2019 Mazda3 GT AWD: The Art of Making Sedans Fun and Compelling

As you all know, sedans have lost big market shares to SUVs and crossovers in recent years, so much in fact that American manufacturers are almost completely abandoning them.

Those who continue forward need to stand out from the more spacious and practical utility vehicles by offering higher quality, better equipment and particularly a more exciting drive for the same price or cheaper.

That’s pretty much what the totally redesigned 2019 Mazda3 does in the compact segment. It even comes with an AWD option now, just like SUVs!

This next-generation Mazda3 looks even classier and sexier than last year’s model, although the evolution is more subtle compared to the previous redesign. We wondered how designers could possibly do a better job, but they’ve surprised us with an entry-level sedan that appears to cost way more than it actually does (base MSRP is $18,000).

The lines are simply gorgeous and so is the new, wider mesh grille (featuring a piano black finish in the case of our tester). The standard LED headlights give the car a beautiful stare and Mazda’s signature Soul Red Crystal Metallic paint is a definite head-turner. In our opinion, it’s easily worth the extra $450. Same thing for any of the optional wheels that endow the Mazda3 with a lot more character than the stock ones you see here.

A small caveat: From a practical standpoint, the deep junction between the hood and the windshield is bound to accumulate a good amount of snow and ice in winter.

VIP Interior

The sleeker, more refined approach obviously continues inside. The new 2019 Mazda3 proves much more sophisticated, attractive and especially quieter than both the old one and every other compact sedan. It’s another example of the small Japanese automaker moving upscale to draw more attention to itself.

In top trim, all contact points are upholstered in soft-touch materials and the available white leather interior, which extends to a section of the dashboard, makes the décor oh-so inviting. The seats are comfortable in both rows and the front buckets provide great support. The memory function is a welcome plus. On the other hand, legroom and headroom is tight in the rear and the 374-litre trunk is one of the smallest in its class.

Wide but not very tall, the centre display now measures a good 8.8 inches. It’s nestled deeper into the dashboard and slightly angled toward the driver to make it easier to read. However, because it’s not touch-sensitive (to prevent false maneuvers while driving, Mazda claims), you have to rely on the rotary dial and adjacent buttons on the centre console. Even Audi, which helped popularize this sort of human-machine interface, changed its mind and now uses touchscreens. What’s more, the infotainment system could be more user-friendly and require less attention from the driver. At least it offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Another improvement inside is the available head-up display system. Gone is the small, translucent panel that rose from the top of the gauge cluster; the data is now projected onto the windshield just the way it should be.

The Art of Driving

It’s when you hit the road with the 2019 Mazda3 that you start to ask yourself: “Do I really need an SUV?” The bigger of the two engines (2.5 litres) is the star with class-leading 186 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque delivering solid acceleration. And should Mazda decide to add a performance variant, say with the turbo unit found in the Mazda6 and CX-5, it would outmatch the Jetta GLI, Civic Si and Elantra Sport.

The 2.5 SKYACTIV-G engine is never too loud, either, and it’s well-served by the six-speed automatic transmission, which features a Sport mode and paddle shifters. Believe it or not, the 2019 Mazda3 is the only compact sedan along with the VW Jetta not to offer a CVT—because driving still matters. The downside is lower fuel economy than competitors, even with a system that deactivates two cylinders under light loads. Additionally, the highly efficient SKYACTIV-X engine we’ve been promised may never show up in Canada.

Blessed with a rigid chassis, nicely calibrated suspension and sharp, responsive steering, the Mazda3 is an absolute treat to push around from one corner to the next, through on-ramps and even tight parking lots. Avoiding cracks and potholes even becomes a fun game.

Some rearward visibility issues notwithstanding, safety is never a concern with the numerous available technologies and of course the option of i-ACTIV all-wheel drive, which works in conjunction with G-Vectoring Control. Naturally, at this time of the year, the worst conditions we encountered were some wet roads, but the system promises to make winters less stressful, too.

Right now, the only other AWD sedan on the Canadian market is the Subaru Impreza (forget the rudimentary Toyota Prius e-AWD). It’s more affordable, but less powerful and sophisticated. The new Mazda3 starts at $26,000 when equipped with all-wheel drive and it’s a no-brainer if you like to drive even just a bit. For more versatility and space, consider the five-door Mazda3 Sport.