Mazda 3 Hatchback

MAZDA 3 Hatchback – Overview

The Mazda 3 Hatchback continues to be an important product for the brand, continuing after many generations since its availability in Malaysia. Apart from hatchback attributes, positive styling has always been an asset and a huge purchasing reason for the Mazda 3 Hatchback.

The Mazda 3 Hatchback in 2021 is available in two engine variants, 1.5-litre and 2.0-litre naturally aspirated engines. Fully imported from Japan, the Mazda 3 Hatchback is priced at RM 137,660 for the 1.5-litre variant and RM154,679 for the 2.0-litre High Plus variant. 

Competitors include the Volkswagen Golf, Ford Focus, Peugeot 308 and Citroen DS5, all of which have been discontinued for sales in Malaysia. In the purchase price, Mazda Malaysia/Bermaz also includes a five-year or 100,000 km free maintenance package that is inclusive of labour, parts and lubricants. 

MAZDA 3 Hatchback– Exterior

The Mazda 3 Hatchback was first shown as the Mazda Kai Concept car in 2017. Concept to production went ahead with minimal changes, with the second-generation Kodo design carefully applied for mass production. The distinctive rear quarter styling from the Kai Concept was kept for Mazda 3 Hatchback, leaving it with a large and thick C-pillar, gloss black roof spoiler, circular full-LED tail lamps and short overhang for a very sporty look.

Both engine outputs also have dual exhaust outlets. Up front, LED headlamps with auto on/off function are standard items. However, the 1.5 variant gets incandescent bulb-type DRL as opposed to LED type with signature illumination on the 2.0 High Plus variant. The front bumper of the Mazda 3 Hatchback is styled with a smooth, clean look without corner trim pieces that also separates its frontal outlook versus the Mazda 3 Sedan. 

A gloss black grille with different mesh pattern is also used in the Mazda 3 Hatchback compared to the sedan. The 2.0 High Plus variant wears 18-inch dark chrome wheels wrapped with 215/45R18 tyres, while the 1.5 is fitted with 16-inch silver wheels with 205/60R16 tyres. A power sunroof with a tilt-and-slide function is also fitted only on the Mazda 3 Hatchback 2.0 High Plus. 

MAZDA 3 Hatchback– Interior

Dashboard

Even in the 1.5 variant, the compact switchgear for the manual air conditioning feels high quality too, with good weightage and subtle satin silver highlights on the dashboard, steering wheel and air vent surrounds. As far as cabin ambience and build quality goes, the Mazda 3 Hatchback is one of the nicest places to be in for the C-segment vehicles, exuding a premium feeling thanks to clean lines and good lighting technology.

Instrument cluster

Amazingly, Mazda managed to calibrate the graphics and speedometer in the central LCD to look as genuine as the analogue dials. All these finer details certainly make the Mazda 3 Hatchback stand out from the segment.
A head-up display (HUD) system further compliments the information being projected to the driver in the Mazda 3 Hatchback.

Space and practicality

The boot space continues to be the Mazda 3 Hatchback’s weakness as just 295 litres, even with the mechanical bits underneath are a more compact torsion beam axle and temporary space-saver spare tyre. The boxier-looking Volkswagen Golf is almost 100 litres larger, triumphing the Mazda in all dimensions. 

MAZDA 3 Hatchback– Features

Safety features

On the 2.0 High Plus variant, the Mazda 3 Hatchback features i-ActivSense ADAS package which includes: Radar cruise control, Smart Brake Support for the front and rear direction, Lane Departure Warning with Lane Keeping Assist System, Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert and Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS) with automatic high beam control.

The unfastened seat belt warning function is available on all five seats. Thank goodness the reverse camera with guidelines is a standard feature, as rearward visibility is hampered by the thick rear pillars and compact rear windscreen.

Comfort features

The 2.0 High Plus gets automatic dual-zone air-conditioning with rear vents, 10-way power adjustment with memory function for the driver’s seat, leather upholstery and paddle shifters.
Strangely, the Mazda 3 Hatchback 1.5 does not come with any parking sensors, while the 2.0 High Plus gets warning at both front and rear ends.

Infotainment

MAZDA 3 Hatchback– Powertrain

Engine

Transmission

Chassis

It is however not a rudimentary torsion beam as found in the Toyota or Korean models, but a patented design that allows specific flexing yet providing maximum tyre contact to the road. Mazda’s GVC+ feature is standard in the Mazda 3 Hatchback, in which the system uses supple engine torque and individual brake control to stabilize the vehicle for minimal bodyroll in bends. It works, as we felt our torsos did not lean much when taking roundabouts at higher speed.

Drivetrain

MAZDA 3 Hatchback– Driving Performance

Engine performance

We recorded a 9.9-second time for the 0 to 100 km/h acceleration for the Mazda 3 Sedan 2.0 High Plus which should be similar in the Mazda 3 Hatchback 2.0 High Plus. The power deficit in the 1.5-litre cannot be masked, but it is very well compensated with the much sportier gear ratio, with the transmission shifting more eagerly to bring the car up to speed.
Top speed for the 1.5-litre variant is 193 km/h, while the 2.0-litre variant goes to 207 km/h.

Transmission performance

Steering and handling

MAZDA 3 Hatchback– Ride Comfort

NVH levels have also been improved by a massive leap forward, with the cabin now among the quietest in the segment.
Front seats are sculptured in a way that maintains the natural body posture and it is evident, back and thigh is well supported. 

MAZDA 3 Hatchback– Fuel Economy

MAZDA 3 Hatchback – Conclusion