Mazda 3 review
The Mazda 3 is a stunningly beautiful family hatchback that offers a premium-quality interior and a fantastic driving experience, making it a stylish alternative to the mainstream.
Author: Charlie Harvey
22nd Dec 2025 – 8 mins read
Mazda has a long history of making fun-to-drive and affordable family hatchbacks, and the Mazda 3 has always been a key part of that. The latest generation, which arrived in 2019, takes things to a whole new level. It’s a car that looks to move the brand further upmarket, with head-turning, concept-car-like looks and a beautifully crafted interior that feels genuinely premium. It’s not just about style, though. The latest Mazda 3 is brilliant to drive, with sharp handling that rivals the best in the class. It also introduced some clever new engine technology, including mild-hybrid assistance and the innovative Skyactiv-X petrol engine. However, those gorgeous looks do come with a compromise in practicality, as rear space and boot size are a bit tight. Even so, if you value style and driving pleasure over outright space, the Mazda 3 is one of the most desirable and rewarding family cars you can buy.
Pros
- Absolutely stunning looks that stand out from the crowd
- A high-quality interior that feels genuinely premium
- Great to drive, with sharp handling and a comfortable ride
Cons
- The stylish design compromises practicality and rear passenger space
- Poor rear visibility can make parking tricky
- The petrol engines lack a turbocharger and need to be worked hard
Interior
Dashboard & tech
The interior of the latest Mazda 3 is a real highlight and a huge step up from previous models. It has a minimalist, driver-focused design and the quality is exceptional, with lots of upmarket, soft-touch materials that give it a feel of a much more expensive car.
A smart 8.8-inch widescreen infotainment display sits neatly on top of the dashboard. It’s not a touchscreen, instead being controlled by a simple rotary dial between the front seats, which is actually much easier and safer to use when you’re driving. It’s a beautifully designed, high-quality cabin that makes every journey feel a bit special.
Comfort
The Mazda 3 proves that a car that’s fun to drive doesn’t have to be uncomfortable. It manages to be both sporty and refined, with a smooth ride that makes it a great motorway cruiser. The driving position is low-slung, adding to the sporty feel, but the seats are supportive and comfortable even on long trips.
The cabin is well-insulated from wind and road noise, making it a quiet and relaxing place to be. It strikes a brilliant balance between being an engaging car for the driver and a comfortable one for the passengers.
Quality
Mazda has an excellent reputation for building high-quality, dependable cars, and the latest Mazda 3 feels incredibly well put together. The interior materials are first-rate, and all the switches and controls operate with a satisfying precision. The brand often ranks highly in customer satisfaction surveys for reliability. One thing to look out for on used models is potential corrosion on the alloy wheels, which was an issue on previous generations, but overall it’s a car you can buy with a great deal of confidence.
Practicality & boot space
Interior space
This is the Mazda 3’s weak link. While passengers in the front will have no complaints, with plenty of space to get comfortable, those in the back might feel a bit short-changed. The car’s beautiful, sloping roofline means headroom is quite compromised, and tall adults will likely find their heads are very close to the ceiling. The small rear windows can also make it feel a little dark and claustrophobic back there.
Boot space
The boot is also one of the smallest in the family hatchback class. At 358 litres, it’s smaller than what you’ll find in a Ford Focus or Volkswagen Golf and is closer in size to some superminis. It’s big enough for the weekly shop or a few weekend bags, but you might struggle with a bulky pushchair. If you need more space, the saloon version has a larger 444-litre boot, but the narrow opening can make it tricky to load awkward items.
Driving
Driving experience
If you enjoy driving, you will love the Mazda 3. It’s one of the very best cars in its class to drive, feeling on par with the brilliant Ford Focus and even some premium rivals like the BMW 1 Series. The steering is precise and full of feel, and the handling is tidy and agile, which makes it a joy on a twisty road.
What’s really impressive is that this sporty feel doesn’t come at the expense of comfort. It feels refined and stable at high speeds, making it a great all-rounder. It’s a car that proves you don’t have to sacrifice fun just because you need a sensible family hatchback.
Performance
The Mazda 3’s engine range is a little different from most rivals, as it doesn't use small turbocharged petrol engines. The entry-level option is a 2.0-litre petrol engine called Skyactiv-G, which produces 120bhp. It's very smooth and refined but feels a little underpowered and needs to be revved hard to get the best from it.
Our pick is the clever 2.0-litre Skyactiv-X engine. This 178bhp unit uses innovative technology to blend the best bits of petrol and diesel engines. It's more powerful and more economical than the standard engine, but again, it performs best when you rev it. Some models are also available with all-wheel-drive, which is a rare feature in this class.
Running costs
Fuel economy & CO2 emissions
Both petrol engines in the Mazda 3 are impressively efficient, thanks in part to their standard mild-hybrid technology. The entry-level Skyactiv-G engine can return around 45.6mpg.
Impressively, the more powerful Skyactiv-X engine is even more economical, with an official figure of up to 51.4mpg. These are great figures for a petrol-powered family car and mean that running costs should be very reasonable. For the best efficiency, it's best to avoid the all-wheel-drive versions, which are noticeably thirstier.
Value for money
The latest Mazda 3 takes a step upmarket, and its prices sit somewhere between mainstream rivals and premium German alternatives. However, it represents great value when you consider the huge amount of standard equipment you get. Even the entry-level model is packed with kit that you’d have to pay extra for on many rivals. Mazda’s strong reputation means the 3 holds its value well, which is good news when you come to sell it on.
Reliability & Warranty
Mazda is a brand with a brilliant reputation for reliability, consistently scoring highly in owner satisfaction surveys. The Mazda 3 feels like a high-quality, dependable car that’s built to last. From new, all Mazdas come with a three-year, 60,000-mile warranty.
Safety
Safety features
The Mazda 3 is one of the safest cars in its class. It was awarded the maximum five-star rating when it was crash-tested by the safety experts at Euro NCAP in 2019, with a near-perfect score for adult occupant protection.
What’s really impressive is the amount of standard safety kit. All models come with a head-up display, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control, features that are often expensive optional extras on competitors.
Trims & Engines
Trim levels
The Mazda 3 is available in a range of five very well-equipped trim levels.
SE-L: The entry-level model is generously equipped. It comes with 16-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, rear parking sensors, a head-up display, and an 8.8-inch screen with satellite navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto.
SE-L Lux: Adds front parking sensors, a reversing camera, heated front seats, and keyless entry.
Sport Lux: This trim gives the car a sportier look with 18-inch alloy wheels and rear privacy glass.
GT Sport: Adds a touch of luxury with black leather seats, an electric driver’s seat, a heated steering wheel, and a premium 12-speaker Bose sound system.
GT Sport Tech: The range-topping model adds extra safety features, including a 360-degree camera system and front cross-traffic alert.
Engines
The engine range is focused on efficient, non-turbocharged petrol engines with mild-hybrid technology.
Skyactiv-G: A 2.0-litre petrol engine with 120bhp. It’s very smooth and refined but needs to be worked hard for brisk performance.Skyactiv-X: A powerful and innovative 2.0-litre petrol engine with 178bhp. It offers a great blend of performance and outstanding fuel economy. It’s also available with the rare option of all-wheel-drive.
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