Experiencing the Skyactiv-G 2.0

Next, I test drove the Skyactiv-G 2.0-liter engine. If I were to buy a Mazda3, this was the grade I wanted, so I had high expectations.

The engine didn’t have the diesel-like noise of the Skyactiv-X and sounded very natural. “Yeah, I like this one better,” I thought as I started.

The suspension was almost the same as the Skyactiv-X. This one felt a bit softer, but the difference was negligible.

However, personally, I just couldn’t like this suspension. Even though the ride was firm and solid despite some vertical movement at low speeds, it didn’t feel smooth on well-paved flat roads. It felt like there was some resistance in the tires; it lacked that effortless rolling feel. I’m not defending European cars, but many global rivals feel smoother.

I don’t know if it’s drivetrain friction or the tires, but I think the ride quality could be improved.

Design-wise, 18-inch wheels look great, but I think 16 or 17 inches would be just right for the Mazda3. If I had to keep the standard 18-inch wheels, I’d lower the tire pressure to around 2.2–2.3 bar. The manufacturer’s spec is 2.5 bar front and rear. I think that would feel better.

The 2.0 engine doesn’t feel underpowered, but it’s not overly strong either. It runs well when revved and should be fine for typical use. However, after experiencing the Skyactiv-X, the torque feels lacking. Also, knowing recent hybrids and downsized turbo engines with strong low-end torque, the 199 Nm at 4000 rpm feels quite ordinary.

This engine is meant to be revved more than the Skyactiv-X, but impressions will vary depending on whether you like the sound.

Mazda is famous for its attention to sound, but I didn’t really like this one. The sound is smooth and consistent, but it’s neither a “coo” nor a “quorn”—it’s just a plain “broom.” With such a high-sense interior, I wish it had a bit more sportiness and sensuality. The mechanical and combustion noises from the engine aren’t bad, so I wish the exhaust sound was a bit more prominent.

Mazda3 Overall Verdict

The very high-quality interior, snug feel, and beautiful exterior make it a very attractive car. Personally, I really like these points, and design-wise, it ranks quite high.

However, I felt the wonderful interior and exterior quality didn’t quite match the ride and engine feel. The visual impression of quality and the physical driving experience felt unbalanced to me. If the Mazda3’s interior were more modest and utilitarian, the impression would be quite different.

The suspension and body are solid, without the floaty, mushy feel of older Japanese cars. That’s a plus, and it should perform well at higher speeds. Overall, it’s not a bad car at all. But at low speeds, I personally want a bit more smoothness, rolling ease, and refinement.

In the end, I really liked the design, but after weighing everything, I decided to pass on buying this time and politely thanked the dealer before leaving.

This review is a bit on the critical side, but please understand it’s based on my impressions from test driving the car mainly for urban commuting. It’s also limited by my relatively short car history and experience. For long touring or leisure/weekend driving, the evaluation might be different. If you’re considering this car, I recommend test driving it yourself and seeing how it fits your preferences with your own senses.

*Image source: 2019 Mazda 3 Hatchback