Mazda3 1.6 Review: Zooming in
Mazda updates the 3 with more standard kit and subtle exterior tweaks. Mark Yeo checks it out.
What we like:
Dynamic feel- well-equipped
- well-controlled ride
- reasonable levels of quality and luxury
What we dislike:
Gearbox only offers four gears- lacks performance when compared to its European rivals
- tweaks are too subtle for the 3 to be showroom fresh
The second gen 3’s interior is an improvement in terms of quality and perceived luxury over the first gen car’s. It looks better as well thanks to nice design touches like the cowlings for the instruments, the trip computer and stereo display screen on top of the dash and so on. The updated car features new instruments and trip computer screen that are backlit in white among other minor changes. Utility wise, the 3 offers just about average amounts of room for rear passengers.
The new model is better equipped with convenience features on the inside. The extra kit include keyless entry and operation, cruise control, self dimming rear view mirror, bi-Xenon headlamps and so on – luxuries that used to be standard only on the 2-litre models.
The new 3 offers no significant mechanical and styling changes. The extra kit though, means it’ll still appeal strongly to those who are looking for a sensible and well-equipped Cat A saloon model from a Japanese manufacturer.
Credits: Story by Raymond Lai Photos by Yang and Mark Yeo
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