Carbuyer Magazine – August 2019

Mazda 3

Da

ta

Sheet

Price £20,595-£27,735

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THEMazda3hasbeenacar thatscores well in tests, butgetsforgotten

when it arrivesin showrooms.Toblame areMazda’s relatively low

profile in the UK and fiercecompetition in thehatchbackclass.

Facedwith thischallenge,the newMazda3doublesdown on

strikingdesign and high-quality engineering. Thelargefront grille,

plungingnose, widerear haunchesandcoupe-likerearpillars mean

it standsout.Sadly,these greatlooksdohaveadownside. While

spacein the front seatsis asroomyandcomfortableasyou’dexpect,

theMazda3isn’taclassleader forroominessin thesame mould as a

SkodaOctavia.Indeed, anyone aroundsix-feet or morewillfind their

hair pressed against theroof if theysitintheback.TheMazda’s

slopingrooflineis to blameforthat. Rearvisibilityis also somewhat

problematic because of the thickrearC-pillars.TheMazda3’s boot

is 358 litres,whichissmaller than theoldcar’s bootby sixlitres.

An innovativeSkyActiv-X enginewillhelp itscause; usinga

superchargerandadvancedfuel injectionto offer thepunchand

runningcostsofadieselwith the performanceofapetrol.Untilthat

arrives,the SkyActiv-G petrol feelslesspunchythanmanyrivals,

butshould averagebetween 40-50mpg. Diesel driverswillget

anew SkyActiv-D engine that’sfullofadvancedtech.

“The latestMazda 3looksgreat,drives

well and is veryinnovative, but you’ll

needto live with the lack ofrear space”

Stylish, goodto drive,

low runningcosts

Crampedrear,rear visibility,

rivals have bigger boots

Engines:2.0petrol,2.0diesel

Trim levels:SE-L,SE-LLux,

SportLux,GTSport, GTSportTech

Economy:44-57mpgRoad tax:£145

0-62:10.3-12.1sEuro NCAP:★★★★★★★★★★

Carbuyerrating

★★★★★★★★★4.0/ 5

Ourpick

Skyactiv-D

SE-LLux

£23,495