The seventh generation Mazda3 is an interesting car in that it plays in quite a discerning market segment where both style and performance are considered big attributes.The other factors, in the R350 000 to R400 000 price range, are reliability and good build quality.
Style the Mazda3 has in bucket-loads. It is no coincidence that it was voted the 2019 World Woman’s Car of the Year in 2019, because it has a sensuous shape that would normally be found on exotica costing three times as much!
How does it go?
As for performance? Well, it’s as if Mazda has identified a trend where design, styling and features are considered far more important than engine performance, and in this philosophy the Japanese company may well be ahead of the curve.
Thus the Mazda3 is available with a choice of just two petrol engines. Neither of these is turbocharged, and it as to be said that in most robot-to-robot shoot-outs you are going to come off second-best in a Mazda3.
The less-expensive models are equipped with a 1,5-litre 4-cylnder motor that develops just 88 kW, while the more expensive 2,0-litre models get by with 121 kW. What makes more of a difference than power figures are the torque outputs. Non-turbo engines lag significantly in torque (pulling power) figures and here the Mazda3 can only boast 153 Nm for the 1,5-litre model and 213 Nm for the 2,0-litre.
Competitors power outputs
In this comparison, which is focussed on running costs, we are lining up the Mazda3 with the Audi A1 Sportback and the Toyota Corolla Hatch Before we get into the hard figures that affect running costs, we thought it would be interesting to outline the different engine philosophies regarding performance between our protagonists.
Audi A1 Sportback: The A1 Sportback is a prime example of the current turbo-downsizing approach in the entry-premium class. Like the Mazda3, The Audi A1 also boasts a high level of design, styling and features. But in terms of engine specification it is fully in the turbocharged camp. The entry-level A1 30 TFSI uses a turbocharged 1,0-litre 3-cylinder engine that produces 85 kW and 200 Nm of torque. The 1,5-litre turbo 4-cylnder produces 110 kW and 250 Nm , while the 2,0 turbo weighs in with 147 kW and 320 Nm.
Toyota Corolla Hatch: Toyota’s latest Corolla line-up, particularly in the Hatch range, seems to adhere to the Mazda philosophy where engine performance is secondary. However its approach is the opposite of the Mazda, in that it has restricted its engine choice to just one unit, a small-capacity turbocharged petrol engine. In this case it’s a 1,2-litre turbo-petrol 4-cylinder. Power outputs are 85 kW and 185 Nm of torque.
Pricing
While the three cars here compete in roughly the same price bracket, we felt that in terms of running costs it was important to match pricing as closely as possible. Hence the Mazda3 model we have chosen is the Hatch 1.5 Dynamic at R377 900. The Toyota Corolla Hatch 1.2T XS Auto costs R373 100 and the Audi A1 Sportback 30 TFSI costs R382 000. The Mazda3 model is in the middle of its line-up, the Toyota Corolla Hatch is also a mid-range model while the Audi A1 we chose is the least-expensive model in the A1 range. All three cars are covered by a price difference of R8 900.
Running costs
Claimed fuel consumption
Mazda3 Hatch 1.5 Dynamic. 6,0 litres/100 km (claimed)
Audi A1 Sportback 30TFSI. 4,8 litres/100 km (claimed)
Toyota Corolla Hatch 1.2T XS Auto . 6,0 litres/100 km (claimed).
Conclusion: In reality, the naturally-aspirated Mazda3 will probably return the best consumption figures around town. A turbocharged engine is very fuel-efficient at cruising speeds, but when you are boosting the turbo in stop-start motoring, those consumption figures can go up.
Tyre sizes (smaller tyres are cheaper to replace than larger tyres.
Mazda3 Hatch 1.5 Dynamic. 205/60 R16
Audi A1 Sportback 30TFSI. 185/65 R15
Toyota Corolla Hatch 1.2t XS Auto. 205/55 R16.
Conclusion:
The Audi’s tyres will be the cheapest. However, it is likely that owners may specify more expensive optional tyres, given that Audi markets a range of optional extras very strongly.
Warranty and service/maintenance plans
Mazda3 Hatch 1.5 Dynamic. Warranty is 3 years/unlimited km, Service plan is 3 years/unlimited km.
Audi A1 Sportback 30TFSI. Warranty is 1 year/unlimited km, maintenance plan is 5 years/100 000 km.
Toyota Corolla Hatch 1.2T XS Auto. Warranty is 3 years/100 000 km, service plan is 6 services/90 000 km.
Conclusion: The Audi wins here, thanks to a maintenance plan rather than a service plan.
Verdict
Rather surprisingly, the Audi comes up tops overall, thanks to low (claimed) fuel consumption, cheaper tyres and a maintenance plan that is good for 5-years/100 000 km. The others have service plans which don’t cover all servicing costs. The A1 Sportback is the most expensive car by just under R9 000, but we believe its maintenance plan, built into the cost of the car, will more than make up for the difference over a 5-year period.
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