ON THE ROAD – IAN LYNAS DRIVES THE MAZDA3 EXCLUSIVE -LINE

My first opportunity to get behind the wheel of a Mazda came when a friend opened a new dealership; later he set out on another business venture by starting a new weekly newspaper. This happened in an era when newspapers, magazines, TV and radio were the main outputs for advertising and with attractive rates he succeeded. With a leading journalist appointed as editor I was brought on board to take care of the motoring pages and there were many. The end result was the competition had to make their ad rates more attractive and everyone was a winner and when the newspaper ceased operation I moved on; however during that period I did have the opportunity to drive a selection of Mazdas and coming right up to date, my latest test drive with a Mazda3 Exclusive – Line, which sits just below the Takumi in the range.

The first version of the Mazda3 was launched back in 2003, a rather conservative styled small car which has also been named Axela in some markets and throughout its many versions it has proved popular, with the styling as we know it today launched in 2019. The main change for 2025 is the introduction of the new e-Skyactiv G engine which replaces the two litre 122PS e-Skyactiv unit. The new engine will be well known to owners of the CX-5 and in the Mazda3 the power output is 140PS. I had the car on test for two weeks over the Christmas/New Year holiday period and I found it to be a lively performer. This engine features cylinder de-activation and the company’s M mild hybrid system. There is a power increase of 18PS over the outgoing power unit with much more usable torque and the rest to 100kph (62mph) is down by just under a second.

My test car was a hatchback with a slick six speed manual transmission, an automatic transmission is also available. I must also point out that the 186PS e-Skyactiv –X engine is still available; however I suspect that most sales will go the way of the less powerful engine. Yes I described the early versions as rather conservative in their styling, the current car certainly stands out from the competition with a low to ground nose design and a reduced gap between the wheel arches and tyres accentuate its striking proportions. Wheel size choice is either 16 or 18 inch. Each car throughout the range features LED daylight running lights and LED headlamps with high beam control and aiding clear vision evolved windscreen wiper operation; they fine tune the operating angle and they are housed beneath the bonnet line and the wash jets are attached to the wipers.

Moving to the interior, there is a seven inch TFT colour instrument display combined with a much larger 10.5 inch central display with Mazda Connect infotainment and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also included. The Multimedia Commander makes for easy use of the infotainment system and there are two type C USB inputs and Qi Wireless charging. I give plus marks to the sound system from Bose which features six speakers. Now to a feature every car should have, head up display and every model in the Mazda3 line-up features this projected system and there is also Mazda Radar Cruise Control. Now to the practical side, there are60:40 split seats, 351 litres of boot space or 358 litres should you opt to use the additional space under the boot floor; fold the seats flat and you have a usable 1,026 litres. With the saloon version of the Mazda3 boot space is slightly larger at 444 litres. Summing up the Mazda3 is an attractive choice, I certainly enjoyed my days behind the wheel.

Ian Lynas