Mazda 3 - TopCarNews

Mazda 3 (2019 – present) | Expert Rating [hide]

Summary

The Mazda 3 (officially styled as the Mazda3) is a medium-sized family car available in five-door hatchback and saloon body styles.

The latest generation was unveiled in November 2018 and went on sale in the UK in summer 2019, initially only as a hatchback and with a limited range of engines. The saloon version and additional engine options both arrived in late 2019.

The new Mazda 3 has received generally good to very good reviews from the UK media, with particular praise for its styling and value for money. Early criticisms were made of a lack of performance in the engines available from launch, which were partly addressed by the more powerful SkyActiv X engine that arrived a few months after launch.

Key specifications

Body style: Five-door hatch and saloonEngines: petrol, diesel
Price: From £20,595 on-road

Launched: Spring 2019Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA

Image gallery

Media reviews

Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

The Car Expert

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol SkyActiv-X saloon Sport LuxScore: 7.6 / 10“The Mazda 3 saloon is attractive but sales are unlikely to rival its hatchback sibling. The Skyactiv-X petrol engine, however, is a very clever bit of kit.”
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Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“The Mazda 3 cannot match some rivals for space or powerplants available, but scores with plentiful equipment and attractive, distinctive design, inside and out.”
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Model reviewed: Range overview“Boasting serious value for money, respectable efficiency, stunning looks and an impressive driving experience, it has everything to keep up with the best in the class.”
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Auto Express

Model reviewed: Hatchback rangeScore: 8 / 10“The new Mazda 3 is a brilliant car and among the most desirable family hatchbacks you can buy. This is a car that you’ll never tire of driving, and it’s executed in a package that’s of immense quality for the money.”
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Model reviewed: 2.0 180ps GT Sport SaloonScore: 8 / 10“The hallmark qualities of the 3 are still on show, wrapped up in a package that some will find more appealing compared with the sportier-looking hatchback.”
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Model reviewed: SkyActiv-XScore: 8 / 10“You get some much needed extra power over the SkyActiv-G car without really sacrificing fuel economy, but a little refinement is lost. It’s good enough to be our pick of the Mazda 3 bunch.”
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Model reviewed: SkyActiv-G 2.0 122ps Sport LuxScore: 8 / 10“Be in no doubt, the Mazda 3 is a great car to drive.”
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Auto Trader

Model reviewed: Saloon rangeScore: 8 / 10“If you fancy moving away from the common hatchback and into something a bit different, then the Mazda3 Saloon may be for you. It offers eye-catching looks and impressive interior quality, as well as some clever engine technology that could keep running costs down. It’s not bad to drive, either.”
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Model reviewed: Hatchback rangeScore: 7 / 10“By steering a subtle course upmarket, the latest Mazda 3 feels like a polished, premium product. Enjoyable to drive and with a more upmarket cabin, its only weak link is the amount of space in the rear seats and boot.”
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Autocar

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre manual 100th Anniversary hatchbackScore: 8 / 10“The 3 100th Anniversary edition is pitched at Mazda fans who want something a little bit special for their money. When you consider the price is a modest increase over an equivalent GT Sport, it’s a pretty appealing proposition for those already wise to the 3’s left-field appeal.”
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Model reviewed: Range reviewScore: 8 / 10“Very appealing styling inside and out, and outstanding interior quality.”
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Model reviewed: SkyActiv-XScore: 8 / 10“Even with the normal and relatively weedy 2.0-litre petrol and 1.8-litre diesel, the Mazda 3 is a highly recommendable hatch. Unsurprisingly then, with a little more fire in its belly courtesy of the Skyactiv-X engine, there’s even more reason to pick one as your next family hatch.”
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Model reviewed: SkyActiv-G GT Sport TechScore: 8 / 10“It has certainly got the looks. In fact, I think the Mazda 3 is now one of the best looking cars in its class.”
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Score: 8 / 10“With the 3, Mazda has produced a car that’s more than capable of giving the heavyweights a seriously bloody nose.”
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Car

Model reviewed: SkyActiv-XScore: 8 / 10“The Mazda 3 is an impressive newcomer in the busy family hatchback marketplace, depending on your priorities. You can be confident that your choice of mainstream hatch is a jaw-dropping, great-handling tech fest.”
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Car Keys

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol manual SkyActiv-XScore: 10 / 10“We’re huge fans of the Mazda 3, and adding the Skyactiv-X engine into the mix only serves to heighten its appeal. Its increased performance takes the chassis to a new level too, without compromising on anything the 3 does best.”
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Carbuyer

Model reviewed: Hatchback rangeScore: 8 / 10“The Mazda3 looks great, drives well and features an innovative engine but you’ll need to overlook the lack of rear space.”
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Model reviewed: Saloon rangeScore: 7.8 / 10“The Mazda3 Fastback offers more space than the hatchback, but the same equipment and stylish looks”
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Carwow

Model reviewed: Saloon range“The Mazda 3 Saloon is one of the best looking small saloon cars on sale and comes with a decent infotainment system, but alternatives can be had with a much wider selection of engines”
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Model reviewed: Hatchback rangeScore: 8 / 10“The Mazda 3 has a high-quality interior, a great infotainment system and is fun to drive, but if you value rear space and a practical boot most, there are better hatchbacks.”
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Company Car Today

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol manual Sport saloon“Skyactiv-X engine massively impresses for efficiency figures, although it’s not a high-performance unit despite the 180hp power figure. Saloon bodystyle is a niche addition, but looks smart.”
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol SE-L LuxScore: 8 / 10“This new arrival in the core fleet lower-medium sector is something of a hidden gem, especially with its kit and interior quality. More power and efficiency would help.”
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol GT Sport hatchback“High quality with great residuals, but emissions could be nearer the sharp end of the sector. New engine late this year could be significant.”
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Daily Mail

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol manual GT Sport hatchbackScore: 8 / 10“The Mazda 3 is the perfect hatchback for young couples who won’t fill the back with little people – and for older drivers who simply want a car that’s straightforward and comfortable.”
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Evo

Model reviewed: Skyactiv-XScore: 8 / 10“Innovative, efficient and clever engineering that only improves the 3’s already impressive package.”
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Model reviewed: Range reviewScore: 6 / 10“Mazda’s innovation has never been more apparent – the new Mazda 3 is flawed but brilliant, and the type of ‘normal’ car we need.”
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Green Car Guide

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol AWD GT Sport TechScore: 8 / 10“The all-wheel-drive system delivered lots of grip on wet and cold winter roads, but there’s more grip than performance. As our real-world results show, the one benefit of the new engine seems to be potentially better economy.”
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol GT Sport TechScore: 8 / 10“The new model has progressed forward, but the almost rally-car like driving experience of the last Mazda3 has been replaced with a more refined overall product, which is predictably designed to try and win more mainstream sales, but which also means that the latest Mazda3 loses some of its differentiation.”
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Honest John

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 10 / 10“Looks great. Premium interior with excellent standard specification.”
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Score: 10 / 10“Stunning styling. As good to drive as it is to look at. And remarkably well equipped from base model upwards. Is it better than the new Focus? The general consensus was smoother and more refined, at least as good to drive, though possibly not quite as much fun to rag the tyres off down an empty B road.”
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Parkers

Model reviewed: Range reviewScore: 8.8 / 10“Sleek five-door handles fabulously, but isn’t the most practical family car”
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The Sun

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol automatic Sport Lux“With so much good stuff coming as standard, the Mazda 3 definitely flatters, but does not deceive, and its comfort, driveability and green credentials put it right up there as a family motor.”
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The Sunday Times

Score: 8 / 10“Good in all the right places but up against stiff competition.”
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The Telegraph

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol SkyActiv-X GT Sport Tech saloonScore: 8 / 10“It might not make much of a dent in the sales charts, but if you’re after a slick, smart saloon car with a compact footprint, the Mazda 3 Saloon is probably the best there is. True, it’s average on space, and its engine feels a bit gutless, but it strikes a terrific balance between fun, comfort, style, value, and a truly premium feel.”
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol manual 122hp GT Sport TechScore: 8 / 10“Reverting to a twist beam rear axle makes this family hatch ride a bit harshly and the rear seats feel claustrophobic, but dynamically the Mazda 3 is up with the class leaders and this autumn’s Skyactiv engine promises diesel economy and petrol performance.”
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol manual Skyactiv-GScore: 8 / 10“Mazda blows against prevailing industry trends and reinvigorates the declining C-segment market with a combination of stunning style and single-minded engineering.”
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Top Gear

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 7 / 10“Mazda’s new 3 family hatch: low on excitement, high on quiet satisfaction.”
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Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 7 / 10“The new Mazda3 has sharp proportions, a reverse-teardrop silhouette and a swoosh of a windowline.”
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What Car?

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“Adjustable lumbar support is standard on the driver’s seat too, even on the cheapest trims, and the centrally mounted armrest can be used by both front occupants.”
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Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“The Mazda 3 finally feels like the car it should have been all along, offering buyers a genuinely accomplished alternative to the likes of the Focus and Golf.”
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Which?

Model reviewed: Range overview“The new Mazda 3 certainly cuts a dash with its bold styling. It cuts loose from the pack in other areas, too, particularly with its non-turbo petrol engine. It’s good fun to drive, well equipped and reasonably practical as a family car. It’s not quite as well rounded as the best models in its class, though.”
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Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall rating: 5 stars
Date tested: May 2019

98%

ADULT OCCUPANT

87%

CHILD OCCUPANT

81%

VULNERABLE ROAD USERS

73%

SAFETY ASSIST

Read full Euro NCAP review

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

The Mazda 3 has not been lab tested by Green NCAP. This is a new initiative, launched in 2018 as a sister organisation to Euro NCAP.

Security rating

Independent vehicle theft and security ratings from Thatcham Research

Rating: Superior | Good | Basic | Poor | Unacceptable
Relay Attack: Fail

Date: 2019

Awards

Trophies, prizes and awards that the Mazda 3 has received

2021

Car Dealer Used Car Awards – Best Used Mid-Sized Car

2020

World Car of the Year Awards – World Car Design of the Year

2019

Scottish Car of the Year
Red Dot product design awards – Best of the Best
Honest John Awards – Family Car of the Year

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