• Home
  • traffic
  • Mazda 3 purchase advice: The golf hunter in all variations

Mazda 3 purchase advice: The golf hunter in all variations

Karl-Heinz Augustin
Mazda 3 purchase advice
Subscriptions & booklets

W ie the different variants of the Mazda 3 for our purchase advice Lined up so nicely, the model looks very familiar - Mazda has just revised its bestseller. However, the designers went to work very discreetly; the optical changes are only noticeable to the knowledgeable observer.

To make the compact Mazda 3 fit for the second half of its model cycle, Mazda has sharpened it in detail: modified bumpers at the front and rear, and a little chrome in the cockpit and better readable instruments with switching recommendation. In addition, there is now an integrated navigation system from TomTom and, for the first time, an automatic transmission for the small petrol engine.

Mazda 3 with sporty ambitions

The basic character of an active compact car with some sporty ambitions left the Japanese unchanged. This is also reflected in the range of engines, which completely lack drives below 100 hp. The Mazda 3 has three petrol and three diesel units in the range. A 105 hp petrol engine (MZR) with a displacement of 1.6 liters forms the entry point. The two-liter direct-injection MZR DISI has an automatic start-stop system and develops 150 hp, the turbocharged 2.3-liter variant in the MPS sports model has a respectable 260 horsepower.

That starts with the diesel engines Offered with the 115 hp Mazda 3 1.6 MZ-CD, above that are two variants of the MZR-CD with a displacement of 2.2 liters and an output of 150 and 185 hp. The diesel engines are only available for the four-door model, the notchback version, which is rarely ordered in Germany anyway, is only available in combination with one of the two smaller petrol engines.

The most important innovation relates to the equipment lines of the Mazda 3: the well-known Prime level -Line, Center-Line and Sports-Line are now providing Mazda with the Edition package. It summarizes numerous frequently ordered extras and offers customers a special price advantage. The Mazda 3 is also not stingy with equipment details ex works. The Prime Line models already have electric windows on the front doors, CD radio, information display with on-board computer, a height-adjustable driver's seat and central locking with remote control. Safety is provided as standard by ABS with brake assist, automatic emergency brake warning flasher, six airbags, active headrests and the anti-skid ESP. Only air conditioning can be ordered separately here (1.180Euros) and metallic paintwork (495 euros).

The list of options is also short for the other lines. Choosing the right type is quicker than expected: the bottom line is that the two shapes, six engines and four equipment lines result in a manageable 13 Mazda 3 models - a manageable task.

Mazda 3 guarantees driving fun

The Mazda 3 MPS is the Japanese answer to GTI & Co. With 260 hp, sports suspension and optics package, it embodies the affordable professional athlete in the Program. Amazingly, the top model of the series offers the best price-horsepower ratio: At 107 euros per horsepower, the Mazda 3 MPS is a real bargain. Even the inexpensive entry-level engines can't do that better - and certainly not the German competition.

For comparison: In the similarly powerful Golf R (270 hp), each horsepower costs around 138 euros. The Mazda 3 MPS is a compact sports car par excellence: its turbo gasoline engine accelerates to 100 km /h in a good six seconds and is only electronically limited at a speed of 250. It not only brings a lot of driving pleasure, but also takes care of everyday trips to the bakery without grumbling and exaggerated harshness. The whole thing is packaged in the practical body of the hatchback model, which here with other bumpers, air scoop, two exhaust pipes and rear spoiler discreetly draws attention to its potential.

Extras are only available as a package - but inexpensive

In keeping with the customer's needs, Mazda offers attractive equipment lines and option chains for the Mazda 3, which combine the most important extras and, taken together, are cheaper than the individual prices. The Edition equipment in particular is an insider tip. The more extensive the option list for new cars, the more difficult production becomes. All possible equipment extras must be planned and kept available, but are only used in the rarest of cases. The numerous conceivable variants therefore make production more expensive. That is why Asian brands in particular are trying to channel customer wishes with equipment lines and intelligently tied additional packages.

This is also the case with Mazda: The Center-Line is adding the Prime-Line of the Mazda 3 discussed at the beginning for 1,800 euros important air conditioning, rear window lifters, heated and electrically folding exterior mirrors, leather steering wheel and gear knob, front and rear armrests, illuminated make-up mirrors and two additional speakers on it. The technology package (from 1,590 euros) with automatic air conditioning, fog lights, light and rain sensors, heated seats, rear parking aid, heated windscreen and Bluetooth hands-free system remains an option. This package is also part of the next higher equipment edition, which also includes 17-inch alloy wheels and a lane change assistant. The surcharge is compared to the Center-Linemoderate 1,200 euros, Mazda puts the actual customer benefit at up to 1,700 euros.

In addition to the option of metallic paint, the only question that remains is whether touchscreen navigation can be used (720 euros included integrated hands-free system and USB interface) or the combination of navigation and bi-xenon headlights with adaptive cornering lights AFS (travel package, 1870 euros). The top equipment - apart from the independent Mazda 3 MPS model - is called Sports-Line. With xenon light, sports seats, tire pressure control system and keyless-go (2,400 euros) nothing is left to be desired.

Mazda 3 with hatchback or notchback

With hatchback and notchback, the Mazda 3 is available in two body styles. Even if most customers prefer the former, there are good arguments for the notchback. Just 2.6 percent of all Mazda 3 customers currently order the notchback version. That is about as many as you choose for the MPS road sprinter. The motivation of the sporty drivers is clear, but the notchback fans also have their reasons: In addition to the simple formal preference for the more expensive three-box variant, these customers particularly appreciate the larger (430 to 340 liters) and completely separated loading compartment from the interior. The rear door cutout on the sedan is also shaped in such a way that, despite the sloping roof line, entry is easier for the passengers in the second row. With a roof-high load, a volume of up to 1,360 liters is available. So the four-door can almost keep up with compact station wagons. The notchback version is also good for small Ikea shopping: It also has the 60:40 foldable rear seat on board.

Choice of three petrol and three diesels for nimble propulsion

The Japanese are made up of three petrol and three diesel engines a dynamic engine package: the power scale in the Mazda 3 ranges from 105 to 260 hp. Customers have so far been choosing more conservatively. If the stylish shell promises a dynamic appearance, then the motor program should also include the corresponding drives. The good news in advance: With one exception, all units can fulfill the promise of dynamism, with quite different characters.

To start with the Mazda 3 HP Primus: That you can be brisk with 260 horses is clear. The fact that the turbo engine delivers its power over a wide speed range without any riot is a happy surprise for every driver, regardless of the route.

The golden mean for gasoline engines is the two-liter with direct injection and automatic start-stop. Its 150 hp get the 1.3 ton Mazda 3 going well, with only minimal at the same timeMore consumption compared to the 1.6 liter unit. This was originally supposed to only play the role of the inexpensive base engine, but has so far been well received by customers - listen and be amazed - with an order share of 78 percent. Of course, those who are mainly in the city and are just looking for a chic alternative beyond the mainstream are also well served with the entry-level engine.

Which already shows that the diesel share of the Mazda 3 in relation to the overall market is astonishing is low: only twelve percent of customers currently choose one of the three diesel engines. Understandable in view of the current diesel price and the probably rather low mileage in the segment, but regrettable in view of the pleasant character of the diesel in the Mazda 3. While the frugal 1.6-liter with 115 hp and 270 Newton meters of torque is sufficient for the compact class, the 150 2.2-liter horsepower already real driving pleasure - no wonder with 360 Newton meters and a crisp six-speed box. Finally, the 185 hp version of the large diesel delivers an abundance of power and torque and, thanks to its power reserves at low engine speeds, is ideal for long motorway routes.

Kassensturz of all types

Apart from the MPS, which sips the expensive Super Plus, no Mazda 3 fails the budget. The diesel versions only pay off with high driving performance. If you look at the cost table for the Mazda 3, you first notice that the expenses per 100 kilometers between the cheapest and the most expensive model are a good 5.50 euros (excluding the top athlete MPS) - in this case a difference of over 30 percent. This range results not only from different consumption and maintenance costs, but also from the forced coupling of the engines to certain equipment lines. So there is only the basic gasoline engine with the inexpensive Prime Line, the two-liter gasoline engine only from Edition and the most powerful diesel even only in the Sports Line, which brings its cost price almost to the level of the MPS, which costs almost 28,000 euros.

Even if the fixed costs are approaching worryingly in this case, the most powerful diesel undercuts the most powerful gasoline engine thanks to more frugal drinking habits in terms of operating costs and thus also the bottom line. If you ignore the loss of value, the monthly balance clearly speaks in favor of the diesel variants of the Mazda 3. If you calculate correctly, only the small diesel in our sample calculation comes close to the gasoline engine, but this with a mileage of 15,000 kilometers per year. The 150 PS diesel undercuts the values ​​of the equally powerful gasoline engine only from 30,000 kilometers a year. In addition to the higher loss of value, the more unfavorable hull classification screwed up the strong diesel engines with a better overall balance. Overall recommendFrom a cost perspective, above all the two base engines of the Mazda 3, but the diesel has a significantly higher cost price.

The Mazda 3 is a well-rounded offer for those who want a dynamic Look for an alternative to the European models in the compact class. If the chic body is enough for you, you can drive the basic gasoline engine with Center-Line equipment for less than 20,000 euros. More liveliness and almost all the important extras are available in the Mazda 3 2.0 MZR as an edition. Frequent drivers take the 150 hp diesel (only as an edition) and look forward to brisk performance with moderate consumption. The 260 hp Mazda 3 MPS, on the other hand, is one of the cheapest ways to move a very sporty, but still fully everyday car.

0 Comments

Leave a reply

Name *