QUALITY COMES AT A PRICE
VALUE
The Japanese brand took the new Mazda3 upmarket when it launched last year, charging more than $30,000 drive-away for the cheapest model. We’ve tested the new top-shelf X20 Astina hatch, priced from about $44,600 driveaway. That’s a lot of money for a small car but it’s loaded with all the latest safety gear and plenty of luxury kit. The big addition is the new fuelefficient engine that is claimed to combine the frugality of a diesel engine with the free-revving feel of a petrol motor. Mild hybrid technology helps to reduce fuel use. It’s backed by a fiveyear/unlimited km warranty and servicing will cost you $1780 over five years. Service intervals are shorter than most at 12 months or 10,000km.
COMFORT
The Mazda’s interior oozes quality, with softtouch surfaces and precise finishes throughout the cabin. Leather-trimmed heated front seats are supportive and firm and have a memory function that saves two different driving positions. Infotainment is taken care of by an 8.8-inch display controlled by a rotary dial. The screen is ever so slightly angled towards the driver, helping peripheral vision and minimising the time your eyes are off the road. The back seat is cramped and small windows could make it claustrophobic for kids. But it wins back some points thanks to two rear aircon vents. Boot space is below par at 297 litres, the sedan version adds about 150 litres.
SAFETY
The Mazda3 has a five-star ANCAP safety rating, thanks to seven airbags and an impressive list of driver aids including auto emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, rear crosstraffic alert with auto braking, front cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring and lane-keep assist.
DRIVING
The 3 is one of the most engaging small cars around, with light and direct steering and wellsorted suspension that delivers a good balance between comfort and road holding. The new 2.0-litre engine puts out 132kW and 224Nm, which is slightly less than the cheaper 2.5-litre versions. The engine is willing enough, feeling zippy around town if a little coarse under heavy acceleration. The claimed fuel consumption figures are hard to hit. In a mix of highway and urban driving we saw about 7L/100km, against the claim of 5.3L/100km. It also requires premium unleaded. Road noise is acceptable and the Mazda3 does a good job of soaking up most bumps along the way, although it can feel a bit skittish over poor roads and corrugations.
ALTERNATIVES
TOYOTA COROLLA ZR HYBRID, FROM ABOUT $38,500 DRIVE-AWAY
Ultra efficient small car that is surprisingly fun to drive. Tiny boot and cabin lacks the premium feel of the Mazda.
MAZDA6 TOURING, FROM ABOUT $42,800
Stay in the Mazda family but go bigger. Well equipped and luxurious with a supple and comfortable drive, although thirsty.
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF MARK 8
Due to arrive early 2021, the German small car promises big safety and infotainment tech advancements.
VERDICT
Safe and fun to drive, but the premium asked for the new engine is hard to justify. Cheaper variants are a better bet.