2016 Mazda3 s Grand Touring: all the bells and whistles
Published 12:16 pm Friday, February 12, 2016
If you’re looking for a zippy compact that delivers equal parts fuel economy and fun, check out Mazda’s repackaged 2016 Mazda3 lineup.
My tester was the model’s anchor, the Mazda3 s Grand Touring five-door model. But you can also choose from the Mazda3 i Sport and mid-level Mazda3 Touring in both four- and five-door configurations. It doesn’t come cheap, but you are well-rewarded for not being a spendthrift.
Powered by a 2.5-liter, DOHC, four-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with sport mode and paddle shifters, the Mazda3 s Grand Touring generates 184-horsepower and 185 lb.-ft. of torque. It provides plenty of pop at the low end, and still has power to spare as it approaches the tach’s red line.
Mazda3 s hugs the corners and provides the driver with a sense of security. My tester was outfitted with Bridgestone’s Blizzak winter tires. They may have increased road noise, but they also were glued to the road – even during the week’s worth of monsoons that came my way.
Mazda3 s seats four adults without a problem – five would be a squeeze if they were my size. The fifth-door hatch makes transporting gear a breeze. And best of all, the car is rated at 37 miles per gallon down the highway by the EPA.
Mazda3 comes standard with premium features that are rare among compact cars and available class-above options like adaptive high-intensity discharge (HID) headlights and Mazda radar cruise control. Dressed in a “Soul Red Metallic” coat of paint, the car stands out in a segment awash with conformity.
For 2016, the Mazda3 is equipped with a standard backup camera on all models. Additional standard equipment includes power windows with a driver-side, one-touch up/down feature, power door locks, dual-power folding exterior mirrors, a tilt and telescoping adjustable steering wheel, air conditioning with pollen air filter and a 60/40 splitfolding rear seat.
But when you go big – aka Mazda3 s Grand Touring – you get all the bells and whistles. We’re talking leather seats, 18-inch alloy wheels, navigation system, Bose nine-speaker surround sound system that includes a CD player (Adele 25 sounded great), two USB ports, and high-def radio.
Other goodies include a rear-seat armrest, Bluetooth, push-button start, keyless entry, rain-sensing windshield wipers, blind-spot monitoring and rear traffic alert.
You are also well-rewarded on the safety side of the ledger.
Top-trim Mazda3 s Grand Touring models with the technology package include i-ELOOP, Mazda’s brake-energy regeneration system that captures kinetic energy to power accessories and help increase fuel-efficiency compared with other SKYACTIV-G 2.5-liter models, as well as the full suite of i-ACTIVSENSE features including smart city-brake support, high-beam control, lane-departure warning system, and forward obstruction warning.
MAZDA3 S GRAND TOURING
BASE PRICE: $26,495
AS TESTED: $30, 270
Base price includes destination charged. Vehicles are provided by the manufacturer. Prices may vary at local dealerships.
