An unsung hero of the mid-size ranks

Why Mazda’s 3 still makes perfect sense.

What have Mazda’s designers been having for breakfast?

The Japanese manufacturer used to make very conventional looking vehicles but now they’ve been taking cues from American muscle cars.

This is the Mazda 3, a mid-size hatchback designed to rival the Vauxhall Astra and Ford Focus.

Its flowing flanks and aggressive nose make those rivals look a little dull by comparison. In fact, it’s crying out for a strong hot hatch version to take on the Focus RS.

Of course, beauty is only skin deep and if the Mazda does not drive as well as it looks then it’s in real trouble.

The Astra and Focus are extremely accomplished, as are other rivals such as the Skoda Octavia, Kia Cee’d and the sublime Volkswagen Golf.

This Mazda is getting on in years as well. This version was launched in 2013 and is due for replacement in the next year or two.

In the meantime, Mazda has refreshed the 3, with styling revisions, a slightly updated interior and modifications to improve handling.

The range retains its choice of 1.5 or 2.2 litre diesels and a 2.0 litre petrol with either 118 or 163bhp.

I drove the lower powered of the two petrol models in high spec Sport Nav trim. My test car came with a price tag of £20,645 – an entry level car costs £17,595.

While other makers have gone for small, turbocharged petrol engines – Ford and Vauxhall offer a 1.0 litre engine with as much power as this 2.0 litre unit – Mazda has avoided downsizing, instead relying on its SkyActiv technology to deliver better economy.

The results seem to bear out Mazda’s strategy, with my car returning an official 55mpg on the combined cycle, and mid 40s in real world driving.

Inside, the cabin is dark but well trimmed. There’s a useful rotary dial to operate the stereo and satnav, while Mazda has ditched the manual handbrake for an electronic ones.

Higher spec versions have a snazzy colour heads up display.

It’s one of the roomier cars of its ilk for rear passengers and the boot’s a good size too.

The 3 is something of an unsung hero. Ford, Vauxhall and VW have all received plaudits for the Focus, Astra and Golf.

Yet the Mazda is the best looking among them and drives and handles well enough to hold its own.

Sometimes the less obvious choice is best.

It’s crying out for a hot hatch version