TRY: This is how you like Mazda’s e-Skyactiv

The car in question is Mazda3 e-Skyactiv X 186. That is a 186 hp four-cylinder gasoline engine with complex compression ignition. Opel lends us the Astra with a simple three-cylinder turbo engine with 130 hp, while Seat offers the Leon 1.5 eTSI, a 150 hp four-cylinder with mild hybrid technology. Meanwhile, Toyota plays the full hybrid card: a naturally aspirated gasoline engine and a powerful electric motor together produce 140 hp.

In this article we focus on the Mazda 3 and its strengths. You are studying a complete comparison test Automatic inspection 4. You buy a magazine at a supermarket, bookstore or local our network.

It’s not a big car

The rear of the Mazda is attractive enough to appear in an underwear commercial, but it also suffers in terms of space. Small windows give passengers a feeling of closure. You still enjoy ample freedom of movement in the front seats, but legroom and headroom are limited in the back seat.

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Mazda’s interior designers are a pure breed, because there is no shortage of storage areas. Above our heads is a storage compartment for sunglasses and to the left of the steering wheel we discover a hidden compartment where the crafty diner keeps his little Demonstration.

The Mazda 3 is not a spacious car, let’s be clear. But the Astra and Corolla don’t fare much better. The business-like lines make them look more spacious from the outside than the Mazda, but the freedom of movement in all three rear seats is disappointing. Only the Leon offers passengers in the second row enough headroom and legroom to travel in comfort.

Usage: e-Skyactiv X is very economical

The complex gasoline engine of the Mazda 3 is well known for its unimpressive character. The e-Skyactiv X engine does not have a turbo, but relies on a high compression ratio and high speed. And like a diesel engine, the air-fuel mixture is ignited in a controlled manner through compression.

The best of both worlds, if you believe Mazda. Still Mazda 3 is not more economical than others, but it is fast. But it is also the most powerful engine in this comparison. Astra 1.2 Turbo consumes 7.2 l/100 km. The Mazda and Seat are slightly below this with 6.5 l/100 km and the Toyota sits at 5.1 l/100 km.

Moreover, the operation of the six-speed manual gearbox is wonderful. Mazda also offers the 3 with a 6-speed automatic transmission, but that makes the car more expensive, less economical and, above all, less fun.

Focus on sportsmanship

In the field of driving safety, Mazda and Toyota score a little lower, but still very good. Their driving habits are very different. The focus of the Mazda 3 is on sports, but it does not transfer its power to the pavement as efficiently Opel Astra. And all the time he is wearing the same sports shoes. The steering is pleasant and the feedback feels natural. The Mazda has a very large circle.

Mazda 3 e-Skyactiv X price: affordable

Mazda 3 e-Skyactiv X 186 has a base price of 33,940 euros. That makes it slightly more expensive than the Toyota Corolla 1.8 Hybrid (32,995 euros), but cheaper than the Opel Astra 1.2 Turbo (36,499 euros) and Seat Leon 1.5 eTSI (38,250 euros).

Toyota is in the same weight class as Opel and Seat. The Mazda is slightly heavier and therefore more expensive in road tax.

Conclusion

Mazda 3 e-Skyactiv X 186 finishes on Toyota Corolla 1.8 Hybrid. Both cars are certainly not space wonders, but the Mazda drives very well. The controls are good, the shifting is a pleasure and the steering feels good.

A gasoline engine with compression ignition works in an unusual way. It accelerates the Mazda 3 to 100 km/h in 8.2 seconds, making it the fastest sprinter of the four. Test consumption of 6.5 l/100 km is average.

You are studying a complete comparison test Automatic inspection 4. You buy a magazine at a supermarket, bookstore or local our network.