Mazda 3 Skyactiv-G 120 Style test, engine, driving and consumption (with video)

Yesterday was the time to meet the new Mazda 3. The change of design and philosophy of it were patent, but there is still a second and more interesting part of our experiment, after analyzing his exterior and interior design, in addition to the habitability of one of the largest compact today.

Today it's time to get behind the wheel and start the engine, a gasoline engine and 120 horsepower under the surname Skyactiv, which, on paper, is synonymous with low consumption and emissions. Now we will see if this is so and if the intermediate option in this fuel is associated or not with a sporty compact as is the Mazda 3.

Mazda says no to downsizing

The range of engines of the Mazda 3 is not particularly scarce and covers from 100 to 165 horses. It has gasoline and diesel mechanics, and all are covered by the skyactive technology low consumption and emissions. Proof of this is that it leaves aside the low displacement and, in the case of gasoline, supercharging. And what about downsizing?

It seems that Mazda has not reached that fashion. Its smallest engine is the 1.5 of 100 horses, which is neither a particularly small displacement, nor does it use supercharging. The same goes for our block 2.0 of 120 horses or the most powerful and top of the range of 165 horses. Yes we miss an intermediate option of about 140 horses.

In diesel there is only one option, with a 150 horses and 2.2 liters cylinder capacity As we can see, Mazda has nothing to do with any other manufacturer in this section, but this does not have to be a problem. On the contrary.

Skyactiv-G 120 CV, the rational option

We have already tried the Mazda CX-5 y Mazda 6, both with diesel engine. But to know the reality of Skyactiv technology, what better than to choose a gasoline engine. The intermediate option It seems the most rational and the one we have chosen, with 120 horses that are far from the 165 of the most powerful and seem more effective than the 100 of the access to the range.

Starting the engine provides a perfect feeling of silence, unless the engine is cold and it is kept a little higher in revolutions for a few seconds to increase the temperature. If the diesel already enjoyed a refinement in terms of exemplary vibrations, this gasoline engine is not far behind.

The first few meters clearly reveal the condition of this engine. It is a block of 2 liters of displacement, which ensures power at low speeds. But its atmospheric character also comes to the fore, which is why it responds throughout the rev range and does so, moreover, in a completely linear.

The middle zone of the rev counter is the most suitable, although at low speeds the car will not pose any problem, getting out of the way without hesitation. If we need power, it will suffice to reduce a gear and speed up the rev counter, although the recoveries are surprising in long marches. To all this, according to file, get the 0-100km/h in 8.9 seconds and barely touches 200 km / h.

The gearbox, by the way, is one of the most careful details of the set, starting with a optimal lever position. And not only that, the feel when engaging each gear is accurate and very nice. The tours are short and he literally asks you to give him a hand and give him work.

And what about going without a turbo? What about consumption? I admit, I was skeptical too, but I've had to succumb to the thirsty charms of this engine. At the end of our test the computer returned 5,6 l / 100 km mixed consumption. I have achieved, with lighter cars (this is 1.300 kg) and smaller and less powerful engines, similar or higher figures.

In the city it is not difficult to go around the 8 l / 100 km, especially thanks to a fairly effective Stop/Start system, not as fast and smooth as a PSA, but one of the best currently on offer. On the road, on the other hand, consumption close to the 5 l / 100 km they will not be difficult to register. Quite an achievement.

As sporty as it is sold?

The Mazda 3 is one of those compacts that fall into the sports category. We are not talking about spicy versions, but we are talking about sporty touch once we put ourselves at their command. And the truth is that he achieves it, and he does it as soon as we accommodate ourselves, as we verified yesterday, in the driver's seat.

Far from that first impression, the Mazda 3 stands out for equilibrium. It is, without a doubt, one of the most balanced compacts in terms of set-up. It is enough to go through our first curves to realize that the setting of the suspension seeks comfort but also surrenders to a certain sporty character that prevents uncomfortable rocking. Yes, it is not excessively firm and the swings exist, but they never interfere with driving.

In exchange, we have a car that filters irregularities very well terrain and maintains balance on both fast and slower roads. By the way, at high speed the rolling noise and the aerodynamic noise coming from the mirrors would be an aspect to improve, although it is not annoying.

The feel of the steering is also combined with this set-up, resulting quite direct, despite the fact that practically everything that happens in the wheels is filtered, as usually happens in the latest models. The steering wheel, in addition, has an exquisite touch, although it could not hurt a slightly smaller hoop.

The Mazda 3 is therefore quite a compact fun and effective at the wheel, and the limit, when it comes, will be in our case the tires, which tend to slip before the count. In any case, it is very predictable and it never tends to get out of control without warning. Of course, we are not going to go looking for the limit every day.

In these situations, when we want to go a little light, the 120-horsepower engine can be scarce if we are looking for pure performance. As it is not the case for the usual buyer of this car, or should not be, this engine may be the perfect option if we take into account its consumption and the refinement it offers us. In other words, this car, this chassis, seems to allow a much bulkier power.

Tomorrow we will end our test of the Mazda 3, but not before reviewing its range, its equipment and its price. Finally, our already classic final assessment of one of the compacts that is giving the most talk in recent months.