Fourth-generation Mazda 3

Mazda ushers in the new era by giving us their first car of the Reiwa Era and their new car marks the Japanese arrival of a world-class medium-sized vehicle range that has been known the world over because of its unique packaging, unique performance, and charisma to woo the competition away. Welcome to the new, fourth-generation Mazda 3.

2020 Mazda 3

From the first to the third generation model, the Mazda 3 is sold in Japan as the Axela but for the fourth generation model, Mazda decided to replace the Axela with the Mazda 3, thus adopting a new global approach for Mazdas in the present and the future, and this new model marks a fresh new chapter in Mazda's history because of its design, powertrain, and packaging that are clear signs that it is embarking on a whole new generation of Mazdas.

2020 Mazda 3

2020 Mazda 3

Beginning on the design, the Mazda 3 draws inspiration from the Kai Concept as seen on the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show and the concept-inspired design is worth appealing for first-time buyers looking for a very sensible midsize car after passing their driving exams. The Kodo design's fully evolved and from every angle, this is Mazda design on a whole new level by all ways and means.

2020 Mazda 3 interior

While the new exterior design is very dramatic and very striking to be fallen for, the interior takes on a more minimalist approach to deliver a much more convenient cockpit design for the driver and a more modest space for passengers and cargo alike, although the rear visibility's not quite good for common car standards the rear-view monitor's taken care of. Despite the rear visibility issues, the modest spacing for the passengers and modest cargo space really made the new Mazda 3 a class apart from the rest, something that will leave the competition scratching their heads.

The Mazda Connect system has been powered up to be more usable than ever. It even has a built-in owner's manual to get to know the new Mazda 3 better.

2020 Mazda 3

2020 Mazda 3

Now we get to know what's under the hood of the new Mazda 3. The sedan variant is offered with a SKYACTIV-G 2.0L petrol and a SKYACTIV-D 1.8L diesel engine while the fastback variant is offered with the engines mentioned from the sedan but with the addition of a more economical 1.5L engine with 17.8km/L of combined fuel economy based on WLTP standards. Depending on the variant, they are mated with either a 6-speed SKYACTIV-DRIVE AT or a 6-speed SKYACTIV-MT.

The engines mentioned in the new Mazda 3 are rather nice indeed but the biggest trump card is the world's first SKYACTIV-X engine. Available later this autumn, the world's first SKYACTIV-X engine features the new Spark Controlled Compression Ignition which combines the response and economy of a diesel engine and the performance of a petrol engine, all in one clever engine that works in accordance with Mazda's first-ever M Hybrid system, a 24V mild hybrid system that used Mazda's new electric drive technology, which minimizes fuel consumption and results to a much better fuel economy courtesy of its recycled energy recovered during deceleration and powering an electric motor that assists the engine.

Apart from the engine, the new Mazda 3 is even more drivable than ever thanks to its reworked suspension setup that works well on the road, new SKYACTIV-VEHICLE ARCHITECTURE with multi-directional ring structures on the bodywork, a more dramatic braking performance, a more refined and quiet ride, G-VECTORING CONTROL PLUS, and the optional i-ACTIV AWD, among many others to make the new Mazda 3 even more rewarding to drive on a day-to-day basis, even when you use it for TNVS purposes.

For safety, the new Mazda 3 incorporates the i-ACTIVSENSE suite of advanced safety features such as a Driver Monitoring System, Front Cross Traffic Alert, Cruising & Traffic Support, Intelligent Speed Assistance, 360-degree view monitor, Adaptive LED headlights, and more, resulting in a safer vehicle full stop.

Price? The fastback model starts at 2,181,000 Japanese Yen (around 1,040,145 PhP) while the sedan starts at 2,470,000 Japanese Yen (around 1,180,000 PhP), which makes it a reasonably priced Mazda to start with, a real bargain in the new era indeed. So, while the rear visibility is a bit of a downer for the new Mazda 3, the styling, the convenient interior, and the performance really sets the competition apart, and looks like more and more people will talk big about the new Mazda 3 once they get their hands on one. The more you know.

Available colors: Snow Flake White Pearl Mica, Jet Black Mica, Deep Crystal Blue Mica, Titanium Flash Mica, Sonic Silver Metallic, Machine Grey Premium Metallic, Soul Red Crystal Metallic, and Poly Metal Grey Metallic.

Photo: Mazda Motor Corporation