Test drive Mazda Mazda 3 (Axela) Sedan 2004 - 2009 sedan

Rising fashion

Japanese today is in fashion: more and more people are able to distinguish sushi from sashimi. We have three super popular Japanese sedan, the demand for which exceeds the proposal, and one hot novelty. Compares and evaluates the cars Anatoly Fomin.
Mazda 3
European premiere of 2003; Restyling 2006. It is offered with a sedan or hatchback.
Engines: gasoline 1.42.3 l (80260 hp), diesel 1.6 liters (109 hp). It is delivered to Russia with gasoline engines of 1.62.3 liters (MPS modification).
Gearboxes: 5- and 6-speed mechanical (2.0 l), 4-speed automatic.
Complete: Base, Touring, Sport.
Price in Russia: $ 17 60028 220.

Honda Civic
The premiere of 2005. Body options sedan, hatchback.
Engines: gasoline 1.42.0 l (83200 hp), hybrid 1.3 l (95 hp), diesel 2.2 l (140 hp). Cars are supplied to Russia only with a 1.8 liter engine.
Gearboxes: 5-speed mechanical, 5-speed automatic.
Complete: Comfort, Executive.
Price in Russia: $ 20 20025 100.

Toyota Corolla
The premiere of 2006; Sales in Russia since February 2007. The body is only a sedan (hatchback is offered under the name Auris).
Engines: gasoline 1.4, 1.6 l (97124 hp), diesel 1.42.2 l (90 177 hp). Cars are supplied to Russia only with gasoline engines.
Gearboxes: mechanical 5- and
6-speed (diesel), automated 5-speed.
Complete: Comfort, Elegance, Prestige.
Price in Russia: $ 18 60024 600.

Always alive
The Mazda-3 updated at the end of last year has not changed bumpers, a radiator grille, fog lights, wheels. Inside, modernized seats, fashionable white devices. Improved sound insulation; However, she still did not bring Mazda to the champion position on comfort. Of course, the general noise decreased markedly, the most sharp and unpleasant stimuli disappeared, but against the backdrop of impeccably silent Toyota and Honda, the car does not look quiet.

This completely coincides with the character of the car. The combination of a modest 105-horsepower engine with a four-speed hydromechanical automatic machine does not seem to be tuned for an active ride. However, in fact, Mazda demonstrates fighting qualities! The gearbox with a fashionable manual regime hardly belongs to the last generation, but in combination with a living engine does not leave indifferent. The programs are turned on quickly and without hesitation, the hydrotransformer confidently multiply a modest torque at low speeds, allowing the engine to quickly twist, and because of the short main pair it seems that the car is more powerful. The illusion is dissipated when you try to keep up with Honda after 120 km/h the advantage of 35 hp. undeniable.

There are no miracles, you have to pay something for a lively character. In the case of Mazda, gasoline. The average for the test was 8.97 l/100 km, which is more per liter than Toyota, and 1.7 liters than Honda.

Mazda confidently holds in a bend on any coatings, demonstrates an acceptable energy intensity of the suspension for our conditions. But on the real highway near Moscow, everything looks different, in a couple of hours the Mazda can thoroughly tire. The car is very sensitive to the ruts, and the sharp steering wheel not only supplies the driver with the necessary information from the wheels, but also forces to constantly steal on irregularities. Mazda and lateral winds do not like, especially sharp impulses, for example, when traveling with trucks. The hyperactivity of the machine has only at the first acquaintance, and with prolonged communication causes complaints. Still, this is an ordinary sedan, not an ambitious sports car, despite the embossed seat, whose convenience will fully feel only a thin driver.

Sedans have other values \u200b\u200ba spacious rear seat, a large trunk and comfort. If the last Mazda has a relative order, then the back is not only tough passengers, but also to people of a modest complexion. The middle -developed transmission tunnel interferes with the middle, the side of the body are highly tilted. In this nomination, a treshka clearly loses a more capacious Sivik and Corolla. The trunk is surprisingly spacious, but the opening is small. The compartment is characterized by a record height due to compact desk.

The new integrated Mazda audio system understands the compressed MP3 and WMA record formats and is equipped with a 20 gigabyt hard drive, where you can record compositions from both CD and radio -air. Such a rare (so far!) The opportunity will cost an additional $ 1050.

Sivik for himself
An unusual design, spacious interior, powerful engine, excellent dynamics is a new sivik. In terms of acceleration and maximum speed in our Trinity, he has no equal. As well as the sweet timbre of the engine at high speeds. And he is damn economical outside the city easily and naturally made Korolla as much as 0.7 l/100 km. And this is with a full -fledged hydromechanical transmission instead of a Toyota robot, on winter tires and with an engine volume to a glass larger.

The Sivik box does not have a manual mode, but this does not interfere at all. The combination of a powerful and thrust engine with a nimble but comfortable automatic does not cause a desire to intervene. A sharp press on the gas pedal instantly follows the shock in the lower back. The best Sivik behaves on the highway, but only good. Honda is comfortable on small irregularities, however, the passage of any noticeable fossa is accompanied by unexpectedly loud complaints of the suspension. The supply of energy intensity is very small in a short wave at a speed of 100 km/h, and again the roar of the move limiters. But in the cabin there are only two, but Sivik is absolutely indifferent to ruts and side winds. A successful characteristic of the steering wheel electrical amplifier allows you to control the trajectory accurately and without unnecessary movements. In tense turns, Sivik can slightly frighten an inexperienced driver when dumping gas on the arc, the car is inclined to drift. However, it stabilizes itself, even without the participation of electronics.

In front of Honda is surprisingly spacious. At first glance, Sivik and behind the most spacious, but a large distance between the first and the second row is not equivalent to convenience. The car is already noticeable by the kingfs, and the rear seat pillow is too low even for passengers of medium height. Unfortunately, the driver's seat is also not as conveniently as it seemed, the failed lumbar did not make itself felt in only half an hour. The adjustment of the backwater will clearly not hurt! The original instrument panel, for sure, will find both fans and blasphemers. From the point of view of pure art, it is certainly a find, but an attempt to keep a road, a speedometer and a tachometer turn into torture.

The trunk is wide, spacious and small. Of course, under the floor, a full -size spare wheel, but competitors have much more places.

Class in the classroom
The new Corolla looks like the younger sister of Kamri. Even in the lowest position of the chair, the driver sits higher than in Honda or Mazda. This not only improves the review, but also allows you to earnestly use the length of the cabin. As a result, with the shortest database, a tall person is comfortable with himself. Despite the fact that under the floor is a full -fledged stock 205/55R16, the trunk is great.

The high seat of the Corolla looks rustic, but convenient for a driver of small or medium height. A large pillow is not enough. An expensive equipment implies the rain sensor and a self -clever electricchrome inner mirror. The audio system, even in the version of comfort, reads mp3 and WMA files.

The main difference between our car is an automated Multi-Mode gearbox: an ordinary mechanical box with automatic control. The car has two pedals, and the selector is similar to the one in hydromechanical machine guns. The advantages of such a solution are theoretically in a lower fuel consumption (especially in the city) and low cost. Outside the city, the short programs of the Corolla crossed the savings. The sensations of riding with an automated box are completely different than with ordinary hydromechanics. Frequent switching is given to unpleasant freezes and jerks during acceleration. Multi-Mode does not withstand competitions with a classic automatic machine, although in comparison with other similar units it is by no means bad. A manual mode is provided, in which you select the programs with steering wheel levers or a selector on the floor. Having tried all the options, they decided: the most comfortable semi -automatic, when the driver sets the moment of switching with a short release of the gas pedal.

In general, the Corolla is made to annoy as little as possible. The broken spring roads seem to have plunged. The suspension silently copes with such pits that it is scary for the wheels! The board is a fair upbringing on irregularities. The electric power amplifier is the opposite of the sivik. It is so shed so much that it seems as if there is no mechanical connection between him and the wheels. Although the helmet in the bend gives the reactive action properly and proportionally. Synthetic feedback and the brake pedal dose the force to stop exactly at a given point, without habit.

Catch up and wait
Choosing a Mazda-3 is still better with a manual gearbox: such a frozen, more economical, and cheaper. Sivik, on the contrary, is good with a machine gun: you will not feel the deprived in the dynamics or in speed. However, now the automatic box is available only in the EXECTIVE configuration. Toyota goes its own way. The rejection of hydromechanical transmission in favor of the robotic is probably beneficial to the manufacturer, but for a comfortable driving, not the best solution. It is better to open good inclinations of a new 1.6-liter motor with a conventional mechanical box.

Estimate? Take your time! Any of these cars will have to wait for them all in fashion. And sometimes it is not clear who chooses whom: the buyer is looking for a car or car of his master?

Anatoly Fomin: The main priority in this class remains the convenience of operation, and not outstanding running qualities. Therefore, the leadership of Toyota is reasonable.

Mazda 3, despite the machine, a very lively and active car with a cramped salon, but a spacious trunk. Bright appearance in standard configuration.
General assessment 7.6
+ Grace, affordable price in the basic configuration, a large selection of additional equipment, active.
- Close back seat, a small trunk opening, sensitivity to longitudinal irregularities and a side wind, a dock instead of a spare.

Honda Civic model of modern mechanics; Outstanding engine! Not very practical, but quick and economical. He loves good roads more precisely, does not stand bad.
General assessment 7.6
+ Excellent dynamics, effective brakes, low fuel consumption, spacious interior, good resistance at high speeds.
- a limited offer, few configuration options, a small trunk, a weak energy intensity of the suspension.

Toyota Corolla everything is solid and solid. Do not expect miracles in sled disciplines, but the car will please with comfort and practicality.
General assessment 8.1
+ Good visibility, low noise, comfortable suspension, large trunk, Russified menu.
- uncomfortable switching of the machine, uncomfortable dynamics control, non -informative brake pedal.
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anatoly Fomin

Source: The magazine "Driving"