The golf class is dead, long live the golf class — something like this can describe the situation that has developed in recent years. The novelties of this segment that appear on sale are becoming more and more perfect, technologically advanced and expensive.



The mass car enthusiast, with the current exchange rate of the money and customs duties, is forced to be content with buying affordable «state employees». Those who can spend one and a half to two million rubles on buying a new car often opt for more practical crossovers. And therefore, a paradoxical situation arises when many worthy representatives of the C-class, which are in excellent demand abroad - from the Volkswagen Golf to the Toyota Corolla - remain outsiders in our sales.

Does the same fate await the «Mazda 3» that awaits us on today's test drive? You can buy a new Mazda 3 for design alone - you can endlessly admire the play of the autumn Rostov sun on a bright red body. Moreover, if the predatory front part partly echoes the appearance of the car of the third, now of the past generation, then the feed definitely looks more advantageous than its predecessor. Rather, associations with «hot» Italian hatchbacks like the 147th Alfa come to mind.



The sporty driving attitude is also supported by the interior. If you focus on individual details, willy-nilly you remember BMW. Associations with the «Bavarians» are born by the laconic dashboard, and the form of the multimedia system, and the high central tunnel between the driver's and front passenger's seats. At the same time, the quality of the materials is also quite premium - the plastic elements of the cabin not only look «expensive and rich», but are also tactilely pleasant.



But it’s a bit crowded in the back - with a height of 186 centimeters, it’s not comfortable to sit down «behind you». Not only is there not enough legroom, but also the ceiling «presses» from above. Therefore, it is more correct to call the landing formula of the five-door Mazda «2 + 2», in the manner of sports coupes. The volume of the hatchback trunk is also small, only 295 liters, but the rear seat folds down to form a flat area with a raised floor.



The first «Mazda 3», which was released fifteen years ago, instantly gained popularity around the world thanks to the driver's chassis settings and refined handling. However, with each new generation, the legendary Mazda «zoom-zoom» is fading away. For example, in the fourth incarnation, the rear independent suspension has sunk into the past - and this is the first bell that there will be less excitement when driving. Let's check?



When picking up the car from the dealer, I forgot to clarify what kind of engine is under the hood of the test version. By all indications of a «fat» configuration - two liters, and therefore at first there was a slight disappointment from the dynamics of the car. Well, the car «does not go» to its declared 150 horses! And only later, during a stop for a filming session, I managed to look into the registration certificate - one and a half liters, 120 hp. Not bad for a «younger» motor! However, another question immediately arises - if there is a more economical power plant under the hood, then why does fuel consumption exceed 13 liters? The answer to it most likely lies in the fact that before us the car was used for short «drive» with potential customers, each of whom strove to sink the accelerator pedal to the floor. Indeed, after a day trip, the appetite began to fall - 12.11, 10 liters. However, the figure promised by the manufacturer of 7.7 did not see.

There is also a unique Skyactiv-X engine in the engine lineup of the new Mazda 3 - this is the world's first serial gasoline engine in which it was possible to combine ignition from candles and compression. Thanks to technical innovations and a supercharger, engineers managed to remove 180 horsepower from two liters. But this is not the ceiling either - a 2.5-liter internal combustion engine is provided for buyers of the New World, issuing 190. However, it was decided not to import cars with a technically complex unit to the domestic market, as well as versions with all-wheel drive.



The six-speed «torque converter» is a real joy for the conservative against the backdrop of numerous «robots» and CVTs that have flooded the market. No kicks and delays - the box works smoothly and at the same time throws up gears in a timely manner. I catch myself thinking that even with active driving I don’t feel the need to switch to sport mode.

In fairness, it should be noted that in terms of handling, the new Mazda 3 will wipe out models with a much more complex chassis design. Yes, there is much less excitement compared to its predecessor, but the «matryoshka» is controlled very worthily and predictably. Despite the semi-dependent scheme with a cross beam, the hatch does not stray from the trajectory even on uneven suburban paths in the Aksai area.

By turning off the button, the anti-skid system can be sent to rest, after which Mazda acquires a slight tendency to skid - this is for the attention of those who are nimble, who were completely upset, reading how correct and predictable the «Mazda 3» became.

On optional 18-inch wheels painted black from the factory, Mazda doesn't shake the soul out of bumps. Yes, the profile of the road to the fifth point is sometimes transmitted in some detail, but at first you expect worse comfort from low-profile rubber of such a radius. More unpretentious equipment on R16 wheels will be even more friendly to the driver on rough roads.



And the fourth generation car has become completely different in terms of acoustic comfort. Bad «Soundproofing» and Mazda of the third generation have long become almost synonymous - but in the test car, silence reigns, unusual for cars of the Japanese brand. Inside, only the engine is heard, and then in the high-speed zone. During the filming, I even accidentally tried to restart the idle car during the filming.

The novelty will also please audiophiles - the Troika's music system plays much better than most competitors. Even in the «drum» version, the Japanese hatch will please the owner with eight speakers, and the developers deliberately moved the «woofers» closer to the front arches, placing them in special boxes. Such a decision on mass models is very rare - only Mercedes roadsters from a completely different price category can boast of similar attention to music lovers.

The result of this innovation is the effect of a «home theater» and the ability to «turn up» the volume from the heart without the appearance of unnecessary noise and vibration. For those who like to customize the sound to their preferences, there is already a 13-channel equalizer setting - and this is in addition to the regular preset modes!

The display of the multimedia system is excellent - it does not glare even on a bright table, transmits a juicy picture, and does not lag when responding to pressing. At the same time, Apple Car Play and Android Auto smartphone interfaces are supported - and therefore, if I were a Mazda buyer, I would prefer not to spend almost 40 thousand on optional standard navigation. But the projection display under the windshield is free even for cars in the initial version - the information is unobtrusive and perfectly readable, allowing you not to be distracted from the road.



It’s better not to leave the asphalt on the Mazda 3 - the ground clearance is a modest 13 and a half centimeters, and the long front overhang further levels the geometric cross. We pause during a country shoot - and once again I think that with a price tag in the region of 1.7-1.8 million, the «matryoshka» competes even with its brother in the concern - the CX-5 crossover. Which, unlike a purely urban runabout, will not be a problem to use for trips to a picnic or to the country. Yes, and winter is coming - where is it on the Rostov courtyards uncleaned in the snow?



But buying a Mazda 3 is not a choice of reason, but of emotions. Not without reason, throughout the test, the red hatch in the optional Red Soul red color evoked associations with Italian Alfa Romeos - the car simply energizes! And I perfectly understand those who will prefer Mazda to the initial versions of premium brands - after all, with such a pricing policy as it is now, the «matryoshka» is already playing on the field of the Mercedes A-class and the «unity» of BMW. The concept of the model in Russia has changed - now it is a kind of «affordable premium» and an ideal candidate for the role of a second car in the family.