Road Test: Mazda3

There's a case to be made that Mazda is producing the most beautiful mass-market cars in the world at the moment, writes Brian Byrne. Certainly the new generation Mazda3 must be there in the compact family car segment.

Indeed, such has been the upward shift in looks and size, it might well be that the new 3 will tempt buyers from the larger and equally good-looking Mazda6. I know that I'd be easily diverted to it, and my own preference is usually for larger cars.

I won't go into the 'design language' hyperbole which the stylists at Mazda and other marques gush around their concepts and subsequent production models ... let's just say the lines and curves of the Mazda3 are as sexy as they come in the business.

There's a choice of hatchback and saloon in the model, each with its individual differences, and both equally attractive. Which is good, because in the Irish context we still have a grá for the boot, and I reckon a significant proportion of the new 3's owners will opt for the saloon.

Inside, the strong preference for black trim and generally dark ambience is an expected Mazda feature. There is in the brochure an option for seat material with lighter panels in it, but generally if you don't like black, tough.

The materials quality is high, though. Has to be anyway, as high quality interiors are now the way every competitor has gone. Great for the customer, but it must be increasingly difficult for the carmakers to stay at the top of the field.

I give full marks to the instruments people, who came up with a nicely simple circular design in the centre of what you see through the steering wheel. The outer circle is the rev-counter and inside is a large-graphis digital readout of speed. That speed is reflected in a transparent piece of plastic higher up towards the eyeline, at the base of the windscreen.

They seem to be moving away from head-up projected on the windscreen in these features? Maybe they've had complaints about the figures being directly in the eyes on the road line? Also, I know from being at a road safety conference last week that head-up displays are worrying the experts in this field, as there's a temptation to splash up an awful lot of information.

A stick-up central dashboard screen provides the visuals for the radio, navigation and communications, operated by a rotating knob on the centre console behind the gearshift. Thankfully, they resisted the temptation to put the heating controls in here too, so these can be managed pretty well without needing more than a short glance down. On that, Volvo believe that anything more than 2.4 seconds with eyes off the road significantly increases crash risk, and scrolling through touch screen menus is much more distracting than twisting a knob.

For the moment, Mazda only has a 2.2 diesel engine, pending the arrival of a new 1.6 more suited to the size of the Mazda3. With 150hp on tap, and a lighter body and structure than the previous car, it really did give my review vehicle great oomph. Still, the difference in price between the petrol entry level car and the first diesel is much more substantial than in competing cars, and I'll repeat my caveat that you'll travel a long way 'free' for the difference if you opt for the petrol. Much longer in this case.

Still, a lovely car to drive, just as nice as the car looks. And I'll be very surprised if it doesn't do very well for the brand across Europe. The German market particularly has a high respect and liking for the Mazda brand, appreciating the well-deserved reputation for reliability that consistently keeps it at the top of quality surveys.

In Ireland, a perceived premium on the price and relatively small dealer network tends to keep volumes down, the brand running in 15th place so far this year in terms of the marques league. There's no doubt, though, that those loyal to the brand here will have no concerns about buying in again to the new 3, for every good reason.

Prices start at €21,595 for the 1.5 petrol and roll up to €31,195. There's an automatic version available, and five grades. Good choice for those who appreciate an unusually high combination of style and substance.