Mazda 3 (2014 – 2019) Review

Launched in 2014, the Mazda 3 is one of the best of the ‘other’ family hatchbacks. While the Volkswagen Golf, Ford Focus and, to a lesser extent, Vauxhall Astra dominate the sales chart, the other five-door family-sized hatchbacks are engaged in a battle of the also-rans. It deserves better, because the Mazda 3 is arguably the best looking car in its class, with hints of the MX-5 sports car in the way it drives. There’s more, because the Mazda 3 boasts an enviable reliability record and a cabin with a distinctly upmarket feel.

While the Volkswagen Golf, Ford Focus and Vauxhall Astra are the obvious choices in a crowded segment, the Mazda 3 is the best of the rest.

What makes it so good? We’ll start with the styling, which looks chiselled and honed to within an inch of perfection, particularly following the facelift at the end of 2016. There’s not a line out of place, which enables the Mazda 3 to rub shoulders with premium rivals like the Audi A3, BMW 1 Series and Mercedes-Benz A-Class.

The good vibes continue on the inside, where you’ll find elements of the Mazda MX-5 sports car, with everything finished with precision and quality.

It’s a very driver-centric cabin, with a superb driving position and a feeling of being cocooned without being cramped. It feels a little more claustrophobic in the back, a sense not helped by the dark materials, the shape of the rear windows and the sloping roofline. Practicality is merely adequate for a car of this size.

Any gripes will be forgotten once you hit the road. The link to the MX-5 is clear, with the Mazda 3 offering a superb blend of sharp and accurate steering, tight cornering and driver satisfaction. The ride quality isn’t as supple as some rivals, but you’ll forgive this for the way the car makes you feel when you’re behind the wheel.

The engines play a big part in this. The 165PS 2.0 Skyactiv-G petrol engine is a particular highlight, giving the Mazda 3 a terrific turn of pace and reasonable economy. It feels quick and it rewards drivers who explore the upper reaches of the rev range.

A 120PS version is available if you don’t need the performance, along with a 1.5 Skyactiv-G, which is perfect for city driving.

Don’t rule out the Skyactiv-D diesel engines, which offer excellent economy and a fair amount of pace. The 2.2-litre diesel is a particular highlight, thanks to its pulling power, strong acceleration and fuel economy.

All versions of the Mazda 3 are well-equipped, while higher trim levels feel positively lavish. Choose the mid-range SE-L and SE-L Nav models for the best blend of price and equipment, not to mention the greatest choice on the used car market. Prices have dropped as low as £5000, making this one of the used car bargains of 2020.

It’s not perfect, but what is? Some people will prefer the lazy performance and efficiency of a turbocharged engine, while others will demand better ride comfort. Some may demand more space and flexibility.

Others will revel in the quality engineering, driver satisfaction and understated confidence of the Mazda 3. Judged on the basis of styling, dynamics, quality and reliability, the Mazda is good enough to be called the class leader. It’s that good.

Only the Ford Focus runs it close, with the Mazda 3 offering well-weighted steering, loads of grip and lots of feedback from the road.

Even if you don’t consider yourself to be a keen driver, you’ll revel in the confidence this delivers. Make no mistake, the Mazda 3 is one of the best handling and most enjoyable family hatchbacks you can buy.

This sharp handling doesn’t come at the expense of ride quality. It’s not cushion-soft, but there’s a tautness to the ride which accentuates the feeling that you’re driving something special.

The ride quality suffers a little on 18-inch wheels, so this is worth considering if you drive on pockmarked roads. Torque vectoring was added to the cars as part of the 2016 facelift, making the Mazda 3 even more enjoyable to drive.

The 165PS 2.0 Skyactiv-G petrol engine is the star performer. Not only does it sound sensational, it’s also incredibly smooth, all the way to the redline. Yes, you have to work it harder than a turbocharged engine, but it feels quicker than the 0-62mph time of 8.2 seconds would suggest.

Alternatively, the 120PS version of the same engine offers some of the performance but with better fuel economy.

It needs even more work to get the best from it, so you might prefer the extra poke offered by the 165PS. If you’re not too fussed about exploring the upper reaches of the rev counter, the 100PS 1.5 Skyactiv-G is perfectly acceptable around town.

Don’t rule out the Skyactiv-D diesel engines, which are incredibly efficient. The 150PS 2.2-litre diesel would be our choice, as it offers the best blend of performance and economy.

Euro NCAP awarded the Mazda 3 a full five-star crash safety score in 2013. Along with multiple airbags, all versions get stability control and a speed assistance limiter. 

A so-called Smart City Brake Support system warns the driver if it detects an impending collision and, if they don’t respond, automatically applies the brakes. At city speeds, it will either avoid an accident entirely, or mitigate its impact. All cars also have hill-hold assist, which stops the car rolling backwards during hill starts.

An optional safety pack on Sport Nav models comprised rear vehicle monitoring, automatic high beam control and a lane departure warning system.

The 2.2 Skyactiv D has a maximum towing capacity of 1500kg when paired with a manual gearbox. The 120PS version of the Skyactiv-G engine has a capacity of 1300kg.

It’s not the most practical car in its class, with the boot offering a merely adequate 350 litres of luggage space. It also suffers from a high floor and intrusion from the wheelarches, so you might struggle to carry wide loads. On the plus side, the rear seats fold entirely flat, creating 1,360 litres of space.

Rear-seat passengers will enjoy a decent amount of legroom as they sit in the comfortable and supportive back seats. There is a penalty for the stylish exterior: limited headroom. The sloping roof means tall people will struggle, while the small windows and dark rear glass combine to make it feel quite claustrophobic in the back.

There’s better news in the front, where the driver and front-seat passenger will find plenty of space and supportive seats. It’s just a shame that the Mazda 3 lacks the storage options of some of its rivals.

The interior looks superb – you can see the influence of the Mazda MX-5 on the inside. This generation of Mazda 3 doesn’t have the same premium feel as the current car, but there are flashes of luxury throughout the cabin. The upper section of the dashboard is pleasingly upmarket, while the door handles and switches have a Germanic feel.

It’s the little things, like the way the climate control dials click like a Swiss bank vault as you turn them. The steering wheel is trimmed in rich leather and feels delightful to hold. Opt for a post-facelift model for the best experience.

All versions of the Mazda 3 come with a seven-inch colour screen, which is controlled by a rotary dial between the seats. It’s simple to operate and generally quite intuitive. Bluetooth and a USB socket come as standard, but DAB digital radio didn’t arrive until 2016.

The MZD Connect system pairs with smartphones and offers a broad range of functionality, including internet radio and traffic updates.

Prices for this generation of the Mazda 3 start from around £5000. This is enough to secure a 2014 example with up to 150,000 miles on the clock. Most examples will be SE-L or SE-L Nav trim. The majority of used cars are powered by petrol engines, accounting for around 75 percent of the stock at the time of writing.

Post-facelift models start from around £8000, so it’s worth increasing your budget if you’re able. It’s difficult to spot the facelift, but look out for a slightly larger front grille, redesigned headlights, door mirror-mounted indicators and a subtly restyled rear bumper. It’s more a nip and tuck than a wholesale revamp.

Upping the budget to £9,000 opens up the prospect of owning a 2017 model, while £10,000 is enough for a 2018 example. Overall, the Mazda 3 hatchback accounts for around 75 percent of the used car stock, so you might have to be patient when searching for a saloon.

The earliest examples are available for just £100 a month on a four-year hire purchase contract, but given the mileage of these cars, we’d recommend buying something newer. For example, a 2017 Mazda 3 in SE-L Nav could cost as little as £150 a month on a four-year PCP deal. That’s based on a deposit of £1000, so it could be an affordable point of entry.

When you consider the styling, interior quality, driving experience and Mazda’s reliability record, the Mazda 3 is a cost-effective used purchase.

It’s worth noting that the following figures were sourced using the old NEDC system, however, so you’re unlikely to match the economy in the real world.

On paper, the 150PS 2.2 Skyactiv-D diesel engine could return 68.9mpg with a manual gearbox, or 58.9mpg in the automatic version. According to Honest John Real MPG data, you should see 49.3mpg in the manual and 43.7mpg in the automatic.

The petrol engines are actually more impressive. Officially, the 100PS 1.5 Skyactiv-G could return 55.4mpg, a figure matched by the 120PS version of the 2.0 Skyactiv-G when paired with a manual gearbox. The figure drops to 50.4mpg in the automatic. The 165PS 2.0-litre engine could return 48.7mpg. It’s also worth considering the old 1.5 Skyactiv-D diesel, with Honest John data suggesting that 54.5mpg is achievable.

The Mazda 3 will cost more to insure than its mainstream rivals, but the 1.5-litre petrol and diesel models will be the most affordable. Another reason to opt for the 1.5 Skyactiv-D is free Vehicle Excise Duty (VED), thanks to CO2 emissions of 99g/km.

It’s often said that the Ford Focus is the best family hatchback for keen drivers, but the Mazda 3 offers a different flavour. It’s arguably even nicer to drive than the Focus, more exclusive, better looking and more upmarket. It’s like having your cake and eating it. The Skyactiv engines are superb, especially the 2.0-litre petrol. If you’re after a safe, reliable and satisfying family hatchback, the Mazda 3 should be on your shortlist.