The IT Nerd

In my review of the Mazda3 Sport GS, I got the chance to try the Mazda Connect infotainment system, and I had this to say during part 4 of my review:

After several days of using Mazda Connect, I am going to declare that this infotainment system has replaced Chrysler’s UConnect system as the easiest to use infotainment system on the market today. If I were Mazda, I would take this system complete with the HMI and use it in everything that they make. I would also promote it to death and get people to use it. They will find it to be simple to use and it works exceptionally well. Kudo’s to Mazda for coming up with this system.

I say that because Mazda came up with a system that is quick to learn and very easy to use. The system comprises the following components:

A touchscreen that is mounted to the top of the dash as is the case here. This particular screen is 7″ in size.

Then there’s the HMI (Human-Machine Interface) Commander Switch behind the shift lever. The controller is surrounded at the front by five buttons: Audio, Home, and Navigation along the top, and Back and Favorites on either side. Next to the commander is a rotary volume knob that can also be pushed in to mute the audio system.

The user interface for Mazda Connect is suited to the use of the HMI commander switch:

As you can see, it has five icons on a curve which is a natural metaphor for the use of the HMI commander switch as you can use the HMI to move to the function that you need without having to think to much about it. The functions that you get are:

• Applications: When I tested this system in the Mazda3 Sport GS, it had a HD Traffic Map, fuel economy monitor, an app to let you know when to service the car, and another app that gives you guidance on any warnings that the car generates. Other apps can be added to Mazda Connect once they become available.
• Entertainment: When I tested this system in the Mazda3 Sport GS, it had Aha Radio (which allows you access to Facebook and Twitter), Stitcher Radio along with Pandora. All of these work with apps that are installed on your smartphone to bring you Internet radio to your car. You also get Bluetooth audio as well as the ability to plug in two USB devices such as a pair of iPhones so that you can have lots of music on long drives.
• Communication: This function allows you to make or receive phone calls, or grab messages from supported phones. This is also where you can pair your phone to the system via Bluetooth and it takes seconds to do.
• Navigation: This function which is powered by TomTom Nokia HERE will help you get from point A to point B easily.
• Settings: This will allow you to customize the system to suit your needs.

Below each icon are one or more menus that are easy to navigate in a up and down fashion. Plus you can use the HMI as a joystick by pushing the entire knob in whatever direction you need to quickly navigate through sub menus. The net result is that this is a very natural way to navigate a system that could easily be complex and overwhelming for the average user. Besides the HMI Commander switch, you can also use the 7″ touchscreen to do what you need to do as well. However all touch functions are disabled when the car is in motion. That’s a very good safety feature. There’s also voice commands that are quick and easy to learn as well.

Anyone I exposed Mazda Connect to was able to figure out how to use it in a minute or two and they never had to open the manual to do so. That highlights how well designed this system is as one of the top frustrations from car owners is how complex infotainment systems can be. Another thing that Mazda gets points for is how smooth and fluid the system is. All the graphics move smoothly and everything is quick whether it be moving between menus or plugging in your iPhone to play tunes. It is clear that Mazda put a lot of time and effort to make sure that every aspect of this system is perfect.

Mazda has a winner in the form of Mazda Connect. It’s only available in the Mazda3 as far as I am aware, but one hopes that it will make its way into other Mazda vehicles soon. It’s truly something that will drive sales towards Mazda vehicles when prospective customers try it out.

The Mazda3 Sport GS that I’m driving this week has one key piece of technology that I am going to focus on. That’s the infotainment system. But before I get to it, let me talk about the safety technology that comes with the car:

• You get anti-lock brakes, traction control, stability control
• You get dual front air bags, dual front side air bags and dual side air curtains

Then there’s the fact that you get auto-off headlights and keyless entry w/push-button ignition which makes life easier. But the real star of the show is the infotainment system called Mazda Connect. It’s got a 7″ touchscreen that sits on top of the dash. That’s much bigger than the 5.8″ screen that comes with the Mazda CX-5 or the Mazda6. As an aside, the first time my wife saw it, she said that it looks funny just sitting there on top of the dash like that. My response was “if this were a BMW 3 series or a Mercedes Benz B Class, would you make the same comment as they do exactly the same thing with their infotainment screens?”

There was no response as she knew I had a point.

You can use the screen to your heart’s content unless the car is in motion. In which case the touchscreen gets disabled for your safety. Thus if you need to adjust something, you need to use Mazda’s HMI (Human-Machine Interface) Commander Switch behind the shift lever. It’s a knob with redundant buttons around the sides that is quick to adapt to and use. You can use rotary, push and tilt operations to do what you need to do. It works very well and I adapted to it very quickly. There’s also voice commands that worked well to allow me to do things such as make phone calls.

Now the user interface is geared towards the use of the HMI as it has large icons and clear text to let you know what each function is at the top level. The menus below them are equally as clear. That allows you to figure out where everything is quickly. Now you get controls for the entertainment, communications, navigation, and an application section along with a setting section that allow you to change the settings of the system. Moving around the infotainment system is easy and fluid.

Now one thing that I would like to point out to you is the application section. My test car had apps for the HD Traffic Map, fuel economy monitor, an app to let you know when to service the car, and another app that gives you guidance on any warnings that the car generates. Other apps can be added to Mazda Connect once they become available.

In terms of entertainment, you get Aha Radio, Stitcher Radio along with Pandora. All of these work with apps that are installed on your smartphone to bring you Internet radio to your car. You also get Bluetooth audio as well as the ability to plug in two USB devices such as a pair of iPhones. One thing that I loved was the fact that once you plugged in your phone (in my case an iPhone 5s), the playlists and songs on the phone were almost instantly available. That was in stark contrast to the system that Mazda uses in the CX-5 or the Mazda6 where it could take minutes to accomplish the same thing. The sound from the six speaker audio system was decent. But those who are serious about their audio will want the optional Bose audio system with 9 speakers. Now there’s one other trick that’s interesting. You can use Aha Radio to access your Facebook and Twitter accounts. It’s not something that I would do, but Generation Millennial I am guessing would be very interested in this functionality.

The navigation system (which is powered by TomTom Nokia HERE) is easy to enter destinations into and the directions it gives are clear. Though it doesn’t read out the street names. It however makes up for that by displaying the names of streets at the top of the screen regardless of what mode you happen to be in. Still, having street names read aloud would be nice.

It also has these features:

• 2D or 3D perspective for landmarks and city views
• On-screen speed limits
• Advance notice of upcoming exits and appropriate driving lane

All of this makes the navigation system easy to use and you’ll appreciate having it.

One final thing, it took me a minute to pair my iPhone 5S to the system and I believe anyone can do it without a problem. You can also get your e-mail and receive and send text messages from your phone if you’re so inclined.

After several days of using Mazda Connect, I am going to declare that this infotainment system has replaced Chrysler’s UConnect system as the easiest to use infotainment system on the market today. If I were Mazda, I would take this system complete with the HMI and use it in everything that they make. I would also promote it to death and get people to use it. They will find it to be simple to use and it works exceptionally well. Kudo’s to Mazda for coming up with this system.

The final part of this review will tie up some loose ends and I’ll give you my final verdict.

You’re looking at the Skyactiv 2.0 L engine inside the Mazda3 Sport that puts out 155 horsepower and 150 pound feet of torque. A six speed automatic transmission takes the power from the engine and uses it to motivate the front wheels. Now my head knows what the spec sheet says, but my right foot and the seat of my pants weren’t convinced. That’s because the Mazda3 Sport felt way more powerful than than what the numbers would suggest. Off the line there was plenty of power on tap. If I needed to pass another car on the highway, all I needed to do is put my foot down and I could blow by the slower vehicle. The transmission was completely smooth and always had me in the right gear. Handling is first rate. You sit low in the car (in fact it feels like you drop into the car when you get in) so you can fully feel what the car feels which allows you to duck and dive between cars on the highway with ease. At the same time, it’s exceptionally easy to handle at slow speeds such as what you would find in a parking lot. I keep saying this every time I drive a Mazda vehicle, but the weight of the steering is perfect and the suspension is absolutely perfectly dialled in. It filters out anything that would be jarring, but it lets the right amount of road feel through to the steering wheel. But what really got my attention is the fuel economy. So far in mixed city and highway driving, I am getting 7.9 L/100 KM. Mazda’s SkyActiv suite of technologies that encompasses the engine, transmission, and body are clearly coming through to give you plenty of Mazda’s trademark “Zoom Zoom” while saving you gas. If you want to go into finer details, check out my in depth look at SkyActiv technology here. But take it from me it works exceptionally well in the Mazda3 Sport.

The only thing that makes it way into the cabin in terms of sound is some wind noise at highway speeds. Tire noise is at very low levels on most surfaces. There is a growl from the exhaust under acceleration that sounds cool, but disappears when the Mazda3 Sport is up to speed. That’s a very nice touch. Visibility is also good from the drivers seat. The rear window is on the small side, but that didn’t really affect my ability to see out the back. Though I had to play with the position of my rear view mirror to feel truly comfortable. Other than that, there was nothing that impaired my vision in any direction. Finding a position that allowed me to drive comfortably was easy.

Tomorrow, I’m going to give you an overview of the interior which is a very good one. Stay tuned for that.