Mazda3 2.0 Hatchback 165PS Sport Nav

Car manufacturers are forever dreaming up quirky names and labels for features or characteristics on their vehicles.

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Mazda3 2.0 Hatchback 165PS Sport Nav

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Car manufacturers are forever dreaming up quirky names and labels for features or characteristics on their vehicles.

Some are pointless words that after a few years just disappear into the ether, others however are here to stay.

And two prime examples of the more successful titles are featured on the Mazda3.

The first is KODO – Soul of Motion – which defines the cars curvaceous and aerodynamic styling.

And the second is SKYACTIV which is a technology that Mazda introduced on its CX-5 which delivers a no-compromise combination of dynamic handling whilst achieving excellent fuel efficiency and low carbon emissions.

And the Mazda3 seems to have it all.

For starters, it looks amazing from any approach thanks to sleek streamlining, 18-inch alloys, privacy glass, bi-xenon headlights and more.

And there’s a wealth of technology to be explored in the sporty, elegant and modern-looking interior.

The light stone leather seats are exceptionally comfortable and can be heated to beat off the chill.

There is a seven-inch colour touchscreen and most of the car’s many functions can be controlled via a dial that is conveniently positioned just behind the gearstick.

Creature comforts include dual-zone air conditioning, a nine-speaker Bose surround sound music system which is compatible with modern media devices, head-up display, sat nav, Bluetooth, rain-sensing wipers, dusk-sensing headlights, cruise control and plenty more besides.

There is ample room for four adults – five at a slight squeeze - to travel in comfort with lots of leg, head and shoulder space in the back.

And the generously-sized boot can be increased in size thanks to 60:40 split-folding rear seats.

Despite combined fuel economy figures of 48.7mpg, the Mazda3 is certainly not lacking in bite or excitement. The power delivered through the 2.0-litre 165ps petrol-driven engine seems endless and acceleration through the six-speed manual gearbox is nice and smooth.

In fact, driving the car seemed almost effortless and the great all-round visibility is another bonus. There is very little road surface noise even at higher speeds and the road-holding is flawless.

In and around town, the Mazda3 was nice and agile and easy to manoeuvre. Then out on the faster roads, it cruised to motorway speeds with ease.

There is even a gear shift prompter to help maximise economy along the way. One factor that might take a little getting used to is the instrumentation. The main dial is a rev counter with a much smaller digital speedo at the bottom or via the head up display.

The car is also kitted out with a comprehensive range of safety features, including dynamic stability control, traction control, hill hold assist, numerous airbags and a safety pack costing £700 which introduces smart city brake support, lane departure warning system, high beam assist and rear vehicle monitoring.

All in all, the Mazda3 is quite a car. It may not have the bells and whistles that some models feature, but it certainly goes about its business in a quietly confident and most enjoyable manner.

FAST FACTS

Mazda3 2.0 Hatchback 165PS Sport Nav

Price: £21,620

Mechanical: 165ps, 1,998cc, 1,998cc, 4cyl petrol engine driving front wheels via 6-speed manual gearbox

Max speed: 130mph

0-62mph: 8.2 seconds

Combined mpg: 48.7

Insurance group: 22

CO2 emissions: 135g/km

BIK rating: 22%

Warranty: 3yrs/60,000 miles