Mazda3 Diesel Hatchback

[mikeyb]

Mazda's new diesel has the power and character to prove a winner

Good

• Diesel with class-leading characteristics and figures
• Beautifully honed dynamics
• Spacious interior
• Standard stability control
• Good looking exterior
• One of the best cars in the class

• Bad

• Price premium
• Dull interior presentation
• Space-saver spare tyre
• No auto option

Price and equipment

• Three Star

Diesels are meant to be the sensible alternative to petrol engine; sacrifice a little bit of sporty revving ability for a groundswell of torque and superior fuel economy. The problem is that Mazda charges a $4000 premium for the Diesel over the equivalent petrol model in the range, the Maxx Sport. As a result the whole business case looks pretty dodgy. Stability control is the only significant extra feature the car adds for the money.
Under the bonnet

• Four Star

This is not the 2.0-litre engine found in the 3's close technical partner, the Ford Focus. Instead it is Mazda's own design and it suits the brand's zesty persona pretty well even if it is a diesel. It likes to rev quickly and responsively, has more torque than any of its competitors and claims a 6.0L/100km fuel consumption average. The only real problem with the attendant six-speed manual is that it's the only transmission choice.

How it drives

• Four Star

The engine's energetic nature works really well with one of the best small car chassis in the world. Balance of handling and ride is superb despite a significant amount of extra weight in the nose - suspension and body have been firmed in response. This is one of those cars that simply feels right to drive in any circumstance. A great achievement.

Comfort and practicality

• Three Half Star

There's no drama fitting people or luggage in - or a mixture of both. The 3 has enough space to fit two adults comfortably in each row, or the bench can be folded to fit your mountain bike without pulling the front wheel out. The bucket seats up-front are really comfy too. The biggest letdown is the dark and rather monotonous look and feel. This is such a nice little car it's a shame it's a bit funereal inside.

Safety


Six airbags, ABS and stability control are all appropriate at this price these days. A test on a left-hand drive 2006 Mazda3 in Europe by NCAP netted a four star result. Outstanding dynamics are a crucial primary safety aid.

Overall verdict

• Three Half Star

The happy diesel.

Nuts & Bolts


Price
$30,500 (man), plus options and costs.

Warranty
Three years/100,000 km.

Engine Size/Type
2.0-litre, turbocharged diesel, SOHC, 16-valve, 4cyl.

Power
105 kW at 3500 rpm.

Torque
360 Nm at 2000 rpm.

Transmission/Driven Wheels
Six-speed manual, front-wheel-drive.

Fuel Consumption
6.0 L/100 km.

Fuel Tank Size
55-litre fuel tank, diesel.

Insurance
$812 (RACV, 40-year-old rating-one male, medium-risk suburb, $500 excess).

Safety Equipment
Dual front and side airbags, curtain airbags, traction and stability control, ABS with EBD and EBA, lap-sash seatbelts all passengers, front seatbelts with pre-tensioners, load limiters and height adjustment, anti-whiplash front seats.

Crash Rating
4/5 (Euro NCAP test conducted on left-hand-drive 2006 Mazda3 hatchback.)

What's missing?
Auto transmission option, full-sized spare tyre, trip computer.

What's it got?
Alloy wheels, cruise control, air-conditioning, six-CD audio, remote central locking, power windows, fog lights.

Emissions
3/5.5 (www.greenvehicleguide.gov.au)

 

[mikeyb]

There's no doubting the phenomenal success of the Mazda3. Light, zoomy and lots of fun, it has captured the hearts, minds and wallets of thousands of small-car buyers and played a big part in propelling Mazda up the sales charts.
So when the car maker announced it was going to plonk the diesel engine already seen here in the Mazda6 into the 3 hatch and sedan, it was a bit of a surprise. Diesel, with its traditional dirty, clattery image, does not fit all that well with the 3's happy countenance. Add in a significant 147 kilograms to the kerb weight and a hefty price increase, and the whole idea could seem even more risky.
But the Mazda3 has not been compromised. The key reason for this - despite the extra weight and dollars - is the engine. It's about as far from the traditional, slow, clunky image of diesel technology as you can get.
Nowadays there are plenty of decent diesels doing the rounds and this Mazda-developed, 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine is one of the best. With 105 kW, it's as powerful as many equivalent petrol engines. And an all-important 360 Nm of torque makes it the meatiest turbo-diesel in the category, also extinguishing any naturally aspirated petrol opposition. For instance, it has 178 Nm more than the 2.0 four-cylinder used in most of the 3 range.
That's a mammoth amount of pulling power - and it means the extra weight stands no chance. The torque swells up from about 1600 rpm and flows the 3 along until beyond 4000 rpm. It's very civilised, with minimal clatter above idle and little evidence of the dreaded turbo lag. This is a quick-revving engine that belies the usual diesel preference for a steady build-up. Importantly, below the point where turbo is boosting fully there is still enough power and torque to get you going promptly.
That means the around-town, slow-speed manoeuvring is made all the easier and smoother, while lively, open-road response for overtaking and hill conquering is well ahead of the petrol 3.
Being such a lively performer also makes this engine a good match for the 3's chassis. The body has been beefed up, the suspension firmed and bigger brakes fitted to cope with the extra weight.
There are few small cars - at any price - that can match the 3's combination of sharp steering, grip-laden handling and firm yet absorbent ride. We're not just talking about capability on winding country roads - the 3 Diesel is one of those cars that just feels snug and reassuring wherever and whenever it is driven.
All this means you extract more from the 3 Diesel driving experience than the usual fuel economy gains - mind you, 6.0 L/100 km and a theoretical touring range beyond 1000 km is not to be sneezed at. As always though, there is the price premium over petrol models that has to be considered before plonking down your money.
And in this case there is a substantial price premium. The 3 Diesel is nominally equipped at the same level as the Maxx Sport petrol model. At $30,500, that means you are paying an extra $4000. Rival turbo-diesels also undercut it - some by thousands of dollars.
Compared with the Maxx Sport, Diesel boasts the vital safety addition of stability control. The rest of the equipment list is pretty good without being too special. You only get a space-saver spare tyre and the lack of a trip computer is annoying.
Nor can an automatic transmission be optioned. Perhaps the abundance of torque and the six-speed manual's decisive nature may win some people over. Many more will be put off. They won't be enamoured by the rather dull interior presentation either. While the dashboard readout gleams a cheery "Hello!" when the ignition key is turned, this is an all-too dark car with only a few patches of grey, red and faux gun-metal grey to alleviate the darkness. There is also nothing special about the quality of the trim.
There are many interior positives to counter-balance that. The sizeable boot has useful under-floor storage trays and the ability to enlarge dramatically when the bench is split-folded. There is an excellent amount of rear-seat space for two adults, adequate stowage options and the bucket front seats have a backrest shaped in a curved way that fits particularly well. Height and reach steering-wheel adjustment is standard. As is a big smile when you drive the 3 Diesel. Sure, there are downsides but that fun character has been retained. While it's hard to imagine a big buying audience for this car, it will be a happy one.
Range*
Neo $20,990 Maxx $25,500 Maxx Sport $26,500 SP23 $29,600 Diesel $30,500 MPS hatch $39,990 MPS Sports Pack $43,690 *Hatch and sedan variants. Five-speed auto a $2000 option in Neo and Maxx, $2260 option in SP23. MPS six-speed manual only.