Mazda 3 in daily testing: can the facelift convince?

Mazda has given the 3 a facelift. The interior especially has been modernized. What is really interesting is that there are buttons!

Mazda 3 has been on the market for five years now. Reason enough for the manufacturer to fix it soon, especially inside. We drove the compact car with the 186 hp 2.0-liter e-Skyactiv engine in the exclusive Line trim.

Modern cockpit without any fashion frills

When it comes to improvements in the cockpit, Mazda hasn’t changed anything about the rotary push-button control on the center console, left the various buttons on the dashboard and resisted the temptation to fill the cockpit with fashionable knick-knacks. The haptic experience remains and operation is easy. It is also interesting that the acoustic speed warning can be turned off quite easily. In order not to go too fast, all you need to do is watch the display on the speedometer, which draws a red line on the corresponding point on the speedometer when there is a speed limit.

The engine seems sad despite the high power and needs a few revs to get up to speed. A maximum of 240 Nm is reached at 4000 rpm. Alternatively, you can of course choose Game Mode, which works much faster. The Mazda M Hybrid system is also used in this version of the Mazda 3. It uses the energy available during deceleration to support the combustion engine during acceleration and save fuel.

Up to 216 km/h fast – but possibly not at a sustained speed

When it comes to performance, the Mazda 3 causes surprises: a top speed of 216 km/h has been recorded. That’s a lot for the Japanese, who weigh just 1,434 kg. That’s why we tried. However, this is very difficult as a sustained speed. Otherwise we were generally slower and therefore more relaxed.

The Mazda 3 fulfills everyday commuting duties admirably. There’s plenty of room for two adults up front, but you shouldn’t expect much long-distance comfort in the back. 351 liters fit into the trunk with a small trunk lid due to the design, and 1026 liters with the rear seat down. When loading heavy goods, the upper loading sill of 75 cm is a nuisance, the back of which descends about 20 cm into the interior. However, you must not exceed the permissible load of 576 kg, otherwise you will face a heavy fine.

A very practical and rather common detail in this class of car are the washer nozzles that are located on the wiper arms, so that the water splashed on the windshield can be wiped off directly. This service is only offered by high quality vehicles.

Navigation system with limited reliable information

The navigation device in our Mazda 3, on the other hand, was not very sophisticated. Sometimes it showed a kilometer of traffic on our chosen route, where we were able to drive at speeds of 130 kilometers per hour in no time. It also suggested routes to us several times that would lead to kilometers of queues on the highway. In one case, part of the route was completely closed.

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Mazda 3 is not a special offer, but it is worth the money

During our travels we measured an average consumption of 6.6 liters per 100 km. That is a respectable value considering the capabilities of the car. The price of the version we drove is 31,490 euros. Equipment details worth mentioning include a head-up display, steering wheel and seat heating, a light and rain sensor as well as an LED matrix lighting system, which is included in the 1,100 euro design package. So the compact Mazda is not a special edition. But if you think you can save money by not switching from winter to summer tires, you’re in the wrong place!

Conclusion: Why the Mazda 3 is not on many street corners is still a mystery to us, because it has everything a compact car needs and many of the most important accessories – and all at an affordable price. The Mazda MX-30, on the other hand, is more surprising. A compact electric crossover with a range addition and unusual doors, the rival costs from 35,990 euros.