There’s something quietly confident about the Mazda 3. It doesn’t try too hard, doesn’t scream for attention, and yet, when you get behind the wheel, you realise it has every intention of punching above its weight. In Germany, a country where the Golf reigns supreme as the family hatchback of choice, the Mazda 3 is the underdog that insists on being taken seriously. Naturally, I had to find out just how far it could go.
So I took it to the Harplage region in Lower Saxony, a sleepy ridge of rolling forests and winding lanes that have a way of bringing out the best and worst in a car. Perfect for real, world testing, not just for the performance bits, but for the comfort and composure too. Over a week of living with the Mazda 3, I sampled all three petrol engines, the 122 hp base, the 150 hp midrange, and the 186 hp Skyactiv, X “Diesotto”. What I found wasn’t just a Golf rival. It was a distinct personality.
Driving in the Harplage: The Ride Meets the Ridge
Harplage may not be on most people’s radar, but for those of us who love cars, it’s a dream. Smooth asphalt meets gravel patches. Narrow farm tracks dart into broad, empty B, roads. Here, the Mazda 3 showed its real, world chops. I started with the Skyactiv, G 122, the base engine, and honestly, I wasn’t expecting much. But just a few kilometers out from the village of Bockenem, it had already surprised me with how refined and composed it felt.
The gearbox, a six, speed manual, has the crispness I’ve come to expect from Mazda. The clutch is light, the throw is short, and on those tighter ascents between Nettehöhe and Lamspringe, it let me stay in control without needing to work too hard. That said, overtaking in the base 122, horsepower version? That needed planning. You’ll find yourself downshifting to 3rd or even 2nd to get moving with urgency. But it’s not stressful, it’s just naturally aspirated. Like riding an old, school sports bike, it rewards commitment.
Still, the Harplage roads demand more, and the 150 hp version felt like a better match. It pulled harder out of bends and gave me the confidence to push a bit, especially when threading the car through narrow, tree, lined lanes. But the real story was the Skyactiv, X, Mazda’s famous “Diesotto”.
The Skyactiv, X Engine: A Love Letter to Engineering
Mazda’s Skyactiv, X engine defies classification. It’s a petrol engine that compresses fuel like a diesel, without needing spark plugs in certain conditions. Sounds complex? It is. But behind the wheel, it just works. With 186 hp and 240 Nm of torque, it’s the most eager of the lot.
Heading toward the ridge near Almstedt, with switchbacks and long elevation changes, the Skyactiv, X shined. It doesn’t slam you into the seat like a turbo, but there’s an elasticity to the power that makes it feel incredibly smooth and responsive. At around 3,000 rpm it wakes up, but even at 1,500 rpm it’ll happily lope along in 6th gear. That was especially useful in the 70 km/h zones. No lurching, no bogging down, just quiet, clean propulsion.
I averaged 5.8 l/100 km over a few days of spirited driving. For a naturally aspirated 2.0, litre, that’s pretty commendable. Mazda’s tweaks to the combustion cycle and ignition timing clearly pay off, and in terms of real, world drivability, this is the engine I’d take home.
A Cabin Done Right
Before diving back into performance, let’s talk about where you sit. The Mazda 3’s interior is… honest. You can tell Mazda didn’t design it to wow you in photos, they built it to feel right in real life. Materials are soft, touch, controls are tactile, and nothing feels gimmicky. You get a rotary controller instead of a touchscreen, and I couldn’t be more grateful.
The 8.8, inch screen is set deep into the dash, not huge by 2025 standards, but easy on the eyes. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard. The climate control has actual buttons. Thank you, Mazda. I didn’t once have to fumble with menus while bombing down twisty B, roads. The head, up display is crisp and clear even when wearing sunglasses, and the optional Bose system filled the cabin beautifully with punchy midrange during those lonely drives through misty woodlands.
The front seats are among the best in this segment, supportive without being harsh. Rear legroom is a little tight, especially for taller adults, but the Fastback variant compensates with its cavernous 450, litre boot. Plenty of space for a folded road bike and some trail gear.
Road Manners: Predictable, Precise, Mostly Comfortable
Let’s get this out of the way, the Mazda 3 does not ride like a cloud. On Harplage’s bumpier rural roads, you feel the firm suspension tune. It’s not crashy, but if you’re hoping for French, like plushness, this isn’t the car for you. Instead, the Mazda offers feedback. Body control is superb. The car stays planted even in quick transitions, and the steering is properly weighted with excellent precision.
Through the ADAC, style evasive maneuvers I simulated on an empty industrial road in Bad Salzdetfurth, the 3 stayed calm and collected. Lift, off mid, corner? It tucks in slightly. Quick steering inputs? No drama. It doesn’t have the tail, happy character of a BMW 1 Series, but it’s way more engaging than a Golf or Astra.
Noise levels? Excellent. Even when pushing it through higher revs, cabin insulation remains solid. Wind and road noise are well managed, even at autobahn speeds. It felt utterly composed on a 180 km/h run along the A7. The 3 is a compact car that’s been built with a maturity that goes beyond its class.
Equipment and Value: Mazda Doesn’t Skimp
Even the base Mazda 3 is loaded. You get adaptive cruise, LED headlights, lane, keep assist, automatic emergency braking, driver attention monitoring, and a slick digital cockpit. Moving up to the Selection trim gets you heated seats, dual, zone climate, keyless entry, and a heated steering wheel.
What caught me off guard was how advanced some of the safety features were. The driver monitoring system actually works, if it notices your eyelids drooping or your posture slumping, it sends an alert. Front Cross Traffic Alert proved helpful twice in tight Harplage alleys with limited visibility. It doesn’t just beep, it shows you where danger’s coming from.
And while the manual is a joy, the optional six, speed automatic is silky smooth and well calibrated. I’d still go for the manual personally, but if you’re stuck in traffic regularly, the auto won’t disappoint.
Mazda 3 Technical Specifications (2022, 2023)
For up-to-date and accurate specs, we rely on Mazda’s official web data.
| Specification | Mazda 3 2.0 122hp | Mazda 3 2.0 150hp | Mazda 3 2.0 Skyactiv, X 186hp |
| Engine Type | Petrol (Mild Hybrid) | Petrol (Mild Hybrid) | Petrol (Skyactiv, X MHEV) |
| Displacement | 1,998 cc | 1,998 cc | 1,998 cc |
| Power (kW/HP) | 90 / 122 | 110 / 150 | 137 / 186 |
| Torque | 213 Nm | 213 Nm | 240 Nm |
| 0, 100 km/h | 10.4 s | 9.1 s | 8.1 s |
| Top Speed | 197 km/h | 206 km/h | 216 km/h |
| Drive | Front, wheel | Front, wheel | Front, wheel |
| Combined Consumption (WLTP) | 5.5 l/100 km | 5.5 l/100 km | 5.0 l/100 km |
| CO₂ Emissions (WLTP) | 124 g/km | 125 g/km | 114 g/km |
| Boot Volume | 351 l | 351 l | 450 l (Fastback) |
| Towing Capacity (Braked) | 1,300 kg | 1,300 kg | 1,300 kg |
| Warranty | 6 years / 150,000 km | 6 years / 150,000 km | 6 years / 150,000 km |
| Base Price | €25,890 | €26,890 | €28,890 |
Conclusion: Does the Mazda 3 Deserve More Respect?
Absolutely. The Mazda 3 is one of the most underappreciated compact cars in Europe. It may not have the badge clout of a VW Golf or the aggressive marketing of a Korean rival, but behind the wheel, it offers a more engaging drive than nearly all of them. The Skyactiv, X engine is a genuine engineering triumph, the manual gearbox is among the best in class, and the cabin quality punches way above its segment.
And in Harplage, where every corner demands honesty from a chassis, the Mazda 3 passed with flying colors. It doesn’t scream. It doesn’t boast. It just gets everything right. And sometimes, that’s all you need.
Is the Mazda 3 fun to drive?
Yes, particularly with the manual gearbox and the Skyactiv, X engine. It’s composed, precise, and rewards enthusiastic driving.
How practical is Mazda 3 for daily use?
Very. The hatchback offers good cargo space, especially with the seats folded. The Fastback adds even more boot space.
Is the suspension of Mazda 3 too stiff?
It’s firmer than some rivals but not punishing. On smoother roads, it feels controlled. On rougher terrain, you’ll feel the bumps.
