Zoom-Zoom, it’s what sets Mazda apart from other car companies. The small Japanese manufacturer focuses on driving dynamics far more than other mass-market automakers. The result of that relentless toil is a lineup of cars and crossovers that are more entertaining than their competition. Paraphrasing one of the company’s TV commercials, if it’s not worth driving it’s not worth building.
One of Mazda’s most important products is the compact Mazda3. Available as either a hatchback or sedan it’s the cornerstone of the brand’s global sales. It’s never an easy task updating a successful product; drastic changes can attract new buyers but they also risk alienating existing customers. Fortunately for everyone the company has made common-sense updates to the 2014 model that should actually please everyone. Here are 10 things you absolutely must know about the new Mazda3.
For decades Mazda and Ford were more than just friends with benefits, they were practically a common-law couple. The two companies shared engines, platforms and even manufacturing plants. But in recent years the two automakers have quietly gone their separate ways. As a result of this shift, the 2014 Mazda3 is 100 percent Mazda. No Ford parts are used in the car. Today’s model rides atop the Blue Oval’s global C1 architecture but the 2014 version uses the company’s “SkyActiv” platform, much of which is shared with the CX-5 crossover and the Mazda6 sedan. The new 3 is Zoom-Zoom to the bone.
Today’s 3 is something of a controversial vehicle. It’s an all-around solid small car that offers buyers a lot including safety, refinement, comfort, and of course entertaining driving dynamics. But the vehicle’s front end elicits “wat da faq?” responses from enthusiasts and the general population alike. It features an awkwardly large grille that resembles a smiling clown face, minus the sinister undertones of course.
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The company’s KODO design language rescues the 2014 model from this unfortunate styling situation. Translated from Japanese it means “soul of motion.” The new car resembles the handsome Mazda6 sedan, with large front fenders, an elongated hood and short decklid. Intersecting character lines on the bodyside add some flair. These changes aren’t just pleasing to the eye, they’re functional, too. The hatchback model slices through the air with a low .275 coefficient of drag.
Father Time is a grumpy old SOB. He’s impatient too. He waits for no one and nothing; he works off his own schedule and if you don’t like it go figure out how to modify a DeLorean DMC12. The Mazda3 has always had a suitably upscale interior for the C-Segment. It’s typically been a step ahead of the competition in areas like design, construction and materials quality. But eventually every car falls victim to Pappy Time, and the current 3 is starting to look a bit dated inside.
To remedy this problem, designers outfitted the 2014 car with upscale design and materials as well as advanced technology. There’s a new heads-up display with a retractable screen; a brand-new infotainment system that can read text messages and e-mails; and the seats have been reworked for greater comfort and lighter weight. Back-seat passengers are even treated to more legroom.
Without question the 3 is Mazda’s best-selling vehicle. Since it was introduced a decade ago over 3.5 million have been sold in some 120 markets around the globe. Calling it a significant part of the company’s lineup is like calling Windows a major deal for Microsoft; it’s stating the obvious. For a touch of perspective this little car accounts for 30 percent of Mazda’s sales.
Like most every vehicle that receives a ground-up redesign the 2014 Mazda3 has grown bigger. Its wheelbase has been stretched 2.4 inches bringing the total span to 106.3. However, the hatchback’s overall length has gone down a bit. Checking the tape measure it’s been truncated 1.8 inches compared to today’s version.
It’s also slightly shorter, losing 0.6 inches of height. But the car has an additional 1.6 inches of extra girth so interior room doesn’t suffer. There are nearly 36 inches of maximum legroom in the back seat and the rear cushion has been elevated 2 inches for greater comfort. Not surprisingly front and rear shoulder-room has been increased.
“SkyActiv” is a ridiculous name, but a great idea. It’s Mazda’s engineering philosophy that’s all about optimization; intelligently cutting weight and improving powertrain efficiency without sacrificing safety, comfort or driving dynamics.
Sounds like a challenge but the company has it all figured out. Like the CX-5 and Mazda6, the 2014 3 features a full suite of SkyActiv technology. Its body structure is a whopping 30 percent stiffer than today’s model, but it’s also lighter. At this time the company has not said how much mass had been cut. It could be a couple nanograms or a few hundred million tons; nobody knows.
As expected for a world vehicle, the 2014 Mazda3 will feature a wide range of different engine options. In North America two gasoline powerplants will be offered. A 2.0-liter SkyActiv-G is expected to serve as the base engine. With a unique 4-2-1 exhaust system it delivers 155 horsepower and 150 lb-ft of torque. For more Zoom-Zoom a larger 2.5-liter four-cylinder will also be offered. Output is a more tempting 184 horsepower with 185 lb-ft of torque.
Global customers have far greater choice. Gasoline engines ranging from 1.5- to 2.5-liters will be made available in certain markets depending on local demand. Mixing things up a 2.2-liter Skyactiv-D diesel will also be offered while customers in Japan can even opt for a hybrid.
In addition to all of the Mazda3’s SkyActiv optimizations the company will also include another interestingly named fuel-saving technology. i-ELOOP is supposedly the world’s first capacitor-based regenerative-braking system. The name is shorthand for “Intelligent Energy Loop.” Like a hybrid, electricity can be stored during deceleration, but one area where this technology differs in how that power is used. Instead of sending it to an electric motor for propulsion i-ELOOP takes that energy and uses it to reduce parasitic drag on the alternator. It’s probably not as effective as a traditional hybrid drivetrain but undoubtedly it improves efficiency, and every little bit counts. It’s a pretty clever and likely cost-effective solution to better fuel economy.
Like most new vehicles the 2014 Mazda3 offers a boatload of available technology. If we could travel back in time (see point No. 8 about modifying a DeLorean) even Apollo-era astronauts would be astounded by the computing power in this compact car. We landed men on the moon with far less.
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The vehicle offers advanced driver-assistance systems including lane-departure warning, automatic city braking and blind-spot monitoring. Radar-based cruise control, forward collision warning and automatic high beams are also on the menu. These features are bundled under the umbrella term i-Activsense, another hokey name for some pretty cool stuff, but by now you know Mazda has a knack for coming up with both.
The spunky-looking 2014 Mazda3 is scheduled to hit the market this fall, which is just a couple months away. When it comes to pricing company representatives have not mentioned how much the car will sticker for so your guess is as good as ours. But if we had to estimate a price tag we’d predict it’ll be pretty comparable to today’s car, likely just a bit more expensive. The most basic four-door sedan offered right now costs around $17,500; the entry-level five-door is roughly three grand more.