"The Mazda3 Fastback offers more space than the hatchback, but the same equipment and stylish looks"

Pros

  • Good to drive
  • Extra boot space
  • Powerful engines

Cons

  • Quite expensive
  • Only one engine choice
  • Automatic gearbox is less efficient

The Mazda3 Saloon (sometimes known as the Mazda3 Fastback) is essentially a longer version of the Mazda3 hatchback. Despite rivals including the Toyota Corolla saloon and the Honda Civic saloon no longer being available, the Mazda continues to be sold and now competes against the Hyundai i30 Fastback, plus upmarket alternatives such as the Mercedes A-Class Saloon, BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe and Audi A3 saloon. Most manufacturers are moving away to concentrate on hatchbacks and SUVs, so the Mazda3 Saloon is a good option if you want something a little different to cars like the Ford Focus and Vauxhall Astra.

A streamlined rear end makes the Mazda3 Saloon a particularly good-looking car and one that clearly follows the example set by its bigger sibling, the Mazda6. Following the company’s ‘KODO’ design language, the Mazda3 has a cohesive, muscular design that makes it look more expensive than it actually is.

Mazda makes it easy to choose your 3 Saloon by only offering four trim levels, one fewer than the hatchback. There's the entry-level SE-L Lux, with 16-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, DAB radio, heated seats and smartphone mirroring, followed by Sport Lux with 18-inch wheels, upgraded headlights and extra parking assistance. GT Sport brings a heated steering wheel, leather upholstery, a Bose audio system and a power-adjustable driver’s seat, while top-spec GT Sport Tech brings extra safety kit like a 360-degree camera.

There's only one engine, a 2.0-litre petrol that’s the gem of the Mazda range. Called e-Skyactiv X, it uses clever technology to give the power delivery of a petrol engine with the economy of a diesel, and it now is a mild-hybrid, too. At a claimed 56.5mpg for the manual version, it’s more economical than you might expect, despite taking the car from 0-62mph in just 8.1 seconds. It's an enjoyable engine to use, too, revving freely and delivering its 183bhp with enthusiasm, while the way the car drives is second only to the BMW 1 Series in this price bracket.

mazda3 saloon review

The fit and finish of the Mazda3 really is excellent and much better than you might expect considering Mazda isn’t traditionally considered a ‘premium’ marque. Mazda as a brand finished very strongly, coming fourth out of the 29 manufacturers ranked in our 2021 Driver Power owner satisfaction survey of cars currently on sale in the UK.

Safety is impressive, with the Mazda3 earning the maximum five-star rating in independent crash-tests performed by Euro NCAP. The car will also brake automatically if it senses an obstruction in the road and you don't take action.

With stylish looks, good value, engaging handling and an excellent reputation for reliability, the Mazda3 deserves to be on your shortlist if you’re looking for a family car.

The Mazda3 Saloon only comes in 2.0-litre petrol form, which puts it at a disadvantage to the competition when it comes to choice. However, on paper, that single engine is a good one, with claimed economy that beats many smaller, harder-working engines in rival cars thanks to clever new technology.

Mazda3 Saloon MPG & CO2

A 183bhp, 2.0-litre Skyactiv X petrol is the sole engine option for the Mazda3 Saloon. Recently, it gained mild-hybrid electrical assistance (and a new e-Skyactiv X badge), which has boosted power from 178bhp and improved economy. Thanks to its strong power output, it never feels strained, yet the impressive 56.5mpg fuel consumption still feels possible in normal driving.

The Mazda3 Saloon has a six-speed manual gearbox as standard. You can choose a six-speed automatic but it’s best avoided unless you’ll be spending lots of time in stop-start traffic. It’s a little slower from 0-62mph than the manual gearbox and is noticeably less economical (not to mention more expensive to buy); you can expect up to 47.9mpg. With CO2 emissions of 135g/km, it’s several bands higher for company-car tax.

The manual manages a CO2 emissions figure of between 114-117g/km (depending on the wheel size you choose), which places the car in reasonable brackets for Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) company-car tax. The Mercedes A-Class Saloon in plug-in hybrid A 250 e guise will cost less in tax, though.

mazda3 saloon review

Insurance groups

Choose the Mazda3 Saloon in Sport and Sport Lux and it occupies insurance group 22, while the GT Sport versions are rated one group higher.

Warranty

The Mazda3 Saloon comes with Mazda's 60,000-mile/three-year transferable warranty. There's a paint and surface corrosion warranty that also lasts for three years, regardless of mileage, and an anti-perforation warranty that lasts 10 years – also regardless of mileage.

Servicing

The Mazda3 Saloon will need servicing every 12,500 miles, or annually (whichever comes first). Dealers offer substantial savings on servicing costs with pre-paid plans; a three-year service plan costs £800 for the Skyactiv-X engine, and can be paid monthly or in one lump sum upfront.

The Mazda3 is good to drive whether you choose the hatchback or saloon, and offers a good balance between sensible running costs and driving fun, putting it near the top of its class. While there's no diesel or hybrid option, the petrol engine can return respectable fuel economy when driven gently, and its responsive nature suits the Mazda's precise, agile feel. If you're after a small family car and value driving experience, the Mazda3 should be on your list.

Steering is accurate and body lean in corners is well controlled. Despite the car’s sporting demeanour, the ride is pretty comfortable and there’s little intrusion of road or wind noise into the car. That being said, some rivals are quieter, and the larger wheels of higher trims kick up a bit more tyre noise than those of the Sport model.

mazda3 saloon review

Mazda3 Fastback petrol engine

There’s just the one petrol engine to choose from – a 183bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder – and it’s pretty nippy. You’ll find that there’s plenty of oomph for everyday driving. The standard six-speed manual gearbox is slick and easy to use and the gears themselves are well matched to the engine. Unlike equivalent turbocharged models, however, you do need to work the engine fairly hard and keep the revs up, which will dent your fuel economy.

It’ll do the 0-62mph sprint in a highly respectable 8.1 seconds, or 8.5 seconds if you go for the six-speed automatic gearbox. That power is produced evenly throughout the rev range, which gives it a very natural, relaxed feel.

The Mazda3 Saloon is a lot like the standard Mazda3 hatchback on the inside. It's basically identical, in fact, boasting the same high-end feel and abundance of pleasing finishes. All of the controls feel very robust and satisfying to use.

As with the hatchback version of the car, ride quality is brilliant. Bumpy roads are ironed out and even rough surfaces are made comfortable for driver and passengers alike. This doesn't detract from the handling at all, which is one of the main selling points of this car. The Sport Lux and GT Sport trims aren’t quite as soothing as the Sport, but enthusiastic drivers will appreciate their responsive feel.

Mazda3 Saloon dashboard

The Mazda3 has an understated, stylish dashboard that has been cleverly designed to make the driver's life easier. All controls are within easy reach, from the electric window buttons on the door handles to the slim-screened 8.8-inch infotainment system in the centre of the car. The door handles are mounted further forward than in most cars, but this too is practical – you can reach to open the door without twisting too much.

mazda3 saloon review

Equipment

Standard features are generous across the Mazda3 Saloon range, which consists of four models: SE-L Lux, Sport Lux, GT Sport and GT Sport Tech. All have the same sharp touchscreen infotainment system including sat-nav with three years' free mapping updates, DAB radio, Bluetooth phone integration and USB input. There's also electric windows all round, cruise control, LED lights and rear privacy glass.

Sport Lux brings bigger alloy wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, a Driver Attention Alert and folding, heated door mirrors.

mazda3 saloon review

GT Sport offers all the above, but adds leather upholstery, a 12-speaker Bose stereo system, auto emergency braking, front and rear parking sensors and a reversing camera. Top-spec GT Sport Tech includes extra safety equipment like cross-traffic alerts and a 360-degree camera for easy manoeuvring.

Overall, the Mazda3 Saloon is a practical car, but it’s not quite as spacious as its rivals, which all come with bigger boots and a bit more room for rear-seat passengers.

Mazda3 Saloon interior space and storage

Rear-seat passengers should be happy enough in the Mazda3 Saloon, as headroom and legroom are both good for adults – although the sloping roof line will affect the tallest people. The Toyota Corolla saloon, Honda Civic saloon and Hyundai i30 Fastback are all a little more accommodating if you’ll regularly be carrying adults in the back seats. The front seats are comfortable, and there are storage compartments all around the cabin.

mazda3 saloon review

Boot space

The saloon offers 444 litres of boot space – 90 more litres than the Mazda3 hatchback. The Honda Civic saloon has a boot that’s significantly more spacious, offering 519 litres of luggage room, while the Corolla and i30 offer a little extra boot space over the Mazda3. The downside to both these cars is that loading certain things is a little bit more awkward than the hatchback versions – you’ll struggle to load furniture or kids’ bikes into the saloons. That being said, the Mazda’s rear seats fold down to offer more boot space, making this a reasonably practical car for most users.

Towing

The Mazda3 is an acceptable tow car for small and medium-sized trailers, thanks to a maximum towing capacity of 1,300kg. Because of its small size and low weight, it wouldn't make a particularly good tow car for larger caravans. But for normal towing or even a small caravan, the Mazda3 provides adequate power and braking capabilities. It’s worth noting that the more powerful petrol (the only option in the Saloon) offers the same towing capacity as the smaller petrol, but it’ll make lighter work of towing duties.

We're very impressed with Mazda as a company – they compete with more upmarket brands on standard features and design, but they also stand out as safe, reliable cars too.

Mazda3 Saloon reliability

The previous Mazda3 was rated highly in our 2019 Driver Power owner satisfaction survey, despite 17.5% of owners reporting at least one fault during the first year of ownership. The Mazda3 finished 43rd overall out of 100 cars surveyed – although the Mazda CX-5 was the only Mazda ranked in our 2021 list. It finished third overall, which is an outstanding result.

On the whole, Mazda does very well. In our manufacturers list, the Japanese brand came fourth out of 29 brands in 2021, with everything except practicality impressing owners. This is a common occurrence: it has posted top-five results for the past three years.

mazda3 saloon review

Safety

The Mazda3 also scored well in the Euro NCAP crash test in 2019, earning five stars out of five. It’s fitted with a system named Smart City Brake Support, which will automatically apply emergency braking if a hazard is detected in the path of the car. The Fastback wasn’t tested but the same technology and structures are lifted from the hatchback.

All the other safety equipment that you’d expect, like anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control and a full suite of airbags are fitted, as well as normal driver aids such as traction control. There’s also a hill-start assist feature which holds the car on the brakes when you’re pulling away on an incline.

Keyword: Mazda3 Saloon review

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