Mazda 3 review (2013-2019)

Driving position

Both generations of Mazda 3 have the kind of interior that you’ll feel good about sitting in.

They each have dials, buttons and levers that operate with a beautifully consistent feel, which suggests that Mazda has put real effort into how good its cars feel. These efforts have paid off. 

All of the trims you feel on a daily basis- door pulls, tops of the door trims, lids for cubbies - feel well put together from high-grade materials.

Tech and features

You would have to sample the Audi A3 or Mercedes A-Class to find anything that matches or beats the quality of the Mazda. 

The current shape car has a proper cockpit feel, with a sporty driving position and the gear lever positioned so that you’ll feel like stirring the cogs when pushing on. 

Both versions have a neat and easy-to-use infotainment system fitted as standard, although the later car has a much larger screen.

 Be aware that in the early car the infotainment is a touchscreen, whereas Mazda ditches touchscreens in the later model, in which the system is controlled using a dial and buttons down between the seats. 

Connectivity is good in both, with Bluetooth and various USB sockets, on top of which even entry-level cars have air-conditioning. 

Moving up the trims brings climate control systems, automatic lights and wipers, satellite navigation, while the later cars have rear parking sensors on entry models, and sensors at both ends (plus a rear-view camera) thereafter. 

Engines and power

The previous-shape Mazda 3 was available with three petrol engines and a couple of diesels.

Of those, the 1.5-litre petrol is a sweet option, although you need to be prepared to rev it as Mazda is not a fan of turbocharging.

The 1.5-litre diesel also provides a decent amount of performance with a pretty light thirst. 

The current-shape car is at its best with the Skyactiv-X 2.0-litre petrol engine in situ, because this blends diesel economy with petrol driving characteristics. 

All of the engines sound decent when worked and avoid becoming raucous when revved hard.

The six-speed manual gearbox is also light and sportily short of throw. 

Handling and ride comfort

Mazda tends to set up the suspension of its cars to be quite sporty, so both generations respond quickly to steering inputs and handle neatly on a twisty road.

The downside of this is that the ride can be a little firm in town. 

No one will struggle to get comfortable in the front of either generation of the Mazda 3, even if they have a sideline playing for the Harlem Globetrotters.

There’s loads of adjustment for the front seats and the steering wheel and plenty of room to stretch out. 

Rear seats

The previous-shape model has space for 3 adults, who will feel fine back there (as long as they’re on speaking terms).

The current-shape car has a little less space for those in the rear, especially if those up front are tall, so it’s worth making sure you can live with this. 

Boot space

Boot space is pretty good in either model.

The opening in the previous model is a touch narrow and the current car has quite a high lip, so make sure you’re happy to live with this. 

Fuel economy

If you go for the 2.0-litre petrol engine you will get 122hp, serving up a great combination of efficiency and power as it manages up to 51.4mpg.

While the 1.8-litre diesel model will diesel will deliver 116hp and is capable of up to roughly 56mpg.