Mazda3 - impressive but pricey

Mazda’s attempted invasion of the mid-range market has been slow. That’s despite the fact that, in my opinion at least, the new Mazda3 is one of the best-looking cars in its segment of the market. It seems to remain a well-kept motoring secret.

This new car is so different from the model that it replaces. The styling is very impressive and the stance of the car on the road is modern yet strong looking. The manufacturing quality reflects something very positive about the car, yet there are few enough of them on the roads.

The new Mazda3 looks bigger than the model it replaces, but Mazda assures me that it’s not. The difference is that the car’s wheelbase is longer, to give a more comfortable drive. The car also sits lower on the road and these features combine to make the car look longer.

I’ve enjoyed driving the four-door saloon version of the new Mazda3, with its impressive engine technology and great economy. What probably puts some people off is the fact that, currently, the only diesel engine version available is a 2.2-litre offering. This engine is a little different as it is a low-compression diesel engine, making it smoother and more economical.

When you think about the Mazda3, you need to forget the engine size – just think about the economy and the CO2 levels. These are where the car excels.

In addition to all of that, this car is also lively on the road. This bigger engine gives a 0 to 100km/h acceleration rating of just eight seconds – and that’s well ahead of the competition. I’m not surprised about that, as most cars in this segment of the market are powered by 1.6-litre diesels.

Once in the car, I established the expected driving range from the car’s own computer system. And I beat it by longer drives to give a total range of almost 800km from a 51-litre tank of diesel.

That’s still over 30% poorer than the official rating of 24.4km/litre (4.1l/100km or 68.9 mpg), but I remain impressed.

With its low CO2 rating of 107g/km, this combines to give a good enough running cost value over a year.

In performance and running cost terms, this car is a match for the best in the segment. In terms of style, I believe that it’s well ahead. Only the new Honda Civic 1.6 can match its economy, while it’s well ahead of the pack in performance terms.

There are lots of new ideas in the Mazda3, especially the Connect feature that includes a good dash-mounted screen with lots of functionality. You have to go up in the specifications to get the full package, which includes satnav system, and the price rises accordingly.

The control of the system is based on a dial and I found it very easy to get used to. Setting radio stations was easy, as was connecting my phone to the car’s Bluetooth system.

There are lots of good safety features and the Mazda3 has a Euro NCAP five-star rating. Like most modern cars, it comes with ABS with EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution) and brake assist (EBA), DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) and TCS (Traction Control System). It also has an Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) system that rapidly blinks the four-way hazard lights to warn ensuing motorists of heavy braking from 50km/h and up. The optional Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) is Mazda’s low-speed emergency braking system that works automatically at speeds of 4km to 30km/h and is especially useful for city driving.

There are plenty of airbags, but no knee ones. ISOFix kits are included for child seats.

In terms of space, the front passengers get the best deal. I found the rear seats a little cramped. The boot is large but I missed a spare wheel – pumps just don’t do it for me when it comes to a flat tyre.

The Mazda3 is priced at the top end of the market. This new bigger engine model costs €2,900 more than the 1.6-litre version it replaces. At €25,295, this is an expensive car for the segment, pitched higher than the Volkswagen Golf. With a price like this, I’m not surprised that Mazda3s are scarce on the road.

This is a good mid-range car, but it’s too expensive to buy. A price adjustment would benefit the car – and the car certainly deserves it. CL

Mazda3 Skyactiv-D