Mazda will release a brand new MX3 this year with it being highly improved from the current version. It is expected to provide a better battle to rival the Volkswagen Golf. Is it up to the task? We take a look in our article today.
Small exterior chances
The changes are not obvious appearance wise. The design of the car is pretty much the same. The designers clearly thought that the look of the car was indeed one of it’s main appealing points. Only a few minor changes were made including a different style of front grille. The light reflectors have been re-positioned on the car allowing the vehicle to have a wider appearance. Should Mazda have done more with the overall design?
Small interior changes
Not much has changed inside either. The dials have been updated slightly. There is also now a gearshift indicator. This helps a great deal in terms achieving better fuel economy. Again the question must be asked should Mazda have done more with the interior?
Engine changes
The 2.2 litre turbo diesel choice will be quite a satisfying one for many. It is able to produce around 182 BHP and is the quickest and most powerful in the whole line-up and therefore the most expensive. It reaches 0 – 62 MPH in 8.2 seconds. The engine also offers a very smooth drive.
Economy on the 2.2D
The economy of the engine has been improved too by an estimated 3.5 % with the Mazda now achieving 52.3 MPG. The car also emits 144g/km of C02 emissions which is down by 5g/km from the current model.
Other variants
The 148 BHP version is likely to be the more popular diesel, with being toned down in power and offering quite a satisfying drive. The 1.6 litre diesel returns an outstanding 65.7 MPG giving the most economical ride of all. There also modifications to the 2.0 petrol with it also being more fuel efficient and achieving 42 MPG.
The drive
The car’s drive has been improved. The steering is now electro hydraulic powered making it more responsive and better weighted. The suspension remains firm allowing to ride awkward road surfaces a lot better.
The Mazda MX-3 offers great value for money for it’s models but isn’t up to scratch with the Volkswagen Golf. The cheaper price may prove to be worth the sacrifices made however.
