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Mazda 3 1.6 D road test report

1.6 D

Mazda has gone back to basics with its new 1.6-litre turbodiesel engine for its 3 hatchback. Gone are tricksy 16-valve engines in favour of an eight-valve unit, which also has the happy coincidence of reducing weight. With 117g/km carbon dioxide emissions, the latest Mazda 3 diesel makes sense for private and business users.

Road Test Reports Says 4 star rating
A front-facing image of the Mazda 3 1.6 D

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ALISDAIR SUTTIE SAYS

Performance Performance - 3 stars

In simplifying its new 1.6-litre turbodiesel engine, Mazda has shaved 4kg from the engine by ditching twin camshafts to be replaced by a single item. There’s also a new six-speed manual gearbox that is 3kg lighter than the five-speeder it replaces, so the combined saving is small but significant as it shows a greater breadth of thinking from Mazda’s engineers. The result is a 1.6 turbodiesel with 114bhp rather than its predecessor’s 108bhp, with low- and mid-rev shove increasing from the old unit’s 177lb.ft to a much healthier 199lb.ft. From rest to 62mph takes 11.0 seconds, which is reasonable if not earth shattering, though the engine is happy to be revved hard which is not something you can say about all of its rivals. Driven in a more sedate fashion, there is a very slight hesitation as the engine picks up from idle and it prefers to be given a few revs before snicking into the next of its slick-shifting six gears. Still, the Mazda3 1.6 D is easy to live with and, though it doesn’t have some of the outright power of some rivals, it acquits itself well in all traffic conditions.

Ride & Handling Ride & Handling - 4 stars

One of the key elements Mazda has addressed with this new diesel engine is refinement. Gone is the harshness of the old 1.6 diesel to be replaced by a much quieter motor. It’s not perfectly hushed but it’s a world apart from the previous small diesel in the Mazda3 and is on a par with most rivals’. Otherwise, the 1.6 D is much like every other Mazda3 in the line-up, which means ride comfort that errs more to the firm side on control across bumpy roads. It can be a little to stiff on the worst roads and misses some of the Volkswagen Golf’s subtlety of movement, though the Mazda’s steering is precise and it offers up lots of cornering grip in all instances. Little wind or road noise also helps to make the Mazda3 1.6 D a good bet for long journeys, while its light controls are spot on for town work.

Build Quality & Reliability Build Quality & Reliability - 5 stars

It may not have the most scintillating cabin design thanks to large swathes of black plastic, but there’s no doubting Mazda knows how to build a cabin that will last and last. Not so much as a squeak or creak can be heard over even the roughest roads, so longevity is a given. Mazda’s reputation for reliability also looks set to continue unhindered with this addition to the 3 range as the engine is as well engineered as every other aspect of the car and, with its simplified design, there’s less to worry about. Every other component in the Mazda3 has also proven itself over time to be tough and hard wearing.

Safety & Security Safety & Security - 5 stars

No worries here. Every version of the Mazda3 1.6 D comes with twin front, side and curtain airbags, as well as ESP traction and stability control, anti-lock brakes with brake force distribution and anti-whiplash headrests. An alarm, immobiliser and deadlocks will see most thieves move on to a softer target very quickly.

Space & Practicality Space & Practicality - 4 stars

The styling of the Mazda3 means it roof line runs horizontally all the way to the rear tailgate rather than sloping downwards as it does on some rivals’. This means the Mazda can seat four adults in decent comfort courtesy of good headroom in the front and rear. Five adults could fit at a push, but the middle seat in the rear is a better bet for kids. The boot is spacious and suffers no intrusion around its edges to make it a very practical cargo space. Split and tip rear seats help extent the luggage capacity and they fold near flat for added versatility. Up front, the driver is treated to a height adjustable seat, while the steering wheel moves for reach and rake to help attain the ideal driving position. The simple dash may not have the outright flair of some of the competition but it’s laid out in typically sensible Mazda fashion where all of the dials and instruments are easy to read and find.

Ownership & Value Ownership & Value - 4 stars

Combined fuel economy of 64.2mpg from the Mazda3’s new 1.6-litre turbodiesel engine is good. It may not put it right at the top of its class, but this economy is real-world achievable without having to alter your driving style to suit. Emissions of 117g/km mean affordable Benefit in Kind payments for company drivers and low-rate road tax for private buyers. Throw in Mazda’s low warranty claims, reputation for reliability and affordable servicing costs and you have a cost-effective small family hatch. There are three trims on offer: TS, TS2 and TS2. The TS comes with climate control, electric windows all round, CD stereo, loads of safety and security kit, and alloy wheels, so it’s hard to see a reason to upgrade to the TS2 to gain cruise control. The TS2 Nav comes with, unsurprisingly, satellite navigation as standard, but this uses a small screen set into the upper section of the dash and is not always easy to read. It is easy to use, though, so for those who want sat nav it’s as good a bet as any of its rivals’.

Submitted: 02/02/2011 10:39:46

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