Mazda 3 SP25 GT 2014 review

The Mazda 3 SP25 is aimed at those seeking a bit more grunt than the 3's entry 2.0-litre engine.  Since the arrival of the third-generation 3 in February, both hatch and sedan SP25s are now available in three different trim levels. 

VALUE

The $32,590 automatic SP25 GT tested here is second only to the top of the range SP25 Astina ($38,190 auto), and for $4700 more than the base SP25 ($27,890 auto), the GT adds perforated leather trim, an overhead console, LEDs at the front and the rear, adaptive bi-xenon headlights, a heads-up display, heated mirrors, power driver’s seat, and nine-speaker Bose audio. 

Like the rest of the 3 lineup, both hatch and sedan bodystyles are priced equally, and the auto represents a $2000 option.

Our example was also fitted with the optional Sunroof and Safety package, which adds an electric sunroof, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, and an automated braking function to help prevent slow speed collisions. 

However, it doesn’t get the adaptive cruise control, auto high beams and lane departure and forward obstruction alerts you get standard on the top Astina.

The SP25 also has the 3’s excellent new MZD smartphone interface, which also packs satnav and a reversing camera into its seven inch screen.

Like all SP25s, it also gets dual-zone climate control and rides on 18-inch alloys.

DESIGN

The interior is a comfy place to be, and looks particularly decadent with this example’s white leather, which comes paired with its Titanium Flash paintwork. The white leather is also paired with the Soul Red and Deep Crystal Blue colours, while all other hues come with black hide. 

Headroom in the back is a bit tight for taller passengers, but it’s no problem for everyone else. 

The 308-litre VDA boot is 32-litres smaller than the old second-generation hatch, but it’s still a useful space and there’s a spacesaver spare under the boot floor.

ENGINE / TRANSMISSION

SP25 means it gets the bigger 2.5-litre petrol engine from the 6 and CX5, which adds an extra 14kW and 50Nm over the 2.0-litre to total 138kW/250Nm, and the auto’s official 6.1L/100km combined figure is less than half a litre more than an auto 2.0-litre.

Considering its relatively large 2.5-litre petrol engine, the SP25 is really quite efficient, and it’s helped by the switchable stop/start system around town, and will happily sip regular 91RON unleaded fuel. 

The auto is a six-speed torque converter unit, which is packed with Skyactiv efficiency-boosting tech. The $2000 cheaper six-speed manual version might be the purist driver’s choice, but consumes an extra 0.4L/100km according to its official combined figure and would require a degree of driver skill to match it.

SAFETY

Aside from the optional Sunroof and Safety pack, the SP25 carries the same five-star ANCAP rating as the rest of the 3 lineup, with dual front, side and full-length curtain airbags, ABS, EBD, and stability control as standard.  

DRIVING

The difference over the less powerful 2.0-litre engine is immediately obvious off the mark, with significantly more punch at town speeds, and more confident overtaking on the highway. 

You wouldn’t call it a hot hatch, but it’s great to have the option of more poke with little consequence to fuel economy.

Part of this efficiency is due to the six speed auto’s tendency to hold onto taller gears, but an instructive throttle stab will quickly unleash the 2.5’s full potential, or there’s also paddle shifters behind the wheel for manual shifting. 

Like all new 3s, the chassis is nice and predictable on the limit, with great steering, but the SP25’s 18-inch tyres make a bit more noise on coarse surfaces and are noticeably less supple on rough roads than the lesser models’ 16s.

Neither are worth complaining about though, and the GT is a very easy car to live with.