2020 Mazda 3 Hatchback Review: Exceptional Design and Performance
Design of the Mazda 3 Hatchback
The Mazda vehicles stand out among Japanese cars with a distinct design language that sets them apart both inside and out. With the all-new 2020 Mazda 3 Hatchback, Mazda aims to compete with much pricier German cars. Let me introduce you to the new Mazda 3 and see how well Mazda succeeds in this endeavor with the fully-equipped 2020 Mazda 3 Hatchback.
Indeed, Mazda has begun to outshine its Japanese competitors with its design language, known as Kodo Design, which provides a coherent design identity across all its models—a feat that many Japanese manufacturers are still striving to achieve today.
With this completely new generation of the Mazda 3, Mazda presents a clear evolution in this design language. The hatchback version features a stunning design that immediately reminds me of more expensive cars, particularly the Alfa Romeo Giulietta and the new generation of the Mercedes A-Class.
Features of the New Design
- The front grille shape with chrome lines extending below the headlights.
- A sleek and clean design with the absence of harsh lines.
- Curved elements that create stunning reflections of the car's color.
- For the first time, the hatchback does not share any body parts with the sedan version.
The fully-equipped version of the Mazda 3 Hatchback is easily identifiable by its glass Mazda emblem in the center of the front grille, which conceals a radar for adaptive cruise control, and its 18-inch black alloy wheels.
This distinctive design continues at the rear with circular LED taillights, along with the curved, elevated rear windshield and chrome exhaust tips that add a sporty touch to the Mazda 3 Hatchback.
Size and Comfort
The trunk offers a capacity of 358 liters behind the seats, which is less than other hatchbacks such as:
- Volkswagen Golf: 380 liters
- Renault Megane Hatchback: 384 liters
However, you can increase this capacity in the Mazda by folding the rear seats in a 60/40 split.
Interior of the Mazda 3 Hatchback
Inside the new Mazda 3, you get a design that elevates the car's status, especially with the use of soft materials on the dashboard and doors. There is also red leather trimming on the doors and extending across the dashboard, which complements the color of the seats.
One of the aspects I particularly appreciated about the cabin design is the integration of the entertainment system screen within the design. While we enjoy a minimalist design language and great elegance within the cabin, Mazda has also equipped us with all the physical buttons necessary to control the main systems.
In the center of the cabin, we find a screen and buttons to control the dual-zone automatic climate control. There are also buttons and a small dial on the center console to manage the audio system, which in this version features 12 speakers from Bose.
Entertainment system controls are exclusively via a dial and buttons on the center console, as the 8.8-inch entertainment system screen is not a touchscreen.
In the middle of the instrument panel, we find a 7-inch information display, showcasing Mazda's attention to detail in design.
The fully-equipped version of the Mazda 3 is also outfitted with a sunroof, keyless entry and start, and an electric parking brake with an automatic brake hold feature.
Driving Assistance Systems
The Mazda 3 is equipped with adaptive cruise control with radar, blind-spot monitoring, and four parking cameras with front and rear sensors that provide a 360-degree view around the car.
Driving the Mazda 3 Hatchback
Mazda has a particular philosophy regarding the driving experience of its vehicles, referred to as Jinba ittai, a Japanese term that describes the unity between horse and rider, or in Mazda's case, the unity between driver and car.
Mazda's attention to small mechanical details is evident, such as the incorporation of SkyActiv-G technology in the Mazda 3, which includes a mild-hybrid system.
If you ask me whether I truly feel the impact of all these technologies on driving the Mazda 3, I would say no, but it does offer a driving experience characterized by excellent smoothness.
Engine Performance
The 2.0-liter naturally aspirated engine produces only 153 horsepower and 200 Nm of torque, which are adequate figures for a hatchback used for daily commuting.
The Mazda 3 Hatchback finds itself in a challenging position; while it offers a distinctive design and features, it was produced during a time when most people prefer crossover vehicles over hatchbacks.
However, I believe Mazda has noticed this trend, which is why they are producing a vehicle on the same platform that will fall into the crossover category, named CX-30.
