Mazda 3 Saloon review

The Mazda 3 Saloon is much cheaper than the Audi A3 Saloon and other rivals, but that doesn't show in its interior quality. The fact that we’re even comparing the two is testament to just how good Mazda has made the interior.

It feels solid, well put together and features plenty of high-quality materials. The dashboard combines dense, soft-touch plastics with attractive finishes and chrome trim highlights. You certainly won't feel short-changed.

It’s not quite as good as the iDrive system you get in the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé and BMW 3 Series but it's much easier to use while driving than cars that are fitted with a touchscreen only.

You also get an impressive array of features. All models have a DAB radio, Bluetooth, sat-nav, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration. The standard eight-speaker sound system is impressive, and the top GT Sport and GT Sport Tech models have a more powerful 12-speaker Bose system.

The Mazda 3 Saloon is easy to see out of to the front, but the rear view is less open. Don't panic about that, though, because front and rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera are included, even on the entry-level SE-L Lux trim. The range-topping GT Sport Tech model adds a bird’s eye view camera.

All versions have LED headlights, and if you move up to mid-range Sport Lux trim they are adaptive. That means you can leave them on main beam without blinding other drivers.