Shining our hubcaps
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The Mazda 3 is something of a left-field option in the family hatchback class. It can’t compete with the sales might of cars like the Ford Focus and VW Golf, but in terms of styling, quality, and driving experience, it’s up there with some of the best - and happens to make a great used buy too.
You won’t find the variety in the Mazda 3 range that some cars offer, but all versions are fuel-efficient, good to drive, and have the same premium feel. The Mazda 3 also has a strong record for reliability, so it’s a reassuring choice as a used car as well as an attractive one. Below, we cover the Mazda 3 in more detail, including its engine range and the trim levels available.
If you have an eye for style then the Mazda 3 will probably be towards the top of your family car shopping list. Naturally, looks are subjective, but few cars in this class have such swooping, sculpted lines, and in the right colour - such as Mazda’s Soul Red, a deep crystal red metallic shade - it looks every bit as expensive and upmarket as the German premium models in this class. There’s also a saloon version, which is slightly more conventional but no less attractive.
It’s similarly impressive when you step inside, where both build quality and the look and feel of the materials is among the best in this class. The design is easy on the eye too - there are screens, much like you’ll find in any modern car, but the flowing shapes around them look like something from a high-end sports car rather than the fevered mind of a videogame designer. The interior is only really let down by limited rear headroom, and that swoopy roofline meaning the back seats can feel quite dark - over-the-shoulder visibility is also limited by the styling.
The Mazda 3’s engine range is limited compared to some in this class. The diesel only lasted a year, and since then it’s been a pair of petrols, with a clever Skyactiv X petrol doing its best to bridge the gap between petrol smoothness and diesel economy. It’s not a game changer, but it’s a smooth engine and pairs well with the 3’s involving, fluid ride and handling.
Rivals include the Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf, though even the Golf struggles to get close to the Mazda’s interior ambience. The latest Honda Civic is up there with the Mazda for quality and it’s similarly good to drive, though it’s a physically larger car than the Mazda, which may not suit everyone. You could also consider models like the Audi A3, BMW 1 Series and Mercedes A-Class - which all offer true high-performance models, something the Mazda lacks.
The Skyactiv G and 1.8-litre diesel engines offer surprisingly modest power outputs by the standard of the class, so many buyers will probably gravitate towards the 186PS Skyactiv X petrol instead. Not only is it quicker than the others (though still no hot hatchback), but it’s up there with the diesel for economy, and it’s a particularly quiet and refined engine too. No Mazda 3 feels under-equipped, but we’d search for an SE-L Lux model at the very least, to benefit from its parking sensors, reversing camera, and heated seats.
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The Mazda 3’s exterior dimensions are:
The Mazda 3’s boot space is:
Since the original owner of a Mazda 3 will have struggled to get close to £40,000 no matter how many option boxes they ticked, no models attract a VED surcharge, though there are also no hybrids or plug-ins to get you a small discount. This means the entire range gets a flat rate of £190 a year in tax, as of the 2024/2025 tax year.
Insurance might cost you a little more than for a Focus or Golf, with the Mazda 3 range starting at insurance group 15 for an SE-L with the 122PS 2-litre engine, and the best-equipped and more expensive GT Sport Tech models topping out at group 23. There’s no high-performance version of the 3 though, so insurance goes no higher than that.
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