2012 Mazda3 Skyactiv
by Jim Prueter

For 2012, Mazda completes a mild facelift and a major powertrain update for its front-wheel-drive, fuel-efficient compact, Mazda3. Given the number of 40-mpg-plus non-hybrid compact sedans entering the market, Mazda faces a fight for consumers’ attention and wallets.

Skyactiv serves as Mazda’s new vehicle for technological features, sporting a modified engine and transmission to achieve better fuel economy with lower tailpipe emissions while delivering more power than the base non-Skyactiv engine.

The Mazda3 lineup consists of six models that feature three different engines, four transmission choices, and two body styles (a four-door sedan and a five-door hatchback).

Introduced last October, the Skyactiv Mazda3i four-door Touring features a 2.0-liter, 155-horsepower engine, and six-speed automatic ($19,300) or six-speed manual ($18,450). Touring also added features, including Bluetooth, alloy wheels, cruise control, leather trim, and an upgraded sound system.

Our test car was the upgraded i Grand Touring ($22,300) that has the Skyactiv powertrain and a moonroof, Bose sound system, and eight-way power driver’s seat, to name a few features.

The non-Skyactiv Mazda3 Touring gets the same 2.5-liter, 167-horsepower engine carried over from last year and a six-speed manual ($21,300) or five-speed automatic transmission ($22,100). The fully loaded Mazda3 Grand Touring includes navigation system, leather seating, and a six-speed manual ($22,900) or five-speed automatic transmission ($23,700).

Finally, there’s the high-performance, turbocharged, 263-horsepower, 2.3-liter, four-cylinder Mazdaspeed3 with its six-speed manual transmission, limited slip differential, and sport bucket seats.

The Skyactiv engine runs on regular unleaded gasoline and uses a very high compression ratio to squeeze more power out of the lower horsepower engine. The new six-speed automatic transmission uses a torque converter for quicker acceleration and more even power at all rpm levels. This creates a smoother shifting automatic and a 21-percent increase in fuel economy.

During our weeklong test of the Skyactiv sedan, we drove mostly at highway speeds, with some mix of city and suburban travel. Not far from a small gasoline-electric hybrid, fuel economy averaged just over 36 mpg, which we found impressive for a non-hybrid, especially because we weren’t hurting for more power when passing or merging.

We also found the Mazda3 to be one of the most fun small cars to drive compared to others in its class. It gets excellent marks for its new six-speed automatic transmission, European-like suspension, excellent handling, and comfortable, quiet ride.

As part of the external facelift for 2012, Mazda designers softened the look of the big, goofy grin that has been the facade of the Mazda3 for the past two model years. There are also new wheels and very subtle changes to the rear bumpers.

Inside, all gauges are easy to read, and digital information is accessible via a thumb scroll on the steering wheel, but Mazda still uses too much hard plastic. While the look isn’t necessarily cheap, the competition successfully provides more upscale aesthetics. Most components are nicely finished and appear well constructed, but the headliner looks bargain-priced. We were also disappointed that a rearview backup camera isn’t offered, a serious oversight in our opinion.

Our test car came standard with comfortable and adjustable leather bucket seats that afforded ample legroom, even for taller drivers. Rear seats are split 60/40 and fold nearly flat to expand cargo space. There’s 11.8 cubic feet of trunk space in the sedan, and 17 in the hatchback.

A blind spot monitoring system and adaptive headlamps are part of an optional $1,400 technology package. Standard safety gear includes antilock brakes, electronic stability control systems, seat-mounted side-impact torso airbags for front-seat occupants, and side-curtain airbags.

Both the 2012 Mazda3 sedan and hatchback earned the highest possible “Good” rating and a Top Safety Pick designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, and an overall four out of five possible stars from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration for crash test results.

Altogether, we think the new Mazda3 Skyactiv engine and transmission technology is an excellent improvement for a model that was in desperate need of better fuel economy when compared to competition.

It’s still one of the best driving compact cars, but it doesn’t have as much cargo space as competitors and the styling looks dated compared to fresher products like the newly redesigned Hyundai Elantra, Ford Focus, Chevy Cruze, Volkswagen Golf, and Kia Forte.