Skip advert
Advertisement

Mazda 3 review - talented family hatch, but lacks sparkle - Engine and gearbox

Mazda's C-segment contender should be taken seriously

Evo rating
RRP
from £17,095
  • Good refinement, space, tech and diesel engine
  • Question mark about residual values, base models not so attractive

Going against the grain of the C-segment a little, Mazda's petrol engines for the 3 are not turbocharged, the Japanese company sticking with natural aspiration and instead upping capacity. It reckons that other fuel-saving measures help maintain competitiveness in terms of efficiency.

So there are 1.5- and 2.0-litre petrol options, both four-cylinder units. The 1.5 produces 99bhp and a modest 111lb ft of torque and it's mated to a slick six-speed manual gearbox. The 2.0-litre can be had in 118- or 163bhp guises, both producing 155lb ft of torque. A six-speed automatic is optional with the lower-powered version.

Advertisement - Article continues below

It's worth noting that renowned Mazda tuning firm BBR has already announced a tuning package for the 118bhp petrol car, lifting its output to as much as 185bhp with a new engine chip, exhaust manifold, induction system and sports exhaust.

Maximum power is developed at 6300rpm and there's more torque too, with 173lb ft at 4000rpm and a spread of 150lb ft between 3000-6500rpm. It still won't match the best hot hatchbacks, but it should endow the 3 with extra pep in its step. And at a little more than £2000 on the already well-priced 3, it could be a fun (and naturally-aspirated) alternative to the current hot hatch crop.

The best standard engine in the line-up is the 2.2-litre twin-turbo four-cylinder diesel, which can be paired with either manual or automatic transmissions - both with six ratios. Peak outputs are 148bhp at 4500rpm and 280lb ft of torque at 1800rpm. All Mazda3s send their power to the front wheels.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Jaguar GT seen on the road: 1000bhp production car prepares to launch Jag’s new era
Jaguar 2026 front
News

New Jaguar GT seen on the road: 1000bhp production car prepares to launch Jag’s new era

Jaguar’s new electric GT continues testing ahead its late-2025 reveal
7 Feb 2025
Used Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR (2019) – Mk7’s soft sendoff still bests any Mk8
Golf GTI TCR
Reviews

Used Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR (2019) – Mk7’s soft sendoff still bests any Mk8

Quick and composed on road or track, the Golf GTI has talents we miss, even if it didn’t sparkle when new
13 Feb 2025
Ill-conceived government legislation will kill the UK car industry
Porsche Taycan charging
Opinion

Ill-conceived government legislation will kill the UK car industry

The car industry and legislators cant meet in the middle and find a compromise soon enough
13 Feb 2025