Mazda 3 Skyactiv G150 – almost perfect

Ever since the magic word "Skyactiv" appeared in Mazda's vocabulary, the models of the Japanese automaker began to flourish in popularity among all those who still enjoy driving. And it's definitely not that Mazda churns out one sporty piece after another – we should rather be angry with it, because the MPS was here for the last time… a long time ago. However, it is about tuning the completely normal models in such a way that every kilometer behind their wheel is a little joy. The good news is that this tuning did not escape the new generation Mazda 3 either.

Before I go into details about the steering, shifting and all the other essentials, let's look at the Mazda 3 a little from an aesthetic point of view. There is definitely something to look at. Personally, I have always been more attracted to sedans than hatchbacks in terms of appearance, but hands down – this is perhaps the most beautiful hatchback that has ever roamed our roads.

The beauty of the shapes, standing out for admiration in the plain gray metallic, is quite remarkable. The Mazda has a gracefully falling front end, flanked by sharp lines of headlights and an optically deep, large grille. With the exception of a rather low spoiler, you won't find any aerodynamic elements, additional fog lights, fake touches or anything else. The entire front has a "plastic" impression even without it.

If there is one place where opinions differ on the elegance of the new three, it is the rear. The rear C-pillar is slightly wider and there is a larger area above the rear wheel. However, this is only a problem in photos, and in person the hatchback looks extremely balanced. After all, a bigger background is never a bad thing…

There are no changes in the interior and it is still beautiful. However, it has other, more important values. It is very nicely and qualitatively processed and, above all, with excellent ergonomics. The optimal number of buttons are stacked logically where I would like and expect them, and most importantly – no essential function has to be hunted in the touch screen, because there is still none. Mazda decided that, from the point of view of keeping the driver's attention on the road, a high-positioned display, controlled exclusively by a rotary control by the gear lever, is better. I fully agree.

But let's go to the more important thing..

I press the start button and finally go on the road to see if the "new atmosphere" has retained the same driving color as the previous one. First of all, there may be one surprise – especially if you are used to modern supercharged engines, you will feel that the old-fashioned atmospheric two-liter engine with 150 horsepower under the hood does not "pull" at all. And he really doesn't put much effort into performance at low revs. Although it is refined and quiet, its torque of around two thousand revolutions is sufficient for city driving at most.

If you want power, you have to reach for it in the higher spheres of the tachometer and not be afraid to rev the engine. Above the three-thousand mark, the two-liter starts to get slightly stronger and happily continues through four, five, but even six thousand revolutions before it starts to run out of breath. Even in this mode, the gasoline Mazda doesn't tear up the asphalt, but it drives nicely and can be pleasantly lively. You just can't be lazy with this engine – it really wants the driver to play with the revs and will reward them for it.

Once you get the hang of this game, you will start to enjoy it. Assertive driving and living with the car is somewhat disturbed by the automatic transmission, which does not seem to fit in here too well, but can be helped by manual shifting. In Sport mode, it allows you to spin and spin and spin… and that's what matters. On rigid shock absorbers, supporting a rigid body, the new three is not destined for smooth driving through the city, but it swallows bumps reliably, quietly and without unpleasant bumps. However, the three-wheel drive only finds its real place outside the city, where it enthusiastically throws itself behind the wheel, and I still dare to say that the chassis' capabilities are much further behind the engine's capabilities. It would really like an MPS version!

You can get the Mazda 3 with the Skyactiv-G150 engine and Plus/Sound/Style equipment for a price starting at €25,240. With manual transmission and fairly solid equipment including air conditioning, LED lights, alloy wheels, adaptive cruise control, digital instrument panel, navigation and all safety features. In the Plus equipment, which has larger eighteen-inch wheels, heated seats and steering wheel, automatic air conditioning, parking camera, keyless entry, you will find other elements. For the automatic version, you will pay an extra two thousand and you already have a decently equipped, nice and excellent driving car that will make you happy every time you get behind the wheel…

You can find all photos of the Mazda 3 G150 in our gallery:
>>> MAZDA 3 Skyactiv G150 <<<