Review: 2019 Mazda3 GT AWD – Part 3
The interior of the Mazda3 GT AWD is a class above with a few minor issues that don’t detract from that class above feeling. Let me walk you through it and you’ll see why I feel that way.
The drivers seat is a comfortable place to be. It’s leather, power adjustable in ten ways with two memory settings. While it could have a bit more bolstering in the lower part of the seat and be slightly wider, you’ll find no issues with it.
The mirror, door locks, and window controls are lit and easy to reach. There’s a leather and piano black finish along with silver trim around the speakers that gives the interior an upscale feel.
Here you can see the buttons for the electronic overseers as well as the driver seat memory settings. You can also see the pedals and the dead pedals.
There’s also this storage area for coins under the buttons for the seat settings as well as the button to pop the trunk.
Here’s a shot of the dash which when you look at it, you really get the feeling that this is a very modern, clean and upscale design.
The steering wheel is on the thick side. I have to admit that even though I have large hands, it didn’t really feel comfortable to me for most of the week that I had it. I did eventually get used to it though. It is heated and has all the controls that you need to use the infotainment system and cruise control. There are also paddle shifters behind the steering wheel.
The gauge cluster is made up of two real gauges on the outside, and a TFT screen in the middle which you can flip through a series of screens that allow you to get the information that you need. It’s generally bright and easy to read, though I did note that it is sometimes prone to glare.
Moving to the center of the dash, there’s a 8.8″ widescreen for the infotainment system. The screen is bright and very, very sharp. I’ll have more on this and the whole infotainment system tomorrow.
Below the screen are the controls for the dual zone HVAC system which includes the controls for the heated front seats and the heated steering wheel. Right below that is a USB port to plug your phone into.
Right under the HVAC controls is a cubby that also contains a pair of cupholders. I have to admit that when I first saw this, I was dubious that it would pass my Venti Starbucks drink test. But….
….. It passed that test with ease.
Here you can see the leather wrapped gear shift, the redesigned HMI Commander Switch, as well as the parking brake, auto hold switch and the sport switch on the left. You can also see the fingerprints that tend to get left behind on a piano black finish like this.
The armrest as a storage area that contains a USB port and a 12V outlet.
There’s a decent sized glovebox.
You also get a decent sized powered moonroof.
The back seats are a decent place to be for two adults as I tested that with two six foot tall adults during the week I had the Mazda3. Three adults back here is a non-starter because of the tunnel in middle of the floor.
There’s a pair of cupholders in an armrest that flips down from middle of the back seats.
The trunk is deeper than I expected. You could likely fit a couple of bodies back here. Not that I would advocate that.
But I will advocate the use of the trunk for your grocery shopping as it held our shopping with ease and with space left over.
There’s a handle on the trunk that allows you to close the trunk without getting your hands dirty.
Overall the interior is first class in every way possible. Mazda really did a great job putting the interior together as it it really impressed anyone who saw it. The interior is also very quiet. More so than I expected it to be. I should also note that there’s very good vision in every direction for the driver. No rattles, squeaks, or other annoyances were noted during my week with the Mazda3.
Tomorrow I will talk about the technology in the Mazda3 which has made a massive transformation for 2019. Stay tuned for that.
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