MAZDA3 2,0 ASTINA AT

I seldom dedicate more than a cursory sentence or two to any given vehicle’s exterior styling. Why? Well, the vast majority of readers will have made up their minds about the looks of an automobile long before they consider my take on the matter. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder (or keyholder, in this case), and all that.

Instead, I prefer to focus on (hopefully, more insightful) aspects of the vehicle readers can’t judge for themselves without slipping in behind the wheel. Although, I’m going to break that self-imposed restriction for the Mazda3. You see, the latest version of the Japanese hatchback is a wonderful thing to ogle; in my opinion, anyway. It’s worth pointing out, of course, this is a view not universally held; art director Chris, for example, contends the hatchback lacks character lines.

Low slung and riding on fetching 18-inch black alloys, the range-topping Astina cuts a dashing figure, particularly in Soul Red Crystal. Those narrow head- and taillamps echo the items first seen on the Kai concept of 2017, while the production car is similarly sparing in its use of glass. I’d go as far as to say it’s the best-looking member of South Africa’s contracting midsize-hatchback segment, thanks to its refreshing simplicity of design, as opposed to the increasingly fussy faces worn by the majority of its rivals.

Despite the exterior, designers have largely eschewed sharp creases for soft edges – the body instead relies on the way light plays off its subtly curved surfaces – the latest Three looks decidedly sporty, every so often prompting an onlooker to quiz me about what’s lurking beneath the bonnet. Now, if only Mazda would build an Mps-badged variant.