The Mazda3 is a model released by Mazda in Japan in 2003, and it is currently the third-generation model on sale, and its domestic version was introduced to the market by Changan Mazda in May 2014.
The Mazda3 Ankesaila is Mazda's third production model after the CX-5 and Atenza to adopt SKYACTIV technology. SKYACTIV Technology is a technology proposed by Mazda Motor Corporation in 2010 to comprehensively optimize the engine, transmission, chassis, and body structure of its vehicles. This technology aims to achieve both driving pleasure and environmental protection, and ultimately realize Mazda's overall step-by-step technology improvement.
The current Ankesaila has a 1.5-liter self-priming engine (P5-VPS) and a 2.0-liter self-priming engine (PE-VPS) in China, which are uniformly paired with a Skyactiv 6AT transmission. The 1.5-liter self-aspirated engine has a maximum output of 117 horsepower, propelling this 1.3-ton car, which can fully meet the needs of daily transportation, but it is difficult to reflect the sportiness. Mazda has always emphasized driving pleasure, but this is very relative, only when the power reaches a certain level, it makes sense to talk about handling, and the 2.0L version is significantly more fun to drive. There is also a 2.5-liter version of the Mazda with 3,184 horsepower, which is a pity that it was not introduced in China.
Mazda's transmission is impeccable in terms of shift speed and smoothness, and the shift logic is also very smart, always giving the most appropriate response to the driver's power needs, and the response is very fast, and the tolerance is also very high, even if it keeps pulling the rpm, it will only cut off the fuel, and will not automatically downshift. This gearbox ensures driving pleasure, and together with the SKYACTIV engine, it also takes into account the fuel consumption performance, with a combined fuel consumption of 7.1 liters per 100 kilometers for the 1.5-liter version and 8 liters for the 2.0-liter version. To sum up, the Nexera does not need an S gear and Eco mode at all.
Ankesaila's body is compact, the chassis is solid, coupled with the smooth and linear power output, driving Mazda is undoubtedly a pleasure, but the handling and space are often not both, Mazda's rear space has always been the worst in the same class, the rear row can only sit two adults about 175cm, and a little higher legroom may not be enough. Another complaint about Angkesaila is that it's too driver-centric, and due to the higher front desk, petite women get the feeling of being stuck in the seat when sitting in the passenger seat.
The inability to combine sport and comfort is also reflected in the quietness, which is also the biggest flaw of Angkesaila. The presence of tire noise is too strong, as long as the speed is a little faster, the tire noise will continue to enter the cabin, and the speed is a little faster, the tire noise can cover up all the other noise, which greatly affects the riding experience.
There will be a big gap between the configuration of the high and low configuration of the Ankesaila, and the low-end model is quite simple, so it is recommended to start with the middle configuration. The Nexus system is a bit like Audi's MMI system, relying on a knob to control the content of the screen, which is easy and safe to use, but the disadvantage is that the response speed is slightly slower.
Mazda cars have always been of consistent and reliable quality, and this generation of Mazda3 was voted the best car of 2014 by Consumer Reports in the United States. In the comprehensive statistics of the long-term failure rate, the reliability performance of this generation of Angkesaila is very good, and it is worth buying with confidence.
The Mazda3 is also one of the safest cars in its class, earning the highest rating in all crash tests at the IIHS, making it one of the highest Safety Level (TSP) models in the compact car segment today. It received a 5-star rating in the E-NCAP crash test in 2.13 years and a 5-star rating in the C-NCAP test in China, with a total score of 55.1 points.