Carsut – Understand cars and drive better

Category: Mazda

From legendary Mazda RX-7 to the latest Mazda Tribute, we cover all kind of Mazda cars from time to time.

Mazda3 2.0 Sedan Review
As long as there are cars, any small-scale Motor Show will be interesting enough if they display a car that suits your needs, and you have put a down payment to book the car of your choice. Here is one Mazda3 2.0 Sedan appearing in a small-scale Motor Show, or better known as small-size Motor Sales in Bangkok that really catches our eye.

Exterior

The Mazda3 2.0 is available in four-door sedan and hatchback body style. The one we are viewing is the 2012 sedan model that looks sportier compared to all its previous generations. It was treated with bold halogen projector headlamps, some really cool LED lamp for better illumination, and a set of 17-inch alloy wheels with 215/45 series tires that perform well on all kind of driving surfaces. What is most important is when you view the car from the front, the car face (front grill) always smiles at you with a pair of dimples (fog lamps).

Interior

If you place your face to the driver’s side window and peep into the interior, you will salivate on the window. The cabin is unbelievably spacious. It does not look that big from the outside. There is also plenty of room in the trunk and if that is not enough, the 60/40 split-folding rear seat is able to create more room. High quality leather seats and a fully functional steering wheel with paddle shift make anyone wants to sit on the driver’s seat and go for a drive. If you switch on the ignition, the blackout meter will immediately turn to blue-illumination. The light can be switched to red or white through the touch of dial. Besides beautiful design, the interior features serve many useful functions such as auto wipers with rain sensor, auto cruise control, nice audio system with six speakers, Tilt and Telecospic adjustable steering, and an auto dimming rear view mirror.

Power and Performance

The 2012 model has a new optional 2.0-liter MZR four-cylinder engine that develops 145 hp at 6,500 rpm and 182 Nm of torque at 4,500 rpm. The fuel injection system is controlled electronically by the ECU itself. The front suspension uses an independent MacPherson strut with coil spring and double acting shock absorbers. As for rear suspension, an E-Type mult-link with low profile springs and cylindrical double acting shock absorbers are used. Both the front and rear suspensions have contributed well enough to make the handling more precise and the response faster. It has the feeling of driving a sedan race car. The renowned engineering of the car has earned over 77 automotive awards, this has really proven something.

At the back of the car under the trunk, it is equipped with four rear parking sensors which are camouflaged with the same body color. It helps a lot in any kind of driving situations especially parallel parking or reverse parking.

Fuel Economy

30 mpg city and 40 mpg highway; 12.75 km/l city and 17 km/l highway.

What is good about this car?
- Safety is what we are concerned about. The Mazda3 features dual front airbags, side and curtain airbags, traction control, and 4W-ABS + EBD + BA brake system. Front wheels are equipped with ventilated discs and rear wheels with solid disc brake.
- The Mazda3 is made available in a few variants. If the 2.0-liter engine is too powerful, there is an alternative to go for the 1.6-liter engine. If it is inadequate, there is always an option to go for the 2.5-liter engine which delivers more power.
- Good visibility for drivers.
- Good fuel tank capacity at 55 liter.
Mazda3’s 17-inch alloy wheels – Click on the image to enlarge it.

What is not so good about this car?
- Fuel economy is impressive for highway drive but not city drive.
- The suspension gives a good feeling for most people but it could be too hard for some – this is very much an individual perspective.
- The car is still using the old type wiper.
Price
- Thailand: 1,025,000 baht
- United States: MSRP from $15,200
- United Kingdom: £18,025
- Malaysia: RM119,774 (Metallic)
Mazda3’s competitors and similar cars: Honda Civic, Chevrolet Cruze, Honda City, Kia Forte, Toyota Corolla, Ford Focus, Ford Fiesta, Ford Fusion, Peugeot 308, Nissan Almera, and Mitsubishi Lancer.

In conclusion, the Mazda3 (or some called it Mazda 3) is the choice for consumers who prefer something different from all its competitors or similar cars listed above. Quiet cabin, luxury interior, and comfortable drive are what attract consumers the most. The car catches many eyes in the mini motor show and it will definitely give a bit of attention on the road.
March 18, 2012
Isuzu D-Max vs. Mazda BT-50
The Isuzu D-Max and Mazda BT-50 may not be competing head-to-head or foot-to-foot in the marketplace but there is a necessity to discuss both their strong points and weak points. Let’s start with the more popular Isuzu D-Max (known as Chevrolet Colorado in the U.S.) which has been in the market for a longer period compared to the BT-50. It was first introduced in 2002 and it has been in the market for more than a decade. The Mazda BT-50 (Ford Ranger) came later in 2006 but it has become one of the main choices when buying a pickup truck.

Performance and Power

The Isuzu D-Max Pro features a 2.5LS in-line 4-cylinder direct injection diesel turbo engine that delivers 58kW at 3900 rpm and 176 Nm of torque at 1800rpm. Using independent double wishbones with torsion bar springs and stabilizer in the front and semi-elliptical leaf springs in the back, the vehicle’s rigidity is a lot better compare to the previous generation.

The Mazda BT-50 is fitted with a 2.5L 4-cylinder 12-valve SOHC indirect injection turbo engine that delivers 80kW at 3500rpm and 257 Nm or torque at 2000rpm. As for the suspension, Mazda uses independent double wishbones with torsion bar springs in the front and rigid leaf spring in the back.

Design and Reliability

The D-Max is made available in either two doors or four doors. The four-door version can carry up to five adults comfortably as the leg room for the rear seats is roomy. The 2+2 door gives an easy way for rear passengers to get in and out. Unlike what you see in the BT-50, it has a very limited space at the back of the front seats. The jump seats in the supercab are ridiculously small and it seems enough to fit a child but not an adult. With only one door at each side, the rear passengers may find it difficult to get into the car.

(Rear space for Mazda BT-50)

The overall length for the D-Max is 5030mm and 5169mm for the BT-50. So where does the extra length for the BT-50 go to? The BT-50 has a bigger cargo space compare to the D-Max. The BT-50 is more suitable for hauling heavier loads or performing other functions compared to the D-Max. However, the D-Max is more reliable as a family pickup and also capable of hauling loads. It depends on the buyer’s choice.

(Isuzu D-Max rear seat)

The D-Max has an overall width of 1800mm while the BT-50 is 1807mm, a difference of only 7mm. Compare both car heights, the BT-50 is slightly taller at 1762mm and the D-Max is 1735mm.

Weight

Vehicle Gross Vehicle Weight (kg) Seating Capacity

Isuzu D-Max 2650 5

Mazda BT-50 2800 2+2 small jump seats

Interior

The interior of pickups often does not look nice. The interior of the D-Max looks mediocre and the steering wheel looks outdated although it has been redesigned. The Mazda BT-50 is about the same but the dashboard and interior design does not look like a typical pickup truck. The gear knob is designed to look slightly cyber and the gauge lights are pretty too.

Fuel Consumption

Vehicle Fuel Consumption (MPG) Fuel Tank Capacity (Liter)

Isuzu D-Max 18 city/25 highway 76

Mazda BT-50 22 city/27 highway 70

Isuzu D-Max’s characteristic: Fog lamps with bezel, oval tube aluminium side steps, LED high mount stop lamp, door visors, rubber mats, reverse sensors, and pro-lid. You can also get a better version, the Isuzu D-Max V-Cross.

Mazda BT-50’s characteristic: Five-point grille, powerful-looking alloy wheels, rear combination lamp, and with many chrome-plated parts.

Price
- Isuzu D-Max: RM81,129.40.
- Mazda BT-50: RM88,170.00.
Their competitors or similar cars: Toyota Hilux, Nissan Navara, Mitsubishi Triton, Ford Ranger, and Chevrolet Colorado.

Isuzu D-Max images

Mazda BT-50 images

After reading the above comparison of the Isuzu D-Max and Mazda BT-50, which do you choose?
March 5, 2012