The automotive design benchmark
Written by Chris Van Hoven
Mazda is no stranger to the World Car Awards (or WCOTY), a program where automotive journalists from all over the world select their picks for World Car of the Year, World Luxury Car, World Performance Car, World Urban Car, and World Car Design of the Year. The Mazda MX-5 bagged both World Car of the Year and World Car Design of the Year back in 2016, and Mazda again takes an award home for 2020 with the Mazda3 winning World Car Design of the Year.
And how does Mazda celebrate? By releasing a special edition variant of the Mazda3, of course. It’s called the 2020 Mazda3 Edition100, and even at first glance, it’s not difficult to see why the Mazda3 deserves all the accolades.
Not much is left to say about the excellent Mazda3. As a compact car, it offers a level of build quality and refinement that far exceeds its peers whether in hatchback or sedan form. You pay a premium for it of course, as it’s one of the more expensive offerings in the segment. But you do get what you pay for, and if you’re willing to fork over the extra cash, you’re rewarded with one of the best cars in its class.
The Mazda3 Edition100 takes the spot previously held by the Mazda3 Speed Sportback as the top-of-the-line offering in the range, and is only available in Sportback trim. “What makes it so special then”, you might ask. Well, just look at it.
There’s no denying that the current iteration of the Mazda3 is a lesson on automotive design all its own. The evolved “KODO” design aesthetic of “less is more” works to absolute perfection here, with the added accents providing just the right amount of flair while still remaining absolutely subtle in its execution.
They did it by color matching OEM Mazdaspeed body kits with the three available key body colors of the Mazda3 Sportback Premium: Soul Red body kits for the Snowflake White Pearl and Jet Black Mazda3 exterior; and Gloss Black body kits for the Soul Red Crystal exterior. Throw in some premium red leather seats and red accents in the interior, and you’ve got a winning combination that oozes character.
Other additions to the Mazda3 Edition100 are high-gloss Midnight Black 18-inch wheels with red brake calipers again playing on the color contrast. The license plate holder has also been relocated, which opens up that wide grille to be displayed the way the designers meant it.
Everything else on the Mazda3 Edition100 is standard fare for the Mazda3 Sportback Premium line. You’ve got the entire suite of Mazda’s i-Activesense safety technology which includes Radar Cruise Control, Lane Keep Assist, and Smart Brake Support just to name a few. It still has the impressive 12-speaker Bose audio system, the 8.8-inch display at the center, and the same powertrain, with a 2.0-liter SkyActiv gasoline engine producing 152 hp and 200Nm of torque mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.
At PhP 1,610,000, the Mazda3 Edition100 adds PhP 100,000 more to the price tag of the Mazda3 Sportback Premium, but softening the blow a bit is Mazda’s new five-year free service program which includes free parts and labor for every scheduled Preventive Maintenance Service for five years, or 100,000 kilometers, whichever comes first.
Also, it’s worth noting that the Mazda3 Edition100 will most likely be limited in quantity, which means that you’ll instantly have a collectible classic on your hands if you decide to get one. When all is said and done, you simply can’t go wrong with a Mazda3 if you’re looking for a sleek, refined, and upscale compact car. The Mazda3 Edition100 is the best iteration yet.