What does it cost?
For The engine is punchy and fairly smooth, and the handling is good. There's loads of standard kit, and space is decent.
Against The ride is too hard, there are too many similarly sized buttons on the dashboard and wheel, and CO2 isn't great. It's pricey, too.
What Car? says
It's certainly brisk and fairly sporty to drive, and there's loads of equipment as standard. It's let down by high CO2 numbers and an overly firm ride.
What Car? readers say
4.4
View the whole Mazda 3 Hatchback range
Cheaper
- Hatchback 1.6 S 5dr - £14,995
- Hatchback 1.6 TS 5dr - £15,995
- Hatchback 1.6 Tamura 5dr - £16,495
- Hatchback 1.6 TS2 5dr - £16,995
- Hatchback 1.6D TS 5dr - £17,495
- Hatchback 1.6 Sport 5dr - £17,995
- Hatchback 1.6 TS2 Nav 5dr - £17,995
- Hatchback 1.6D Tamura 5dr - £17,995
- Hatchback 1.6D TS2 5dr - £18,495
- Hatchback 1.6 Sport Nav 5dr - £18,995
- Hatchback 1.6D Sport 5dr - £19,495
- Hatchback 1.6D TS2 Nav 5dr - £19,495
- Hatchback 2.0 Sport Nav 5dr - £19,495
- Hatchback 1.6D Sport Nav 5dr - £20,495
- Hatchback 2.2D 150 Sport 5dr - £20,495
- Hatchback 2.2D Sport Nav 185 5dr - £21,495
- Hatchback 2.3 MPS 5dr - £23,995
More expensive
- Hatchback 1.6 S 5dr - £14,995
- Hatchback 1.6 TS 5dr - £15,995
- Hatchback 1.6 Tamura 5dr - £16,495
- Hatchback 1.6 TS2 5dr - £16,995
- Hatchback 1.6D TS 5dr - £17,495
- Hatchback 1.6 Sport 5dr - £17,995
- Hatchback 1.6 TS2 Nav 5dr - £17,995
- Hatchback 1.6D Tamura 5dr - £17,995
- Hatchback 1.6D TS2 5dr - £18,495
- Hatchback 1.6 Sport Nav 5dr - £18,995
- Hatchback 1.6D Sport 5dr - £19,495
- Hatchback 1.6D TS2 Nav 5dr - £19,495
- Hatchback 2.0 Sport Nav 5dr - £19,495
- Hatchback 1.6D Sport Nav 5dr - £20,495
- Hatchback 2.2D 150 Sport 5dr - £20,495
- Hatchback 2.2D Sport Nav 185 5dr - £21,495
- Hatchback 2.3 MPS 5dr - £23,995
Buyer's notes
Target Price team says:
There are lots of engine and trim options to choose from, and you can’t really go wrong with any of them – except the 1.6-litre petrol engine, which is okay only if you don’t want to get anywhere in a hurry. Despite that, Mazda still expects it to be the best seller. We, on the other hand, recommend the smooth and punchy 1.6 diesel.
We’re tempted to plump for TS2 trim, too, which gets climate control, alloys, a CD changer, cruise control and Bluetooth. However, some may reckon that TS trim is the better value overall.
Discount-wise, you might struggle to get to 10% (although you should always try) – anywhere between 5% and 8% will be a decent enough deal.
Reader test team says:
Mazda 3 Hatchback 1.6D TS2 5dr
I Bought this car in summer 2011, and it is brilliant, apart from road noise which is a bit loud when on the motorway, but it handles so well and so…
5
out of 5 stars
Mazda 3 Hatchback 1.6 Takuya 5dr
Have only done 4k in six months since purchase but the Takuaya is definately a good purchase. Got me out of a hole when my previous Mazda 6 "died" -…
4
out of 5 stars
Mazda 3 Hatchback 2.2D 185 Sport 5dr
We have just purchased the 2.2d (185) sport in the top spec with leather etc. The car is fantastic to drive and we are really impressed. This is my…
5
out of 5 stars
Mazda 3 Hatchback 1.6 Sport 5dr
I puchased my Mazda 3 1.6 Sport in September 2009. I have found this car a pleasure to drive, it is so smooth. It is by no means the quickest car I…
5
out of 5 stars
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Our pick of the range
Mazda 3 Hatchback 1.6D TS2 5dr
This is the pick of the engine range, and higher-mileage drivers will like its economy. TS2 is one of our favourite trims, too, although the extra it costs over TS (and the equivalent petrol model) may put some off.
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