Sticks like glue

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 16/02/2024 (593 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

There are not many automatic transmission cars that would make me want to give up my manual-transmission 2020 Mazda3 Sport.

The 2024 Mazda3 Sport AWD Suna edition is one of them.

Since the current generation Mazda3 began, in 2019 as a 2020 model, all-wheel drive has been offered with automatic transmissions only. If you want a stick, you’re driving front-drive only. (And for 2024, sticks are only available in GT trim.)

That’s worked out for me, since I get decent traction in winter from my Michelin X-Ice2 winter tires, but adding all-wheel drive to the Mazda3 is a game-changer in winter. I got to experience that, and compare the vehicles, during what little winter Winnipeg has had so far.

So, the first objection to an automatic to overcome is this: if you want an automatic in a small car, you can’t do better than the six-cog Skyactiv box in the Mazda3. Because it only, deliberately, has six gears, there’s very little, if any, hunting for gears. It’s fast-shifting and responsive, and because it actually is an automatic transmission and not a CVT — which, when asked if a CVT was ever considered, a Mazda engineer’s answer in Japanese was easily understood by all the anglophones in the room as “Never!” — it shifts crisply and cleanly.

It couples to an excellent all-wheel-drive system to lay power to pavement — or in my case, snow and ice — with considerable traction, also due in part to Michelin X-Ice2 tires.

The difference in traction between my car and the Suna was dramatic: the system varies the torque split depending on conditions but automatically delivers more torque to the rear wheels on startup, which meant the wheels were spinning at only the slipperiest of intersections.

(As an aside, don’t spin your wheels at intersections. You aren’t gaining anything and it only polishes them to be even more slippery. Instead, especially if you’re driving an automatic, just take your foot off the brake and let the vehicle creep to start, gradually adding power as you progress. It’s winter: you’re not winning any drag races anyways. If you do get spin, as I did, just ease up.)

The Suna edition takes what is arguably the prettiest mainstream small car on the market to a new level.

Suna is now the top-level trim, just above the GT Turbo and offers most of the amenities from that model. The differences between the GT Turbo and Suna are cosmetic: Zircon Sand is the exterior colour and the interior is a new terracotta and black leatherette with terracotta stitching. GT Turbo and Suna models also get their own 18-inch black alloy wheels.

It comes with the 2.5-litre turbo engine, six-speed auto and all-wheel drive as mentioned. Inside is a full slate of luxury appointments, from dual-zone automatic climate control to heated steering wheel (heated seats are already standard across the Mazda3 lineup), head-up display, adaptive cruise control, power driver’s seat and Bose 12-speaker sound system.

Adaptive headlights will steer into corners and signature lighting on front and rear lights further separates the GT and Suna models from their less-expensive siblings.

Since Mazda abandoned plans to follow Toyota (Lexus), Nissan (Infiniti) and Honda (Acura) by having its own luxury brand — Amati — it has strived to make its mainstream models compete against the luxury segment on design, styling and handling. So, to many eyes, at least, Mazda’s styling inside and out is superlative. Fit, finish and features compete strongly against more expensive models.

Mazda also ranks consistently among the top models for reliability, often taking top spot.

The pitfalls for the Mazda3 are few, but worth mentioning: while the egg shape of the Sport has been proven to be the most aerodynamic shape for any vehicle, it contributes to a rapid accumulation of road grime on the rear window and rear backup camera.

kelly.taylor@winnipegfreepress.com