Skip advert
Advertisement

Mazda 3 Sport Black 2018 review

Limited-edition Mazda 3 Sport Black hatch has plenty of kit and feels well made, but how does it compare to the standard models?

Overall Auto Express rating

3.5

How we review cars
Avg. savings
£2,429 off RRP*
Find your Mazda 3
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

There’s nothing dramatically wrong with the Mazda 3 Sport Black; it’s well equipped, nicely built and decent to drive. But it doesn’t offer too much over the SE L Nav model, which costs less on list price and, crucially, monthly installments as well. If you’re after a Mazda 3, we’d still nudge you in the direction of the regular range instead of this limited-edition special.

Advertisement - Article continues below

An all-new Mazda 3 is on the way, but the existing model has about a year left to run – so the Japanese brand is trotting out the special editions to keep up interest until the next generation arrives. 

The Mazda 3 Sport Black is the latest effort – a limited-run special that brings extra kit and styling tweaks. It’s available only as a hatchback, and is based on the 2.0-litre SE L Nav car. It gets a jet-black roof spoiler and door mirrors, a choice of metallic paint schemes and, in addition to the regular car’s spec, a reversing camera, LED headlights and keyless entry. 

Best hatchbacks on sale

The styling additions don’t really change the 3’s shape too much – so your view on the value proposition here will depend greatly on whether you consider a reversing camera a must-have item.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

3

2019 Mazda

3

43,016 milesManualPetrol2.0L

Cash £12,748
View 3
3

2022 Mazda

3

22,489 milesManualPetrol2.0L

Cash £14,900
View 3
3

2022 Mazda

3

22,587 milesManualPetrol2.0L

Cash £14,800
View 3
3

2022 Mazda

3

25,358 milesManualPetrol2.0L

Cash £14,500
View 3

The rest of the package remains the same as usual – and in lots of areas, that’s no bad thing. The 3 has relatively sophisticated rear suspension, and you can feel it. The Mazda doesn’t dial out every urban pothole, but it makes a decent fist of cushioning you from all but the worst lumps – while still delivering crisp body control. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

The steering is nicely weighted and direct, and the gearshift is one of the best in the business. It’s not quite up to MX-5 levels of slickness, but it’s sharp and has a pleasingly short throw. Few family hatchbacks have such a well-judged range of control weights.

Negatives remain, however. The 2.0-litre petrol engine produces just 118bhp and a modest 210Nm of torque, so you’ll need to work it reasonably hard to make brisk progress. It’s fairly refined and smooth, but the lack of a turbocharger means that you’re more likely to wring it out into the higher reaches of the rev range, where engine noise does begin to intrude.

This trait is nowhere near as annoying as the 3’s infotainment system, which has a crisp enough screen but software that isn’t worthy of it. The navigation is clunky to use and gives poor guidance, and there’s no chance to bypass this and use the mapping or audio streaming from your phone because Android Auto and Apple CarPlay aren’t supported.

Perversely, the Sport Black version does actually include some metal-finish trim to brighten the facia, but it’s still a pretty dull affair, with swathes of textured black plastic. It feels well screwed together, however.

For all the latest Mazda news and reviews, head to our dedicated Mazda hub page.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Editor-at-large

John started journalism reporting on motorsport – specifically rallying, which he had followed avidly since he was a boy. After a stint as editor of weekly motorsport bible Autosport, he moved across to testing road cars. He’s now been reviewing cars and writing news stories about them for almost 20 years.

New & used car deals

Mazda 3

Mazda 3

RRP £22,065Avg. savings £2,429 off RRP*Used from £8,290
Mazda Cx-30

Mazda Cx-30

RRP £23,265Avg. savings £2,501 off RRP*Used from £12,400
Seat Leon

Seat Leon

RRP £24,125Avg. savings £5,279 off RRP*Used from £10,395
Mazda Cx-5

Mazda Cx-5

RRP £26,940Avg. savings £2,118 off RRP*Used from £9,995
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k
Kia PV5 Passenger - show front

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k

New entry into the electric people carrier market undercuts the VW ID. Buzz by a significant margin
News
29 Apr 2025
Car Deal of the Day: BMW’s ultimate luxury SUV at an unusually low price
BMW X7 - front

Car Deal of the Day: BMW’s ultimate luxury SUV at an unusually low price

German firm’s flagship SUV could never be called cheap but it is exceptional value at £735 a month – making it our Deal of the Day for Sunday 27 April
News
27 Apr 2025
New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645
Kia PV5 Cargo on display at Commercial Vehicle Show - front 3/4

New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645

All-new entry into the van market promises competitive pricing and comes with a range of up to 247 miles
News
30 Apr 2025