Is there a better hatchback on the road than the all new Mazda 3? I would argue, no. The combination of athletic good looks and sheer driving pleasure make a serious statement.
The previous Mazda 3 was a family staple. There was plenty of room for the kids and the dog, but its muscular good looks and sporty drive was enough to keep Mum & Dad’s hair from turning grey. The all-new Mazda 3 is all this, and so much more; seductive presence, sporty appeal, and superior refinement.
This is the first model released on Mazda’s self-titled “road to premium”. The success of the new design language will find its way into the rest of the range, when the time comes to replace each of them. But for now, it stands up and shouts about its desirability in sophisticated simplicity.
Looks
The new 3’s shape has taken Mazda’s design philosophy to the next level; “Kodo Design – the soul of motion”. From the oversized large front grill, the lines flow effortlessly to the back of the car – Mazda has capitalised on minimalism. You can practically see the air move around its pert dynamic physique.
The Mazda 3’s fluid flowing lines hint the potential for sheer driving pleasure; it stirs your senses even before you get comfortable in the driver’s seat. The master craftsmen at Mazda have created a dynamic pose, ready to pounce the moment you touch the throttle. It is the epitome of their ‘Jinba Ittai’ motto, a feudal Japanese sentiment of a oneness between horse and rider.
The new Mazda 3 is available in two styles: the US favoured saloon or the UK beloved hatchback, and come packed with features as standard. Mazda has used keyless entry and keyless start across the range for years, and the new 3 is no different. It also adds parking sensors as standard, and the latest active safety features that Mazda calls ‘i-Activsense’; which includes a 360 Camera and cross traffic alerts.
What sets this hatchback apart from many others is the option to choose All-Wheel drive in a small family hatchback. Driving all four wheels offers even more grip from a car that has a history of great handling. And is available in a choice of Solid, Metallic, and Pearlescent Paints; Jet Black, Deep Crystal Blue, Machine Grey, Sonic Silver, Artic White, Snowflake White, the brand recognizable Soul Red Crystal. It also debuts the new Polymetal Grey.
Interior
Mazda has effortlessly built beautiful cabins for years. You could argue that they were aiming for premium customers when they launched the Mazda 6 saloon in 2012 – such was the quality of the interior. Sitting inside the Mazda 3 has just as much wow-factor as watching it cruise by.
The model it replaces reserved the pop-up fighter-pilot style heads-up display feature for only the range-topping models. Now, the Mazda 3 comes with a holographic heads up display as standard across the range. From here you can keep your eyes on the road, while monitoring speed, sat-nav directions, and local limits.
Slide into the choice of cloth or leather seats, and you’ll thank yourself. The seats are supportive, and the controls are designed around the driver. The display is a touchscreen, but save yourself some hand sanitizer by using the MZD in the centre console. These shortcut buttons and joystick become intuitive in minutes, and up the ante in Mazda’s premium game plan.
Engines
As race fans say; “There is no replacement for displacement”. And Mazda have a heritage in Gran Turismo racing. But that’s not the reason why Mazda shun tiny three-pot turbo engines. Their clever engineers claim that larger engines, and so return better fuel economy in real world conditions, than their turbo-charged counterparts. Because the engine doesn’t need to work as hard, the Mazda 3 has one the quietest and most refined cabins in its class thanks to an electrically assisted motor and clever cylinder-deactivation – it can shut down half of the engine at cruising speeds.
The Mazda 3 is powered by a choice of two ultra-lightweight 2.0 petrol engines: the SkyActiv-G & SkyActiv-X. The ‘G’ is Mazda’s best-selling engine and the ‘X’ is the supercharged apex of petrol technology – The convenience and driving pleasure of petrol, with the pulling power and economy of a diesel.
The Competition
The hatchback market is incredibly tough nut to crack, mainly because there are already so many good options. Every brand makes one, but not every brand makes them as nice as this – Mazda offers more, for less.
The Mazda 3 enters the ring amongst other premium heavyweights, such as the Audi A3 – also available as a hatchback or saloon – and the BMW 1 series. But as these badges suggest, you’ll be paying a lot more for German engineering.
Audi Headline offer*: £301
BMW Headline offer**: £326
Mazda Headline offer***: £245
Also, Audi’s A3 is powered by VW’s tiny 1.0T compared to Mazda’s electrically assisted 2.0 silent partner. The pennies you spend on the Audi, buy you a plush interior wrapped around a Skoda Fabia. Perhaps, for the money, it is fairer to compare it to the everyday models from VW and Ford, the Golf and Focus. While the monthly repayments are similar, the finish is not. These models are great cars, but practically utilitarian compared to the Mazda’s luxurious finish and cushy flowing lines.
Business User
Company Car buyers are guided by two principles; the product and the price. The Mazda 3 is a premium product, with lower emissions, and therefore lower monthly cost than its competition. It makes the beautiful new Mazda hard to ignore on paper. But then you get in and drive it, and you’ll find it is just as tough to hand the keys back.
The heads-up display on the front windscreen and intelligent cruise control makes long motorway cruises a pleasure. The engine silently runs in the background and the infotainment runs smoothly so you can work as you drive. You can guarantee that while your colleagues pull into the company car park, your Mazda 3 will be the one that turns heads.
Island User
The previous Mazda 3 has a cult-following on the island. It was the sensible hatchback choice for Mums & Dads that wanted an alternative to the bland offers on the road. The new Mazda 3 does that and more. It continues to play on its strengths of reliable Mazda build quality, well equipped safety features, but now with looks to match it’s exciting drive.
i-ActivSense features cross traffic alerts, making pulling out of corners on overgrown country roads significantly safer. The sensors warn the driver that it ‘sees’ oncoming traffic long before the driver sticks out his nose. Keeping you, your passengers, and other road users much safer.
Choices
The Value Choice: Mazda 3 ‘SEL’ 2.0 SkyActiv-G Manual
The Range Topper: Mazda 3 ‘GT Sport Tech’ 2.0 SkyActiv-X Automatic All-Wheel Drive.
The Local Favourite: Mazda 3 ‘Sport Lux’ 2.0 SkyActiv-G Manual
Verdict
Mazda created what is arguably the best loved sports car on the UK’s roads; the Mazda MX-5. The same engineers have used this wealth of knowledge and created a practical hatchback that the whole family can enjoy. The all-new Mazda 3 is at home in the country road corners or cruising along seafront esplanades. Mazda claims to have engineered a feeling, the pleasure of driving. The 3 embodies Mazda’s “Jinba Ittai” motto; the feeling of oneness between the driver and the car.
The feeling continues in the Mazda 3’s interior. The lines and materials compliment the exterior, on their road to becoming a premium manufacturer. If you still enjoy driving, and don’t want to follow the crowd in their waddling SUV’s, do yourself a favour and go try the new Mazda 3 – you can thank us later.
*Audi A3 Hatchback ‘Technik’ 1.0T Manual. 10,000 miles per year with six upfront payments
**BMW 1Series ‘M Sport’ 1.5 Manual. 10,000 miles per year with six upfront payments
*** Mazda 3 ‘SEL’ SkyActiv-G 2.0 Manual. 10,000 miles per year with six upfront payments
Glad you didn’t bragg about how fast it can go, well above the legal limit I’m sure. However, there sounds to be too much to look at apart from the road, and touch screen display, why ?, keep both hands on the wheel unless you’re changing gear.
Nice looking car.
How do i use the handbrake then?
Not, generally, while your moving, unless your a boy racer doing a handbrake turn.
I assume this is paid for advertising? As you only seem to be road testing from one dealer group? And if so are not supposed to put it’s a paid for advert on the article?
This is definatly an advertisement