Error parsing XSLT file: \xslt\FacebookOpenGraph.xslt Our Fleet Test Drive Review: Mazda 3 - 3rd Report
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Our Fleet Test Drive Review: Mazda 3 - 3rd Report

Date: 04 September 2009   |   Author: Hugh Hunston

Dogs in the boot
Category: Lower medium
P11D price: £18,260
Key rival: Ford Focus

Venturing from Oxfordshire into deepest south Wales and back demonstrated our 2.2-litre diesel 3's long-range cruising refinement and helped nudge the average consumption figure up to 45.3mpg.

Down in the valleys the car's swoopy, sculpted styling prompted several compliments, while burly Welsh passengers had no complaints about the space and comfort in the back.

Unfortunately, the wet and steamy weather was not so kind, but the heated front screen meant the demisting fan's use was kept to a minimum.

Logic prevails in most of the ergonomically efficient cabin equipment, even if the glove compartment is not lockable, and curiously there is no seat pouch behind the driver, unlike on the other side.

The computer read-out is well placed in the centre of the fascia but registers average mpg and speed together, instead of range, which is combined with instant mpg for some reason.

Meanwhile, in the back, dark rear privacy glass helped on-board dogs in the hatch compartment keep their summer cool, and the rear seat backs fold fairly flat with minimal effort even if rear squabs do not flip over.

Mazda 3 2.2d 150PS Sport 5-door manual
Mileage3258
Claimed combined
consumption
52.3mpg
Our average
consumption
45.3mpg
P11D price£18,260
Model price range£13,500 -£21,500
CO2 (tax) 144g/km/19%
BIK 20/40% per month£58/£116
Service interval12,500mls
Insurancegroup 10E
Warranty3yrs/60,000mls
Boot space (min/max)300/1360 litres
Engine size/power2184cc/150PS
Top speed/0-62mph127mph/9.2secs
Why we’re running itCan it step up to its
class mark like the 6?
PositiveStrong street presence,
refinement and
performance
NegativeInadequate spec
compared to petrol



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