What Makes the Mazda3 the AJAC Car of the Year?

The Mazda3 has always been one of the automaker’s most popular cars, but the 2024 Mazda3 has surpassed all its rivals by winning the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada. The sporty hatchback loaded with style, modern technology, and a peppy engine has it all!

From how it handles turns to the way it saves you money at the pump, the Mazda3 is a special vehicle with a lot going on inside. Read on to take a closer look at all its features.

i-Activ All Wheel Drive

Many vehicles now come with a suite of sensors and cameras to improve safety, but the optional i-Activ All Wheel Drive (AWD) on the Mazda3 is truly advanced. Sensors scan the road about 200 times a second to check for changing road conditions, and the vehicle can adjust itself according to what it finds.

For example, if the vehicle detects that slippery conditions are causing slippage in a back wheel, it’ll send more torque to just that tire at just the time it’s needed. This allows the Mazda3 to plough safely through adverse road conditions.

The i-Activ AWD is designed to maximize fuel efficiency. The vehicle only sends the boost of torque at just the moment it’s needed, conserving as much gas as possible. This defies the reputation AWD systems have for consuming fuel, but that’s just one example of how things are different in the 2024 Mazda3.

G-Vectoring Control Plus

Mazda has a design philosophy known as “Jinba Ittai,” a Japanese phrase translating to “horse and rider as one.” You’ll come to understand what this means when you get behind the wheel and feel how responsive this vehicle is to your every intention.

The combination of handling that seems to understand you and fuel economy that saves you money at the pump is rare. You and all your passengers will love it. Visit Yorkdaledufferinmazda.ca to find great deals, support, and a huge selection of vehicles from a local dealership.

Source: J.D. Power

i-Activsense Features

The Mazda3 has an available suite of i-Activsense features that alert drivers to road hazards and make avoiding them easier. This will help keep everyone inside the car and on the road safer, while also making driving less stressful in countless everyday situations.

The Blind Spot Monitoring System ensures drivers always know who is behind their vehicle, even in places that are otherwise out of sight. A Lane Departure Warning System lets drivers know when they accidentally veer out of their lane.

Smart City Brake Support is an example of how this vehicle improves safety for everybody on the road, and takes the stress out of driving in crowded downtown roads shared by multiple users. When the vehicle is travelling at mid to high speeds, it scans the road 200 metres ahead for objects.

If it detects there’s a risk of collision, the vehicle readies itself for a stop. If no corrective action is taken, the vehicle will apply the brakes automatically. When you need to drive through downtown streets where cyclists, pedestrians, and even people riding scooters use the space, the advanced safety features let you face the chaos with peace of mind.

Rear Cross Traffic Alert warns the driver if a vehicle is approaching from the side when backing out of a parking spot or a driveway. You don’t need to be zooming down the highway or navigating bustling roads for there to be a risk of collision, and the Mazda3 is always watching out for you.

Source: Goulburn Mazda

Soundscape

The 2024 Mazda3 puts a damper on unnecessary engine noises, creating the headspace for a more tranquil drive. You can still hear the hum of the motor, which gives you a calm sense that you’re operating a vehicle. But the edge has been taken off, and it’ll have a calming effect.

This quiet is also the perfect sonic backdrop for the Bose sound system featuring strategically-placed speakers spread around the cabin. You’ll hear the treble and low-end sounds clearly at any volume, making your favourite music sound better than ever.

Source: B92

Improved Infotainment Centre

The infotainment centre in the 2024 Mazda3 has been redesigned to create a smoother, quicker experience that integrates Apple and Android smartphones easily. Apple CarPlay grants access to Apple Maps, Apple Music, Siri, and more. Android Auto makes it easy to use your Android phone to keep in touch with your contacts, navigate, listen to music, and more.

Get all the information you need effortlessly and in less time with the 2024 Mazda3’s infotainment centre. The hands-free system keeps you informed without having to take your eyes off the road.

Source: Mazda-Qatar.com

Human-Centric Design Philosophy

Mazda really tried to address the questions: what problems distract drivers, and how can they be eliminated? The answer is expressed through Mazda’s Human-Centric Design Philosophy.

Mazda determined that when most drivers get distracted, three things happen: they feel cognitive distraction from the road ahead; drivers take their eyes off the road; finally, they take their hands off the wheel.

In response to this, Mazda created a commander control centre that’s intuitive to use to heighten safety and comfort. The evolved KODO design puts the driver in the centre, so all the controls and information they need is facing them and are designed to be easily reachable.

Drivers will enjoy an intuitive experience behind the wheel, where it feels like the controls are all at their fingertips, and information they need jumps out at them. The vehicle’s exterior is designed to stir up a sense of motion, turning heads wherever it goes even when it’s in park. The interior will create a sense of calm and order by being so highly organized that drivers don’t need to turn their heads at all.

The 2024 Mazda3’s combination of peppy engine, responsive handling, advanced modern technology, and sophisticated design philosophy has made it a favourite around the world. When you consider the level of refinements and sophistication in a vehicle that is priced this affordably, the awards and the accolades should come as no surprise.