Photo: Mazda
After taking the veil off the all-new Mazda3 at the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show, the automaker from Hiroshima confirmed that i-Activ AWD would be available as an option outside of Japan. Both Europe and the United States will receive the all-wheel-drive option, which reduces mechanical loss by 60 percent over the previous generation.
i-Activ AWD now comes with four-wheel vertical load detection, a feature that works in tandem with G-Vectoring Control Plus. The GVC Plus also adds yaw control, making avoidance maneuvers much easier to perform than before. Make no mistake about it; this is the winning combination for Mazda3 customers living in the colder climates of Europe and the United States!
The fourth generation will be available both as a five-door hatchback and four-door sedan, promising reduced NVH and no less than four engine options. The 1.8-liter SkyActiv-D is the only one running on diesel, complemented by the 1.5- and 2.0-liter SkyActiv-G. As for the crowning achievement of the lineup, the SkyActiv-X with spark plug controlled compression ignition promises to be the most economical of the lot thanks to the M Hybrid system.
M Hybrid will be available on the SkyActiv-G range too, but Mazda didn’t go into detail in regard to output or fuel consumption. As ever, transmission options number two and both feature six speeds. What’s not so great about the 2019 Mazda3 is the rear suspension, which now features a torsion beam instead of a multi-link setup.
Before you bring out the pitchfork, remember that even the torsion beam can be fun. The Ford Fiesta ST comes to mind, although the subcompact hot hatchback is a little rough in terms of ride comfort. At the end of the day, Mazda transitioned to this type of suspension for the 3 because it’s cheaper to manufacture and less complex than a multi-link setup.
As beautiful as it is, Mazda developed the 3 with an emphasis on convenience. Take the A-pillars as a prime example, “optimized to minimize obstruction angles and associated blind spots.” Even the cupholders have been relocated to the front of the shifter, translating to a longer center armrest.
The fourth generation will be available both as a five-door hatchback and four-door sedan, promising reduced NVH and no less than four engine options. The 1.8-liter SkyActiv-D is the only one running on diesel, complemented by the 1.5- and 2.0-liter SkyActiv-G. As for the crowning achievement of the lineup, the SkyActiv-X with spark plug controlled compression ignition promises to be the most economical of the lot thanks to the M Hybrid system.
M Hybrid will be available on the SkyActiv-G range too, but Mazda didn’t go into detail in regard to output or fuel consumption. As ever, transmission options number two and both feature six speeds. What’s not so great about the 2019 Mazda3 is the rear suspension, which now features a torsion beam instead of a multi-link setup.
Before you bring out the pitchfork, remember that even the torsion beam can be fun. The Ford Fiesta ST comes to mind, although the subcompact hot hatchback is a little rough in terms of ride comfort. At the end of the day, Mazda transitioned to this type of suspension for the 3 because it’s cheaper to manufacture and less complex than a multi-link setup.
As beautiful as it is, Mazda developed the 3 with an emphasis on convenience. Take the A-pillars as a prime example, “optimized to minimize obstruction angles and associated blind spots.” Even the cupholders have been relocated to the front of the shifter, translating to a longer center armrest.
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