Mazda 3 Hatchback.
The term “family car” evokes images of plane-Jane, bread-and-butter saloons. In other words, practical and reliable, but ultimately unexciting.
If you still think this way, you have not seen or driven the latest Mazda 3.
The brand has, in two bold strokes, banished this stereotype forever. The new Mazda 3 sedan and hatchback are stunning to admire, great to be inside of and are a treat to drive.
Mazda 3 Sedan.
As Dr Kong Yongyao put it: “It is about time the myth of entry level luxury is shattered. A premium product through and through, the sumptuousness of the new Mazda 3 takes the fight to cars entire price brackets above. It comes out head held high, bowtie barely ruffled, and still smelling like expensive leather.”
Straits Times journalist Wong Kai Yi agreed. “The new Mazda 3 shows what can be done when designers and engineers really put their heads together. It’s sleek and well-engineered – the ultimate distillation of Japanese zen harmony.”
Lawyer Edric Pan said: “So much thought and care has gone into the new Mazda 3, it’s surprising that it doesn’t cost 50% more.”
“It has been designed to serve the user, not to superficially impress, and is all the better for it. For instance the infotainment system, unfashionably, is not touchscreen-controlled – because Mazda realised that a rotary controller is far safer to use on the move.”
“Other details such as carpet fibres selected for their acoustic properties, cabin lights whose colour and throw have been optimised for a restful ambience, and the concealing of the dashtop speaker grilles and join lines to reduce visual clutter, all appeal to my OCD side.”
“And it looks great too, without having to resort to fake vents and contrived visual aggression to spice things up. That it is refined yet fun to drive, just adds to its appeal.”
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