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.
Mazda's thorough engineering, weight loss programme and class-best aerodynamics have paid dividends. On average the Mazda 3 range has 16% better fuel economy while emitting 19% less carbon dioxide.
Now the 1.6-litre petrol engine averages 44.8mpg while emitting 149g/km of CO2 helping it slip into VED band C while company uses pay 17% in Benefit-in-Kind tax. Thanks to fuel saving stop/start equipment the 2.0-litre now averages 41.5mpg and emits 159g/km of CO2, that's enough for it to sit in the higher VED band D while business users pay a 19% BIK.
The diesels also return fine figures. The smallest 1.6-litre engine returns 62.8mpg and emits 119g/km of CO2 (VED band B, 18% BIK). The more powerful 150bhp 2.2 averages 52.3mpg and emits 144g/km. The more powerful 185bhp version meanwhile returns 50.4mpg and emits 149g/km of CO2.
Latest Readers' Drives About the Mazda Mazda3
wrote on 16 12 2006