Mazda 3 Sedan

Even with the base Elite, Mazda made sure that there's plenty of luxury to spread around for buyers to enjoy. Although a more minimalist approach has been taken with the Mazda 3’s current iteration, it manages to look more elegant than the outgoing version, starting with the use of better, evidently more premium materials. Other standard features include power-adjustable driver's seat, dual-zone automatic climate control with pollen filter, two USB sockets, Bluetooth, steering wheel controls, keyless entry, dynamic stability control, frameless auto-dimming rearview mirror, and an 8.8-inch infotainment touchscreen that links 12-speaker Bose sound system. A Speed Package adds a red leather interior and body kits to the equation.

The Mazda 3's sheetmetal has always been one of its biggest selling points, consistently display a sleek, elegant, and poised aesthetic that only seems to get better with each passing generation. This time around, the overall design appears more conservative than the outgoing model, with fewer lines and more curves. The signature 90-degree grille is still present, although it now sports a more stylish mesh design instead of the louver seen in its predecessor. The LED headlamps are now slimmer, while the rear fascia is made especially sleeker by the shapelier taillights. Standout exterior features include a dual exhaust tailpipe, adaptive front lighting system, powered glass sunroof, and rain-sensing wipers. 

The Mazda 3 sedan measures 4661 mm x 1795 mm x 1440 mm, while the Sportback is 4460 mm x 1795 mm x 1440 mm. Wheelbase remains the same for both cars at 2725 mm. Locally, it comes in six available colors Polymetal Gray, Machine Gray, Snowflake White Pearl, Jet Black, Deep Crystal Blue, and Soul Red Crystal.

The Mazda 3 sedan is equipped with the SKYACTIV-VEHICLE DYNAMICS feature that comes with G-Vectoring Control system for a smoother ride. This particular feature is why the Mazda 3 handles excellently whether the car is speeding down the highway, hugging tight corners, or cruising around city streets. Performance is improved further by the system’s ability to adjust power delivery and shifting the vehicle’s weight when necessary.

The 2019 Mazda 3 sedan is available in four different trims—Elite and Premium. Powertrain choices include a 1.5-litre DOHC SkyActiv-G (G stands for gasoline) for the base model Elite (109 hp, 146 Nm), and a 2.0-litre version (152 hp, 200 Nm) for the Premium variant. Both engines are paired with the same type of transmission: a six-speed automatic gearbox with Sport Mode. 

The Mazda 3 has ventilated discs up front and solid discs at the rear, combined with a standard Anti-Locking Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) for reliable braking. Mazda has evolved the level of safety in its cars with the introduction of I-Activsense, a driver assistance technology suite that includes, Blind-Spot Monitoring Equipped with Rear-Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Departure Warning With Lane Keep Assist, Smart Brake Support Forward system, Smart Brake Support Reverse system, Front-Cross Traffic Alert, Driver Attention Alert, and other Collision Avoidance technologies all help to lessen common accidents on the road. The Mazda 3 also adds a 360-degree view camera to add peace-of-mind to your drive.

The Mazda 3 sedan is not only a fun car to drive, but it's also a stylishly enjoyable car to own. Boasting dynamic handling and responsiveness with fairly good mileage, the many high-end features only serve to make it a more desirable car. Priced at PHP 1,320,000 for the Elite option and PHP 1,495,000 for the Premium variant (the Speed Package option comes with an additional PHP 80,000 fee), the Mazda 3 boasts distinct trim levels that suit many driving styles.