The third-generation Mazda3 hatchback has to fend off competition from the likes of the Ford Focus (praised for its fun-to-drive feel) and Volkswagen Golf (renowned for its reliability and build quality). So, with this in mind, what end of the spectrum is easiest to conquer? Well, that’s the Mazda3’s party trick. It has a bit of everything.
From a desirability point of view, the Mazda3 is has one of the most enticing exterior designs in its segment, thanks to its KODO body language and SKYACTIV technology – also seen on the Mazda CX-5 and Mazda6. It has a stellar interior to match as well, with plenty of equipment on the entry-grade models, good-quality materials and an ergonomically laid out cabin. The Sport Nav trim we tested came with front and rear parking sensors, heated seats, 18-inch alloys, adaptive front headlights and satellite navigation. Although the sat-nav system looks great and is very responsive, it is quite difficult to program an address into and takes a lot of getting used to.
Practicality isn’t too bad in the Mazda3, with boot space of 364 litres – extending to 1,263 with the seats down. It is not the biggest in class, but it is more than enough to tackle day-to-day use of shopping bags or rucksacks – and even our camera equipment.
Unlike many of its family hatchback competitors, the Mazda3 doesn’t come with the usual engine options of 1.2-litre petrols and 1.6-litre diesels. Instead, the entry-level engine is a 1.5-litre petrol with 99bhp, with the sole diesel option being a 2.2-litre diesel.
The 148bhp 2.2-litre diesel we tested packed quite a punch, reaching the 62mph mark in just 8.1 seconds. That makes it the quickest derivative in the range. The six-speed manual gearbox we had fitted was extremely snappy and sharp, giving it a sporty feel. The Mazda3 tugs particularly well in second gear and is great if you need to accelerate quickly and go for a gap in city traffic. With that said, it is just as happy out on the open road, with steady acceleration throughout the gears.
This city and outer-urban compatibility really shows in its driving dynamics and ride quality. It is no secret that the previous-generation Mazda3 offered an overly firm suspension set-up, but Mazda has fixed this with a suspension that is now extremely supple and un-intrusive. Its steering is similar to the last model in that it delivers impressive responsiveness with great weighting and feedback. Add this to its huge amount of grip and you get a hatch with an extremely fun personality.
Although the Mazda3 may not be best in its class when it comes to key hatchback criteria, its ability to woo has been spread evenly across all aspects of its ownership – ultimately resulting in a car that can do almost anything respectably.
This Swiss Army knife appeal comes at a cost however, as the Mazda3 is around £3,000 more expensive than the Ford Focus. Like for like though, our test model is similarly priced to a top-of-the-range Ford Focus Titanium X model with a 2.0-litre 148bhp diesel.
