Mazda sprinkles some magic on its hatchback

NYONE with even a passing interest in cars has to own up to having a little bit of a crush on Mazda’s though, is the ride, the looks, and a classy feel that does not quite correlate with the price.

Our test model this week was the 2ltr 120ps Sport Nav version of the car, which has a standard OTR price of £20,845. Options included ‘pearlescent’ paint, and a leather interior which took the overall price up to £22,395.

Even without those very nice extras, the car has a high spec interior and exterior – including 18in alloys, adaptive front lighting, front and rear parking sensors, a reversing camera, keyless entry, and a full-colour heads-up display. It even has a heated steering wheel.

There is, obviously, a touchscreen satnav system, which sits a bit like a mini tablet emerging from the top of the dash. You can also control it with a pair of dials that sit at arms-length on the centre console, occupying the space traditionally occupied by the hand-brake (yes, the Mazda3 has an electronic button-operated hand-brake).

I liked the option of being able to control the satnav and entertainment using the two dials at my fingertips, or by touch-screen – both options make sense and different times, and I’ve found that cars that offer only one of those options can frustrate.

Despite the low-slung ride and big wheels, the car’s a comfortable place to be, too – even on Britain’s pock-marked roads, it handles superbly and is quick off the mark (0-62 in under nine seconds).

The performance does come at a price, though, with fuel efficiency not exactly best-inclass at 55.4MPG combined and 119g/km emissions.

But then, if you wanted a car that bettered that, you’d be looking for one that was nowhere near as much fun drive – which is, of course, where the Mazda3 excels.

In addition to the sprinkling of MX-5 DNA, the Mazda3 also looks the part – the latest design tweaks for this version of the car have produced an aggressive stance with some pleasing clean lines that look great from any angle.

It would be easy to bypass the Mazda3 if you’re on the lookout for a small hatch – other options will naturally spring to mind more readily.

But if you like to drive, it’d be worth your while taking one for spin before you opt for any of its considerably less exciting rivals.