown a bit in its sedan form by about three inches to 183. But its hatchback stablemate retains its exact prior length of 175.6 inches. Width also remained the same at 70.7 inches while the new Mazda3 stands about half an inch shorter at 56.9 inches possibly explaining why the new fourth generation looks a bit smoother and sleeker. Track or distance between the wheels also got wider by about half an inch.

Perhaps the biggest change in the Mazda 3 was going from a fully independent rear suspension to a semi-independent torsion beam type of system used in almost every other compact car. But here’s the deal, it is not much of a change if any. The new Mazda 3 drives better than ever in both handling and ride.

Significant changes have been made to its 2.5L, DOHC, 16 valve Skyactiv-G engine. It still makes significant power, 186 hp at 6,000 rpm and 186 pounds of twist at 4,000 rpm. Its sky-high 13:1 compression ratio means it can Atkinson cycle for more efficiency and of course it is direct injected. But the most significant change is cylinder deactivation. At lower speeds and light throttle pressures the engine is so quiet and smooth it feels like it's powered by an electric motor. Mazda uses a slick six-speed, torque converter automatic with paddle shifters. A six-speed manual is available only in the Premium Hatchback FWD model.

Performance is outstanding with this AWD version (which adds 177 pounds of weight bringing it to 3,248 pounds), knocking off 0-60 mph in a very quick for a compact 7.43 seconds. Passing performance was also very good with 50-70 mph runs on a level highway and up to a 6-7 percent grade requiring just 3.95 and 6.23 seconds respectively. Prior tests of the FWD Mazda 3 with the 2.5 engine and a six-speed manual were 6.98/3.95/6.12 seconds. That car weighed 200 pounds less.

Fuel economy for this new AWD option is about the same as the prior FWD models and exceeds my last test of a 2.5L manual version test from three years ago. EPA numbers are 25/33/28 mpg, but you can throw those numbers out the window. In my 70-mph two-way highway test, the new Mazda3 averaged 41.7 mpg. Overall in 600 miles of driving my Mazda 3 averaged 31 mpg with liberal use of the power in very aggressive guilt-free driving. The only issue is the small 12.7-gallon fuel tank limiting range to about 400 miles. The FWD model gets a 13.2-gallon fuel tank.

Handling is what you would expect for the most raced car brand in the world (more Mazda3s and Miatas race than any other car), exemplary. Its as if it is connected to your brain reacting to your every input exactly as you would expect like an extension of your body. With its half-inch wider track of 62 inches, 18X7 inch alloys shod with 215/45 rubber, quick 2.6 turns lock to lock steering rack and the added assist of AWD and G-vectoring torque control, the Mazda3 handles like a true sports car with perfect turn-in, moderate and very controllable understeer and great feedback letting you know exactly what the Mazda is doing and going to do. If you have a long windy road home, it will be your road of choice. No compact is more fun to drive. In fact, not many cars are more fun to drive.

Ride quality is on the firm side, but I already mentioned its incredibly quiet and smoothness. The engine spins a low 2050 rpm at 70 mph and there is no engine, wind, road and tire noise. When you get your foot into it, there is a nice engine growl. Not bad for a four banger.

Safety is complete right down to the lane keep assist. Brakes are good size four-wheel discs (fronts are ventilated) and very strong. And remember Mazda3 has terrific handling which adds to its safety quotient. LED headlights are fabulous and it had standard auto high and low beams. Kudos to Mazda for including that.

The revised interior is beautiful. My unit had a faux leather that was incredibly leather-like. I assumed it was leather until I read otherwise. Front seats are sublime and supportive in all the right places so much so six hours in the saddle was a piece of cake. Rear seats are good certainly for two six-foot adults with ample leg and headroom.

Instrumentation is new and Mazda did a great job on the gauges with a big speedo and tach plus a trip computer with several readouts including the on the 8.8-inch color display at the top of the center stack.

But all is not perfect in the Mazda3. After finally getting to know and understand their mouse system of controlling the sound system, Mazda changed it up and not for the better. It requires too many inputs to change a radio station and I still have significant difficulty in using it after a week of use. I despise it. Even the cruise control switches on the steering wheel are a bit confusing and difficult to use. I found them imprecise which is a contradiction in what is the most precise compact car on the road.

The truck is a well-shaped and big 13 cubic feet.

Pricing for Mazda3 starts at $21,000 plus $920 for the boat from Hofu, Japan for a not so base (in other words well equipped) 2.5L FWD with an auto cog swapper. My loaded tester which had the one option (certain paint colors) available for any Mazda3 stickered at $27,900 plus the $920 for the boat ride and the optional $595 Soul Red paint finish bringing the total to $29,415 for the best compact you can buy.

Engine
DOHC, 16 valve, direct injected inline 2.5L four 186 hp @ 6,000 rpm
186 ft-lb of torque at 4,000 rpm

Transmission
Six Speed torque converter automatic, with paddle shifters
Six Speed Manual

Configuration
Transverse mounted front engine/front wheel drive

Dimensions
Wheelbase 107.3 inches
Length 183.5 inches
Width 70.7 inches
Height 56.9 inches
Track (f/r) 61.7/62.2 inches
Ground clearance 5.5 inches
Weight 3,248 pounds
Weight distribution (f/r) 58/42%
Fuel capacity 12.7 gallons
Cargo capacity 13.2 cubic feet
Steering lock to lock 2.57 turns
Turning circle (curb to curb) 34.76 feet
Turning circle (wall to wall) 37.30 feet
Wheels 18X7 inch alloys
Tires 215/45X18 all season radials
Co-efficient of drag (sedan/hatchback) 0.26/0.28

Performance
0-60 mph 7.43 seconds
50-70 mph 3.95 seconds
50-70 mph uphill 6.23 seconds
Top speed 130 mph electronically limited
Fuel economy 25/33/28 mpg city/highway/combined. Expect 31 mpg in rural country driving and over 41 mpg on a level highway at legal speeds.