What is it?
The new Mazda3 is the latest company car challenger in the VW Golf/ Ford Focus hatchback market.
And while the previous Mazda3 was always a bit of a niche choice this new one is going mainstream.
Mazda has given it sharp styling, a new lightweight platform, a range of efficient engines, and a premium cabin to help take on some of the most popular cars on the market.
If the recent Mazda6 and CX-5 models from are anything to go by, the new Mazda3 should be very impressive indeed.
We’ve had the chance to assess the car early, although as yet we have no full specification data to give you.
What’s hot?
- Using Mazda’s Kodo design language, the Japanese manufacturer has managed to create a really smart-looking family car. It’s aggressive and premium in equal measures.
- The interior follows Mazda’s recent trend for being well-built and using high-quality materials. You’ll get a useful touchscreen and – depending on spec – a leather handbrake and steering wheel.
The interior is very well put together and uses high quality materials. Good specs too - The 2.2-litre diesel engine is our pick of the range, offering serious punch along with CO2 emissions of just 104g/km and fuel economy of 74.3mpg. The 2.0-litre petrol engine is a close second but can feel a little slow by comparison.
- The petrol engines have CO2 emissions of less than 120g/km, putting them in a 15% company car tax band. That’s almost the same as the 14% band afforded to sub-100g/km diesel cars.
- Mazda has done a good job with the ride, ensuring it feels sporty but without ever erring towards the uncomfortable. It feels supple and springy rather than brittle.
- That also means the Mazda3 is pretty impressive in the corners, and in terms of fun and involvement it’s really only beaten by the rear-wheel drive BMW 1 Series.
- Prices start at around £16,500 – about the same as the Golf – but Mazda is promising that you’ll get extra kit as standard.
