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Better and Better
The 2004 Mazda3 In Depth
By Tony Whitney
With files from Tim Dimopoulos
(Editor’s Note: We did a short review of the 2004 Mazda3 in the November 2003 issue, but given the car’s popularity as a fleet selection we conducted a more extensive, long-term driving test over the intervening months and are pleased to present our findings below.)
The 2004 Mazda3 has won more “best of” awards than any vehicle in recent memory – and included among them is the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada’s prestigious Canadian Car of the Year.
The Mazda3 replaced the popular, if dull, Protegae models for 2004. Both sedan and hatchback versions are available and there is a choice of two engines in the model range that’s offered in Canada.
Styling is very appealing and owes something to the larger Mazda6 range that was introduced a while back. Both 3s boast an imaginative styling approach and having studied the duo for some time now, I’ve come to the conclusion that the sedan has the edge for looks and the hatchback for practicality. The sedan is a very crisp design job, while the hatchback looks a tad on the ‘quirky’ side. The front of the car is especially “Mazda6-like” and heralds a corporate look we’re likely to see on other Mazda products. An available Sport Appearance Package makes the car look even more like a touring car racer.
Bodywork fit and finish is very good and the car features a neat head and taillight treatment. Although the Mazda3 is quite compact in either sedan or hatchback body style, it doesn’t look that way.
Mazda3’s power comes from a choice of a 2.0-litre four-cylinder with twin cams and 16 valves developing 148 horsepower or a 2.3-litre engine at 160 hp. Both are very lively and the manual transmission is slick and positive. The sporty hatchback comes only with the 2.3-litre engine. To get the smaller powerplant you have to go with the base sedan in North America.
Tangled Ties
The basic platform of this car will find a home on the next generation Ford Focus as the two automakers are working ever more closely together these days. Volvo is also using the platform for its new S40/V40 range. Ford owns about a third of Mazda, but the Hiroshima company is fiercely independent and has recently appointed a Japanese chief executive again after several years of North American and British leadership.
The Mazda3 cabin is a fine piece of work and wouldn’t displease a quality control engineer at BMW or Audi. The choice of materials is excellent and everything seems to fit perfectly. Controls are “rounded and funky,” as Tim put it, and function very well. The dash is practical and attractive with an almost Audi-like appearance and the instruments are easy to read with or without corrective lenses. You’ll love or hate the “disco style” stereo lighting (which can be programmed out) and the automatic transmission gear indicator is distracting.
Rear legroom isn’t great, but that’s the case with most sedans in this segment. I liked the driving position and the supportive seats from the get-go. Upholstery is innovative and of high quality. The car has wonderful ambiance for a relatively small and inexpensive model and that’s probably the main reason behind all those awards. On the negative side, the car has those annoying power locks which secure all the doors when you drive away. And I was always having to use the key or interior lock button to access the car in my garage. It’s a pity that we have to drive cars with “security” standards that are set by the demands of inner-city America.
Performance
This is certainly a driver’s car and, like the bigger Mazda6, handling is tight and crisp. Tim said that the 3 had the best engine/suspension package of any car in this class he had ever driven. The car compares to some of the sportier VW Golfs I’ve tried and people moving on from the Miata won’t feel that they’ve given much up when family sedan/hatchback time comes around.
A well-optioned Mazda3 is not cheap by any means, but given the way it’s put together, it almost falls into the “entry level luxury” class. Even at its highest sticker price, the car feels more substantial and opulent than costs would indicate. Tim, who drove the car extensively, put it this way: “This is possibly the best small car on the market today.”
The Mazda3 should help put Mazda – a company that’s had its troubles in recent years – back on track. It’s even been outselling the top-rated Honda Civic and you can’t do much better than that in the small car segment.
Tony Whitney is co-host of “Ted and Tony’s Inside Track” on VTV, Speedvision and PBS, and “Driver’s Seat,” seen Saturdays on Rogers SportsNet.
SPECS AT A GLANCE:
BODY STYLE: Four-door, five-passenger sedan
ENGINE: 2.3-litre, four -cylinder (as tested)
TRANSMISSION: Four -speed automatic (as tested)
PERFORMANCE: Zero to 100 km/h in approx. 8.5-secs
FUEL ECONOMY: 9.3-litres/100 km city; 7.0-litres/100 km hwy.
PRICE RANGE: $16,195 - $21,385
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