Enter the matrix

Mazda says that if your 3 is in Sport Lux spec or higher (which includes my GT Sport) then it has ‘adaptive LED headlights’. That’s one of those buzz phrases that almost every manufacturer currently uses, but they don’t always mean the same thing. It could mean lights that swivel when you turn the steering wheel, or self-dipping full beam. However, a series of long motorway drives in winter soon revealed that these are matrix LED lights, which reshape the beam to maximise illumination without dazzling other road users. It’s very Mazda to not shout about its tech, or how good it actually is.

JAKE GROVES

Mazda 3 GT Sport Skyactiv-X Month 6

The story so far

Cutting through the darkness with a surprise feature

+ Matrix LED lights another neat surprise, mpg improving

Still yearning for a turbo…

Logbook

Price £26,675 (£27,465 as tested) Performance 1998cc four-cylinder, 178bhp, 8.2sec 0-62mph, 134mph E ciency 48.7mpg (o cial), 43.4mpg (tested), 131g/km CO2

Energy cost 13.8p per mile

Miles this month 1235

Total miles