Review: Mazda 3 (2014 – 2019)

Mazda 3 (2014 – 2019): At A Glance

• Insurance Groups are between 13–25
• On average it achieves 76% of the official MPG figure

Mazda 3 (2014 – 2019): What's It Like Inside?

• Boot space is 364–1263 litres
• Euro NCAP rating of five stars

Dimensions
Length	4460–4585 mm
Width	1795–2053 mm
Height	1450–1465 mm
Wheelbase	2700 mm
Full specifications

Inside, the new Mazda 3 is striking, The instruments are available in two configurations - the standard models get a large speedometer flanked by a small digital revcounter and computer display; while in the more luxurious models, the central dial is a tachometer, with the speed being relayed digitally, inset within the revcounter and via head-up display. The rest of the control set is handled by the seven-inch multimedia screen's controls mounted logically in the centre console. Storage space is plentiful within the cabin, although bizarrely, there are no door pockets.

As the new 3 is wider and has a longer wheelbase than the outgoing model, it's no surprise to learn that there's more interior room. A six-footer can sit behind another six-footer, although in the rear, hat room is slightly limited. But in the front, it's airy and has plenty of room, generally feeling higher up the food chain than a humble Golf-sector car. As for the boot - it offers a 350-litre capacity, which isn't bad considering the new car's shorter overhang. It does, however, trail the Golf by 30 litres.

What's the Mazda 3 (2014 – 2019) like to drive?

• Engines range from 1.5 to 2.2 D Automatic
• Readers report Real MPG to be between 30–61 mpg

The 2014 Mazda 3 is the third incarnation of Mazda’s Skyactiv philosophy. Instead of adopting hybrid technology to improve fuel economy and reduce CO2, Mazda has chosen to make its internal combustion engines more efficient.

So we have low compression diesels with exhaust manifolds in their cylinder heads so they heat up faster, emit less soot and comply with EU6 regulations without the need for an expensive additive additive.

Skyactiv petrol engines have very high compression ratios and instead of being downsized and turbocharged they are 2.0 litre naturally aspirated, yet still achieve a low 119g/km CO2.

But Skyactiv isn’t all that Mazda and the new Mazda 3 are about. Mazda is staffed by enthusiasts and fundamentally makes drivers cars where every single aspect has been though about and re-thought until judged to be right by the engineers and designers rather than the company accountants.

Everything feels right. The switchgear. The way the car drives and handles. The way everything from the stop-start to the automatic gearshift actually works.

Mazda calls this ‘Jinba Ittai.’ A harmony between man and machine. A feeling that a car should respond to its driver in the same way as a horse to its rider.

In the new Mazda 3 they have take this a small step further. A new control screen is ergonomically designed so the driver can operate it intuitively without taking his eyes from the road.

The car handles very well without compromising ride comfort. We drove a 120PS 2.0 petrol fastback manual saloon, a 120PS petrol fastback automatic, and a 165PS 2.0 petrol Sport hatchback.

The 120s were SE-Nav and SEL-Nav spec and came on 16” alloy wheels with 205/60 R16 tyres. The 165 Sport was on 18s with 215/45 R18 tyres.

All gripped and handled very decently, but the Sport hung on exceptionally well. Unlike a Golf, Leon, Octavia or Civic, all Mazda 3s have proper multilink fully independent rear suspension.

The roads we drove in Spain were smooth surfaced, so we couldn’t assess what would happen in the event of a typical British mid corner pothole. But body control over crests and through dips was excellent. And the car rode the inevitable speed humps n towns and villages very well.

The 165 didn’t like high revs much. It was at its best between 2,000 and 5,000rpm. The 120 was very smooth yet felt just a tad strangled for a 2.0 litre, particularly at high altitude in the mountains, but that’s how it emits just 119g/km CO2.

You get a different dash on the 165 Sport. The central circular speedo becomes a rev counter, with a digital speed readout and a gearshift indicator where the small rev counter would have been on lesser versions.

Carbuyers looking at family saloons and hatchbacks in the Mazda 3’s price category are now faced with going down to a 1.0 litre or 1.2 or 1.4 turbo, or sticking with a 1.8 in the Civic or the 2.0 litre in the Mazda 3.

Downsizing inevitably brings lower CO2 in the EC tests, so less annual tax. But in the real world the 1.8s and 2.0 litres deliver a more satisfying drive with better fuel economy.

Engine	MPG	0-62	CO2
1.5	55 mpg	10.8 s	119 g/km
1.5 D	64–74 mpg	11.0–11.6 s	99 g/km
2.0	55 mpg	8.8–8.9 s	119 g/km
2.0 120	55 mpg	8.8 s	119 g/km
2.0 120 Automatic	50 mpg	10.3 s	128 g/km
2.0 165	49 mpg	8.2 s	135 g/km
2.0 Automatic	50 mpg	10.3–10.4 s	128–129 g/km
2.2 D	69–72 mpg	8.0–8.1 s	104–107 g/km
2.2 D Automatic	59 mpg	9.7 s	127 g/km

Real MPG average for a Mazda 3 (2014 – 2019)

Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.

Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.

Diesel or petrol? If you're unsure whether to go for a petrol or diesel (or even an electric model if it's available), then you need our Petrol or Diesel? calculator. It does the maths on petrols, diesels and electric cars to show which is best suited to you.

What have we been asked about the Mazda 3 (2014 – 2019)?

Every day we're asked hundreds of questions from car buyers and owners through Ask Honest John. Our team of experts, including the nation's favourite motoring agony uncle - Honest John himself - answer queries and conudrums ranging from what car to buy to how to care for it as an owner. If you could do with a spot of friendly advice before buying you're next car, get in touch and we'll do what we can to help.