Category: Small Family 
Price Range: £11,950 to £19,900
Fun to drive, refined 2.2 diesel, low emissions, good interior.
Some concerns over ride quality, poor steering feel, lack of space in rear.
The Mazda 3 leaps from offbeat alternative to near class best. Deserves serious consideration.
The previous 3 was a reasonable performer for resale values, returning between 36% and 46% of the original purchase price after three years/36,000 miles, depending on the model. That compares favourably with the Ford Focus range which will return between 33% and 44%. The 2.2-litre diesel in Mazda 3 is probably the best bet.
Latest Readers' Drives About the Mazda Mazda3
wrote on 16 12 2006