In fact, I love the 3''€™s auto possibly as much as the A1'€™s manual, such is its ability to be ultra-smooth when creeping in traffic, grab a lower gear even before you'€™ve thought it needs to, then hold lower gears intuitively when going down hills or during hard driving.
The lighter steering compared with the Audi initially feels a bit vague on the centre position, but you realise just how intuitive it is, too, responding to tiny inputs beyond the centre vacancy with measured and consistent precision.
However colleague Matt is already moaning about the turning circle, which he deems curiously large, not helped by steering assistance that goes oddly heavy when making quick low-speed manoeuvres€" the jury's out.
Unlike the A1 that came factory-fresh to us, our 3 Maxx arrived with 6500km on the clock having served as a press car since the national launch early this year. It appears to be living up to Mazda'€™s quality reputation, too, feeling tight and with interior materials not showing signs of wear.
After suffering some connectivity issues in the Audi A1, the Mazda 3 infotainment screen is more premium in its ease of use and available functions. I’m already starting to drill through my monthly mobile phone date allowance creating internet radio stations on Pandora then voting songs up or
down via the touchscreen.
Hopefully, unlike the A1, the MZD-Connect system is reliable.
The wide and soft front seats of the 3 Maxx also join with the bump-blotting ride to make it feel old-school French in a way. Yet the buzzy and revvy engine seems classically Japanese and the general steering precision typical-Mazda. A good bunch of virtues, there, and a healthy first impression for our latest long-termer.
The lighter steering compared with the Audi initially feels a bit vague on the centre position, but you realise just how intuitive it is, too, responding to tiny inputs beyond the centre vacancy with measured and consistent precision.
However colleague Matt is already moaning about the turning circle, which he deems curiously large, not helped by steering assistance that goes oddly heavy when making quick low-speed manoeuvres€" the jury's out.
Unlike the A1 that came factory-fresh to us, our 3 Maxx arrived with 6500km on the clock having served as a press car since the national launch early this year. It appears to be living up to Mazda'€™s quality reputation, too, feeling tight and with interior materials not showing signs of wear.
After suffering some connectivity issues in the Audi A1, the Mazda 3 infotainment screen is more premium in its ease of use and available functions. I’m already starting to drill through my monthly mobile phone date allowance creating internet radio stations on Pandora then voting songs up or
down via the touchscreen.
Hopefully, unlike the A1, the MZD-Connect system is reliable.
The wide and soft front seats of the 3 Maxx also join with the bump-blotting ride to make it feel old-school French in a way. Yet the buzzy and revvy engine seems classically Japanese and the general steering precision typical-Mazda. A good bunch of virtues, there, and a healthy first impression for our latest long-termer.
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