Page 77 - Motor Trend (April 2020)

CHRYSLER UPDATE HONDA HYUNDAI JEEP
BMW X2 BMW X3 PACIFICA GENESIS G70
MAZDA3 NISSAN RAM SUBARU
UPDATE KICKS 1500 LARAMIE ASCENT
UPDATE
It's not easy to make a subcompact hatch look stylish,
but Kia has continually succeeded with the Soul.
second row up. As a photog-
rapher I tend to carry lots of
gear and sometimes people
for assignments. The shortage
of room in the cargo area
could be a limiting factor
for my needs, so I predict
swapping into a larger vehicle
for photo shoots. (Real owners
would have to weigh their own
One of my gripes with my cargo needs, of course.)
Honda HR-V long-termer It’s not all grim, though.
was its lack of power; it had a The Soul was a finalist in our
similar 141 ponies. To make 2020 Car of the Year competi-
matters worse, the Soul uses a tion. It was in the top three, as
CVT, a transmission that isn’t a matter of fact, right up there
known for performance. with a C8 Corvette (winner)
Another potential issue I and the Tesla Model 3. I have
noticed right away was the a feeling I shouldn’t have too
lack of cargo space with the much to worry about.
2020 Kia Soul EX Vehicle Layout Front-engine, FWD, 5-pass,
4-door hatchback Engine 2.0L/147-hp/132-lb-ft DOHC 16-valve
I-4 Transmission Cont variable auto Curb Weight 2,981 lb
Wheelbase 102.4 in 0-60 MPH 8.6 sec Quarter Mile 16.7 sec
@ 83.8 mph Braking, 60-0 MPH 116 ft Lateral Acceleration 0.85 g
(avg) MT Figure Eight 27.4 sec @ 0.61 g (avg) Energy Cons, City/
Hwy 125/102 kW-hr/100 miles CO2 Emissions, Comb 0.66 lb/mile
Height 63.0”
PAUL LAGUETTE
Length 165.2”
Width 70.9”
ARRIVAL
INSIGHT KONA WRANGLER KIA SOUL
TOYOTA VOLKSWAGEN VOLVO S60 VOLVO
RAV4 ATLAS XC60
2020 Mazda3
Service life:
2 mo/3,575 mi • Avg Fuel Econ: 28.0 mpg
“Some early impressions: The Mazda3
does a good job keeping my head up
and ears open.” Erick Ayapana
Avg CO2 0.69 lb/mi Energy cons 120 kW-hr/100 mi
Unresolved problems None Maintenance cost $0
Normal-wear cost $0 Base price $24,520 As tested $28,420
EPA City/Hwy/Comb Fuel Econ 25/35/29 mpg
’ve come to appreciate Civic’s and Corolla’s premium
I a few things in our long- audio offerings to shame
term Mazda3 that set it and isn’t far off from more
apart from its main rivals, like expensive setups, like the
the Honda Civic and Toyota Bowers & Wilkins systems used
Corolla. For starters, the in Volvos. The Mazda’s audio
optional head-up display magic consists of 12 speakers.
(Active Driving Display in Most notable are the bass
Mazdaspeak) is well executed, speakers housed within the
and Mazda gets bonus points front footwells, just under
for including its brightness and the A-pillar. The location
screen height in the program- is considered the corner of
ming of the Driving Position the cabin, which is ideal for
Memory buttons (another rare low-frequency amplification
feature in the segment). (and frees up storage on the
The display is fairly sharp and door where these speakers
includes a comprehensive list are typically located). There’s
of info, including vehicle speed, also a subwoofer housed
active cruise control settings, within the spare tire in the
cross-traffic alerts, and lane trunk. Tweeters in the A-pillar
keep assist warnings. I’m also a and midrange speakers on the
fan of the blind-spot indica- doors point directly toward
tors, which flash on the left or passengers. The result is clear
downside? Head-up displays satisfying to the ears. The
and powerful sound that’s
right side of the screen. One
audio system also supports
are notorious for “disappearing”
when you're wearing polarized
sunglasses, and unfortunately high-definition lossless audio
files, including FLAC.
the Mazda’s screen does Audio controls are learn-
appear dimmer through the able, and the menus are
lenses of my Ray-Bans. mostly intuitive, but it’s not
The Mazda3’s Bose sound perfect. I’ll save those details
system is another standout in for another update when I get
the compact hatch. It puts the more familiar with the system.
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