Mazda3 sedan 2019 Range Review

Being the first car to arrive in the carsales garage, the Mazda3 G20 Pure has been reviewed separately, as well as in this range review. In short, the entry-level sedan offers a lot of driver-assist technology for the money, but Mazda has arguably paid for that with some cost-cutting measures, such as manual seat adjustment and manual air conditioning.

For the 'Pure' purchase price of $25,990 buyers may feel entitled to expect a little more in the way of creature comforts – since the driver-assist technology won't necessarily be obvious until an emergency triggers one or another of the features.

With its 2.0-litre engine and (optional) six-speed automatic, the Mazda3 G20 Pure is no tyre-shredding powerhouse, but its torque peaks at a useable point in the middle of the rev range for easy motoring in the urban environment. The powertrain is quiet until the higher reaches of the rev range and the auto transmission is a smooth partner to the engine. Fuel consumption was not outstanding, but we make allowance for the tightness of the engine in this test vehicle, which had amassed as little as 600km before hand-over to carsales.

Dynamically, the Mazda3 G20 Pure rides quite nicely and cornering is improved as well – handling is more secure and the Mazda3 takes a flatter stance through the twisty bits. Roadholding is better also and steering is light and precise, although lacking feedback on centre.

Packaging remains in the 'also-ran' basket, with a boot space 444 litres that is outgunned by sedans from Honda (Civic), Hyundai (Elantra), Kia (Cerato) and even Subaru (Impreza, with drivetrain components under the floor). The Mazda's gooseneck hinges impinge on usable load capacity too.

Rear-seat legroom is marginal for occupants measuring 180cm or taller, but kids will be fine. There's a shortage of amenities in the back seat, such as adjustable vents, cupholders and a USB port.

How much does the 2019 Mazda3 G20 Pure sedan cost?
Price: $26,485 (as tested, plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol
Output: 114kW/200Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel: 6.1L/100km (ADR Combined), 8.0L/100km (as tested)
CO2: 144g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP (2019)

This is a bit more like it. Two rungs above the entry-level model (with the Mazda3 G20 Evolve in between), the Mazda3 G20 Touring is the best-equipped 2.0-litre variant in the range. Skip the $1500 Vision Technology option and you can get into the Touring model with automatic transmission for less than $30,000 before the on-road costs.

The Mazda3 G20 Touring is a model that comes with adjustable vents in the rear, dual-zone climate control, full leather upholstery and powered seat adjustment in front, with lumbar support included. There's some brightwork on the door cards and piano black gloss trim in the centre console – if you like that sort of thing. Personally, I find it collects dust and fingerprint smudges, but it looks very appealing when new, as does the rest of the interior.

Other than those points (and a few others besides), the Touring variant's packaging is much like that of the entry-level model's. There's a space-saver tyre in the boot and while the back seat gets a fold-down centre armrest with integrated cupholders, there are still no charging ports back there.

While it features the same 2.0-litre/six-speed auto powertrain as the basic G20 Pure variant, the Mazda3 G20 Touring scores some extra brownie points dynamically. Riding on 18-inch wheels and Bridgestone tyres, the Touring model delivers very safe cornering ability, with a significant gain in roadholding. In the wet it proved surefooted, whether under brakes, accelerating or turning. The steering offers better straightline feedback and stability too, and these advances have had very little effect on road noise or ride quality. If anything, the Touring model is even quieter in the cabin. It also has shift paddles...

The Vision Technology pack comprises 360° camera monitoring, Cruising & Traffic Support, driver fatigue monitoring, front cross-traffic alert, front parking sensors and rear-cross traffic alert linked into the autonomous emergency braking.

Whether that's worth $1500 to the average buyer will vary from person to person. The Mazda3 is already very well equipped for driver-assist technology, but the Vision Technology pack is a lot more safety equipment for just $1500.

How much does the 2019 Mazda3 G20 Touring with Vision Technology Pack cost?
Price: $31,490 (as tested, plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol
Output: 114kW/200Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel: 6.1L/100km (ADR Combined), 8.0L/100km (as tested)
CO2: 144g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP (2019)

Of the three cars tested, only this one, the Mazda3 G25 Astina is powered by the larger 2.5-litre engine. And this car was worth the wait. As is the case with other Mazda models powered by this engine, the Mazda3 G25 is a bit more fun in a straight line, and performance is delivered with a sportier soundtrack. Performance doesn't demand the same degree of commitment that the 2.0-litre jobs require.

In fact, engine performance from the 2.5-litre four-cylinder is much more lively than the smaller engine there's a bit of a sporty snarl in the mid-range too. It’s the combination of performance, fuel economy and sportiness that makes the larger engine the better buy.

On the subject of economy, the G25 Astina turned in a credible result of 8.1L/100km on the same test loop as the 2.0-litre models. Since the Astina's engine displacement is larger and the overall gearing is the same – translating to around 1900rpm at 100km/h – the fuel economy was pleasing. The fuel economy parity was likely due to the cylinder deactivation of the larger engine – saving fuel on the flat or down hills.

Picking the moment when the engine dropped two cylinders to conserve fuel was impossible, the transition was so seamless. At times there was a fluttery noise or vibration that may have been a symptom of the eco mode in operation, but most people just won't notice.

Dynamically, the G25 Astina rides firmer than the Mazda3 G20 Pure. Indeed, the more expensive car, on 18-inch alloys and Bridgestone tyres, crashed harshly over one new pothole that had opened up in the road surface after a heavy downpour. And on rippled bitumen the ride quality resulted in a bit of jostling inside the cabin, but at lower speeds the flagship Mazda3 will more than meet the needs of buyers who prefer more compliance rather than less.

With a respectable amount of torque available through the front wheels, the G25 Astina was prone to lost traction and power-induced understeer. But with power off the range-topping Mazda3 was a safe and secure handler, that coped well in the wet and felt very stable and grippy under brakes.

Like the rest of the range, the Mazda3 G25 Astina is built like the proverbial... in brick. The doors close softly, neatly straddling the divide between heft and solidity on one hand, and light weight on the other. The interior looks lovely and features little niceties like the softly-damped wiper and indicator stalks. There's a slightly higher level of wind noise on the move in the G25 Astina, due to the standard sunroof.

Despite being the only Mazda3 tested with a sunroof fitted, the G25 Astina still provided appropriate headroom in the rear for adults. In every other respect the flagship was packaged the same as its lesser siblings.

If the top-shelf Mazda3 brings with it any misgivings, they revolve around the price. At just under $38,000 for the auto-equipped model, the price is getting up there. Against that, however, are the Mazda3 flagship's core qualities, boosted by a sunroof and the Vision Technology pack without the extra cost.

Ultimately though, the car that strikes us as the one to have was one we didn't specifically test – the Mazda3 G25 Evolve. This model has the larger engine, the decent wheels and tyres, leather accents and climate control, and it's priced around $30,000. If you order one with the six-speed manual transmission it comes in just below that sum.

How much does the 2019 Mazda3 G25 Astina sedan cost?
Price: $38,485 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol
Output: 139kW/252Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel: 6.5L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 152g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP (2019)