Is the Mazda 3 the most underrated hatchback? Full UK review

The Mazda 3 has one aim in life: to tempt you away from the default hatchback choice - the VW Golf. It does this with svelte styling, interesting engines and an interior that could put many more premium cars to shame. Join Rebecca Jackson for a full walkaround review of the Mazda 3, including a look at the rear-seat and boot space, a look around the cabin and - of course - an assessment of how it drives on UK roads.
See Motorpoint's huge range of nearly new cars - all available to drive away today: www.motorpoint.co.uk/

[@rockinginafreeworld3256]

Mazda as a whole are very underrated. They are fantastic cars that don’t get the recognition they deserve.

[@bondjamesbond9041]

The Mazda 3 is way better that an over rated Golf. The 3 is one of the best built cars of its type.

[@borntobirdie8475]

And it’s a great looking car as well….

[@DarkReaper-or9el]

​@borntobirdie8475 the 2010 mazda is better looking than this mazda 3 but the thing is you need to drive a golf before commenting as I loved the drive as I was never interested in one until I drove it which is why I even fell in love for the golf. Manual is definitely the choice but the dsg automatic gearbox is silky smooth. But I do agree though it's kind of overrated but it's popularity definitely is credited somewhere for the way it handles and it's reliablity and cheap running costs my golf 2008 is very reliable. 1.9tdi no dpf

[@GadgetMart]

For 6 years it is And then it will rust to death

[@AK-rh1bh]

Bol****s The Golf is the leader of the class,always has been and always will be. The Golf is more spacious and more practical. Holds its value better and is much more popular. The Germans are the best at designing and building cars. Golf’s, Focus’s are my bread and butter stock. Always buy them more stock and never get stuck with them. Don’t stock Japanese, struggle with moving them on.

[@Proudarse]

You speak facts, my dear chap.

[@raymondhunt6109]

I have the e Sky active X and it has a lovely interior and loads of Tec as standard. Plenty enough power and great mpg.

[@josephcampbell6331]

Any down sides? I’m looking at getting one or a vw polo. I’m a bit of a badge snob but I do prefer everything about the Mazda

[@darioraschi230]

I've got one same you're right brilliant interior great gearboxes best looking car in it's class I've got the saloon

[@gadgetman36]

I absolutely love Rebecca's reviews! 😊

[@jimm5207]

Maybe it’s just Rebecca you luv 🎉

[@jrs9264]

Why not both? 💯🤗😇

[@ianrobinson68]

Mazda has designed a car that has normal lines , a proper size 2 litre engine and a decent interior. Unlike a lot of manufacturers who body lines have more creases that a screwed up piece of paper , squeeze as much as possible out of a tiny engine that eventually will break and stick an infotainment screen on the dashboard that is the size of a living room TV. Mazda has made this car how cars used to be a few years ago.

[@rolexr]

One tihing is for sure - the Mazda 3 may be not as perfekt and practical as a Golf...but it is the most beautiful car in it´s class!!! Greetings from Germany "JR"

[@bondjamesbond9041]

Plus it will be a lot more reliable than an over rated Golf.

[@danielblancomedel2063]

It is more perfect and practical for me. Mazda made me stop buying the VW Golf which was my beloved car. The Mazda 3 is just so nice, realiable, cheaper, powerful and good looking that I've never looked back. Never again a VW for me.

[@theshonen8899]

So great to see Rebecca reviewing cars again. She helped so much with choosing a car back in her Telegraph days.

[@Proudarse]

I thought here we go, another hoity-toity lady reviewer, bollox this, but I have to be honest, I got a slap in the face! She's absolutely brilliant and drop-dead gorgeous to boot! Subscribed.

[@jrs9264]

after not seeing Rebecca for a while, I had to search for her, in order to see and hear the reviews again. Luv, cross the pond and race your car over here....🤔🤗😇

[@leftmono1016]

My local Mazda dealer has just replaced both headlights on my 8.5 year old CX5 free of charge. Long story but basically fantastic customer service. Plus they cleaned the car inside and out both times it was there.

[@Z-jh4om]

Great presentation from ❤ Rebecca as always. I remember tv car show called: ) I want that car ) which Rebecca pressented . Quite like the styling of the maza 3 ) and all the better, if it's uncomplicated.

[@scottbrown1098]

Dreadful panel fit on that bonnet......

[@darioraschi230]

She made me laugh when she said it's nearly premium interior I've got one it's way better than any German car on the market 😅

[@laurentiutrifan8173]

I like it. 👍It's pretty & decent. My mechanic says that this 2 l engine "runs forever" ... It is - actually - on my shortlist (along with Honda Type R) for a project of a Hybrid SUV ... by lifting its suspension ... adding bigger wheels & tyres + an electrified rear axle.

[@m__r1100]

I wish they made a 3 estate.. That would solve the rear seats and boot issue. While still looking and driving well.

[@tomevans5201]

I do like the Golf MK8 but the Mazda 3 is absolutely stunning and that interior is leagues ahead.

[@o00scorpion00o]

That's just brilliant, a decent screen to show you what you need and proper climate controls, well done Mazda, even ford are eliminating all this for a big screen now. However, I think no buttons for radio and station presets is a mistake because you still need to look at the screen rather than simply press a button. No turbo means no turbo lag. You need to use the gearbox, that's part of the fun !

[@RowanGontier]

Starting to feel that if you want an mx-5, and can't deal with no boot space, then this is a good substitute.

[@spangoz1000]

Love your videos, five feet four and a half 😊

[@videoshares]

could you not show more of the interior, especially the dash board?

[@brianrocks7277]

The 3 is the cool kid the Golf wishes it was.

[@nickgiles7568]

Sorry but I am confused about Motorpoints reviews. You are testing an old model here ( 22 plate)but treating it like you would a new model recently released. In this case you could not buy a Mazda 3 similar to the one tested. The infotainment screen has been enlarged, the trim nomenclature is completely different and I think the Skyactive X engine may have been tweaked too. I see nothing wrong in reviewing a used model but I would want to know about long term mpg, reliability, depreciation, model recalls, the cost of servicing, wear and tear of the seats and fabric, number of dealers and the issues most raised on forums relating to these models. Do we get any of this in this review ? No. Make up your mind Motorpoint either review a showroom fresh model or do a proper review on used examples.

[@benturner190]

Also this car looks like it has had a bump, look at the panel gaps around the bonnet they are all over the place

[@NY20N]

They sell ex lease and rental cars hence the older stock and the panel gaps …..

[@markl8740]

Correct. The centre screen is now 10.25 inches. There's wireless android auto and apple car play, wireless charging on higher trims, better mpg and lower emissions, latest USB ports, sunroof. The saloon is a real looker and abolishes the hatches rear access issues and low storage space but loses versatility. It's 20cm longer than the hatch and feels even better planted on the road.

[@harryzero1566]

I recently bought a 2015 ULEZ compliant diesel powered Mazda 6 that doesnt require that BLUE additive. It drives and feels like a luxury vehicle ( compared to what ive been used to). Does that qualify as underated?

[@leftmono1016]

The Mazda 6 was definitely underrated. A colleague had one as a company car, a number of us soon followed suit.

[@lw2978]

The initial statement regarding the CX60 is incorrect. You can either get a 2.5 petrol PHEV or a mild hybrid-assisted diesel. This does not inspire confidence for the rest of the review when you've got a basic fact wrong at the start of the video!

[@nobass_stub1394]

It is a perfect City Family Car. As NOT all families have bloody Rug Rats to concern themselves with :)

[@frankward8336]

All Mazda cars give you a lot for the money

[@kienfung3045]

Best looking car in his segment.

[@adrianbrown1492]

Buy a Mazda 3 or Mazda 2 if you don't mind the clutch slipping. It seems it's normal on these models.

[@stephandolby]

The 308 has a panel for large, configurable shortcuts. So yes, you can actually do some stuff in that without taking your eyes off the road for too long. To nit pick further, you still need to look at a screen to confirm you're selecting the correct option, regardless of vehicle, which takes some attention away from the road - Mazda hasn't exactly eliminated that with some magic approach.

[@aston458]

nah, it is still way less distracting and so much more convenient than reaching for a touchscreen. Mine is a touchscreen as well though, at least in the CarPlay mode, so not sure why this review says it is not. But I only ever use it to zoom in/out on maps.

[@mauriceldisgreecanadahaspr9560]

SHE CUTE BRITISH WOMAN CUTE ❤❤❤❤❤NICE CAR 😮😮😮😮🎉🎉

[@vegaphoneprofessiona]

Mazda are great cars, but I think let down by the infotainment screen, which compared to most modern cars, looks ancient and an afterthought.

[@johnraworth8019]

A Golf seems to need new Exhaust Sensor's at an alarming rate especially in areas where they can't get hot enough to work properly on single track mountain roads/ tracks.. I cant see why Mazda can be any different. Too many electrical gadgets which are bound to go wrong ? No thanks ! .....oh and why are you in need of huge Horse power ? We are lucky to get abovet 40 mph in these mountains.. !

[@volt8684]

The tiny windows make it fugly

[@cblack1green]

No, I’ll take me Golf GTI Clubsport

[@paulm3965]

Not a patch on VW or Audi. Mazda is not a premium brand. Cheaper than a Toyota. Rots out quicker. Good report shame the car cannot touch the Germans.

[@darioraschi230]

You must be talking about Mazda's from 40 years a go try one now you'll change your mind

[@brickmissing8295]

For the price of a top of the range Mazda 3 with a 2L 4-cylinder engine & luxury leather interior you could have a bottom of the range Audi, with a 3 cylinder 1L lawnmower engine and cheap scratchy plastic interior. It’s a no brainer.

[@darioraschi230]

It wont impress as much as a turbo golf Rebecca its not a turbo😅😅😅

[@wjnr1]

Why would you buy a manual ? Buy an automatic that has paddles for fast gear changes !

[@fab5254]

Turbo needed

[@tonygarrett7214]

I owned a Mazda 3. If you sat quiet enough, after turning off the engine, you could hear it rusting.

[@darioraschi230]

Not anymore

[@MultiDecimation]

ved will make it a no

[@alanwayte432]

Why is Rebecca on this awful non entity of a Chanel

[@easygoing7011]

Mazda has always been technologically very advanced, but their designs have got worse generation by generation. Who needs a fastback small family hatchback? Wonder why the VW Golf sell so well? To state the obvious, it’s because it’s boxy and can loaded up. So until Mazda understands what a family hatchback is they should stop building them. This also applies to hideous coupe SUVs. I can’t believe people pay good money and buy these ugly cars.

[@AK-rh1bh]

Mazda’s are s**t . The sales figures don’t lie. You would have to be an absolute whopper to buy one with your own money. Ridiculous, supposed to be a family car, cramped back seats and small unpractical boot. Golf, A3, A-Class, Ford Focus, Kia Ceed, much better cars. No turbo? WTF? When berks say “there is so such thing as a bad car these days” they are wrong …. Yes there is it’s called a Mazda!!

[@kciuplys]

Bad car, do not buy it!

[@williammuir638]

Any VW compared to any Mazda is a loser!