NRMA Car Review - Mazda 323

Mazda has declared war on the small/medium car market with a fightback package for its 323 model range. The respected position held by the 323 has been gradually eroded as a result of the price war being fought in this fiercely competitive segment. Mazda claims its latest models are designed to regain its position, by distancing itself from the price fighting and concentrating on offering quality to the more mature buyer.

Whilst the new series Astina has been given a totally different appeal from its predecessor, the Protege retains similar lines to the previous model. The 2 litre V6 engine has been dropped from the range, and only a 1.6 or 1.8 litre four cylinder engine is available in both models, with either an automatic or a manual transmission. Prices start at $20,990 for a 1.6 manual Protege and peak at $27,340 for a 1.8 automatic Astina. The 1.8 manual Astina featured in this test is priced at $25,490 and the 1.6 automatic Protege at $22,840.

Air conditioning, power steering and driver's airbag are now standard across the range, whilst electric mirrors, power windows, remote locking, logic control stereo and passenger airbag, are standard only on 1.8 engined models. Automatic transmission is optional on all models at $1850. These new 323 models incorporate Mazda's revised corporate badge.

Features and Equipment

A 1.6 or 1.8 litre four cylinder engine is optional in both the Astina and the Protege. Both engines are DOHC and each have four valves per cylinder. Minor modifications to the valves, exhaust, spark control and engine mountings, have been applied to both engines, resulting in a claimed fuel consumption benefit, improved performance and mid-range torque, smoother and quieter operation, plus a reduction in weight.

Power is transmitted to the front wheels, either through a five speed manual or a four speed automatic transmission. The automatic is a new transmission and features reduced noise and vibration, as well as improved shift quality and fuel efficiency.

All 1.6 engined cars are fitted with front disc and rear drum brakes, whilst cars with 1.8 engines have discs on the front and rear. Only minor changes have been made to the brake system, increasing pedal pressure, and improving fade resistance and pedal feel. Previously available ABS has been eliminated from the options list.

MacPherson struts, with stabiliser bars, and revised bushes and shock absorbers are used in the front and rear suspensions. Power assisted rack and pinion steering is standard on all models.

All models feature three lap/sash seatbelts in the rear and adjustable anchorage points in the front positions. Airbags are fitted as previously stated, and in addition to the regular impact absorption areas in the front and rear of the body shell, energy absorbing pads are located internally on the A and B pillars and on the roof side rails.

The main security feature in the 323 series, involves a transponder type engine immobiliser incorporated in the ignition key and lock assembly. Any attempt to start the engine with a non original key, will not provide the necessary code, and the fuel and ignition system will be disabled.

Approximately 85 per cent of all the materials used in 323 vehicles are able to be recycled, and plastic components are coded to assist in the recycling process. Some parts used in the 323 are actually manufactured from recycled materials.

Body and Finish

Gone is the sleek sporty appearance of the previous Astina, now replaced with a more conservative but practical design, with benefits especially in the rear passenger compartment. The roofline continues at almost the same level until it reaches the hatch door, which incorporates a rear spoiler with a built-in high-mount stop light, giving it even better head room in the rear than the Protege sedan.

The styling of the Protege, however, is basically the same as the previous model, retaining its more traditional sedan type shape, appealing more to the young family buyer.

Zinc-plated steel panels are used extensively throughout the 323's bodywork, and although Mazda claims to have addressed noise, vibration and harshness with the use of additional sound damping materials, further improvement in this area could be achieved.

Comfort and Space

Both the driver and the front seat passenger are well catered for in the Astina and the Protege, with seat cushions that seem to satisfy most shapes and sizes. Although designated as five seaters, their rear seats are shaped to seat two passengers in relative comfort, with the centre position suited more for occasional use. Head room in the rear is slightly better in the Astina due to its higher roofline and whilst leg room in the rear is adequate for average adults, taller passengers would be rather cramped.

Standard air conditioning across the range is a plus for a car of this size, enabling a comfortable temperature to be maintained at all times with minimal engine performance penalty.

Storage space is more than adequate in both models, with numerous pockets, glove compartments and a generous luggage area, enhanced by the 60/40 split of the rear seats.

Behind the Wheel

Leg and head room are adequate for most people, and the adjustable steering column and seat height in the driver's position make it easy to attain the best possible position, where all controls and instruments can be easily reached and seen. The instrument and control layout is typically Japanese/Australian, making the orientation process an easy one.

Forward and rear vision from the driving position is adequate, however I did find it difficult to reach the left external mirror adjustment on the 1.6 Protege.

On the Road

Performance from the 1.8 litre engine was quite spritely, with well spaced gear ratios which allowed best use of the power available. The 1.6 litre engine coupled to the automatic transmission, however, was noticeably slower on acceleration and lacked staying power on hills, although it did perform quite well on our overtaking test runs.

I noticed a fair amount of road and operational noise in both cars, which was emphasised on gravel surfaces, indicating insufficient soundproofing in the wheel arch areas.

The lower profile tyres on the Astina tended to give the car a harder ride than the Protege. However, I felt its cornering ability was superior as a result. Both cars handled in a neutral manner and with confidence.

Brake performance on both vehicles was very favourable, stopping from 80 km/h in identical distances.  However, the Astina with four wheel discs completed a series of stops with minimal effort and heat build-up, without any evidence of fade. By comparison, the Protege, fitted with front discs and rear drums, experienced considerable heat build-up and some brake fade was evident toward the end of our performance test.

Servicing

The under-bonnet area of the 323 is one of those rare delights for the serviceman, where all normally serviced items are easily accessible, either from the top or underneath. Normal service intervals are set at 10,000 km or six months, with a major service occurring every 20,000 km or 12 months.

Mazda's warranty period extends for three years with no kilometre restrictions, and a six year corrosion perforation warranty applies to the body panels.

Summary

The new 323 series Mazda is likely to receive a mixed reception, particularly with the major styling change in the Astina, where it has moved from the previous sporty type hatch or hardtop with flair, to a more conservative, though practical hatch.

Whilst the Astina is the more sporty version of the two, and is likely to appeal to the younger set, the Protege, with the traditional small sedan image, would have a greater attraction for the more mature buyer and those with younger families.

With the level of standard equipment supplied in these vehicles and the obvious build quality evident, Mazda may well have the fighting power to support its entry into the small/medium car war.

Test vehicle supplied by Mazda Australia Pty Ltd.

By NRMA Motoring, October 1998.

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