Mazda 3 2.0 Skyactiv-G 120 CV Aut. Luxury, test drive (design, equipment, price and opinion)

Now we know in depth the performance and engine of the Mazda 3 with a 2.0 Skyactiv-G 120 CV petrol powertrain and a six-speed automatic gearbox. We told you all about this in the first part of the test.

Now, in the second part, we turn to the exterior and interior design, equipment, prices and our personal opinion of the car. We are grouping all these analyses into a single part because our test team has already run this bodywork of the Mazda 3, so we refer you to that test to see everything in more detail.

Exterior and interior design

The front keeps the family look of the range

On the outside the stands out for its Kodo design, a design that expresses movement, and many details of the exterior lines carry the brand’s new master lines, such as the front end that lets us identify the new Mazda.

Bi-xenon headlights are standard on the Luxury trim, as are 18-inch alloy wheels. At the rear, the twin exhaust pipes stand out, an element that gives it a sporty touch. As a curiosity, behind the brand’s front logo hides the sensor for the adaptive cruise control, a far more suitable and practical location than the typical ball that other models carry on the lower part of the bumper, much more exposed to an impact.

Inside, a dashboard with quality materials, a design that changes completely, and the touchscreen central display (which can also be operated with a joystick) is the star of the centre console. The driving position is slightly low, with seats that hold the body very well.

Thanks to the head-up display we can see the information without taking our eyes off the road

The instrumentation is minimalist but with all kinds of information, even more so with the head-up display, which shows the speed and the distance to the car ahead.

In the rear seats there is more than enough room for legs and head; up to 1.75 metres you will travel comfortably. The boot has a capacity of 364 litres, with a practical and very usable design.

Equipment

The safety equipment includes: front, side and curtain airbags, stability control, ABS with emergency brake assist, SKYACTIV-BODY bodywork with triple-H structure to protect occupants from impact forces, active head restraints, among other elements.

The equipment of the Mazda 3 is structured in three trim levels: Pulse, Style and Luxury. As standard, in addition to the safety equipment described above, it also has air conditioning, hill start assist, 4 electric windows, radio with USB and AUX, among other elements.

Our Mazda 3 had the Luxury trim with BOSE sound system, bi-xenon headlights, parking sensors, light and rain sensors, 18-inch alloy wheels, front LED, Head-Up Display, among other elements. Among the optional safety items, the safety pack (2,000 euros) stands out, which includes automatic high beams, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking and adaptive front lighting.

The entire arsenal of safety features

Note especially the quality of the Bose sound system standard on this trim, which is much more powerful than other optional sound systems in compacts and for which in many cases you have to pay a surcharge; on the Mazda 3 it comes standard on this trim.

Prices of the Mazda 3

• Petrol 1.5 100 CV Pulse 17,750 euros
• Petrol 1.5 100 CV Style 19,800 euros
• Petrol 2.0 120 CV Style 20,600 euros
• Petrol 2.0 120 CV Style AT 22,400 euros
• Petrol 2.0 120 CV Luxury 23,100 euros
• Petrol 2.0 120 CV Luxury AT 24,900 euros
• Petrol 2.0 165 CV Style 22,100 euros
• Petrol 2.0 165 CV Luxury 24,600 euros
• Diesel 2.2 150 CV Style 24,100 euros
• Diesel 2.2 150 CV Luxury 26,600 euros

Opinion and personal assessment

On the Mazda 3 the automatic gearbox can only be combined (in petrol) with this engine, that is the only reason we find this combination interesting. It is true that for a 2.0-litre 120 CV they may seem few, and the 165 CV petrol engine is far more complete in performance with similar consumption, but it has no automatic gearbox.It is an ideal model for those looking for an automatic compact for the city

This model is ideal for those who want a car for urban use, with the comfort of an automatic gearbox that has nothing to envy from a dual-clutch and reasonable consumption, and together with the agility of the Mazda 3 make it a good city car. That said, it also lets you drive outside the cities with total comfort and a good engine response.

Although the starting price of 22,400 euros for the automatic petrol may seem high, the standard equipment level is generous, so it has to be taken into account, and our unit comes fully equipped with features typical of a saloon rather than a compact.

In short, it is an interesting combination for those who cover few kilometres a year and want an automatic car with good standard equipment and agile behaviour in any setting.

Photos | Test team