Mazda 3 tested seven years since launch

In just a couple of years, it will have been a decade since the current Mazda 3 made its debut.

In that time, it's outlived many a rival to remain one of just a couple of traditional hatchbacks on sale alongside the ever-present Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic and, if you count it as a Cerato successor, the Kia K4. 

But how does the 2026 Mazda 3 feel in a new car market that looks very different to the late 2010s when it was just a pup? 

Refreshingly simple and tactile is the quick answer to that question. But let's get into why.

The specific variant on test here is the Touring hatch, which is the top-spec as far as grades with the smaller 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine go. 

It starts from $35,410, before on-road costs, and can be had with the brand's Vision package for an extra $2000 to add surround-view parking cameras, front cross-traffic alert and driver monitoring as well as traffic support (lane and speed assist) and front parking sensors. It's worth adding, in my view.

The Touring also scores:

Back to the engine, the 114kW/200Nm 2.0-litre petrol unit falls short on paper compared with the 2.5-litre engine also available (with 139kW/252Nm), but the Touring's outputs are adequate for a front-wheel drive hatchback.

Its 5.9L/100km fuel consumption figure is where some might have doubts over the Mazda 3's suitability, especially when real-world driving returns a figure in the mid 7.0-litre region, but its lack of a hybrid option means it falls behind its contemporaries regardless of opinion.

Still, its six-speed automatic torque-converter transmission is smooth and makes decent use of the modest four-pot.

The real treat from behind the wheel is the steering and its ride, though. The Mazda 3 is almost a dynamic benchmark in terms of elevating a capable hatchback into one that's fun to drive without the assistance of more power.

The 3's steering is direct and weighted just right to be engaging without being tiring, and there's a level of communication from the front wheels during dynamic driving that you won't find in a lot of new small cars.

While the engine can seem like it's working hard at times, if you value a car with direct feedback and confidence-inspiring handling, the Mazda 3 will keep you happy. Stepping up to a G25 with the larger engine isn't a bad move, though.

The seating position, control placement and general ergonomics of the cabin make doing anything on the move a breeze, especially the scroll wheel that operates the multimedia screen.

It's on the way out in the next generation if the new Mazda CX-5 is anything to go by, which is a shame. It means not needing to lean and use the Mazda 3's touchscreen on the move and allows you to navigate both its (ageing but easy) native software or a phone mirroring system.

Similarly, the driver display is visually getting on in years, but it's elegant and shows you what you need to know. It's also housed in a perfectly shaped binnacle for looking at through the top of the steering wheel. It's one of the little things that make the interior of the Mazda 3 as impressive as the exterior when it comes to design.

The sleek interior manages to blend minimalism and function without sacrificing buttons, a lazy cost-cutting move many manufacturers (including Mazda in its newer models) have started leaning on.

Climate controls and a few shortcut buttons around the multimedia control wheel, not to mention the traditional gear shifter, all blend nicely into an interior that rivals (and in some cases bests) the interior design of some highly-regarded European brands.

Its gorgeous exterior design does have a downside, though - the boot is relatively small and the rear seat feels tight for adults, plus there's not a lot of light and the thick C-pillars result in a rather large blind-spot.

There are a couple of things to consider if a Mazda 3 is on your list, starting with its safety credentials. Because the current generation was tested in 2019, its maximum five-star rating has expired and it's unclear how the car would perform against current testing procedures.

Mazda has updated the safety kit for the 3 in that time, with some ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System) features and seven airbags working to keep occupants safe, the tech is ageing and the 3 is missing a front-centre airbag that can be important in side impacts.

The Mazda 3 is covered by the brand's five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty, which is starting to lag behind other mainstream brands, while servicing averages $475 for the first seven years (subject to change), every 12 months or 15,000km. Mazda also offers five years of roadside assist.

The price is right and the charmingly traditional driving experience will appeal to many who find the encroaching iPad-style interior treatment an affront to motoring - and the car itself looks stunning.

It feels like its age is becoming apparent, but only under the skin. If you're someone who values simplicity and elegance in a small car, the Mazda 3 is hard to go past.