Mazda 3 Saloon Review 2023
The Mazda 3 Saloon is a small saloon car that's great for those looking for a reliable and stylish lease car. With a high-quality interior and decent performance, the 3 Saloon is a good, affordable option in a traditionally expensive car segment.
Rivals to the 3 Saloon include the Audi A4 Saloon, BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, Skoda Superb, and Mercedes-Benz A-Class Saloon.
Our Mazda 3 Saloon review covers:
- Slick styling with aggressive headlights
- Pleasant interior with high-quality features
- 450-litre boot
- A 2.0-litre petrol hybrid engine
- Two trim levels: Executive-Line and Takumi
Pros:
- Smart interior
- Plenty of equipment as standard
- Efficient engine
Cons:
- Only one engine is available
- The ride can be a bit firm
- Rear space is limited for adults
You'd think a Mazda saloon car would be miles behind the premium German saloons for exterior design, but not the 3 Saloon. It's a fine-looking car with aggressive headlights and a low front grille, while at the rear, the roof slopes into the boot very elegantly.
Climb inside the 3 Saloon, and you'll find a pretty spacious cabin. In the front, there's plenty of leg and headroom for a pair of six-footers to get comfortable, while in the back, space is okay for children and teenagers, but taller adults will find their knees touching the front seats.
Boot space comes in at 450 litres, which is a 116-litre increase compared to the standard 3 Hatchback. The 3 Saloon has quite a compact rear end, so the boot opening is pretty small; however, it'll still swallow more luggage than the Mercedes A-Class Saloon.
Although the 3 Saloon is much cheaper than the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe and Mercedes A-Class Saloon, you wouldn't be able to tell this by its interior. It feels built to last and features loads of high-quality materials such as soft-touch plastics and a black leather trim on the Takumi trim.
On the dash, there's a 10.3-inch infotainment system that has a DAB radio, Bluetooth, sat-nav, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. It's quick to respond, simple to use, and a better system than the one found in the Skoda Superb.
Two trim levels are available: Exclusive-Line and Takumi.
Exclusive-Line has 18-inch alloy wheels, adaptive front LED headlights, rear privacy glass, a premium 12-speaker Bose sound system, dual-zone air conditioning, heated front seats, and smart keyless entry.
Takumi adds a 360-degree view monitor, a black leather seat trim, a heated steering wheel, an adjustable driver's seat, cruising and traffic support, driver monitoring, front cross-traffic alert, and smart brake support.
One 2.0-litre petrol hybrid engine is available for the 3 Saloon that combines an 186PS engine with a 24-volt battery. It has front-wheel drive and comes with either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission.
The engine is designed to behave like a petrol engine when accelerating and a diesel when cruising. Increase the revs, and you'll do 0-62mph in 8.1 seconds and get to a top speed of 134mph while also getting very decent fuel economy at a combined 54 for the manual or 47 for the automatic.
On the road, the 3 Saloon is good in most situations. Around town, its steering is well-weighted and accurate, meaning you go wherever you choose. Its suspension is also okay, but it's slightly on the firmer side, meaning it's not as comfortable as the Mercedes A-Class Saloon or Skoda Superb.
Get up to motorway speed, which isn't an issue for the engine, and you'll find it's composed and limits wind and road noise pretty well. The suspension is pretty similar at higher speeds than at low speeds, and the light handling means you can have a bit of fun on country lanes if you wish.
Prices for the new Mazda 3 Saloon start from £29,030.00 OTR* or to lease from £308.08 per month.
Looking to get behind the wheel of the Mazda 3 Saloon? Nationwide Vehicle Contracts is one of the UK's largest car leasing brokers and offers a range of leasing deals to suit your every need.
Leasing may be cheaper than an outright purchase, thanks to a low initial deposit and fixed monthly rentals.
*' On the road' price correct at time of publication and includes one year's road fund license, DVLA first registration fee and number plate fee. Prices are subject to change; always check with your nearest retailer.
