Quick Test Drive: 2014 Mazda3

The all-new 2014 Mazda3

Today’s small car segment is one of the most competitive segments in the industry. In this world of ever increasing demand for better fuel economy, manufacturers have been upping their game and introducing more models all the time. Subcompacts have been a big part of the boom, but the bread and butter small sedans and hatchbacks are still key players, and today, offerings from overseas and the US are competitive and appealing. So, keeping your car current and at the top of its game is imperative.

The Mazda3 was a car that, despite still garnering praise from the press, needed a redesign, and that’s what it got. The 2014 Mazda3 is a ground-up redesign that shares much of its technology with the CX-5 crossover and 6 midsize sedan. It continues the “Kodo” styling language introduced on the CX-5 and 6 with great success. The Mazda6 is still the most elegant application of the look with longer, more graceful curves, but the 3, particularly in hatchback form, is quite attractive and the smaller shape does give it a sportier appearance.

The Mazda3 starts at $16,945 for the i SV and the top end s Grand Touring starts at $25,995. The 3 is available with either a 2.0L or 2.5L engine, each with an impressive 13:1 compression ratio. The 2.0 produces 155 hp and 155 lb-ft of torque, while the 2.5 yields 184 hp and 185 lb-ft of torque.

Disappointingly, the only option for manual transmission users is the lower powered 2.0. Rumors on the web say that a manual should be available with the 2.5 sometime this year, and considering that the same 2.5 is available with a manual in the Mazda6, it would be quite surprising if it never became an option. But, as a result, the Mazda3 I had the privilege of sampling was a 2.0L model.

The car I drove was rather modestly equipped. It was a Mazda3 i Sport sedan with a cloth interior and steel wheels with covers. It was nearly the base model, but a lower end SV trim is available for less. If you really need to save money, an SV isn’t a bad option, as it still comes with niceties like air conditioning and USB connectivity, but cannot be equipped with cruise control, and oddly enough, doesn’t come with split folding rear seats. Standard features on the Sport included cruise control, air conditioning, USB and Bluetooth connectivity, steering wheel-mounted controls, tilt/telescoping steering wheel, power windows and locks, remote keyless entry, push-button start, and that’s about it. This model came without any extra options.

Inside, the Mazda3 is a fairly nice place to be. Everything is put together nicely, and the doors close with a soft and satisfying thud. The dashboard uses plenty of soft touch plastics, although harder varieties can still be found. What’s worth noting is how understated and simple the interior feels. Certainly there are interiors that are simpler, the current Impreza springs to mind, but in contrast to cars like the Focus, Civic, and Cruze, the 3 has a very basic, unpretentious interior. The controls were also quite intuitive and easy to use. The location of the stereo controls is also an interesting style point. The controls are set up in a little pod, like a small monolith, poking up out of the top of the dashboard. They are easy to read and access, and if your 3 comes with touch-screen audio and navigation, a screen takes its place, resembling an iPad. I’m not sure I’m completely taken by the design, but it’s certainly not unattractive. It will also be interesting to see how one might install an aftermarket stereo. The instrument cluster is also simple and easy to use. I’m not a big fan of the digital tach on the lower models, though. It works well for what it is, but I’d much rather have the center dial dedicated to revs instead of speed.

Simple instrument cluster that would be improved with an analog, center-mounted tachometer.

The interior is certainly on the dark side, with a charcoal cloth, black plastics, and thick pillars.  However, the pleasantly short dash and a windshield that isn’t as steeply raked as many other cars, providing good forward visibility. The one other downside to the Mazda3 is interior space. The front has plenty of room and is easy to find a comfortable position. But the rear seats are a tad short on rear space. I can sit reasonably comfortably behind myself, but legroom is certainly not class-leading. Cargo space also isn’t class leading, but it is still competitive with most other small cars.

One area the Mazda3 has always excelled in is driving, and this generation isn’t any different. Professional reviewers have raved about this generation’s driving aptitude, and although my test drive involved city streets and highways, I have no reason to disagree. The whole car is very responsive. The shifter is positive, easy to use, and has fairly short throws. The steering, while featuring electric power assist, is linear, accurate, and feels good. It is on the light side, and a little more feel could be nice, but very good overall. The car handles with little body roll and turns eagerly.

The engine is also quite eager. I was a little concerned that the 2.0 would feel a bit sluggish, but I found it to be a willing companion in town and going up on-ramps. It’s also worth noting that while the 2.0 is down 29 hp and 35 lb-ft of torque compared with its larger displacement sibling, it also has much less weight to work with when equipped with a manual. A manual Mazda3 2.0 weighs in at 2781 lbs and the automatic Mazda3 2.5 (the only available combination) is 201 pounds heavier at 2982. It also gets one mpg better in the city, and two on the highway (29/41 vs. 28/39). How the two compare in real life I can’t say for sure though, as I only drove the 2.0 today. But, even with the 2.0, the Mazda3 was a very enjoyable little car to drive, and I imagine a manual equipped 2.5 could be even more fun.

As far as small cars go, the Mazda3 is an excellent choice. It’s a very sharp looking little sedan, or hatch if you prefer, that offers an attractive and comfortable interior, and great driving dynamics in an economical package. It’s a little short on space compared with the competition, but if style and fun for little money are your primary goals, you can’t go wrong with a 3.

Quick Test Drive: Subaru BRZ

Photo: Joel Stocksdale

Finally! Just a couple days ago, I finally, FINALLY, got behind the wheel of one of the 86 twins, the Subaru BRZ. Since the introduction of the Toyota GT86/Scion FR-S and the Subaru BRZ, I have been desperate to actually get a chance to drive one. The reason being that there has not been a small rear drive sports car to generate this much excitement since the Mazda Miata debuted in 1989, or arguably the Pontiac Solstice/Saturn Sky twins in 2006. It’s no surprise either since it checks all the right boxes: lightweight, rear wheel drive, naturally aspirated four cylinder, two doors, and a reasonable price. The only real differences seem to be two more seats, a solid roof, and a different company. And, as a current Miata owner and enthusiast, I knew that at some point, I had to drive one of these cars, and that day came last week.

Now I need to preface this test drive with the fact that I probably took my first drive of a BRZ in about the worst possible place: Kansas. Nothing against Kansas, but it’s quite flat here, and as a result, there are very few turns. This wouldn’t be much of a problem in something like an old school muscle car that’s built to go fast in a straight line, but that’s not what a BRZ is made for. The BRZ is, like the Miata, a car for turns. With a lack of turns, it was hard to get a really good feel for the car in the handling department, and so there’s only so much I can say about it.

Photo: Joel Stocksdale

But before we get to handling and performance, let’s start from the top, or rather, the outside. The BRZ that I test drove was painted Sterling Silver Metallic, and I have to say that it looked quite good. I’ve seen a number of FR-Ss and BRZs in a variety of colors, but I think this was the first BRZ I’ve seen in silver. It’s not a color I probably would’ve considered at first. I probably would’ve leaned toward the BRZ-exclusive WR Blue Mica, but I think the silver won me over. It complemented the distinct curves of the rather short body quite nicely. I think it also improved the look of the front end. The front bumper is one of the few actual distinctions between the BRZ and its twin the FR-S. I’ve typically felt that the FR-S front bumper seems to tie in with the rest of the car better than the BRZ’s, but I think that the high contrast between the black grill and the silver paint really worked well, and has me second guessing myself.

Photo: Joel Stocksdale
(Photo of BRZ interior at Indianapolis Auto Show)

 

Inside the BRZ is a very nice place to be as well. The seating position is nice and low. The dashboard is short and the windshield is upright. The two combined offer a very sporty driving position with good visibility. The seats are quite superb as well. The BRZ I drove was a base model Premium car, with the standard cloth seats. I The bolstering is excellent and overall they’re quite attractive. The BRZ is also slightly better equipped from the start than the FR-S, mainly in the form of a touch screen stereo and navigation system and HID headlights, though the base price comes in at $1000 more than the base price of the FR-S. The higher level BRZ Limited also has a couple other more luxurious features unavailable on the FR-S such as automatic climate control, and heated leather seats with Alcantara inserts. Of course these amenities come at a higher price than the regular BRZ Premium.

Photo: Joel Stocksdale

But let’s face it, the most important part of the BRZ is how it drives. So, how does it drive? In a word: great! Despite a lack of twisty roads, I still could tell that the BRZ could be an all around blast. In fact, it’s the only car I’ve driven that seems to match my Miata. Everything about it is made to make driving fun. The shifter is well placed and has very nice short throws. The pedals are very well placed and feedback from all three is very good. The tachometer is right where it should be, in the middle, and as I already mentioned, the driving position is excellent. The 200hp flat four engine revs smoothly and has nice, progressive, naturally aspirated power delivery, without being too peaky. The gearbox complements it very well with closely spaced ratios that make it easy to stay in the power band. And while I wasn’t driving hard enough to take advantage of it, the BRZ has a standard Torsen limited-slip differential. With that being said, I can understand how people might prefer more power. I recently test drove a Ford Focus ST, and in comparison with the torquey turbo four cylinder in that, the BRZ did feel a tad sluggish. The BRZ is also in need of a little more growl and snarl from the powertrain. It’s simply too quiet and understated for a car as fun as it is. As far as the handling is concerned, from the few corners and highway merging I could muster, it felt excellent. The steering genuinely felt telepathic. Changing lanes took virtually no effort with the car responding to the slightest beck and call from the steering wheel. The car corners quite flat and it felt reasonably grippy, even with the standard tires that the BRZ and FR-S share with the Prius. The steering was also light and easy to work with. I would almost prefer a little more weight, but then I drive a car with no power steering. It’s also worth noting that the ride is good. It’s firm, but absorbs bumps without much fuss.

Overall, I was very impressed. The BRZ and its Toyota siblings are excellent cars. They absolutely deliver on the promise of being fun, affordable, simple cars that really get at the heart at what makes a car really enjoyable to drive. Most amazing to me, was just how close it felt to driving my beloved Miata. It does everything that mine does, but with a little more refinement, quite a bit more power, and in a more practical package. And any shortcomings that these cars may have, are going to be quickly rectified. The aftermarket is already booming for these cars, as I saw in Tokyo this year, and increasing power is one of the first things being addressed. I also expect factory forced induction options to be available soon. Subaru has a turbo four cylinder based on the BRZ engine in the new Forester, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Toyota offered a supercharger kit through TRD like they’ve done in the past on cars like the Scion tC.

My only regret is that I didn’t get to drive this car where I could get a real feel for it’s capabilities in corners. And I doubt the dealer would let me take it to an autocross. But either way, the BRZ is brilliant, and I think Mazda will have to seriously up their game with the next Miata if they want to stay competitive. And if anyone happens to know someone with a BRZ or FR-S that would be willing to let me drive it on a twistier road or an autocross, feel free to let me know. I promise I’ll be gentle.