2020 Mazda3 is a competitive bargain

BY H. THROTTLE -- AUTOMOTIVE COLUMNIST

It is with sadness that the August annual Car Show at the Convention Center has now been canceled. The facility is still in emergency status as a backup medical facility for the Coronavirus. The annual show brings thousands of car fans to the show so it has virus potential challenges. The probable leading issue is the shortage of automobiles with many factories shut down along with major dealerships having been closed except for service departments.

It appears that the car dealers will rebound rapidly with more people driving this summer and vacationing closer to home in Colorado. This may really help rural Colorado as the East Slope invades the Western Slope with vigor… hungry for country style home cooking, wonderful scenery, great fishing streams, and local bargain rate golf courses.

The most recent drive came in a Japanese brand 2020 Mazda3 premium sedan all-wheel drive. While designed and engineered in Japan, this car is assembled in Salamanca, Mexico with a Mexican engine and Thailand transmission. It all comes together with the skilled Mexican craftsmen evident in this sedan.

The Mazda3 is immaculate, with “Machine Gray” metallic paint and white interior with leather seats. The exterior has a sleek design and the car appears far more expensive than the manufacturer’s suggested retail price for an AWD at $27,900.

The 4-door sedan is loaded with the latest safety equipment and powered with a 186 horsepower 2.5L four-cylinder engine that produces 33- mpg highway mileage with a versatile “Skyactiv” drive, with sport mode and steering wheel shift paddles.

Mazda offers a 60 month/60K powertrain warranty on the Mazda3. The vehicle is not yet rated by the National Highway Traffic Administration but is loaded with safety features.

The rear seats have a 60/40 split for more trunk space and covered with a power-sliding glass moonroof. The features offered in this premium Mazda3 are very competitive along with AWD, for Colorado winter driving.

Frugal consumers that want an allaround versatile four-door vehicle will find it with this talented Mazda3.