Taking the all-new Mazda 3 compact sedan to the next stage

At the Singapore Auto Show early this year, the Philippine media had a sneak preview of the all-new Mazda 3 sedan.

Seeing it in Singapore, it was only a matter of time before we would see it break cover on local shores.

The current model, unveiled in 2014, still looks fresh, relevant and new in the face of younger competition.

This is a testament to Mazda’s timeless and unique Kodo: Soul of Motion design language that is both organic yet futuristic.

In my family alone, my older brother drives a Mazda 6 estate, my father drives a CX-9, and my sister drives the current generation Mazda 3 hatchback.

Of course, the missus drives a CX-3, and even my brother-in-law drives the current generation CX-5.

Their reasons for choosing Mazda? Amazing driving experience, impressive comfort and refinement, unbelievable fuel efficiency and a very sharp, stylish design.

Indeed, Mazda has been going from strength to strength in recent years.

The Mazda 3 moniker first made its appearance on the brand’s compact sedan in 2003, and since then, Mazda has sold well over 19,000 units, making it arguably the brand’s single most important model as it is the volume seller throughout the Mazda model range in the Philippines.

Finally, Bermaz Auto Philippines, the local distributor of Mazda vehicles in the country, unveiled recently not just the Mazda 3 sedan, but also the highly anticipated Mazda 3 hatchback, which marked its first appearance in Asean.

Executives from Mazda’s Hiroshima HQ in Japan, as well as Dato’ Sri Ben Yeoh Choon San, CEO of Bermaz Auto Berhad of Malaysia (Bermaz Auto Philippines’ parent company) were key guests at the launch, showing just how important this model is to Mazda and its regional distributor.

While not many details were released, we do know that sales are expected to start sometime in the third quarter.

Final specs have yet to be announced, although rumors have it that we might not get the latest SkyActiv-X engine, as these require Euro V or better fuels to operate properly and reliably.

While Euro V and even Euro VI fuels are available, these aren’t as common outside of Metro Manila and highly urbanized areas throughout the country.

Last year, we were given an opportunity to drive pre-production prototypes of the all-new Mazda 3 in Mazda’s MINE Circuit Proving Grounds in Yamaguchi Prefecture, between Hiroshima and Fukuoka.

The Mazda 3 hatchback, despite being a raw pre-production unit, drove impressively. Hence, we all can’t wait to try the latest iteration of Mazda’s best seller in the country.

The all-new Mazda 3 rides on Mazda’s latest SkyActiv platform architecture which features key technologies to improve safety, comfort, efficiency and performance.

While the rear suspension seems a step backwards with a torsion beam axle, rear space and packaging has improved, and Mazda is confident that intensive suspension tuning will deliver a handling balance comparable to a multi-link rear.

Another benefit is improved NVH, thanks to some black magic engineering on the rear axle.

Inside is where Mazda really went to town: improved fit and finish, a new instrument cluster with soft-touch materials throughout the cabin, supportive seats good for both long drives or dynamic driving, and an overall seating position that gives comfort and allows free and easy movement over a wide range of motion, which only proves that the spirit of Jinba Ittai lives on in the latest Mazda 3.

The exterior of the Mazda 3 hides so many little details, which is amazing in a car of this segment. You’d expect to find so many of these details in a car costing far more.

With the beautiful and aggressive radiator grill, and headlight and tail light assemblies, you can easily get lost admiring all of the Mazda 3’s small details.

The C-pillar on the hatchback does raise some dissent from ardent fans of the brand: some say the thick, slab-sided pillar looks awkward, while others find it distinct and appealing, giving a stylishly coupé-like silhouette.

While the compact sedan segment has slowly been losing relevance as people either move up to an SUV/pickup /MPV, it’s great to see Mazda soldiering on with its stylish, unique and highly enjoyable Mazda 3 sedan and hatchback.

Hopefully, we can get behind the wheel of the Mazda 3 soon!