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Mazda3 more than protege of its precursor

Zoom, zoom.

Phooey!

Clever ad slogan but while the Mazda6 sedan has zoom, neither the Mazda Tribute nor the Mazda MPV minivan are known for providing a motoring kick.

But for ’04 along comes the Mazda3 replacement for the Protege. While Protege was a subcompact economy car, Mazda3 is a compact sedan or hatchback with a little sporty sizzle–or zoom–to it.

As a result, Mazda now offers a pair of zoomers, and consumers have responded well, with Mazda3 sales rising to 16,689 units for the year to date from 15,051 a year ago when the Protege was the entry-level offering and Mazda6 climbing to 15,448 units from 8,988 a year ago.

The Mazda3 is the best-selling vehicle in the automaker’s lineup.

The Mazda3 is offered in sedan and hatchback versions, with the sedan taking on the likes of the Civic, Corolla, Jetta and Cavalier (soon to become Cobalt), while the hatchback takes on the likes of the Toyota Matrix, Pontiac Vibe, and Volkswagen Golf.

Not only does the Mazda3 sport styling similar to that on the larger midsize Mazda6 sedan, it boasts larger dimensions than Protege. Wheelbase grows by an inch to 103.9 inches, overall length by 3 inches to 178.7 inches, width by 2 inches to 69.1 inches and height by 2 inches to 57.7 inches.

The reason for the larger dimensions is that Protege owners pointed out the shortcoming in cabin room and Mazda responded.

The longer wheelbase and length contribute to improved ride and handling and along with the added height and width, a more spacious and comfortable cabin.

The sedan is available in base i version with 2-liter, 148-h.p. 4-cylinder that produces 135 foot-pounds of torque and s version with 2.3-liter, 160-h.p. 4-cylinder that produces 150 foot-pounds of torque. The hatchback is offered in s version only with the 2.3-liter 4.

The sedan was meant for the mature buyer, the hatchback for youth, Mazda says, meaning the sedan is for mom and dad, the hatchback for son and daughter.

We tested the Mazda3 s sedan though admitting hatchback styling is more appealing even if basically a station wagon.

The 2.3-liter 4 is surprisingly lively and does a better-than-average job in delivering sufficient muscle for quick movement away from the light. The test car was equipped with the optional sport package at $490. The package comes with wide profile 17-inch all-season radials that focus more on nimble handling than you get with the standard 16-inch all-season radials on all 2.3-liter 4-cylinder models. And the 17s are mounted on sporty alloy wheels.

The McPherson strut suspension was specially tuned for the Mazda3, with larger pistons and rebound springs to control wheel movement and minimize road shock for flat cornering.

The sport package also adds side-sill extensions and front fog lamps for a sportier appearance to complement the machine’s more limber character. The sport package is standard on the hatchback.

In addition to enjoying spirited performance in a small package, you benefit from a 25 m.p.g. city/32 m.p.g. highway rating from the 2.3 teamed with the standard smooth shifting 5-speed manual. A 4-speed automatic is a $900 option.

One gripe is that anti-lock brakes are only available as an option, and a hefty $800 at that, though Mazda justifies the cost by making side-impact air bags for front-seat occupants, and side-curtain air bags for front- and rear-seat occupants part of the package.

A car meant for a little more aggressive maneuvering than an economy sedan should come with ABS standard. And side-curtain air bags are becoming a must regardless of economy or performance model.

Still, Mazda3 tops the Protege in ride, handling, performance and styling. You have to suspect Mazda will encourage Mazda3 owners to move up to the Mazda6 when ages a d income levels rise and they want even more room, comfort and performance, and have to suspect it won’t be hard to convince Mazda3 owners to make the move.

Mazda will supply Ford, which owns a controlling interest in the Japanese automaker, with the front-drive Mazda6 platform to build a trio of upcoming front-drive/all-wheel-drive midsize sedans. They include a Ford formerly known as Futura that may get the Falcon name, a Mercury that also awaits a name though Milan is expected to be the moniker, and a Lincoln, which has been given the Zephyr name. Those three all bow in the ’06 model year.

The Mazda6 platform is also going to be shared by Lincoln to produce the next-generation Aviator for the ’06 model year, when it moves from its current status as a sport-ute derived from the Ford Explorer, to a crossover sport-ute/wagon derived from the Mazda6 platform. And shortly after Aviator arrives, Ford division will get a crossover companion derived from the Mazda6 as well.

So the Mazda6 can boast good bloodlines when it comes time to move up and out of the Mazda3.

Noteworthy features include wide, supportive cloth seats, a huge glove box with an inner ledge big enough for laptop computer or purse and cupholders in the center console as well as water-bottle holders in both side doors.

The trunk is spacious. To expand cargo capacity into the cabin, the split rear seat backs fold, though not perfectly flat.

A gripe is that front-seat head, leg, and arm room is more than adequate, but rear-seat room is a tad snug.

The Mazda3 shares the same platform with the Volvo S40 as well as European version of the Ford Focus. There’s speculation the next-generation Focus for the U.S. market will adopt the platform as well. Ford admits that it is studying the move.

Barb Samardzich, executive director for small front- and rear-wheel-drive vehicles at Ford, also hinted (Business, March 3) that Mazda and Ford may team up on a new car smaller than Focus, a high-mileage, low-priced offering to attract those on a budget.

“When people come in looking for the cheapest car they can buy, it would be nice to have something other than Focus so that Focus can be a higher margin car,” she said, adding that “Leveraging another company,” such as Mazda, would be a smart and low-cost way to bring a new small car to market.

But we digress.

Mazda3 base price is $16,405. Air conditioning, power windows, door locks and mirrors, AM/FM radio with single-disc CD player, tilt and telescoping steering and cruise control are standard.

Mazda says the new 3 has become its best-selling model because it’s a small, fun to drive machine at an affordable price.

But watch out for affordability. Add automatic transmission and ABS (side airbags/curtains), and it’s affordable–plus $1,700 and tax.

Power moonroof adds another $890, a hefty price because, as with ABS, y ou can’t get it as a stand-alone option but have to purchase a package that includes moonroof and a 6-disc CD player.

One option not available is power seats, which may be good because Mazda may have packaged it with a trunk cargo net, don’t you think?

Strictly personal: Birthday greetings to granddaughter Taylor Brae celebrating No. 4.

TEST DRIVE

2004 Mazda3 S 4-door

Wheelbase: 103.9 inches

Length: 178.8 inches

Engine: 2.3-liter, 160-h.p. 4-cylinder

Transmission: 5-speed manual

Fuel economy: 25 m.p.g. city/32 m.p.g. highway

Base price: $16,405

Price as tested: $16,895. Includes $490 for sport package with 17-inch all-season radials, alloy wheels and side sill extensions. Add $520 for freight.

Pluses: Zoom Protege didn’t have. Room Protege didn’t have. Sport looks Protege didn’t have. Ride and handling Protege didn’t have, which means best of all, it’s not a Protege. /p>

Minuses: Rear seat is a tad snug.