The £25k family car with a BETTER interior than a BMW! New Mazda 3 review

In our brand-new thorough Mazda 3 evaluation, we take a close take a look at the ₤ 25k family cars and truck with a BETTER interior than a BMW 1 Series or Mercedes A-Class! However how does the 2026 Mazda 3 compare to its direct competitors, and should you forget the VW Golf in favour of what might just be the very best value hatchback on sale today?

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With a beginning cost of just ₤ 25,300, the Mazda 3 damages the competitors considerably– however is it the wise option for your driveway? In this review, we praise Mazda's option to skip aggravating touchscreen climate controls and stick to genuine, physical buttons that are less sidetracking to utilize while driving.

We also check out the usefulness of the boot and resolve the Mazda 3's greatest weak point: rear seat space. Finally, we leap behind the wheel to check the uncommon, naturally aspirated 2.5 L e-Skyactiv G 140 and 2.0 L e-Skyactiv X 186 engines. Does up to 50mpg performance offset the absence of low-rev pull?

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#Mazda 3Review #Mazda 3 #Hatchback #FamilyCar #VWGolf #BMW 1Series #WhatCar #mazda

Video chapters:
0:00– Introduction: Is the Mazda 3 all set to replace the Ford Focus?
0:58– Outside style: Simple Kodo styling
3:18– Prices & trims: Prime-line vs our choice, Centre-line!
4:38– Engine choices: 2.5 L e-Skyactiv G vs 2.0 L e-Skyactiv X.
6:20– Practicality: Boot area vs Skoda Octavia & Honda Civic.
7:36– The dealbreaker? Rear seat area test.
8:46– Front area & driving position.
10:24– Physical buttons & dials.
12:34– Interior quality: Better than a BMW 1 Series?
13:38– Exposure & security Equipment.
14:39– Engines: The reality of non-turbo engines.
17:18– Driving: Improvement, ride comfort & handling.
21:23– Verdict: A much better buy than a Golf or Scala?

Comments

30 responses to “The £25k family car with a BETTER interior than a BMW! New Mazda 3 review”

  1. @naferemix Avatar
    @naferemix

    Just got one this week! Genuinely the best car I’ve ever had. So quiet, you need the windows down to hear emergency vehicles. Really comfy as well, only the worst roads will give you vibrations.

  2. @whatcar Avatar
    @whatcar

    We think the Mazda 3 has the best interior in the class, partly because it has a proper physical controls for the infotainment system and air-con! 🎛️🏆 But is that enough to make you choose it over a Honda Civic or VW Golf?

    Let us know in the comments! 👇

    1. @robertmessam103 Avatar
      @robertmessam103

      I would it’s a step above the regular models

    2. @stevenjones916 Avatar
      @stevenjones916

      The Civic is a match for it but current German offerings are horrid.

    3. @chryschrysostomou5392 Avatar
      @chryschrysostomou5392

      At the start of this presentation I started thinking it will result in enlightenment of a great ‘Golf class’ car. By three thirds I was left scratching my head, why does Mazda go so badly wrong so often? What is the point of the 2.5 litre engine? The 2.0 litre trumps it in every way! Why bother making a car that cannot accommodate rear passengers with enough space? From the B pillar back the glasshouse is a disaster, leaving rear passengers feeling they are in a windowless van. Praise goes to the dashboard design, but that’s not going to be enough now that VW have woken to the fact that they need to go back to their roots. Sorry. Turbo or not, this car doesn’t offer a class leading contender in its class. Remember the Mazda MX 30? Why Mazda, why?

    4. @haploguy Avatar
      @haploguy

      how tall is the reviewer?

    5. @knhuuuh Avatar
      @knhuuuh

      Mazda3 is at least way better than a civic.

  3. @tamer3476 Avatar
    @tamer3476

    I had a Mazda 3 for 5 yrs, was one of the best cars I purchased, coming from someone who’s owned a bmw, Audi 3 etc——-

  4. @JayeOFarrell Avatar
    @JayeOFarrell

    I’m baffled by skipping so casually over on the difference between the Skyactiv G and X. Firstly it isn’t naturally aspirated, the X has a little supercharger and its mild hybrid as well which wasn’t mentioned at all. The compression ignition engine is a world’s first, and the efficiency and fuel economy from it are class leading. Recommending the G is just plane wrong from whole life cost perspective and removes the cars biggest selling point against it’s competitors.

    1. @nickwills6042 Avatar
      @nickwills6042

      No but I get his point. We (as enthusiasts) know the difference and care about it, and I’d absolutely upgrade. But for your average person in the street, they just care about economy and having “enough” power, in which case the stock G is fine for them, and not worth the extra cost.

    2. @Nick-ct1ww Avatar
      @Nick-ct1ww

      It has a teeny tiny supercharger but it isn’t for increased power just to help the fancy ignition system work

    3. @alinpetrescu2309 Avatar
      @alinpetrescu2309

      Skyactiv-X will not be as reliable as the G though, due to that tiny supercharger. After a number of miles, problems will start while the G will continue to run without issues.

    4. @BlackStar2161 Avatar
      @BlackStar2161

      To be fair, the supercharger isn’t for extra power, it’s so the compression ignition can get enough air to work at higher revs.

  5. @nickwills6042 Avatar
    @nickwills6042

    I think the skyactiv x is supercharged technically 🤔

  6. @CraigUTB Avatar
    @CraigUTB

    There’s a lot to love about Mazda 3 (I’ve owned gen 1 & 2). look good, reliable as hell, quite sporty & nice drive. But i think the Leon is better for similar price especially the back space etc

  7. @playerZeroTwoSix Avatar
    @playerZeroTwoSix

    2019 Sedan BP here with 100,000 km. Still loving it. Still always look back at my car after parked and walking away.

    1. @bzdtemp Avatar
      @bzdtemp

      That looking back thing tells a lot, with a current BMW you’d be sneaking away hoping no one saw you driving it.

  8. @Supernova_2244 Avatar
    @Supernova_2244

    The best thing about Mazda is reliability, I bought a 2011 Mazda 3 and owned it for 13 years, there was never anything wrong with it, by far the most reliable car I have ever owned. I wanted to keep it forever, but my partner insisted on replacing it – with a Mazda CX30

  9. @chrisbwhittle Avatar
    @chrisbwhittle

    Two years ago, after driving Alfa Romeos for 26 years I purchased a Mazda 3 skyactiv Takumi. I wanted a good looking car with a quality interior, drove well and was a reasonable price, Alfas had become far too expensive. I made the right choice although I regret having it in Polymetal Grey, nice colour but looks dirty much of the time, should have gone for the red. On drives down to Devon & Cornwall it returns between 49 & 52 mpg, general driving closer to home around 40 mpg.

  10. @davidrowan9163 Avatar
    @davidrowan9163

    If you delve into the infotainment sub menus you’ll find you can configure it as a touchscreen.

  11. @Evolutions-e9m Avatar
    @Evolutions-e9m

    Finally a reviewer that’s given an accurate description of this car and how it’s disappointing to drive, I agree with all the criticisms after owning one

  12. @Kelveron Avatar
    @Kelveron

    Absolutely love the interior of the Mazda 3 with the clear analogue dials and the physical buttons and controls. It all looks lovely!

  13. @lourenco_ss Avatar
    @lourenco_ss

    Just the most beautiful C Hatch from the last 10 years (at least)! Absolute perfection and also a great car!

  14. @bastogne315 Avatar
    @bastogne315

    BM has fun driving character.

  15. @RocknRoadtrips Avatar
    @RocknRoadtrips

    I own a CX30 which is basically the jacked up version of this and it’s bloody brilliant. The only issue I find is the paint is a bit thin and chips easily. Other than that it’s spot on.

  16. @leonanthonydld Avatar
    @leonanthonydld

    I got rid of my Mazda 3 for a hybrid immediately regretted got rid of the hybrid and back with Mazda And got a 6 estate basically a longer Mazda 3

  17. @quatz1981 Avatar
    @quatz1981

    I bought a new one in March, the Centreline trim with soul crystal red paint, 2.5 engine manual. Best car ive ever owned, lovely to drive.

  18. @TheBigGoonerAJ Avatar
    @TheBigGoonerAJ

    Can use the touch screen if you’re in apple carplay or android auto btw

  19. @stevewallace1387 Avatar
    @stevewallace1387

    Does it come with subscriptions after a couple of years

  20. @HIOP0 Avatar
    @HIOP0

    Exhaust tips at the sides of a vehicle are DUAL, not twin exhausts, which themselves are side by side, eg MINI Cooper S, showing either to one side of the car, or in the centre.

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