Mazda is aiming to shake up the popular trio of the VW Golf, Ford Focus
and Vauxhall Astra with its latest family hatch. We first drove the
1.6-litre diesel 3 in January 2009, but it's the 1.6-litre petrol variant that's predicted to be most popular. With
its sharper face, the new 3 is a distinctive machine. Wide arches, smart 17-inch alloys and bumper
spoilers on our TS2 mean the design certainly fits Mazda’s ‘Zoom-Zoom’
mantra. Inside, the layout is well put together, yet
it doesn’t live up to the promise of the exterior. We like the rakish
aluminium-trimmed dials, but otherwise the cabin is unremarkable Yet
on the road the 3 doesn’t disappoint, and it feels more potent than
this engine’s 103bhp suggests. The chassis
is what really shines, though. Pliable suspension irons out bumps, and
there’s grip to spare in the bends. Direct, communicative steering
makes cornering a rewarding experience. One of the best aspects of the
new 3 is that, at 1,180kg, it’s 15 per cent lighter than before. This
helps drop CO2 emissions to 149g/km, while the 1.6 petrol model hits
45mpg, so it’s greener than its rivals.
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Has this car been on the sherbet? You only see smiles like that on sugar daddies who've snuffed it in mid performance...