First Drives
Mazda obviously didn’t get the memo about
everyone abandoning regular cars in favour of
crossovers and SUVs, because it’s just released
what must be its best hatchback ever – with, for
good measure, a saloon version to follow.
It’s about time the Mazda 3 got good. It’s
always been a decent seller, but you suspect
that was much less to do with its dynamism
(negligible) than with its reputation for fuss-free
reliability (formidable). But good it has indeed
got. This is the fourth generation of 3, and by far
the most elegant and distinctive. The first two
generations shared underpinnings with the Ford
Focus and carried over some of the non-image
of the preceding 323. The outgoing third gener-
ation was all Mazda’s own work, but this Mk4 is
significantly different: new styling, new interior,
new chassis, more safety tech and an innovative
new engine on its way, although not available
when the car reaches the UK in May.
At launch, the new 3 is hatchback-only, with
a choice of two engines, two transmissions and
five trim levels. All are front-wheel drive. The old
multi-link rear suspension has been replaced by
a less sophisticated torsion-beam set-up, tradi-
tionally employed because it’s cheaper to make
and takes up less space.
The two engines are a 2.0-litre naturally-
aspirated petrol four (called Skyactiv-G), making
120bhp and 157lb ft of torque, its efficiency
helped by a mild-hybrid energy-recuperation
system and cylinder deactivation, and a 1759cc
diesel (Skyactiv-D) making 114bhp and 199lb ft.
You can have a manual or automatic transmis-
sion with either.
Prices start at £20,595 for the petrol in SE-L
spec, and peak at £27,735 for a diesel auto in
top GT Sport spec. All 3s come with a head-up
display, traffic sign recognition, radar-guided
adaptive cruise control, sat-nav, LED headlights
and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. Step up to
SE-L Lux and you gain a reversing camera, ⊲First drives
THE FIRST HOUR5 mins
A beep at just 1mph
over the speed limit?
Got to switch that off10 mins
And it’s off. Rotary dial
and info screen are
really user-friendly20 mins
C-pillar is huge –
good job blindspot
monitoring is standard45 mins
Have I got enough
room to overtake?
Petrol 2.0 is gutless1 hour
Mazda really does
make some great
manual ’boxes.
Steering’s pretty
precise, tooBeside the 3’s
side, every other
hatch looks fussy
and overworked.
Classy inside too
Neat, well-made and user-friendly, but 3 can’t match an A-Class for screens▲
PLUS
Standard kit, looks,
snappy manual,
thoroughly capable
chassis, interior qualityMINUS
▼
Weak petrol engine,
claustrophobic rear
seats, intrusive
safety techAPRIL 2019 | CARMAGAZINE.CO.UK^45