With more than 4.5-million produced since the debut of the 2004 model, the Mazda3 lineup for 2016 builds upon its success with upgraded equipment and cutting edge technologies.
One of the more efficient and economical compact sedans on the market is the 2016 Mazda3.
Available in four-door and five-door body configurations, the 2016 Mazda3 is offered in Mazda3 i Sport, i Touring and i Grand Touring trim levels. It can seat five, average 35 to 40 miles per hour if driven modestly, and has top safety ratings from government agencies.
Along with the 155-horsepower SKYACTIV-G 2.0-liter four-cylinder, there is the 2.5-liter that delivers 184-horsepower. Depending on model designation; the powerplants are matched with a six-speed manual gearbox or six-speed automatic transmission. The 2.5-liter engine can be ordered with the six-speed auto with i-Eloop for maximum performance.
In recent years the compact, front-wheel-drive, four-door sedan has changed little. Usually something gets added, such as upgrade trim and front head restraints in 2014, stick shift availability for a larger 2.5-liter, 184-horsepower engine in 2015 and one less trim level in 2016. The SV has been dropped. Still with us are two Sport models, three Touring models and four Grand Touring options. Manufacturer prices range from $17,845 to $26,495.
In for testing was a 2016 Grand Touring model priced at $22,545. The suggested price was $200 more than the suggested price for the identical 2014 (to pick a recent year) car. Although both are top-of-the-line models, the manual transmission and smaller 2-liter engine meant the tested Grand Touring Mazda3 was $4,000 less expensive than the 2.5-liter Grand Touring model with the automatic transmission.
During the test weeks with one person aboard in city (Chicago suburbs) and highway, the 2,899-pound sedan averaged 38.7 miles per gallon. Mazda's relatively new SkyActiv technology (introduced in 2011) means an increase in fuel economy and more power from the 2-liter, four-cylinder, 155-horsepower engine.
Unleaded regular fuel is recommended for the 13.2-gallon tank.
The Environmental Protection Agency rates fuel usage at 29 mpg city and 41 mpg highway. It is a peppy if somewhat noisy engine (when accelerating sharply) and should go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in eight seconds. Not a world-beater, but OK. Braking (disc brakes) from 60 mph to a stop will take 120 feet. Again, not a world beater distance, but average for this class of sedan.
On a wheelbase of 106.3 inches, the Mazda3 (redesigned in 2014) is 180.3 inches long and 70.7 inches wide. These measurements are several inches more compared to the 2013 model. As a wider, lower and longer vehicle, trunk space improves slightly and so does leg room front and rear. In front, leg room measures 42.5 inches or about that of a midsize sedan. A small vehicle with a height of 57.3 inches, it can turn a circle in 34.8 feet. This means the Mazda3 can execute tight U-turns on narrow city streets without much difficulty. The cutesy face in front of former years has been replaced with a wider and larger sporty grille, fog lights and wraparound headlights. The effect is of a tough, no-nonsense sedan. It also has flared wheel arches and ridged side panels from the arches leading back and up to a creased short rear deck lid.
High-end materials, sleek dashboard styling and pleasant seating depict the five-passenger interior. Although seats in front are commodious, leg room in the rear is cramped. Front seat occupants of average height will appreciate the roominess and layout. Sound and climate controls are within easy reach. Multiple cup holders are available, and when required, the sedan's trunk can haul 11.4 cubic feet of cargo, while the hatchback increases available room to 17.1 cubic feet. with folded rear seating.
A strut (coil springs, shocks, stabilizer bars) suspension system should keep riders balanced well in 99 percent of driving situations. The other 1 percent includes rough roads and railroad crossings, sudden stops and starts and sharp cornering. Do not expect miracles. The Mazda3 does not have electronic dampers responding in nanoseconds to road conditions. The power steering was taut. All-terrain P205 tires are mounted on 18-inch alloy wheels. The temporary spare is steel.
The test model's standard features included keyless remote entry, pushbutton start, air conditioning with pollen filter, cruise control (mounted on the manually tilt and telescoping steering wheel), power driver's seat, two heated front seats, power windows (express down), door locks and heated exterior mirrors, remote keyless entry, rain-sensing intermittent wipers, fog lights, halogen headlights, moonroof with one-touch open, rearview camera, dual trip odometers, rear spoiler, cargo cover and intermittent rear window defogger and wiper.
The nine-speaker Bose sound system includes AM-FM, Sirius satellite radio, compact disc and MP3 players, two USB ports, a seven-inch color touchscreen, high definition radio and Aha, Pandora and Stitcher internet radio integration. There is SMS text messaging for audio delivery and relay, and Bluetooth hands-free telephone connectivity. Mazda3s have an information and emergency system for help such as the location of a certain restaurant or assistance from a technician or, in serious cases, a flatbed.
Other standard equipment included leather seats, color dashboard trim in conjunction with luminescent gauges, side turn signal repeater lights, rear ventilation ducts, lighted vanity mirrors, reading lights in front and an overhead for both rows, two 12-volt power outlets, center armrests, and cup and bottle holders.
Standard safety equipment on the 2016 Mazda3 includes antilock disc brakes with brake assist, active front head restraints, frontal and front-side airbags and headliner curtain airbags, tire pressure monitoring system, rear door child safety locks, child seat anchors and tethers, five seat belts and four adjustable headrests and whiplash protection in front.
Stability and traction control are standard on all trim levels. Relatively new (2014 to present) on Grand Touring models is a blind-spot detection system. It works well as does the hill-hold technology. With a stick shift, a vehicle on an incline tends to roll backward before it can be put into gear. Not with hill-hold. The car remains put until it moves forward in first or second gear.
Warranty coverage is three years or 36,000 miles with 24-hour roadside assistance. In addition, Mazda has a 60-month, 60,000-mile powertrain warranty.
The Grand Touring model of the 2016 Mazda3 rides on 18-inch alloy wheels with all-terrain tires.
FAST FACTS
Vehicle: Grand Touring model of 2016 Mazda3
Type: front-wheel-drive, four-door, five-passenger compact sedan
Price: $22,545
Engine: 2-liter, chain-driven, dual overhead cam 155-horsepower four-cylinder
Transmission: six-speed manual
Wheelbase: 106.3 inches
Length: 180.3 inches
Width: 70.7 inches
Height: 57.3 inches
Ground clearance: 6.1 inches
Weight: 2,869 pounds
Fuel tank: 13.2 gallons
Fuel: unleaded regular
Trunk: 12.4 cubic feet
Leg room: 42.2 inches front, 35.8 inches rear
Turning circle: 34.8 feet
Suspension: independent, struts front, multilinks rear, stabilizer bars
Leg room: 42.2 inches front, 35.8 inches rear
Turning circle: 34.8 feet
Tires, wheels: 18-inch
Suspension: independent, struts front, multilinks rear, stabilizer bars
Warranty; three years or 36,000 miles with 24-hour roadside assistance, five years or 60,000 miles on powertrain.
Assembly: Japan
Information: www.mazdausa.com
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