Words Matteo Lavazza / Photos Richard Montagner

Four years have now passed since the fourth generation of Mazda 3 entered the market and since that day, flanked by the increasingly numerous SUVs/crossovers, the Japanese brand has continued an impressive evolutionary path, offering its customers and many new an unmistakable stylistic language and an attention to detail that is rarely found in hatchbacks like the 3. Taking advantage of the Homura spec pack, which with its details embellishes and contributes in making the look of the five-door even more streamlined, we took the opportunity to get back behind the wheel and refresh our memory on how good and right is considering this model rather than the more predictable European alternatives, which are more expensive and burdensome when it comes to fix random problems.

The car of our test is powered by a 2-litre mild hybrid unit with 150 horsepower, the intermediate step between the more modest 122 and the more powerful 186 horsepower. Being one of the very few naturally aspirated engines out there, the extra power compared to the entry level comes in handy when you need a bit of strength, perhaps when overtaking or on secondary roads, where starting at 1,500 rpm you have a very linear engine, even if it’s never about performance. The Mazda 3 is a car for everyday life, to make it better and it does so thanks to a look that brings clean lines into play and that stands out at the front, with its large grille that incorporates the XL size badge, but above all in the side profile, where the distance between the glass of the back rows and the rear window seems even more accentuated and guides the eye to the back, where we find two rear round tailpipes. The Homura package then implements 18-inch black wheels that recall the various glossy black details scattered here and there.

However, it is the passenger compartment that continues to be the most important chapter, also thanks to the clean lines that seem to fit the various levels and materials together, with great care for assembly and ergonomics, providing the driver with a partially digital display behind the steering wheel and an 8.8” screen located in the center of the dashboard, controllable exclusively via the knob placed next to the gear lever. Probably a less rapid solution for those accustomed to tinkering with a touch screen, but safer when intervening on the infotainment with the car moving. The front-wheel drive is combined with a 6-speed manual transmission, with very precise shifts that offer real driving pleasure, not only in urban environments, where the Mazda 3 is practical and comfortable, but also on B-roads, with precise handling being the result of a set-up that is neither too soft nor too stiff.

The on board roominess is good and even if some criticize a load compartment smaller if compared to the competitors and a less practical accessibility to the rear seats, once comfortably on board you get the impression of having much more space than what can be perceived by observing at it from the outside. In terms of safety systems, the ADAS equipment list is complete and we appreciate the fact that it is not necessary to act on the deactivation or activation of the various controls every time you start the engine. The same goes for the head-up display, practical for never taking your eyes off the road. Fuel consumption obviously varies according to the power step you go for, our 150-hp marked a pretty honest 13.1 km/l. Figures that can be surely further improved with an even more relaxed driving style and that doesn’t expect too much from the 2,000cc, given that the contribution of the small electric unit is minimal and imperceptible once you exceed 50 kph.

You need at least €26,000 for the Mazda 3 powered by the 122 bhp 2-litre, while €2,000 must be added for the 150 bhp and another €2,000 for the 180 hp engine, all mild hybrid ones. An example like the one of our test, with Homura set-up – starts at about €28,150 (+ another €700 for the metallic paint) – and stay sure that this represents an excellent compromise ticking all the boxes that really matter, without exceeding the thirty thousand euro threshold and thus allowing you to put a mature and extremely versatile hatcbhack in the garage. It seems incredible that this model is already 4 years old, but an even more sensational thing is that after more than 1,000 days of existence it manages to keep intact that wow effect which is a rare commodity in this segment. I mean, wow!

MAZDA3 2.0L 150CV e-Skyactiv G 6MT HOMURA

Engine Mild Hybrid4 cylinder, 1.998 cc Power 150 hp @ 6.000 rpm Torque 213 Nm @ 4.000 rpm

Traction Front-Wheel-Drive Transmission 6-Speed Manual Gearbox Weight 1.380 kg

0-100 kph 9,1 sec Top Speed 206 kph Price from€28.150 (€28.850 as tested)