2019 Mazda 3

How do you take down a titan? Most will simply wait around for what remains of the Avengers to figure it out. For Mazda, it's beating Subaru at its own game. For decades, Subaru built its brand on having a lineup of vehicles equipped exclusively with all-wheel drive (the Toyota-codeveloped BRZ sports car notwithstanding). AWD all the time made it easy for buyers in the mountains or upper half of the country to find a car that could conquer icy road conditions. Now Mazda is stepping into the fray with the new 2019 Mazda 3. While front-wheel drive remains standard, both sedan and hatchback body styles offer an AWD powertrain. We attended a press event in Lake Tahoe, California, to see how the Mazda 3's new all-wheel-drive system performed in the snow and on dry pavement.

Snow Days

Our test began on a snow-blanketed course designed to highlight the difference between the Mazda 3's front-wheel- and all-wheel-drive powertrains. The first car, a front-drive sedan with all-season tires, showed aptitude at low speeds but had trouble gaining traction on hills. A similar model riding on winter rubber fared better, exhibiting quicker steering responses and better handling. The winner, however, was undoubtedly the AWD-equipped Mazda 3 with winter tires. The extra traction from the rear kept the car on a tidy line around turns. Though the course was hardly demanding, it clearly showed the benefits of AWD in limited traction situations.

We also drove a Mazda 3 with the G-Vectoring Control (GVC) system disabled. The GVC feature — added to the previous Mazda 3 in 2017 — slightly reduces engine torque when the wheel is turned to improve steering response. A GVC defeat button is not available in production models, but a Mazda engineer disabled the system using a laptop with special software to highlight GVC's effects. The difference is immediately noticeable in a back-to-back comparison. With GVC enabled, the vehicle reacts quicker to steering wheel inputs, and you don't need to turn the wheel as much to elicit the desired response.

On the Road Again

Shortly after the AWD demo, we embarked on a 200-mile trip north to Route 49, then southwest to Sacramento. The majority of the drive was spent on the twisty roads surrounding the Tahoe National Forest, which is an ideal place to show off the Mazda 3's handling prowess.

The 3 has always been one of the most enjoyable small cars to drive. We were concerned that the switch from last year's multilink rear suspension to the 2019 model's less sophisticated torsion beam rear suspension would dull the driving experience. But the 3 feels as sharp as ever. There's body roll to be sure, but the Mazda 3 is far better controlled and less floppy than other compact sedans and hatchbacks.

Traveling at higher speeds is similarly worry-free. The new 3 feels stable on the highway and needs very little correction to keep it tracking straight. Tire noise ramps up noticeably with the increase in speed, but wind and engine noise is fairly subdued. The new car is also more comfortable than the old version. Impacts aren't as harsh, and the ride quality is a little more pleasant. It strikes a perfect balance between sporty and secure.

Upmarket Interior

The previous Mazda 3 was a paragon of interior design and materials quality, and the 2019 model is even more so. Soft-touch plastics and leatherette are used extensively to create a cabin that looks far more upscale than competitors. Hard plastics are mostly absent from touch points and, if they are present, it's usually for a decorative aluminum or piano-black trim piece. Leather combinations for the top Premier trim levels consist of black or ivory for the sedan, while the hatchback offers black or a new red interior treatment.

Previous Mazda 3 owners will notice several changes to the cabin besides just the improved materials. Mazda says the front seats are redesigned and shaped to follow the natural curvature of one's spine better. Based on our experience, it seems to be effective as the driver's seat remained comfortable and supportive after hours of driving.

The infotainment system is also new. The display screen is now integrated with the dashboard and set closer to the windshield. Its location directly in the driver's line of sight makes it easier to see at a glance. Controlling it now requires using the knob just aft of the shifter — the previous screen could be used as a touchscreen when the car was stopped — but we don't really miss the touchscreen functionality. The placement of the screen and reliance of the knob has all been done with the intention of minimizing driver distraction.

The new interior isn't totally alien, however. As with the previous model, one of the Mazda's literal shortcomings is the lack of rear-seat space. The new 3 makes the Honda Civic feel absolutely cavernous in comparison. There are no rear air vents, and the 3 doesn't offer snazzy accouterments such as rear-seat heaters. These omissions, along with a lack of height or lumbar adjustment for the front passenger seat, reinforce the impression that the Mazda 3 is all about putting the driver first.

The practicality deficiency is echoed in the relatively compact cargo area. The sedan's trunk measures 13.2 cubic feet. That's smaller than the Civic's, but it holds slightly more than the Subaru Impreza's. As expected, the hatchback fares better at 20.1 cubic feet but is smaller than most competing hatchbacks. Moreover, the hatchback's elevated liftover height might make it difficult to remove heavy items from the cargo area. On the bright side, the rear seats fold nearly flat and don't require moving the front seats forward, even when they're set for a tall driver.

Pricing and Release Date

Pricing for the Mazda 3 is typically higher if you're comparison shopping against standard compact cars. The sedan's MSRP starts at $21,920 (including destination), which is nearly $1,000 more than an automatic-equipped Civic and a fair bit more than a comparable Hyundai Elantra, Kia Forte or Toyota Corolla. The kicker, though, is the all-wheel-drive version, which isn't available on the sedan's base trim. If all you want is an AWD sedan, you're looking at $24,920 for the Mazda 3 with the Select package. (The AWD hatchback is available in the base trim and starts at $25,895.) For reference, the all-wheel-drive Subaru Impreza with an automatic transmission starts at $20,480.

No doubt about it — the 2019 Mazda 3 is more expensive than its primary rivals and isn't as practical. But it's also considerably more luxurious and more fun to drive. In its upper trims, the Mazda 3's cabin looks just as nice as that of some entry-level luxury cars, and that's really what sets it apart from the crowd. If you're cross-shopping against the Audi A3 or BMW 230i, you might even find the Mazda's cabin looks more upscale. You won't get the luxury badge or a sweet turbocharged engine, but the Mazda feels just as good to drive and is easier on the wallet.

The 2019 Mazda 3 is on sale now in sedan and hatchback body styles, with a front- or all-wheel-drive powertrain.

Mazda talks a big game about driver involvement. Its widely marketed design philosophy — jinba ittai — loosely translates to horse and rider as one, implying the pursuit of a driving experience where control of the vehicle, mechanical or technological, becomes second nature. Spend too long listening about it and you'd think an essential oils sales pitch might come next.

But after a half-day's stint behind the wheel of the new 2019 Mazda 3, through the mess that is Hollywood traffic to some of L.A.'s best driving roads and back again, it's clear that Mazda's belief and dedication to this concept has made a marked difference in the experience of driving an already good compact sedan.

Stepping Up

First impressions show that Mazda's push to a more premium interior is successful. Already the class leader in terms of style and materials quality, the 2019 Mazda 3 further separates itself from the rest of the segment. We drove a fully loaded Premium package sedan, trimmed with generous amounts of leather upholstery, but even the basic version is full of pleasant soft touch surfaces. Both feel absolutely best in class, straight away. Regardless of trim level, the interior is intimate but not cramped, with every control and interface dutifully considered.

Immediately noticeable is the larger (now 8.8 inches) and repositioned multimedia screen, which is nestled higher up in the dash and canted toward the driver. The graphics are crisp, readable and modern, but the screen doesn't respond to touch; everything goes through a control knob, which, like the shift lever, has been moved slightly forward for better ergonomics. It also bears mentioning that the weighting and feel of the control knob are excellent. It needs just the right amount of force to turn, and its positive engagement and feel are echoed by every other control knob, be it climate control or audio.

Staring you in the face is a beautiful new steering wheel and instrument panel. The wheel is firm but thin and nicely contoured. And the redesigned control buttons have the look and feel of vintage audio equipment. With a center-mounted 7-inch digital display, the instrument panel is anything but vintage-looking. Flanked by very legible analog dials is the digital speedometer that can be reconfigured for multiple displays.

The audio system also deserves special mention. Since mounting speakers in the doors creates more holes, the mid-bass speakers have instead been mounted at the base of the windshield pillars and the tweeters relocated from the top of the dash to the leading edge of the doors for greater clarity. The result, even with the base stereo, is exceptionally clean and crisp sound at full volume. With the optional 12-speaker Bose unit, the output only gets better.

Deal With It

Considering how Mazda stresses driving dynamics, the 3's change from a multilink rear suspension to a less sophisticated torsion-beam setup is curious since this move tends to favor the accountant rather than the driver. The last Mazda 3 was unequivocally head of the class in terms of handling, and we're happy to say the new one holds its own at the sharp end of the segment even with this rear suspension.

The benefits to a torsion-beam setup aren't just fiscal — they're also spatial. Because of the fewer hard points (where the suspension bolts into the chassis and body), the Mazda 3 has fewer openings for noise and vibration to enter the cabin. And because a torsion-beam setup is less intrusive, both the trunk and the rear seat see greater capacity. Mazda has yet to offer specifications that show by how much.

In the pursuit of a potentially roomier interior, Mazda hasn't exactly squandered the 3's handling acumen. On a twisty road, the Mazda 3 uses all four wheels adeptly to ensure nimbleness and stability. And since Mazdas are already known for a firm, informative ride, the torsion-beam suspension doesn't immediately feel less sophisticated. We look forward to testing this setup further.

Have a Seat

Perhaps the most eye-opening example of Mazda's research into the human-machine connection has been with the seating. Mazda conducted numerous studies into the way people balance when they walk and move on a daily basis. As a result, the seats were designed to maintain the natural curve of the spine. The seat cushion, across all trim levels, has adjustable thigh support to enhance leg and pelvic support.

The results were clear. I normally use the door and the side of the center console to brace my legs during enthusiastic driving, which can often lead to bruising. However, so good is the seat that at no point during my time in the Mazda 3 did my knees touch the door or the center console. The level of fatigue you'd feel after battling two hours of snarling L.A. traffic and the tension involved in driving some of L.A.'s best mountain roads never materialized.

Power, Pricing and Release Date

The Mazda 3 is first available with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. Making a square 186 horsepower and pound-feet of torque, the engine is far from potent but still more than adequate for daily use, even when you drive with deliberate enthusiasm. The six-speed automatic provides quicker and smoother shifts than last year's, and a six-speed manual is available, too, but only with the hatchback. Available cylinder deactivation should help automatic and front-wheel-drive models achieve greater fuel economy than the last model's 30 mpg combined (26 city/35 highway) rating.

Prices start at $21,895 for the sedan and $24,495 for the hatchback, both including destination charges. Fully loaded, the sedan and the hatchback come in under $30,000, even with all-wheel drive. The 2019 Mazda 3 goes on sale in March.

Compact cars have become surprisingly good in these modern times. They're safer, more spacious, better equipped and more fuel-efficient than ever. Among the lot, the Mazda 3 is one of our perennial favorite, largely for its engaging driving experience and thoughtful cabin design that looks like it should command a higher price tag.

But the current Mazda 3 has been around since 2014 and newer compact competitors, such as the Honda Civic and the Kia Forte, have been threatening to knock the little Mazda down a rung or two. All that could change with the all-new 2019 Mazda 3, which debuts this week at the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show.

The Juiciest Highlights First

What's immediately apparent is the Mazda 3's taut new skin, showcasing what Mazda says is the latest interpretation of its "Kodo design language" from its Vision Coupe Concept shown in 2017. It looks good, sure, but more on that in a bit. What's slightly more newsworthy for this 3 is the availability of Mazda i-Activ all-wheel drive for the first time. (Front-wheel drive is still standard.)

All-wheel drive is somewhat rare in the current compact-car segment, which includes the Subaru Impreza, the Mini Clubman All4 and high-end performance models such as the Ford Focus RS and Volkswagen Golf R. Mazda's i-Activ all-wheel drive, which is featured on a number of its crossovers, is an on-demand system that transfers power to the rear wheels when additional traction is needed but defaults to front-wheel drive to save fuel when it isn't. It works in conjunction with a new G-Vectoring Control Plus (GVC Plus) that uses the brakes to assist turning (torque-vectoring by brake), which can aid handling and help maintain composure in emergency avoidance maneuvers.

When it first launches, the Mazda 3 will be powered by a 2.5-liter inline-four from the Skyactiv-G family of engines and a choice of a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission. Power numbers have yet to be announced, but we expect it'll match or come close to the current model's 184 horsepower and 185 pound-feet of torque.

Later in the year, Mazda's ground-breaking Skyactiv-X engine will finally become a production reality under the hood of the new Mazda 3. It'll come equipped with something Mazda is calling its M Hybrid system —likely mild hybridization at most.

Brother From Another Mother

The new Mazda 3, like the outgoing model, is offered as a sedan or hatchback. But unlike the twin models rolling around the streets today, Mazda wanted to give the new cars distinctly different styling personalities for 2019. The hatchback shrugs off its character lines for soft body contours and a bulbousness in back resembling a low-riding Mazda CX-5. The sedan adds more than 3 inches in length, but no doubt trades some utility for a sleeker and more elegant profile.

Both models are within 0.2 inch in height and ride on identical wheelbases, an inch longer than the previous generation, and longer than any other car in the segment. One of the few shortcomings of the Mazda 3 was a lack of rear passenger legroom, so we expect the stretched wheelbase will help address the issue.

One detail that we found particularly confounding, especially for a company such as Mazda that champions driving excitement, was the decision to replace its current independent rear suspension setup with a less sophisticated torsion beam. This cost-saving measure can be expected to sacrifice handling and ride comfort points.

It's What's Inside That Counts

The current Mazda 3 gets high points for its interior amenities, and the new model looks to extend that lead further. Correction: Mazda is gunning for total interior domination.

The driver-centric cockpit design is clean, with an upscale simplicity that would make some luxury brands blush. An 8.8-inch color display peeks out from behind a leather-wrapped dash that extends from instrument cluster to the passenger door. The Mazda Connect controller has evolved into a more polished version of itself and is hopefully just as easy to use, too.

But it's not all about looks either. The steering wheel gains an additional 0.4 inch of telescoping adjustment at either end of the travel to suit a broader range of positions, and the gearshift has been moved forward and up, reducing the distance the driver's hand has to travel from the steering wheel. Mazda says cabin noise has been decreased through a new "two-wall" approach that leaves space between the body panels and carpet to better insulate, working alongside the sound-absorbing headliner and floor mats.

Safety First. Er, Fourth

Active safety driving aids are the new luxury today, and the Mazda 3 has a few neat ones. Mazda's i-Activsense includes a new driver monitoring system that uses both an infrared camera and infrared LED to monitor the driver's condition. It can track whether your eyes are wide-open or closing, how many times you blink, and even the angle of your mouth to determine if you're drowsy or fatigued. It also looks at the line of sight and eye movement to determine attentiveness, and it will sound an alert if it senses risk.

Front cross-traffic alert is another available feature that uses radar to detect vehicles approaching from blind spots at the front, such as when you're inching out of an alleyway. And finally, there's Mazda's adaptive cruise, called Cruising & Traffic Support, that assists low-speed following and has a lane keeping function.

It's also worth mentioning that the 2019 Mazda 3 features a new driver's knee airbag, the first ever on a Mazda car.

When Can I Get One?

Mazda says the first batch of 2019 Mazda 3 cars will arrive early next year, all of them equipped with the 2.5-liter Skyactiv-G engines. The Skyactiv-X cars will follow later in 2019. Pricing has not been announced, but you'll know as soon as we do.