Motoring

All-New Mazda3 2019 review

Mazda
Avatar photo
Written by Tim Barnes-Clay

Find out why every parent is bound to give the all-new Mazda3 the thumbs up.

Follow motoring journalist Tim Barnes-Clay on Twitter @carwriteups or Instagram @tbarnesclay.

Dads like attractive things, right? Yes, mums do as well, I know. So the good news is that there’s a tasty new car on the block – and all parents are bound to like it.

Why? Well, the all-new Mazda3 is possibly the most striking family hatchback to arrive in Britain for years.

All-new Mazda3.

Just two powerplants are available. There’s the SkyActiv-G petrol, driven by yours truly, and the SkyActiv-D diesel engine.

The petrol version is sophisticated, and the transmission and platform are decent. So, rest assured, the all-new Mazda3 is a terrific car to drive. It’s wonderfully composed and the ride quality is up there with ‘premium’ badged motors.

All-new Mazda3.

You need to move through the gears to keep the pace going, but the six-speed gearbox is a pleasure to use, with a meticulous, concise throw. Sometimes the steering feels like it could be more dynamic, but by family car standards, it’s respectable. The driving position is agreeably accommodating, too.

All-new Mazda3 interior.

I drove the mid-spec Mazda3 Sport Lux model, and although you’ll need to spend more on a GT Sport for leather-swathed seats, the materials in the cabin are of a good standard. It’s a far more pleasing place to be than the Ford Focus, and it outdoes the soon to be departing version of the VW Golf.

And the weaknesses? Well, the all-new Mazda3’s sporty shape means room in the rear isn’t vast – and it’s poorly lit back there as well. And at 351-litres, the boot isn’t among the most capacious in the class either.

All-new Mazda3 boot.

But mostly, the all-new Mazda3 is a striking, finely made machine that’s worth taking into consideration if you want a family car that stands out from other, more vanilla, hatchbacks.

Fast Facts (Mazda3 SkyActiv-G 2.0 122PS Sport Lux):

  • Max speed: 122 mph
  • 0-62 mph: 10.4 seconds
  • Combined MPG: 44.8 mpg
  • Engine layout: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder petrol
  • Max. power (PS): 122
  • CO2: 119 g/km
  • Price: £22,795