Mazda 3 review
It falls behind on outright space, but the Mazda 3 is a well equipped hatch with an upmarket interior
RRP £25,300
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- Used
Mazda 3 Review
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Best price from £23,080
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Available now from: £23,080
RRP from: £25,300
Available now
From £23,080
Leasing deals
From £275
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
Mazda 3
Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 60 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £275.01 Initial payment £3,300.12
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- Free returns within 30 days*
Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply. Subject to availability and credit status. 18+ T&Cs apply.
In partnership with
£3,545 total upfront (£3,300 initial rental plus £245 processing fee) | 5000 miles | 60 months
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
Power
138 bhp
0-62 mph
9.5 s
Efficiency
47.9 mpg
Figures for 2.5 e-SKYACTIV-G MHEV Centre-Line Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr
Fuel efficient
Hatchback
Safest cars
Jump to:
Introduction
Performance & drive
Interior
Passenger & boot space
Buying & owning
John Howell
Updated: 4 September 2026
How we test cars
The wonderful thing about visiting Japan is its quirkiness: toilet seats that sing to you, for instance, or your sushi platter being delivered by a model train. And the Mazda 3 Hatchback does things differently, too.
For a start, it looks different from its rivals, but not in an odd way. If anything, quite the opposite: for a humble hatchback, the Mazda 3’s smoothly contoured surfaces and a sloped roofline look rather classy. The fact that you can buy a saloon version is quirky, though, because small saloon cars are few and far between these days – if you want to read our Mazda 3 Saloon review, click the link.
New car deals
Best price from £23,080
What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £23,080
RRP from: £25,300
Available now
From £23,080
Leasing deals
From £275
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
Mazda 3
Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 60 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £275.01 Initial payment £3,300.12
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- Free returns within 30 days*
Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply. Subject to availability and credit status. 18+ T&Cs apply.
In partnership with
£3,545 total upfront (£3,300 initial rental plus £245 processing fee) | 5000 miles | 60 months
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
Mazda 3 video review
One of the quirkiest things about the Mazda 3 is its engines. Most rivals moved to smaller, turbocharged engines a long time ago. And, more recently, they added hybrids and plug-in hybrids to the range as well. Not Mazda. The Mazda 3 sticks with larger, non-turbocharged petrols. Yes, they have mild hybrid assistance, but a full hybrid? Nope; and there’s no option to have a Mazda 3 PHEV, either.
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So, does the Mazda 3’s quirks add to its desirability or limit its usability? Essentially, is it as good as, or better than, the best family cars, which include the Seat Leon, Toyota Corolla and VW Golf?
Verdict
While the Mazda 3 might not be as sporty or as spacious as some of its rivals, it’s not without serious strengths. It's very well equipped, the interior controls and infotainment system are dead easy to use, and you get top-notch interior quality for a very reasonable price. It’s relatively cheap to run, too, as long as you’re a private buyer and not a company car driver. We recommend combining the entry-level e-Skyactiv G engine with mid-level Centre-Line trim for the best combination of value and equipment.
What's new?
- July 2026: We update our Mazda 3 online review and film a video review
- August 2024: 2.5-litre petrol mild hybrid engine introduced, new 10.25in touchscreen fitted
- August 2018: Fourth-generation Mazda 3 revealed at the Los Angeles Motor Show
Best buy
2.5 e-SKYACTIV-G MHEV Centre-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (140 ps) review
RRP £26,900
Pros
- Great interior quality
- Lots of interior buttons boost usability greatly
- Relatively cheap to buy and run for private buyers
Cons
- No plug-in version for company car drivers
- Really tight rear-seat space
- Firm ride and so-so handling
What's new?
- July 2026: We update our Mazda 3 online review and film a video review
- August 2024: 2.5-litre petrol mild hybrid engine introduced, new 10.25in touchscreen fitted
- August 2018: Fourth-generation Mazda 3 revealed at the Los Angeles Motor Show
Best buy
2.5 e-SKYACTIV-G MHEV Centre-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (140 ps) review
RRP £26,900
Trims available
Takumi
This is your range-topping trim, pushing the price ever further towards premium models like the BMW 1 Series and Mercedes A-Class, but comes with all the bells and whistles, including leather seats, electric driver’s seat adjustment (inc. lumbar and memory function), and a heated steering wheel.
Prime-Line
Well worth considering for the amount of useful kit is comes with for the price, including 16in alloy wheels, LED headlights, head-up display, rear parking sensors, rear-view camera, 10.25in infotainment screen, wireless Apple CarPlay/ Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, power-folding door mirrors, and air conditioning.
Homura
Homura adds rear privacy glass, auto wipers, 18in alloy wheels and an electrically operated sunroof.
Exclusive-Line
Like Homura, Exclusive-Line ups your wheel size to 18in, but also includes a 12-speaker Bose stereo and adaptive LED headlights.
Centre-Line
For a reasonable extra outlay it adds some proper luxuries, like heated front seats, keyless entry, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, a wireless phone charger, front parking sensors, a better stereo with eight speakers, and dual-zone climate control rather than manual air conditioning.
New car deals
Available now
Leasing deals
Performance & drive
What it's like to drive, and how quiet it is
Strengths
- Slick gear change and progressive brakes
- Reasonably quiet at motorway speeds
Weaknesses
- Mediocre handling
- Engines lack mid-range punch
- Jittery ride
How fast is it and which engine is best?
As we mentioned in the intro, the Mazda 3’s engines are naturally aspirated, rather than turbocharged like most of its rivals’ engines. They have mild hybrid assistance to boost efficiency, but, unlike a full hybrid, the electric motor isn’t powerful enough to power the car on its own.
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The entry-level engine is the 138bhp 2.5-litre e-Skyactiv G. It can do 0-62mph in 9.5sec but lacks the low- to mid-range punch of turbocharged rivals such as the Seat Leon 1.5 TSI 150. That’s why it feels more lethargic in everyday driving, and needs revving harder to build the required speed for overtaking on faster roads.
The e-Skyactiv G is still our recommended choice, though, partly because the more powerful 183bhp 2.0-litre e-Skyactiv X is available only with the pricier trims. On paper the e-Skyactiv X is quicker (0-62mph in 8.1sec) but, again, you only get the benefits of that extra zip when you work the engine hard. If you’re driving normally there’s no real performance benefit for the extra outlay.
Both engines are available with a choice of a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic gearbox. We’d avoid the auto ‘box; it’s not that responsive and tends to dull the performance even more.
Is it agile and is the ride comfortable?
The Mazda 3 rides best on the smallest 16in wheels that come with the entry-level Prime Line trim. Even then the Mazda 3’s relatively firm suspension delivers a lumpy ride on broken city streets and some agitation over ridges and ripples on motorways. The 18in wheels and lower-profile tyres that come with the higher trims only exacerbate those issues. If your preference is for a cushy ride, you’ll be better off with the softer Toyota Corolla or VW Golf; even the cut-priced Skoda Scala is suppler than the Mazda 3.
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At least the Mazda 3’s taught setup stops you getting bounced around over dips and crests on country roads, and, when it comes to handling, limits body lean when you’re attacking corners quickly. Nevertheless, it’s not a great-handling car. Yes, there’s a reasonable level of grip in the dry, but the Mazda 3 can’t carry as much speed through bends as grippier and better-handling alternatives, such as the Honda Civic and Leon.
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Those rivals also steer with more finesse, too. The Mazda 3’s steering is slower geared, making the car feel less nimble and agile when you turn in to corners. It doesn’t build weight as naturally, either, so it’s harder to gauge the grip levels. Simply put: the Mazda 3 handles well enough, but doesn’t give you the confidence to push the limits and enjoy a spirited drive down your favourite B road.
Is it quiet and how easy is it to drive smoothly?
When you’re travelling on motorways you’ll hear a bit more road noise than you would in a Golf but, among the wider class, the Mazda 3 is a quiet cruiser. The brake and clutch pedals are progressive, and the super-slick manual gear change is a delight to use, which is lucky: you tend to use it a lot to keep its lacklustre engines on the boil.
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The simple fact that you have to rev the engines relatively hard means you’ll hear them more often than you would rivals with gutsier turbocharged engines. The good news is neither engine sounds coarse, although the 2.5-litre e-Skyactiv G engine is smoother than the 2.0-litre e-Skyactiv X.
If you think the Mazda 3 will drive like a sporty Mazda MX-5, think again. It handles fine, but offers none of the excitement and joy you’d get from driving the best-handling cars in the class.
John Howell, Deputy reviews editor
Tips & Advice
How to test drive a car
There’s no substitute for a test drive in a new car. Take it on a variety of roads and surfaces to ensure it measures up.
Interior
The interior layout, fit and finish
Strengths
- Top-notch quality inside
- Loads of easy-to-use buttons
- Comfortable driving position
Weaknesses
- Visibility isn’t great
- Lumbar adjustment only on top trim
- Relatively low-definition infotainment screen
What does the interior look like and is it well made?
Driving dynamics might not be the Mazda 3’s strong point, but quality inside is hard to fault. There are relatively few scratchy plastics dotted around, and lots of plush, expensive-feeling materials. On top of that its interior feels very well screwed together.
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It's not just the immovable parts that feel good, though. All the switches operate with real slickness, including the temperature control knobs and the infotainment system's rotary controller, which turn with a satisfying click.
For the money, the quality is top-notch, and better than rivals such as the Volkswagen Golf. In truth, it puts pricier, premium family cars to shame, too, including the Audi A3.
Is the driving position comfortable and is it easy to see out?
Drivers of all shapes and sizes should be able to find comfort behind the wheel because the Mazda 3’s driving position is generally very good. You’ll find lots of seat and steering wheel adjustment, although lumbar support is only available with the pricey top-spec Takumi trim.
Takumi trim also adds an electrically adjustable driver’s seat, while the rest of the range has a manually adjustable seat. Even without adjustable lumbar support, however, the driver’s seat is supportive, and the well-placed centre armrest helps keep you relaxed at the wheel.
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It isn’t the easiest car to see out of, though. The front windscreen pillars are thicker than they are in the Skoda Scala, for instance, which can hinder your view at junctions. And the wide rear pillars and shallow rear screen combine to make rear visibility quite poor.
Thankfully, there are features on hand to make life easier. Entry-level Prime-Line has rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera to help with reversing, while the other trims add front parking sensors. Top-spec Takumi replaces the rear-view camera with a bird’s eye-view camera.
Bright LED headlights are standard on all models, and they're upgraded to adaptive units if you opt for the swankier trims (Exclusive-Line and above).
Are the dashboard and infotainment system easy to use?
You already know the Mazda 3 is classy inside, and it’s dead easy to use, too. While most manufacturers are removing physical buttons from their cars, forcing you to control more and more functions through icons on a touchscreen, the Mazda 3 has plenty of proper knobs and switches. And because you learn to use them by feel alone (something that’s not possible with a screen icon), you can change many of the settings without having to glance away from the road. That’s something we really value, not only for convenience but also safety.
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Like physical buttons, the part-digital driver's display might appear a bit dated these days but it also works well; it’s really clear and easy to read. The only element lacking is some of the configurability you get with the digital driver’s displays in rivals such as the Seat Leon. What most rivals don’t offer, though, is a head-up display as standard across the range. You get one of those even on the entry-level Mazda 3, and it puts key information right in the driver’s line of sight.
The old-school theme applies to the infotainment system as well, which you can operate using the rotary controller and shortcut buttons situated handily on the centre console. Again, it’s all about ease of use while driving, and really helps when you’re scrolling through on-screen lists.
You can use the 10.25in infotainment as a touchscreen, but only while the car is stationary. The one thing we’d criticise is the screen’s definition. It’s not as sharp as the screens in most family cars, but at least the software is responsive and the menus are easy to navigate through.
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There's an impressive array of features as standard. Even the entry-level trim has Amazon Alexa voice control, a DAB radio, Bluetooth, built-in sat-nav and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring. From Homura trim you also get wireless phone-charging.
Entry-level Prime-Line trim has a four-speaker stereo, while Centre-Line trim gets eight speakers. Exclusive-Line upgrades you to a 12-speaker Bose system, which sounds good.
If you’re a fan of proper buttons – not screen icons or touch-sensitive controls – to operate all the important features, you’ll love the Mazda 3’s usability as much as we do. It’s very classy and well-made inside, too.
John Howell, Deputy reviews editor
Tips & Advice
Which smartphone integration should I have?
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are fantastic – and free – technologies. Here we show you the benefits, drawbacks and best apps
Passenger & boot space
How it copes with people and clutter
Strengths
- Spacious front seats
- Decent-sized boot for a family car
- Plenty of storage space
Weaknesses
- Very cramped rear seats
- No height-adjustable boot floor
- Narrow boot opening
How much space does it have for people?
Even tall adults will have space in the front of the Mazda 3. There's more than enough leg and head room, plus a generous amount of shoulder room, too.
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Front storage space is also good; there are bottle holders in both front doors, a rubberised non-slip tray ahead of the gear lever, a sizeable cubby under the front centre armrest, and a usefully deep glovebox.
There is a big ‘but’, though: the rear space is way behind the best-in-class. It’s perhaps the biggest weakness to think about before buying a Mazda 3. If you’re taller and sat behind someone with the front seat slid all the way back, you’ll need to fold yourself up like a piece of origami to get in the rear seats. Even if you manage to get seated okay it’s claustrophobic in the rear because of the small rear glass area.
If you need rear seats big enough for taller adults then look instead at the Honda Civic, Seat Leon and Skoda Octavia, but, to be honest, most family cars offer more rear space than the Mazda 3.
How much room does it have for luggage?
After slamming the Mazda 3 for its rear-seat roominess, we can be more positive regarding its boot. We managed to fit six carry-on suitcases under its parcel shelf (with the rear seats in place), which is one more than the Vauxhall Astra, and VW Golf managed. That puts the Mazda 3’s boot on par with the Civic’s, although, if you’re after the best load-lugger in the class, you cannot beat the Octavia – we crammed nine cases in the boot of one of those.
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There are issues, though. The Mazda 3’s boot has a relatively narrow aperture and a very high load lip to heave heavy items over. And, while there’s some under-floor storage space in most versions, you lose that if you have the Bose sound system (that’s where its subwoofer lives), and you can’t get a height-adjustable boot floor on any Mazda 3.
Also, there are no levers in the boot to release the rear backrests – you have to do that from inside the rear passenger compartment – and the backrests are split 60/40 rather than the more flexible 40/20/40 split you get in the Audi A3. When the rear seats are folded there isn’t a huge step in the extended floor, but the backrests don’t lie completely flat.
We’ve covered the Mazda 3 Saloon in a separate review, but it’s worth mentioning that the saloon has an even bigger boot, although it’s more difficult to load bulky items because of its narrower boot opening.
While space in the front of the Mazda 3 is fine, rear space is poor. I tried getting two 6ft-tall friends in the back; their knees ended up jammed into the back of the front seats, while their heads were touching the rooflining.
John Howell, Deputy reviews editor
Tips & Advice
Need ultimate practicality?
We’ve run the rule over the most spacious models on sale to deliver the definitive rundown of the cars with the biggest boots
Will the car fit your needs?
As part of the test drive, fill the car with regularly-carried luggage, and make sure the family can get comfy before you buy
Buying & owning
Everyday costs, plus how reliable and safe it is
Strengths
- Relatively cheap to buy and run
- Really well equipped for the price
- Good level of safety assist features
Weaknesses
- No PHEV option means higher company car tax
- Euro NCAP rating is expired
- Middling reliability and three-year warranty
How much does it cost and what equipment do you get?
While the BMW 1 Series and Mercedes A-Class start at more than £32,000, and the Volkswagen Golf kicks-off at around £30,000, the Mazda 3 will cost you several thousand less if you go for the entry level Prime-Line trim. It’s about the same as a basic Seat Leon hatchback.
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If you’re worrying that a car with a 2.0-litre or 2.5-litre petrol engine will be thirsty, you needn't. Both the Mazda 3’s e-Skyactiv petrol engines are frugal, officially averaging up to 50mpg. The trouble is they don’t work for company car drivers, where you need a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) to reduce benefit-in-kind tax (BIK). If that’s you, then look at something like the Leon 1.5 e-HYBRID instead.
Ways to buy
Cash from £23,080 Own the car outright. No monthly payments.
Lease from £275pm Drive a new car every few years. Lower upfront costs.
£3,300 initial payment , 60 month contract , 5000 miles p/a . Subject to status and conditions.
Available Now from £23,080 Choose a car from stock. Drive away today!
The Mazda 3 may be relatively cheap to buy but it it’s no bare-bones box on wheels. The cheapest Prime-Line trim has lots of useful kit, some of which we’ve already mentioned, including 16in alloy wheels, LED headlights, head-up display, rear parking sensors, rear-view camera, 10.25in infotainment screen, wireless Apple CarPlay/ Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. On top of that it also comes with adaptive cruise control, power-folding door mirrors, and air conditioning.
However, we recommend stepping one rung up the trim ladder to Centre-Line trim, because for a reasonable extra outlay it adds some proper luxuries, such as heated front seats, keyless entry, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, a wireless phone charger, a better stereo with eight speakers, and dual-zone climate control rather than manual air conditioning. Not bad, hey.
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You start to degrade that price advantage by choosing anything above that, such Homura and Exclusive-Line, and Takumi trim pushes the price ever further towards premium models like the 1 Series and A-Class.
The only factory option is basically metallic paint, but there is a range of accessories to choose from, including different exterior bits like sportier side skirts and lower bumpers, illuminated tread pleats, or more useful bits like a detachable tow bar, boot floor protector or a handy boot organiser.
Is it reliable, and how long is the warranty?
In our 2025 What Car? Reliability Survey, the Mazda 3 proved much less dependable than the Honda Civic, BMW 1 Series and Toyota Corolla. Even so, the Mazda 3 finished above the Seat Leon, Skoda Octavia and VW Golf.
As a brand, Mazda ranked 15th out of 30 manufacturers featured – again, that was above Seat, Skoda and VW, but someway below Honda, Toyota and BMW.
Every new Mazda 3 comes with a three-year/60,000-mile warranty. That's pretty standard for the class, and doesn’t come close to the seven-year cover you get from Kia or up to 10 years of cover that’s available on a new Corolla.
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How safe is it, and is it easy to steal?
The Mazda 3 comes packed with safety kit. You get automatic emergency braking (AEB), blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assistance and a system that alerts you to traffic crossing your path when reversing. On top of that, you get traffic-sign recognition.
Range-topping Takumi trim can also apply the brakes automatically if it senses that you’re about to reverse into an obstacle, and it has a front cross-traffic alert, which alerts you if you're pulling out of a junction out into the path of an oncoming car.
The Mazda 3 received the full five star rating when it was crash tested by Euro NCAP in 2019. Back then It scored particularly highly for adult occupant safety, but that rating has since expired. That doesn’t mean it’s no longer a safe car, but it’s impossible to compare directly against newer rivals that have been assessed with much more stringent tests.
Buy it if...
- You want a fantastic interior that’s plush and well-built
- You want something that looks classy but isn’t expensive to buy of run
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- You want lots of standard equipment
Don't it if...
- You regularly carry taller adults in the back seats
- You want a family car with the best ride and handling
- You’re a company car driver needing a PHEV to lower your tax bill
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Mazda Mazda3 owner reviews
Sort by: Most Recent Star rating
Anonymous
Mazda3 hybrid
Likes: Value, Reliability
Dislikes: Servicing, Running costs
May 26, 2026 3:50 PM
The car has a 6 year warranty, but the service records are digital which is annoying, it has a great spec with heads up display, blind spot detection front and rear sensors. It a comfortable ride, tye car feels heavy and study it only got 1000 mile on so hard to say how reliable the car is but it doesn't have a turbo which mean the engine has it own performance 3 years servicing cost upwards of £850
Paul
Mazda3 petrol
Likes: Value, Reliability, Servicing, Running costs
May 2, 2026 4:38 PM
Very reliable and good to drive with a quality interior
Garry
Mazda3 2.0 petrol
Likes: Value, Reliability
Dislikes: Running costs
Apr 12, 2026 4:20 PM
Comfortable and relatively economical, reliable. Although there are too many driver aids and electronics most of them I have switched off. I like to drive the car and not the car drive me
Jeremy
Mazda3 petrol
Likes: Value, Reliability, Servicing, Running costs
Dec 14, 2025 12:06 PM
Bought new from a car broker and delivered to home. Overall it's been a very good choice
Chris Jones
Mazda3 2.0 petrol saloon
Likes: Value, Reliability, Servicing, Running costs
Jun 5, 2025 12:59 PM
Good-looking with fine handling and adequate performance, large luggage capacity, excellent equipment let down by poor ADAS (unreliable speed limit recognition, unreliable collision avoidance, unresponsive active cruise control, etc.). High level of road noise (engine and wind noise is low).
Load more owner reviews
Mazda has been very generous with standard equipment, and while mid-spec Centre-Line trim is our recommended option, I think lots of buyers will be perfectly happy with entry-level Prime-Line.
John Howell, Deputy reviews editor
Tips & Advice
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Avoid ULEZ and clean-air zone fines
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Can I buy a car with cash?
Paying cash isn’t always an easy way to a new car – and you may not be able to get the big discounts you might expect
How to lease a car
Car leasing is like long-term rental, and can be an affordable route to a new car. When the deal ends, you hand the car back
Protect your investment
GAP insurance allows you to get the full price for your car if it’s stolen or written off, but only a quarter of Brits buy it
Reduce your car finance bills
Refinancing your car effectively means taking out one loan to pay off another, which could help reduce your monthly payments, or reduce your finance term
What is hire purchase?
Hire purchase allows you to make monthly payments to buy your next car – although these will be higher than with a PCP
What is PCP finance?
Low monthly payments are key to the appeal of Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) agreements. But are there downsides?
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If you're interested in finding a Mazda 3, or any of the other hatchback cars mentioned here, head over to our Cars available now pages to find new cars listed for sale at great prices.
Mazda Mazda3 specifications
Best buy
2.5 e-SKYACTIV-G MHEV Centre-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (140 ps) review
RRP £26,900
RRP price range
£25,300 - £35,100
MPG range across all versions
40.9 - 56.5
Available fuel types (which is best for you? )
Petrol, Diesel
Available colours
Number of engines (see all)
3
Number of trims (see all)
14
Warranty
3 - 6 years / 60,000 - 100,000 miles
Company car tax at 20% (min/max)
£1,580 - £2,276
Company car tax at 40% (min/max)
£3,160 - £4,552
FAQs
Is the Mazda 3 a sporty, fun car to drive or just comfortable?
Neither. The handling is pretty average to drive and it doesn’t feel anywhere near as fun to drive as the Honda Civic or Seat Leon. The ride is quite firm compared with a Toyota Corolla.
Is the Mazda 3 good value?
Yes, very much so for private buyers. Not only is the list price incredibly competitive, you also get lots of equipment for the money.
What’s the best thing about the Mazda 3?
It has a few good qualities, but what really stands out is the interior. It’s really nicely finished and solidly made (much better than the Audi A3’s interior) and also has excellent usability thanks to lots of physical buttons.
New car deals
Best price from £23,080
What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £23,080
RRP from: £25,300
Available now
From £23,080
Leasing deals
From £275
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
Mazda 3
Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 60 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £275.01 Initial payment £3,300.12
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- Free returns within 30 days*
Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply. Subject to availability and credit status. 18+ T&Cs apply.
In partnership with
£3,545 total upfront (£3,300 initial rental plus £245 processing fee) | 5000 miles | 60 months
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
Mazda Mazda3s available to buy
In partnership with
Mazda 3
2.5 e-SKYACTIV-G MHEV Prime-Line Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr
RRP £25,030
£23,080
Mazda Mazda3
2.5 e-SKYACTIV-G MHEV Prime-Line Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr
RRP £26,250
£24,250
Mazda 3
2.5 e-SKYACTIV-G MHEV Exclusive-Line Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr
RRP £28,400
£24,490
Mazda Mazda3
2.5 e-SKYACTIV-G MHEV Homura Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr
RRP £28,050
£24,495
Mazda Mazda3
2.5 e-SKYACTIV-G MHEV Homura Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr
RRP £28,350
£24,550
Mazda 3
2.5 e-SKYACTIV-G MHEV Homura Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr
RRP £28,150
£24,950
Mazda Mazda3
2.5 e-SKYACTIV-G MHEV Homura Auto Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr
RRP £29,850
£25,590
Mazda Mazda3
2.5 e-SKYACTIV-G MHEV Homura Auto Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr
RRP £29,850
£25,850
Mazda Mazda3
2.0 e-SKYACTIV-X MHEV Exclusive-Line Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr
RRP £31,545
£25,975
See all available cars
About the writer
Name: John Howell
Title: Deputy reviews editor
Follow John Howell on
John Howell has been a motoring journalist for more than 10 years but has been working in the motor industry for over three decades.
He started out as an apprentice technician with Jaguar before moving on to car sales, selling Bentleys, Rolls-Royces, Ferraris and Maseratis. After a spell working for himself he became a writer, and was What Car?'s deputy reviews editor for a number of years. He has presented a YouTube channel, and written for Autocar and other publications.
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Wed Oct 7 2026
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Mazda 3 long-term test: report 4
Our high-mileage videographer wanted something sporty but spacious – can the latest Mazda 3 family hatch fit the bill?
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