2013 Mazda 3 Speed Review

The Mazda 3 Speed is rewarded with a 40 mpg fuel rating on the highway all thanks to its revamped drivetrain for 2013.  This is a significant improvement over the course of the last few years.  Speaking of which, more and more competitors with equivalent fuel ratings are beginning to surface on the sales lot this year.  There is definitely no shortcoming in this streak, and Mazda plays a huge role in it.

The Mazda 3 offers four available engines including the well acquainted turbocharged Mazda Speed 3. With essentially 11 different trim levels, the top two trim levels have the “SkyActiv” suffix engraved that represents a high-mileage technology incorporated into the company’s latest four-cylinder engine and transmission combination.  However, no different than other auto-manufacturers, the highest fuel economy trims comes with the heaviest price tag in its line of trim levels.  For example, the hatchback model is more fuel efficient, but its base price just for its body style costs $4,000 more than the base sedan model

The Mazda3 comes as a sedan or hatchback with four available engines and essentially 11 versions, including the turbocharged Mazdaspeed3. Two trim levels have the suffix “SkyActiv,” which represents high-mileage technology in the form of the company’s newest four-cylinder engine and/or select transmissions and other technologies. As is the case in most competing models, the highest mileage figures come in the more expensive sedan trim levels. The most affordable hatchback is efficient, but the base price for this body style is more than $4,000 higher than the base sedan’s.

All configurations on the Mazda 3 employs a fairly firm ride, which often repel shoppers away, but the significant improvement in mileage is beginning to show emphasis to consumers.

Mazda3’s two base trims, SV and Sport, is equipped with last year’s 148-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder. The drivetrain is smooth with sufficient power thanks to its optimal gear ratios in the optional five-speed transmission.  The two trim levels can be purchased with either an automatic or manual 5 speed transmission.

Stepping up to the higer trim, the 155-hp, direct-injected SkyActiv engine is also a 2.0-liter four-cylinder, but adds a shy 7hp more.  The engine can be either coupled with an automatic or a manual six speed transmission.  The SkyActiv engine comes in handy on the long highways, where our manual stick-shift test car accelerated 11 mph with 6th gear selected.    In contrary, most competitors require downshifting in order to accelerate on the highway. When driven in the city, both 2.0 liter four cylinder engines feel similar with slightly reduced acceleration during start off with the sky-active engine.  For the more demanding consumers, Mazda3’s optional 2.5-liter four-cylinder has a more meaty midrange power and generates quicker quicker acceleration than most commuter cars in expense for slightly reduced fuel ratings.

The SkyActiv sedan is rated an EPA-estimate of 28/40 mpg city/highway with the automatic, 27/39 with the stick. The SkyActiv hatchback has identical city numbers but is 1 mpg less efficient on the highway with either transmission. Still, that’s 2 to 7 mpg better than the base 2.0-liter, depending on trim, and 6 to 11 mpg better than the 2.5-liter Mazda3. All three engines use regular gas.

The cabin space is clean and composed, but other competitors such as the Ford Fusion, or Nissan Altima are leaving the Mazda 3 behind. The Mazda’s dashboard controls and panels have decent texture, but are still housed with miles of plastic. However, the dials controls are made of good quality and provide great tactile feel. One of our major complains we had with the interior is the feel of cheap and thoughtless design of using two separate front LCD matrix display panels that are of both different sizes and colors.

Our test car had basic leather seats which was clean and comfortable, but can leave your back sore after driving for more than few hours. Legroom in the rear seats are reasonable, but passengers in the 6 ft range will experience limited leg space and head room.

Trunk volume in the Mazda3 sedan is measured at 11.8 cubic feet which is reasonable, but is still behind other competitors such as the Chevrolet Cruze.  However, the Mazda3 hatchback model offers a more usable 17 cubic feet behind the backseat, with 42.8 cubic feet of maximum volume with the backseat folded down.

To conclude our review, the compact five-seat Mazda3 is available as a sedan or four-door hatchback with an purchase option of the Sky-Active high-efficiency technologies. It competes head to head with serious competitors such as the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla and Volkswagen Golf and Jetta.  The firm suspension coupled with Mazda’s renowned transmission and practical cabin space, especially in the hatchback continues to mark its legacy in the automotive market in its class.