Mazda Southern Africa is back! Not that the Japanese brand ever left Mzansi, but after the marque’s split from Ford (a local collaboration that had a few ups and downs), it’s more determined than ever to regain lost market share as a result of the recent global financial crisis and very few products to really get excited about.
But that’s all about to change with the new managing director David Hughes in charge. The Australian, who has nearly three decades worth of experience with the Japanese company, is positive about the prospects of a rejuvenated Mazda presence in South Africa, with a host of new products and technologies heading our way in the coming years – the first of which is the new Mazda3.
The new C-segment entrant isn’t playing small, either. Mazda firmly believes that its new line-up has what it takes to endear itself to the South African public by offering a premium experience with high standard specification for significantly less than what our consumers have been paying. So forget about the likes of Toyota’s Auris and the Honda Civic – the Mazda3 is taking aim at that perennial favourite, Volkswagen’s Golf.
It’s not boring to look at
The previous generation Mazda3 represented a stylistic revolution over its predecessor but with KODO, Mazda’s latest design philosophy, the sharp angles and edges have been slightly rounded off in favour of more muscular stance by way of the dynamically styled fender flares, narrower headlamps with an enlarged front airdam, and a rising shoulder line that continues into the tailgate.
On the local launch, the vehicles awaiting local press in OR Tambo International certainly didn’t look out of place amongst the pricier metal that often be found in the bays of the executive parking area. What slightly disappointed me was how under wheeled the new car appears, as it comes with 16-inch alloys as standard (with the exception of the 18-inch wheels on the range-topping Astina spec) that simply appear lost in the wheelarches.
It’s nice to sit in too…
What really surprised me was how upmarket the Mazda3’s cabin has become. An infotainment screen takes pride of place on a soft-touch facia just above the centre air vents, while the driver is presented with a sporty three-spoke multifunction steering wheel. The manual ventilation controls do appear to be slightly on the cheap side though, but make up for their look with firm and positive actions when used.
As for the rest of the interior, it’s all quite good. The infotainment system can be controlled via a roundel and buttons mounted just aft of the gear lever/selector, and the leather-wrapped seats were comfortable but also managed to feel supportive enough to suit dynamic driving. There’s ample room for rear seat passengers too.
What’s it like to drive?
Pushing the Mazda’s start button, I was met with quite a refined thrum. The normally aspirated engine is quiet. Together with a six-speed gearbox than slots effortlessly through the ratios and an easily modulated clutch, the low-speed experience is very pleasant. In Johannesburg traffic, the i-stop system impressed with its quick restarts after the brake pedal was released – the feature now also flatters the driver in the event of engine stalling by simply depressing the clutch.
Out on the open road, the NVH suppression was another hallmark that came to the fore, while the MacPherson front and multilink rear suspension comfortably ironed out any road imperfections. The electric power steering was also impressive in it managed to not feel too light and quite direct.
The real beauty of the SkyActiv technology is that while the 2,0-litre four-pot motor delivers decent power and torque in a very linear fashion, it is remarkably economical without the use of forced induction – I saw instantaneous fuel consumption readouts drop as low as 5,5 litres/100 km at highway speed.
Overall
With a refreshed Mazda about to take on the established players once again, the Mazda3 could do very well at the price. The real trick is convincing the buying public that the company is once again serious about only offering the very best vehicles for sale and it’s so confident that all Mazda passenger vehicles will now boast a three-year/unlimited km warranty and service plan, with roadside assistance. Look for a CAR road test soon!
Service intervals: 15 000 km
