When it comes to devouring the tarmac with a smidge of elegance and a bucket-load of practicality, the Mazda 3 strides like a panther in a world teeming with alley cats. Ground clearance, that seemingly mundane measurement from the underbelly of a car to the ground, is a battleground for supremacy among city slicers. Mazda 3 – a chariot of choice for those who crave a blend of performance and poise does not shy away from this melee. So, buckle up as we dive into the world of Mazda 3's ground clearance, an arena where millimeters tower like skyscrapers and every increment is a step towards vehicular dominance.
The evolution of the Mazda 3's ground clearance is akin to watching a game of high stakes limbo, where the bar, surprisingly, goes up instead of down. In its early days, the 3 BK (2003-2009) did not bother with such trivial numbers - ground clearance data was as elusive as a teenager's bedroom floor. However, come the 3 BL (2009-2013) generation, the veil was lifted to reveal a sprightly 155 mm, a respectable figure that shrugged at most urban kerbs. This clearance remained a steady number through to the 3 BM (2013-2019), a testament to the 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' philosophy. Fast forward to the current 3 BP (2019-now), and we witness a tad trim to a svelte 135 mm, a choice that whispers 'aerodynamics' and 'efficiency' with a lowered poise that oozes sporty intent.
| Generation year | Ground clearance |
|---|---|
| 3, Model year 2003 (BK) | 0 mm |
| 3, Model year 2006 (BK (1. Facelift)) | 0 mm |
| 3, Model year 2009 (BL) | 155 mm |
| 3, Model year 2011 (BL (1. Facelift)) | 155 mm |
| 3, Model year 2013 (BM) | 155 mm |
| 3, Model year 2017 (BM (1. Facelift)) | 155 mm |
| 3, Model year 2019 (BP) | 135 mm |
| Variant name | Ground clearance |
|---|---|
| 3 | 135 mm |
| 3 Fastback | 135 mm |
In the familial dance of the Mazda lineup, the Mazda 3’s ground clearance is a middle child, overshadowed by the leggier Mazda 6 Kombi and Mazda CX series – SUVs that boast more towering clearances of 165 mm and beyond. Yet, the 3 doesn't stoop to the levels of the Mazda MX-30, Mazda 3 Fastback, and the rest of its 135 mm ground clearance siblings, nor does it match the SUV-like ambition of the CX-5's lofty 200 mm. Holding its own, the Mazda 3's ground clearance serves as a reminder that it understands the urban jungle and its concrete undergrowth better than most.
| Variant name | Ground clearance |
|---|---|
| MX-30 | 130 mm |
| 3 | 135 mm |
| 3 Fastback | 135 mm |
| MX-5 RF | 135 mm |
| MX-5 Roadster | 135 mm |
| 2 Hybrid | 135 mm |
| 2 | 143 mm |
| CX-80 | 165 mm |
| 6 Kombi | 165 mm |
| 6 {sedan} | 165 mm |
| CX-30 | 175 mm |
| CX-60 | 176 mm |
| CX-5 | 185 mm |
In the coliseum of compact cars, the Mazda 3 faces adversaries with various arsenals of ground clearance. The Peugeot 308 and the VW Polo, mere speedbumps at 100 mm and 125 mm respectively, are no match to the Mazda’s vantage point. Yet the scene gets intriguing with the Suzuki SX4, and Fiat Sedici, standing proud at 175 mm and 190 mm - true mountain goats in a field of domesticated grazers. You then have the Hyundai IONIQ and Honda Jazz, interestingly paced at 140 mm, that play footsie with the Mazda 3's specs. Now, should your adventures require a smidgen more altitude without a leap into SUV territory – there lies your savvy compromise. However, whisper this: the Infiniti Q30 and Citroen GS/GSA might scoff at our Mazda, towering at 210 mm and 240 mm, daring to disrupt the clearance game as we know it. Balance, grace, and poise - the Mazda 3 may not be the loftiest, but by Goliath, it knows its turf.
| Car model | Ground clearance |
|---|---|
| Infiniti Q30 2015 | 210 mm |
| Nissan Pulsar 2014 | 156 mm |
| Skoda Scala 2019 | 149 mm |
| Mazda 3 2019 | 135 mm |
| Renault R25 1988 | 120 mm |
| VW Fox 2005 | 111 mm |
