What is it?

The Mazda3 has occupied a core place in this brand’s line-up for a number of years now, offering a versatile package that delivers a great level of user-friendliness alongside one of the more accomplished chassis setups in this segment.

In fact, the 3 has been on Mazda’s books for over six years now, with this Volkswagen Golf-rivalling model continuing to strike a chord with many buyers. We’ve been testing it out to see what some small changes have done to the 3’s appeal.

What’s new?

There’s not a whole lot of change to discuss with the 3. In fact, the exterior remains virtually identical, though given this car’s smart look and variety of strong colour options, that’s not such a bad thing in the slightest.

However, we’ve got the option of a new 2.5-litre petrol with mild-hybrid technology, which Mazda says brings a good combination of performance and efficiency.

What’s under the bonnet?

This new 2.5-litre petrol engine replaces the older 2.0-litre e-Skyactiv G that you would’ve found powering the 3 previously. It’s an odd way of doing things - particularly in the current market - as we tend to see manufacturers downsizing their engines instead of making them larger in capacity. But, it seems, that doesn’t apply to Mazda.

With 138bhp and 238Nm of torque, it’s certainly not the most potent of engines, with 0-60mph being dispatched in 9.2 seconds. With a claimed fuel consumption of 47.1mpg and CO2 emissions of 135g/km, it’s reasonably efficient. In contrast, the old engine could return up to 51.4mpg, while CO2 emissions were lower as well at 127g/km.

What’s it like to drive?

The 3 has always offered a far more involving driving experience than you may expect a ‘regular’ hatchback to bring and that remains the same for this 2.5-litre-powered model. On a curving country road, the 3 brings excellent responsiveness, with well-managed body control ensuring that it corners flat and true.

There’s decent grip offered, too, while the new 2.5-litre engine brings smooth, assured performance. The six-speed gearbox that it’s linked to is a joy to use, as well.

How does it look?

Now well into its fourth generation, the Mazda3 remains one of the more striking-looking cars in the hatchback segment. At the front, there are those trademark wraparound headlights while at the back there’s a rounded, bulbous design. To our eyes at least, it still looks great.

There are plenty of good exterior colours to choose from, too, with our test car’s Polymetal grey scheme giving the 3 an understated look. However, if you’d like to stand out then there are plenty of more eye-catching shades to select.

What’s it like inside?

You’ll find a variety of high-quality materials used throughout the 3’s interior, brought together with a solid attention to detail. There are pleasantly squishy materials on the door cars, for instance, while the dashboard gets a leatherette finish for a more upmarket look.

There’s a 10.25-inch infotainment screen at the heart of it all and, unlike rival offerings, it can be controlled both by touch or with a rotary dial. That latter feature makes it far easier to use on the move than a solely touch-operated system. When it comes to practicality, the 3 offers up to 358 litres of boot space, or 1,026 litres with the rear seats folded flat.

What’s the spec like?

There remains a great number of specifications to choose from on the 3, ensuring that there’s something for all types of drivers. Prices start at £24,460 for the entry-level Prime-Line trim, but even this brings features such as air conditioning, rear parking sensors and LED headlights as standard.

Our test car came in Exclusive Line, which adds a Bose sound system, heated front seats, 18-inch alloy wheels and rear privacy glass, among other touches.

Verdict

While the Mazda3 may not be the most obvious choice in the hatchback market, it remains one of the most well-equipped, good-to-drive and smart-looking models available today. The driving experience is certainly one of the best and while the rear seats might not be the roomiest, it should prove practical enough for many drivers.

The new 2.5-litre engine is a smooth-runner, too, and gives the 3 an even more upmarket feeling than it had previously.