You choose the engine atmospheric 2.0 liter four-cylinder Mazda3 or 1.0 liters turbo three-cylinder Ford Focus … Two opposite to achieve the same goal thesis.

Although today follow different paths in some technical approaches, Ford Focus and Mazda3 were pretty twinned until very recently. In fact, collaboration between manufacturers lasted over 35 years and it began in 1979 when the American manufacturer took 25 percent stake in the Japanese company; even was the majority shareholder controlling 34 percent of Mazda in the mid-nineties.

In 2008 Ford retraced his steps and got rid of a significant portion of the shares until in 2015 he sold the last shares I had in Hiroshima builder, although both companies currently maintain some manufacturing agreements in Thailand, Taiwan and South Africa.

This industrial connection made at the time that Mazda3 Y Ford Focus they shared frame members and other components in its development, including some engines or suspensions, although each brand carried off the final tuning of each car. Today these ties are history, because from the third-generation Mazda 3 in 2014 and -lanzada basis of the current model- each took its course.

BENEFITS	Ford Focus EcoBoost 125	Mazda 3 SKYACTIV-G 120
Acel. 0-100 km / h	10,9 s	9.2 s
Acel. 0-1000 meters	32,1 s	30.8 s
Loudness 100 km / h	66.6 dBA	67.9 dBA
Loudness 120 km / h	70.2 dBA	70.2 dBA
Braking from 120 km / h	57 m	55.7 m
Weight scale	1,365 kg	1,304 kg

Ford Focus vs Mazda3: Opposite technical philosophy

A course in which Mazda has been one of the brands with its philosophy SKYACTIV more It has distanced from the mainstream, especially in the approach of its engines. With the hard environmental horizon and demanding levels of consumption and emissions to comply, most manufacturers opted for “Downsizing” -reducing size of the engines, with a result like the one found under the hood of the Ford Focus of this comparison: mechanics only three cylinders and 1.0 liters displacement but able to offer 125 hp power thanks to its sophisticated power system direct -inyección, variable valve timing … -, turbo included.

Instead the roadbook followed by the Japanese brand has been another. The main new engine 2.0 SKYACTIV-G the Mazda 3 is its extraordinary compression ratio -14: 1, which improves thermal efficiency and reduces consumption. It also has a relatively long exhaust manifold, to better evacuate gases, and mounted pistons and connecting rods or lighter employs a sequential valve timing and advanced fuel spray to make faster combustion. They have also been optimized many components of the gearbox, to generate less internal friction.

Ford Focus vs Mazda3: dynamic analysis

If we theory into practice, we must begin by noting that, in our bank roller two They have clearly surpassed the official power, with almost 138 hp for the Focus and about 145 hp for the Mazda3. Rolling road if we notice that the engine EcoBoost Ford offers somewhat less thrust at low revs and proof of this are the records obtained under acceleration, because to go from 0 to 100 km / h needs 1.7 seconds more than the Mazda3 (10.9 s vs 9.2 s), which also leads him 1.3 seconds covering the first kilometer from a standing start (32.1 vs. 30.8 s s).

In this regard, weight is also a factor that works in favor of the Japanese compact, for though his body is 11 centimeters longer, with 4.47 m in length is one of the largest of its category-, on the scale shows greater lightness, with a Unlike 60 kilos in his favor when comparing the tested units, and appreciating as a condition that the Mazda 3 Luxury equipment involves a budget well above the ST-Line Focus.

CONSUMPTION	Ford Focus EcoBoost 125	Mazda 3 SKYACTIV-G 120
Consumption city	7.3 l / 100 km	7.3 l / 100 km
Consumption Highway	6.0 l / 100 km	6.0 l / 100 km
average consumption	6.5 l / 100 km	6.5 l / 100 km

Ford Focus vs Mazda3: recoveries and actual consumption

In recovering 80 to 120 km / h in 4th Japanese compact also shows more agility, it invests 9.8 seconds compared to 10.7 who needs his rival. Optimum pickup in its ability to both determine their response to a long developments, even more in the case of Mazda, which is surpassed by the Focus in simulations overtaking in 5th and especially in 6th (15.5 s for Ford and Mazda to 19.3 s).

Staggering change seeks to avoid penalizing consumption in both versions of gasoline and, curiously, despite the different technical approach that we talked about at the beginning, Focus 1.0 EcoBoost and 2.0 Mazda3 SKYACTIV-G just tracing its actual average expenditure, with a record of 6.5 l / 100 km and with virtually identical in both urban routes and intercity figures. They do not come to diesel with an equivalent level of power, but it is a asumible consumption for those who annually perform moderate mileages And do not be picky about the accelerator.

Ford Focus vs Mazda3: effective response

The three-cylinder EcoBoost nature is felt something idling, but it is a nice engine at medium speeds and it stabilizes its sound at the same level Japanese four cylinders. Moreover, the Focus shows excellent linear stability and features two very agile running gear: Front, undisturbed; the rear with a fairly directional response when they reach the most demanding layouts.

SPACE	Ford Focus EcoBoost 125	Mazda 3 SKYACTIV-G 120
front width	141 cm	145 cm
rear width	131 cm	134 cm
front height	93/99 cm	93/98 cm
rear height	91 cm	92 cm
Legroom	74 cm	73 cm
Trunk	305 liters	405 liters

The suspension Mazda 3 shows an upper point of firmness, but without being uncomfortable. Change management and help to leave good feeling at the wheel, with an established and very progressive behavior by linking curves intense pace reactions.

Are some 2,000 euros separating the proven versions, although the provision of series termination Luxury the Mazda 3 which we have conducted is much richer that ST-Line Focus Unit, which has some sporty details and good equipment, but does not incorporate many support systems or more focused driving refinement.