From "Great Little Car" to World Car Design of the Year

Launched in January 1977, the original Mazda 323 was Mazda’s first modern hatchback and the car that started a model lineage that stretches all the way to today’s Mazda3. A rear-wheel drive compact family car, the smartly styled first-generation 323 was a global success for Mazda. Sales continued until 1980 when it was replaced by the second-generation 323, which was Mazda’s first front-wheel drive, front-engine compact hatchback.

However, called the Mazda Familia in Japan and the Mazda GLC (for Great Little Car) in North America, the original Mazda 323 was a seminal car for Mazda. The hatchback was offered with a choice of three or five-door bodies, while a station wagon/estate version was introduced in 1978.

Over 890,000 examples were sold in three years of full production and in 1979 it underwent an update where its round headlamps were replaced with square headlights, while other changes included the introduction of a five-speed gearbox.

The rear-driven 323 featured disc front brakes with drums on the rear and, as was common in the seventies, recirculating ball steering. With no power-assistance, even with the small by modern standards 13-inch wheels, low-speed maneuvering required some physical input.

However, while its hatchback body style was still not that common, the original rear-wheel drive 323 was a pioneer that came along just as the late seventies and early eighties saw a boom in hatchback popularity, especially in Europe; a popularity that continues to this day. Forty two years since its launch, the original Mazda 323 is recognized as an innovator that started a long and successful lineage of 323 and Mazda3 compact hatchbacks that have played a big part in Mazda’s success, all the way to today’s World Car Design of the Year winning Mazda3,and its ground-breaking Skyactiv-X engine.

The Mazda3 is the Best Designed Car in the World

Design experts and journalists have spoken: the Mazda3 is the best designed car in the world. This comes as the compact car was judged the 2020 World Car Design of the Year.

The 2020 Mazda3 is the first vehicle to showcase the Evolved Kodo design, a more mature rendition targeting greater styling prestige through the elegance and rigor of a minimalist, less-is-more aesthetic inspired by the purest traditions of Japanese art and the beauty of space between objects.

This year marks the second time for Mazda to win the award. The first time was in 2016 with the MX-5 which also won the World Car of the Year.

“Before accepting this prize, Mazda Motor Corporation would like to express our sympathy for all of those affected by the novel coronavirus,” said Akira Marumoto, Representative Director, President and CEO, Mazda Motor Corporation. “We are truly honored to be able to receive the World Car Design of the Year award in this special year marking the 100th anniversary of Mazda’s foundation. We will continue providing our customers with unique products, designs, technologies and experiences.”

“Ultimately, it is our clients who are the true winners with every Mazda they drive. Because of this award, they can stand high and fully appreciate the choice they made, the same choice that will serve them admirably for the years to come,” said Steven Tan, President and CEO of Mazda Philippines.

According to the World Car of the Year, the recipient of the World Car Design of the Year goes to a vehicle that shows innovation and pushes established boundaries.

This year, the cars eligible for the 2020 World Car Design of the Year award encompassed all the contenders competing in the other award categories: World Performance Car, World Luxury Car, World Urban Car, and World Car of the Year.

A design panel consisting of seven highly respected world design experts was asked to first review each candidate, and then establish a short-list of recommendations for the jurors. The design experts are in alphabetical order:

• Anne Asensio (France – Vice-President, Design, Dassault Systemes), 
• Gernot Bracht (Germany – Pforzheim Design School), 
• Ian Callum (United Kingdom – Director of Design, CALLUM), 
• Patrick le Quément (France – Designer and President of the Strategy Committee, The Sustainable Design School), 
• Tom Matano (USA – School of Industrial Design at Academy of Art University in San Francisco), 
• Gordon Murray (U.K. - Gordon Murray Design), and 
• Shiro Nakamura (Japan - CEO, Shiro Nakamura Design Associates Inc.).

After much deliberation, the finalists were the Mazda3, Peugeot 208, and the Porsche Taycan. The winner was then voted by an international jury panel comprising 86 automotive journalists from 24 countries around the world.

Mazda is Giving Its Entire Line-Up the 100th Anniversary Treatment

With Mazda celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, everyone was waiting as to what special edition model the carmaker would come out with. Well, we know that right now. And in a (pleasant but unexpected plot twist), the entire line-up is getting the treatment.

Available for pre-orders now in Japan, but to be rolled out globally (the photos reflect left-hand drive models, actually), the 100th Anniversary Special Edition series encompasses the Mazda2, Mazda3, Mazda6, CX-3, CX-30, CX-5, CX-8, MX-5, and MX-5 RF.

It’s purely an aesthetics package that hark back to Mazda’s first passenger car, the R360 Coupe. With that, it adopts a two-tone interior color scheme in white and burgundy. Moreover, it has various components such as the headrests, floor mats, key fob, wheel center caps, and special exterior emblems all emblazoned with the special 100th Anniversary logo. The sole color is the Snow Flake White Pearl.

In Japan, the 100th Anniversary Special Edition Mazda2, Mazda3, and CX-3 go on sale first with a target date of June, followed by the CX-30, CX-5, CX-8, MX-5, and MX-5 RF in July, and finally the Mazda6 in September.

With Mazda already confirming global availability of these models, it’s highly likely that Philippine distributor Bermaz Auto Philippines would be bringing in a handful as well. That said, it’s likely they’ll concentrate on the likes of the MX-5 and MX-5 RF, though enthusiasts will surely like to see them give the 100th anniversary treatment to more mainstream models.

Mazda Puts KODO Design to Work Even in Their Car Keys

When was the last time you heard a car company talk in detail about their car keys? With the exception perhaps of premium carmakers such as Aston Martin, Pagani, or BMW (with their Display Key), most of the time, they’re simply off the shelf components with little regard to its design.

As early as mid-2016 though, Mazda began to realize the changing role of car keys in modern cars. Before keys fobs were all about function than form—it was all about pressing buttons that locked or unlocked the doors. Thus, it was ergonomically sound to have large, clear buttons on the key’s surface, sometimes to the detriment of branding or logos.

However, as car keys moved away from physical operation, Mazda designers opted to re-examine the humble car key. As owners pick their keys up and put them in their pocket (or bag), the carmaker realized that it’s the first form of contact a driver would have with their car. Given this intimacy, it’s imperative that the car key must feel special. Their solution is to give it a KODO design.

First up, they separated the key’s functions and branding. Since physical operation is highly unlikely in this day and age, Mazda moved it over to the side. This emphasizes the Mazda branding front and center on the key’s surface. In early stages of the design, there were plans to make it asymmetrical, but stability, they thought, was also important so they settled for a symmetrical design.

Then, the texture of the key surface itself is thick, emphasizing their new premium positioning. Even the surrounding area is made of a genuine metal frame (the area around the key ring, actually) while the rest of the “metallic decoration” is made of plastic because it hides the keyless radio wave antenna.

A fun fact is that in their new-generation products such as the Mazda3 and CX-30, designers purposely hid the key hole not just to cut aesthetic clutter, but they did it do reduce wind noise as much as possible. They key hole is now found when you pull the driver’s door lever, and the emergency key is found at the back of the key fob. When using this emergency key, Mazda continued with its human-centered design taking into account the necessary space so that the emergency key can be turned without being burdened with pulling the door lever.

Moreover, while it’s not uncommon to have accessories such as key cases or covers, Mazda’s accessories team was excited to know that the key shell could be removed. A year into the key’s development, they came up with a “selective key shell” that allowed owners to swap key shells making it more personal.

At first, the accessories team looked at materials such as wood or leather that match the interior colors or trims, but settled (for now) for key shells that echo the exterior colors because they perfectly symbolize the KODO design.

Mazda went into painstaking detail to make sure that the key shells match the car’s colors perfectly. With that, they ended up painting the key shell the same way as the car with Soul Red Crystal and Machine Gray Metallic painted in three layers as well!

Of course, the selective key shells aren’t cheap. For “simpler” colors such as Snowflake White and Polymetal Gray, it costs 16,500 yen (P 7,756~) while the Soul Red Crystal and Machine Gray ones cost 19,800 yen (P 9,308~). Regardless, Mazda says it’s a genuine expression of their design aesthetic, and admittedly, a left-field way of accessorizing a car.

2020 Mazda3 Scores 5-Star Safety Rating

It was only going to be a matter of time (and a formality), but Mazda has announced that the 2020 Mazda3 has aced the U.S. government’s frontal crash, side crash, and rollover tests allowing it to receive a 5-star safety rating—the highest the NHTSA can give.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s 5-star safety rating helps consumers make smart decisions about safety when purchasing a vehicle. The 5-Star Safety Ratings program evaluates how vehicles perform in crash tests. NHTSA conducts frontal, side, and rollover tests because these types account for the majority of crashes on roadways.

The Mazda3’s performance in the NHTSA test echoes the tougher Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) safety tests which garnered it a Top Safety Pick+ rating for 2020.

Aside from its stellar crash structure, the 2020 Mazda3 is fitted with technologies recommended by the NHTSA such as forward collision warning, lane departure warning, crash imminent braking, and dynamic brake support.

These features are found in Mazda’s i-Activsense safety system, standard in the 2020 Mazda3 Sedan and Sportback models. It’s priced at P 1.495 million and tops out at P 1.590 million.

Two Mazdas and a Kia are the 3 Finalists for the 2020 World Car of the Year

The countdown to the 2020 World Car of the Year continues with the announcement of the Top Three Finalists in the world, and in a rather surprising twist: two come from the same brand.

A jury of 86 international automotive journalists selected the finalists based on their evaluation of each eligible vehicle as part of their professional work. The ballots, cast by secret, were tabulated by KPMG.

The Top Three Finalists are (in alphabetical order) are:

• Kia Telluride
• Mazda CX-30
• Mazda3

These three vehicles managed to beat the other finalists including the Mercedes-Benz CLA, Land Rover Evoque, and the Volkswagen Golf. Late last year, Mazda shocked the world being the only Japanese brand in the 29 shortlisted eligible entries.

The other finalists announced also are:

World Urban Car of the Year

• Kia Soul EV
• Mini Electric
• Volkswagen T-Cross

World Luxury Car

• Mercedes Benz EQC
• Porsche 911
• Porsche Taycan

World Performance Car

• Porsche 718 Spyder/Cayman GT4
• Porsche 911
• Porsche Taycan

World Car Design of the Year

• Mazda3
• Peugeot 208
• Porsche Taycan

The Road to the World Car Awards will end with a grand finale awards ceremony at the New York International Auto Show in April.

No Fog Lights? No Worries. Mazda Cited for Good Headlights as 5 Models End Up as Top Safety Picks

When Mazda first came out with the all-new Mazda3 and refreshed Mazda6, one of the complaints lashed out on these two vehicles is the lack of front fog lights. Though engineers did manage to tuck the function into the headlights, it still was a concern for those who’re used to seeing additional set of driving lights mounted closer to the ground.

Well, worry no more, because the U.S.-based Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) confirmed what Mazda was telling everyone all along: their headlights are okay. True enough, the 2020 Mazda3, Mazda6, and even the CX-3, and CX-5 were awarded with the highest Top Safety Pick+ award. Meanwhile, the Mazda’s CX-9 earns an additional Top Safety Pick for 2020 (when equipped with the ALH headlights).

This means Mazda earned more awards than any other automaker from IIHS, beating even the likes of safety-minded Subaru and Volvo.

To qualify for the 2020 Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick+ awards, Mazda vehicles earned good ratings in each of the IIHS’s six crashworthiness evaluations: moderate overlap front, driver-side small overlap front, passenger-side small overlap front, side, roof strength, and head restraints & seats. Mazda vehicles also earned advanced or superior ratings for front crash prevention in both vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian evaluations. Additionally, Mazda achieved good or acceptable headlight ratings, with the “plus” awarded to its models that come exclusively with good or acceptable rated headlights (this discounts the locally-speced 2020 CX-3 which comes with just halogen headlights).

Also helping Mazda achieve this high safety rating is its umbrella of advanced driver assist technologies that make use of milliwave radars and cameras. Called i-Activsense, it’s available in certain Mazda3, CX-30, and CX-8 models in the Philippines.

They include active safety technologies that support safer driving by helping the driver to recognize potential hazards, and pre-crash safety technologies which help to avert collisions or reduce their severity in situations where they cannot be avoided. These technologies include Smart City Brake Support, Smart Brake Support with Collision Warning, Mazda Radar Cruise Control, Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Lane Departure Warning System with Lane-Keep Assist, Driver Attention Alert, High Beam Control, and Adaptive Front-Lighting System.

Mazda3, CX-30 Shortlisted in 2020 World Car of the Year and World Car Design of the Year

Narrowing its field from a shortlist of 29, the jurors of the World Car of the Year revealed its 10 finalists. Chosen by 86 international automotive journalists, the finalists were selected by secret ballot. This year’s list is interesting to say the least with three Koreans in the Top 10 and only one Japanese brand, Mazda.

In alphabetical order, the 2020 World Car of the Year finalists are: Hyundai Sonata

• Kia Soul EV
• Kia Telluride
• Land Rover Range Rover Evoque
• Mazda3
• Mazda CX-30
• Mercedes-Benz CLA
• Mercedes-Benz GLB
• Volkswagen Golf
• Volkswagen T-Cross

For the 2020 World Urban Car, the top five finalists are: Kia Soul EV, Mini Electric, Peugeot 208, Renault Clio, and Volkswagen T-Cross.

Meanwhile, for the 2020 World Luxury Car finalists, they are the BMW X5, BMW X7, Mercedes-Benz EQC, Porsche 911, and Porsche Taycan.

Finally, for the 2020 World Performance Car, the finalists are: BMW M8, Porsche 718 Spyder/Cayman GT4, Porsche 911, Porsche Taycan, and Toyota GR Supra.

For the 2020 World Car Design of the Year, all cars competing in these four categories were automatically eligible. However, to choose the finalists, a design panel consisting of seven highly respected world design experts was asked to first review each candidate, and then establish a shortlist of recommendations for the jurors’ final vote.

The five finalists chosen by the design panel for the jurors’ final vote are, in alphabetical order:

• Alpine 110S
• Mazda3
• Mazda CX-30
• Peugeot 208
• Porsche Taycan

Next stop would be the Geneva International Motor Show in March where the World Car Awards will announce the Top Three in the World finalists. The grand finale will be at the New York International Auto Show in April.

Why the 2020 Mazda3 Deserves Its Title as Women's World Car of the Year

If you happen to ask me what my favorite car brands are, Mazda would definitely be part of the list. With its impeccably clean lines, it’s not difficult to fall in love with it. Add to that their refusal to compromise on the driving experience, and you can bet that Mazda’s “Jinba-ittai” or “horse and rider” as one philosophy will make your everyday commute feel special.

This brings me to one of their latest offerings: the all-new Mazda3. It’s my first experience with a Mazda sedan, since my spattering of other drives before were all hatchbacks or SUVs. Interestingly enough, this was awarded as the 2019 Women’s World Car of the Year as well as the Women’s World Family Car of the Year. Besides the pretty face, does the Mazda3 actually deserve that win? The answer is a resounding yes, and the reason boils down to mixing excellent style with everyday usability.

Personally, front visibility hasn’t been a Mazda strong point. At my height and frame, I’ve always had difficulty in estimating my distance past the hood. In this new-generation Mazda3 though, designers seemed to have fixed that flaw. Not only is the windshield wider and the hood now more sloped, but the driver’s seat itself gives a wider range of adjustment allowing me to feel much more in control than before.

Visibility aside, I also enjoy how the new dashboard’s laid out. That new center monitor molds around better (it looks less tacked on), but I can imagine that because of that catch-basin shape, it’ll eventually become a magnet for dust, and what-not. Some people criticize Mazda’s decision to remove the touchscreen functionality, but given the way it’s angled and stuff, it’s almost impossible for anyone to comfortably reach out for it without fumbling anyway. Controlling the functions are done via buttons and knobs on the center console. I found it awkward at first, but once I got the hang of it, I actually found it more accurate than any touchscreen-based system.

The biggest highlight though is how this large screen is fully-utilized as the monitor for its 360-degree camera. Now, a lot of cars out there already has their own version of parking sensors or cameras, but the Mazda3 deserves a round of applause for its accuracy and simplicity of use. Not only is the display so crisp and detailed, but there’s no lag too. And unlike other systems, the camera shows a “safe zone” line even in the curb-side view. Following this, it gives you a buffer of about 30 centimeters from the curb—reducing the changes of snagging those mag wheels.

Often overlooked, I have praises too for the Mazda3’s air conditioning vents. One of the nuances that I encounter is having the fan blow directly into my face, instead of my body; and no matter what adjust I make, it never seems to hit me right. The decision to mount the vents lower doesn’t just add to the Mazda3’s minimalist look, but it helps blow cool air to the body first. At the same time, I love how the passenger vents are separate from the driver’s side vents allowing for more flexibility.

On to the drive, I’ve nothing much to say about the Mazda3. As with any other Mazda, it’s a pleasure to take around and beyond the city. It may not exactly be the most powerful compact car on paper, but it responds smoothly and easily coaxed to accelerate. It also feels much more balanced and solid, even when pushed. More than once, I had to glance at the heads-up display just to make sure I was still under the speed limit.

All in all, I firmly believe that the all-new Mazda3 has reasons to win the title of Woman’s Car of the Year. Again, this is not to say it’s the perfect car. However, I believe that the reason why the win is well-deserved is because Mazda actually put thought and work into substantially improving on what they’ve already created. There’s no doubt that it looks like a piece of art, but beyond that it infuses real-life practicality making it less intimidating, and more approachable.

Words and Photos by Gen Tiu.

Mazda Philippines Recalling Selected 2020 Mazda3, CX-30 for Smart Braking System

Bermaz Auto Philippines (BAP), the exclusive distributor of Mazda in the Philippines has confirmed that selected units of the 2020 Mazda3 and 2020 CX-30 are part of a global recall due to the inadvertent activation of the Smart Braking System (SBS) automatic emergency braking system.

Incorrect programming of the SBS control software may cause the vehicle to falsely detect an obstacle in front of the vehicle while driving. In certain cases, the SBS control software may automatically apply the vehicle brakes to prevent or reduce damage from a collision, even though no collision is imminent. If the SBS automatic emergency braking system unexpectedly activates while driving, the risk of a rear-end crash from a following vehicle may increase. There is a warning alarm sound and warning message displayed in the multi-information and active driving displays when this defect occurs.

BAP has identified that 283 Mazda3s are affected by the said recall. These are the 2.0 Sedan Premium, 2.0 Sportback Premium, and 2.0 Sportback Speed models. Out of this number, 231 have already been sold to customers. Meanwhile, only 19 CX-30 units are affected. These are the 2.0 AWD Sport and AWD Signature variants.

Authorized Mazda dealerships in the Philippines have been notified of the recall last January 14, 2020, and information is now being disseminated to affected owners. The fix is relatively simple: a reprogramming of the Vehicle Control Module (VCM). In some cases, aside from the VCM reprogramming, the Instrument Cluster (IC) may need to be reprogrammed as well. These will be done free of charge.

The process of reprogramming the IC and VCM takes about an hour and can be done as part of the vehicle’s Periodic Maintenance Schedule (PMS).

Mazda's Polymetal Gray is the Best New Car Color in Japan

Mazda’s new color—Polymetal Gray received the distinction of being the color of the year at the Japan Fashionable Color Association or JAFCA’s Auto Color Awards 2019.

Established in 1953, the JAFCA promotes the advancement of industrial color design.

For JAFCA, the “nuanced gray with subtle bluish tinge has realized a new texture that has never been seen before.” Moreover, they recognize Polymetal Gray’s role in Mazda’s new premium identity, particularly to highlight its new design philosophy.

This is the third time Mazda won the JAFCA distinction since 2016.

Other nominees for JAFCA’s Auto Color Awards were:

• Kawasaki W800 Street - Metallic Flat Spark Black x Metallic Matte Graphite
• Kawasaki W800 Cafe - Metallic Magnesium Gray x Galaxy Silver
• Suzuki X-Bee - Caravan Ivory Pearl Metallic
• Suzuki X-Bee - Mineral Gray 3-Tone
• Suzuki Katana - Glass Sparkle Black
• Suzuki Katana - Mystic Silver Metallic
• Subaru WRX STI - WR Blue Pearl
• Subaru BRZ - WR Blue Pearl
• Daihatsu Rocky - Black Mica Metallic x Compano Red
• Toyota GR Supra - Matte Storm Metallic
• Toyota RAV4 - Ash Gray Metallic x Urban Khaki
• Nissan Dayz - Soda Double x Ash Brown
• Honda Freed - Seagrass Blue Pearl
• Mitsubishi eK X - Sand Yellow Metallic x White Solid
• Mitsubishi eK X - Natural Ivory Metallic x Sunshine Orange Metallic
• Yamaha Niken GT - Matte Dark Purplish Blue Metallic
• Yamaha Niken - Dark Gray Metallic

The Design of These Mazdas is Inspired by Motorsports

After years of shying away from creating go-fast cars, Mazda is taking the first steps by showing off a trio of customized models destined for the 2020 Tokyo Auto Salon. While they still lack additional oomph, these three Polymetal Gray models show that Mazda’s KODO design can still be personalized and personalized well.

Starting off with the Mazda3, it gets the “Signature Style” (called “Speed” in the Philippines) aero kit, a front strut bar, lower arm bar, and RAYS ZE40 18-inch wheels shod with Bridgestone Potenza 215/45 R 18 tires. A Fujitsubo stainless steel muffler completes the exterior. Inside, it gets stainless steel pedals, scuff plate, Mazdaspeed sport seats, a 6-point racing harness, and an Alcantara steering wheel and shift knob.

For the MX-5, it gets the full Mazdaspeed aero kit, strut bar and lower arm bar, and RAYS ZE40 17-inch wheels with Bridgestone rubber. Inside, it’s swathed in Alcantara from the door trims to the shift boot and center console lid, while a 4-point roll bar by Cusco complete the transformation.

Finally, there’s the CX-5 and this one’s the most interesting. It gets a special Mazda design aero kit, potentially signaling a near-production aero kit for the compact SUV, an Auto Exe sports muffler, and 20-inch RAYS G25EDGE F1 wheels with Bridgestone Alenza001 255/45 R 20 tires. Oh, and it also gets a height adjustable suspension too.

For those heading to Japan this January, it might be a great idea to check them out in the flesh since these three can serve as inspiration for those looking to customize their Mazda vehicles. The Tokyo Auto Salon 2020 happens from January 10-12, 2019 at the Makuhari Messe.

Mazda is the Only Japanese Brand to Be Shortlisted for 2020 World Car of the Year Awards

The journey to the 2020 World Car of the Year awards has started and the shortlist has just been announced. This year’s list is dominated by Korean and French brands, while the sole Japanese brand on the list? Mazda.

Eighty-six international automotive journalists who make up the jury panel revealed that the following cars were shortlisted:

• Cadillac CT4
• DS DS3 Crossback / Etense
• DS DS7 Crossback / Etense
• Ford Escape
• Ford Explorer
• Hyundai Palisade
• Hyundai Sonata
• Hyundai Venue
• Kia Seltos
• Kia Soul EV
• Kia Telluride
• Land Rover Range Rover Evoque
• Mazda3
• Mazda CX-30
• Mercedes-AMG A35/45
• Mercedes-AMG CLA35/45
• Mercedes-Benz CLA
• Mercedes-Benz GLB
• MINI Cooper SE
• Opel/Vauxhall Corsa
• Peugeot 208
• Peugeot 2008
• Renault Captur
• Renault Clio
• Renault Zoe R135
• Seat Tarraco
• Skoda Kamiq
• Skoda Scala
• SsangYong Korando
• Volkswagen Golf
• Volkswagen T-Cross

The 2020 World Car of the Year will be revealed at the New York International Auto Show in April.

The 2020 Mazda3 is What Women Want, Apparently

The all-new Mazda3 has been named “Supreme Winner” of the 2019 Women’s World Car of the Year awards. Aside from nabbing the highest distinction of the award giving body, the Mazda3 was also voted as the Women’s World Family Car of the Year.

Established in 2010, Women’s World Car of the Year is voted on by a panel of female judges from over 30 different countries made up of specialist motoring writers, many with racing experiences. These judges are then asked to vote according to criteria women use when buying a car.

Thus safety, value-for-money, aesthetic appearance, storage space, child–friendliness, ease-of-driving, color, sex appeal, and environmental footprint are all categories the judges will be analyzing.

En route to its overall win, the Mazda3 beat out an impressive list of cars including the BMW 3 Series, Toyota GR Supra, and the Porsche 911.

The Women’s World Car of the Year is unique worldwide. It is the only award voted exclusively by women.

Review: 2020 Mazda3 2.0 Speed Sportback

Mazda says the time for buying a compact car for practicality is now over; that role now goes to crossovers and SUVs which are the new-age family cars. With that, compact cars are all about style, emotion, individualism—things which are innate in the all-new Mazda3. Above all, it’s impressive because of how everything comes together. It’s a cohesive, unified whole—as if designers and engineers were always in sync and in the process, creating a car that’s best described as, “art that you can drive.”

The Mazda3 is a sight to behold, especially when decked in a signature color such as Soul Red Crystal. The long hood, slightly tapered waist, and absence of needless plastic trimming make it one of the most evocative cars of any price. It commands a second look whenever it’s parked for the night, and will truly standout of any carpark. Its design is also the first reminder on how far Mazda would go on its quest to create automotive art. The thin A-pillars necessitated the world’s first application of ultra-high strength steel; the cleverly-hidden wipers integrate the washers and uses a new type of motor; the door handles are of a single piece; and the lighting units serve as both headlights and front fog lights. A slight deviation in any of these would have altered the design, so it’s very clear that Mazda took no shortcuts whatsoever.

The very same uncompromising approach can be said about the Mazda3’s interior. Open the door, get in, and take a deep breath—the smell of leather permeates every inch of the cabin. The seating is low, the dash high—it’s all a bit cocooning, personal, and different. As cohesive as its exterior is, the interior is even more so. Not a single button, stalk, or control is out of place. It’s come so far that the Mazda3 feels like the product of one company, Mazda, as opposed to an assembly of a dozen or hundreds of different suppliers. The name of the game here is minimalism and with that, controls are hidden from plain sight. Yet, unlike efforts done by anyone else, remains easy to use and understand. Functions in the Mazda Connect system are not more than two menus deep, and even so, pictograms and explanations in Plain English make them immediately understandable.

The low driving position and thick C-pillars may conjure up images of terrible blind spots, and to some degree, there are (especially from the back), but the wide mirrors and frameless rear-view mirror do minimize them. Even so, front and rear sensors, and a high-resolution 360-degree camera help in tackling tight situations. That said, the sensors are sensitive, and this may cause some irritation as motorcycles filter through stop-and-go traffic. For sanity’s sake, it’s best to turn off the sensors except when parking. Also, in this Speed guise, it’s worth noting that the front is noticeably lower than the previous model. With that, expect it to scrape through steep driveways.

The steering wheel offers a wide range of adjustment and together with the highly supportive seats, is posture-perfect, making driving an entirely fatigue-free affair. Even more surprising, the same supportive seat design is present for those at the back as well. However, those seated in the back will have to be content being squished by the lack of knee- and headroom; and that’s after getting their heads banged up upon entry.

In creating the new Mazda3, engineers say they didn’t seek out the competition. Instead, they sought the help of psychologists and ergonomists to find out how the human body behaves, and how things like movement elicits feelings of joy and happiness. It’s come to a point that Mazda’s gotten it down to a mathematical formula; a formula so accurate that when they did decide to drive the competition, they managed to come out on top.

Admittedly, a round-the-block test drive isn’t enough to convince anyone about all this human-centric design. As a matter of fact, the ride can come across as firm. It’s only when its driven or ridden more when it starts to feel different.

Traditionally, engineers reduce the suspension rebound to improve the ride, in the Mazda3, it’s all about controlling it. By unifying the development of the body, suspension, tires, and even seats, it reduces secondary shake and vibration to near zero. Anyone would be skeptical at first, but try this simple exercise: read the contents of the heads-up display, or as a passenger, a text message or Facebook status update—it’s possible without getting dizzy. Why? Because the head is kept steady. It’s similar to walking—the body never gets dizzy when walking because its balances itself. It’s this sense of innate balance that the Mazda3 taps into.

This same sense of balance happens when you drive it spiritedly. Again, it’s not about power or even overcoming a power deficit against its competition; rather, it’s about predictability. In a straight line, a handful of compact cars will smoke it; they might even be faster around a race track. But every inch of the way, it’ll be a struggle with an unplanned mid-corner correction or whatever else. Not so much with the Mazda3.

It’s all about natural progression. For one, the steering is precise and linear. Then, the chassis is also willing to rotate, with no traces of float and no excess lateral motions from the rear. It even has torque vectoring control, but unlike in other applications, it’s not here to maximize traction; rather, it’s there to smooth out cornering, specifically the transitions between roll and pitch. As a result, it’s easy to know the Mazda3’s limit, and even when it’s crossed, it’s always easy to catch. A caveat is that the chassis engineers have done it so well that they’ve eliminated the forward pitching during heavy braking resulting in a rather wooden brake feel.

The same story goes with the Mazda3’s engine. On paper, the Skyactiv-G engine doesn’t pull off mega numbers: 154 horsepower for the 2.0-liter. In reality though, it’s a well-matched engine to the chassis. Plus, it’s pleasant and refined. It helps achieve impressive NVH levels even at speeds in excess of 100 km/h. Dig deeper, and it’ll be more than happy to sing at wide-open throttle its entire life. The 6-speed automatic is a willing accomplice, happily revving the snot out of the engine, while staying smooth and intuitive. It always seems to know that a spirited drive is coming up, and will downshift through multiple gears to keep the pace up. Paddle shifters and a Sport mode are standard, but they’re almost always unused. Interestingly, when it comes to fuel economy, the Mazda3 achieves 10 km/L—a great number, but is actually lower than the previous Mazda3. The reason? The new one makes do without the i-ELOOP kinetic energy regeneration system.

Impeccably crafted and mechanically impressive as it is, the Mazda3 delivers its final ace with value. Aside from the 360-degree camera, this 2.0 Speed adds adaptive LED headlights, rain-sensing wipers, red leather seats, a sunroof, dual zone climate control, 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat with memory, 12-speaker Bose sound system, and Mazda i-Activsense which bundles radar-based active cruise control, blindspot monitoring, front and reverse smart brake support, and front cross traffic alert—all for P 1.590-million.

Others may see the all-new Mazda3 as overcomplicated and overengineered—filled with engineering details which will escape the usual buyer. However, by realizing that Mazda sees the compact car buyer as being personal and emotional—they’ve designed and engineered the Mazda3 to fulfill that exact role. Design fads fade and technology can always be replaced, but by tugging at the heart, Mazda hopes for a long-lasting emotional bond. It’s a different strategy in the compact car segment for sure, but because of that, it also makes the Mazda3 all the more unique.

2020 Mazda3 2.0 Speed Sportback
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Ownership	2020 Mazda3 2.0 Speed Sportback
Year Introduced	2019
Vehicle Classification	Compact Car
Warranty	3 years / 100,000 kilometers
The Basics
Body Type	5-door hatchback
Seating	5
Engine / Drive	F/F
Under the Hood
Displacement (liters)	2.0
Aspiration	Normally Aspirated
Fuel Delivery	Direct Injection
Layout / # of Cylinders	I4
BHP @ rpm	154 @ 6,000
Nm @ rpm	200 @ 4,000
Fuel / Min. Octane	Gasoline / 91~
Transmission	6 AT
Cruise Control	Yes, Adaptive
Fuel Economy @ Ave. Speed	10 km/L @ 14 km/h, 13.33 km/L @ 18 km/h
Dimensions and Weights
Length (mm)	4,660
Width (mm)	1,795
Height (mm)	1,435
Wheelbase (mm)	2,725
Curb Weight (kg)	1,346
Suspension and Tires
Front Suspension	Independent, MacPherson Strut
Rear Suspension	Torsion Beam Axle
Front Brakes	Vented Disc
Rear Brakes	Disc
Tires	Bridgestone Turanza T005A 215/45 R 18 W (f & r)
Wheels	Alloy
Safety Features
Airbags	7
Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS)	Yes, with EBD
Traction / Stability Control	Yes
Parking Sensors	Yes, Front and Rear, with Camera
Front Seatbelts	3-pt ELR with pre-tensioner x 2
Rear Seatbelts	3-pt ELR x 3
ISOFIX Child Seat Anchor	Yes
Other Safety Features	Hill Start Assist Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross Traffic Alert Front and Rear Smart Brake Support Driver Attention Alert
Exterior Features
Headlights	LED, Active
Fog Lamps	Headlamp Integrated
Auto Lights	Yes, Auto High Beam
Rain-sensing Wipers	Yes
Interior Features
Steering Wheel Adjust	Tilt/Telescopic
Steering Wheel Material	Leather
Seating Adjustment (driver)	Electric, 10-way with memory
Seating Adjustment (front passenger)	Manual, 6-way
Seating Surface	Leather
Folding Rear Seat	Yes, 60/40
On-Board Computer	Yes
Convenience Features
Power Steering	Yes
Power Door Locks	Yes
Power Windows	Yes
Power Mirrors	Yes, with Fold
Proximity Key	Yes
Climate Control	Dual Zone, with Rear Vents
Audio System	Stereo MP3 Aux USB Bluetooth Apple CarPlay Android Auto
# of Speakers	12, Bose
Steering Controls	Yes