Mazda3 Sport Is In A Class Of Its Own

In its third year of production, the Mazda3 has already accumulated a sizeable number of awards from automotive journalists. In 2004, it won "Best Sports Coupe Under $35,000" and Canadian Car of the Year. In 2005, it was Canada’s fourth best selling vehicle, bested only by the Ford F-150, Honda Civic, and Dodge Caravan. In 2006, a great car gets even better.

This year the Mazda3 Sport gets an outside temperature display, revised taillights styling, and most importantly, an optional five-speed automatic with manual shift mode replacing the four-speed from last year’s model. The five-speed allows for smoother shifting and less shuddering. The Sport hatchback/wagon/thingamabob comes in two trim levels: GS ($20, 285) and GT ($21, 485).

The Car: Mazda3 Sport GS
The Price: $23, 650.00 (excl. freight and taxes) or $27, 094.00 total. (All prices in Canadian dollars)
The Options: Automatic Transmission, Air Conditioning
The Competition: Toyota Matrix, Pontiac Vibe, Dodge Caliber

Given the intense competition in the small economy car class, Mazda decided to raise the stakes when it introduced the 3 to replace the aging Protege line. Economy cars make up the biggest percentage of vehicles sold in Canada. Unfortunately, economy is usually associated with words like tame, safe, and bland. The 3 effectively bucks the trend, and with over a months worth of driving, these are the highlights:

+ Styling. The 3 has the potential to turn more heads than Scarlett Johansson. Sleek, diamond shaped headlights with bold lines emanating from Mazda’s signature five-point grille give the 3 an assertive, muscular look. Unlike, say, a Corolla, where C stands for Conservative, the 3 is equally menacing and graceful. It’s distinctive design lets you know right away that it’s a Mazda coming down the road.

+ Practicality. The four doors swing open effortlessly for easy access. The rear hatch is particularly useful for carrying around bigger items. In my first week of ownership, I needed to haul two great big garbage bags full of empty cans and several boxes of beer bottles to the recycling center. With the rear seats folded down, the 31.2 cubic feet of space easily swallowed up my cargo.

+ Little Details. You won’t find the trim level anywhere on the vehicle. It’s refreshing not to have to look at a vehicle’s rear and see it littered with designations such as “V6”, “AWD”, ׀.3” or “GS”. Other car companies should adopt this uncluttered approach.

+ Unparalleled Interior Quality. Simply put: Game. Set. Match. Mazda blows away the competition with a sporty interior that looks and feels like that of a much more expensive vehicle.

The center console that houses the audio controls and temperature knobs is functional and fairly straightforward. The 4-speaker AM/FM/CD stereo system has plenty of punch. When the volume is adjusted or a new track selected, a row of horizontal lights flash across an illuminated red strip, adding to the upscale feel.

There are three recessed gauges over the steering wheel to avoid sun glare, and they can be read easily day or night. Unlike the ugly steering wheel in the Toyota Matrix, the 3’s is superbly appealing. A major feature for me was the audio controls that come standard on the left spoke of the wheel, and the optional cruise control would have the buttons on the opposite spoke.

+ Comfort. The sport seats are very comfy, with good thigh and lumbar support. The 3 offers the rare steering wheel that tilts (up and down) and telescopes (forward and back). This allows long armed drivers, such as myself, to find a good driving position. The rear seat is fine for people of normal height, but taller folks will likely find it cramped. Theoretically the 3 seats five, but the middle seat is so small only children will really fit comfortably.

+ Engine. The standard 2.3 liter, 4 cylinder engine cranks out 160 horsepower, making the 3 peppy for city driving. Passing vehicles on the highway is easy, and the engine is very quiet. Even when pushed, it doesn’t growl or whine like it’s going to explode, something that can’t be said of the Caliber or Matrix. It’s not turbocharged, so you’ll have to wait for the 2007 MazdaSpeed model for that. Honestly though, for city drivers, the turbocharged engines seem like reach, as the 2.3 liter does just fine under normal driving conditions.

+ Handling. Mazda’s finely tuned suspension offers a ride that might be a bit stiff for some folks, but younger buyers, which the 3 is marketed for, likely won’t care. The handling is precise, and winding roads pose no challenge. Visibility is generally good, but the headrests on the back seats hamper the rear view. The turning radius of 10.4 feet is very tight, making parking a breeze. ABS is standard here, unlike the Matrix base and XR trims, giving the 3 superior control in emergency stopping situations. All 3’s come with power-assisted, 4-wheel disk brakes, unlike some competitors, which use the less effective rear drums. For sporty driving fun, there’s the 3, and then there’s everyone else.

Whew, that’s a lot of pluses for an economy car. However, being that no car is perfect, Mazda does drop the ball on a couple of fronts:

--- Missing Features. The biggest safety drawback is the lack of standard side and side-curtain airbags, which help prevent injury in the event the vehicle gets T-boned. Without the side airbags, the 3 got a poor rating in the IIHS side-impact crash test. They’re optional for U.S. buyers, but Canadians get hosed by Mazda because side-airbags are unavailable. An inexcusable omission.

Furthermore, mudguards are also not available on the Sport models. Only the sedans get that option. It’s annoying to have dirt and slosh spray along the side of your car, as is the case after rainfall or in winter driving.

All-Wheel Drive is not available either, a head-scratching decision on Mazda’s part. Especially considering Canadian winters are often unforgiving and treacherous for motorists. Not even Traction Control is available, so be sure to buy winter tires or get used to a view from the ditch.

--- So-So Fuel Economy. In this day and age, when gas prices continue to skyrocket, the Mazda3’s fuel efficiency is decent, but hardly spectacular. It’s a powerful machine, but it comes with a price. EPA rated the 3 Sport as 25/30 mpg in city and highway driving, respectively, with an automatic. Expect slightly better numbers for a manual tranny. That’s OK, but a Matrix or Civic will definitely give you improved gas mileage. Regular fuel is recommended.

--- Minor Interior Quibbles. While there’s no question that the interior is stunning overall, there are a couple of small things that bothered me. The cup holders are placed too close to the gearshift, so the Starbucks crowd who need their Venti Cappuccinos every morning run the risk of knocking over their drinks when equipped with a manual gearbox. Also, the inside door handles feel a bit low budget, in contrast to the high quality materials around them. Finally, there is no jack for an mp3 player on the stereo system, which will aggravate some users.

Final Thoughts

Despite some frustrating oversights and average fuel economy, the Mazda3 Sport easily trumps the competition in the hatchback class. Many standard items like ABS, power windows and door locks with keyless entry, fog lights, and engine immobilizer are not a given on rival vehicles. Consumer Reports rates the Mazda3 as “above average” in owner reliability, so don’t expect to see your friendly mechanic very often. The 3 combines lightning fast brakes, a comfortable driving position, knockout interior quality, and crisp, nimble handling for one of the most dynamic driving experiences you’ll find in a car in this price range. In short, the 2006 Mazda3 Sport has the looks, composure, and fun-driving factor that puts it at the top of the economy car class.