| First Drive | Cascais, Portugal | Mazda3 hatchback |

The fiercely competitive small hatchback class has proved to be fruitful pickings for Mazda with its 3. The previous model was Mazda's best selling model and it has even higher hopes for the new 3. Improved economy and emissions will help, but Mazda also says the driving abilities of the latest 3 will help set it apart. Bold stuff, so let's see if the talk is backed up by the walk.

In the Metal

There's no doubting that the new 3 is a Mazda from the front or rear. The large pentagonal grille is a direct styling cue from the RX-8, following Mazda's current design direction, while the sculpted front wing tops flow into the front screen pillar. At the back, the clear lenses of the lights look good and the hatch offers easy access to the generous boot. There's also a Mazda3 saloon, which has a reasonable boot but is destined to be a bit part player in the great sales play in hatchback-loving Britain.

Move inside and the new 3 picks up where the old model left off in terms of space and quality. It's all faultlessly good, but that hasn't stopped Mazda reshaping the dash and further upping the look and touch of the cabin materials. The hooded main dials look good and are easy to read, while the centre console uses large rotary buttons for the ventilation and main stereo controls. Only the optional satellite navigation screen - which is tucked under the hooded curve of the upper dash top - disappoints, as it's too small to be seen easily. We'd save the cash and buy an aftermarket satnav unit that will be easier to see and use.

What you get for your Money

Mazda is sticking with its usual S, TS, TS2 and Sport trims for the new 3. The entry point TS comes with air conditioning, CD stereo with MP3 connector, electric front windows, six airbags and electronic stability and traction control. Move to TS and you gain 15-inch alloy wheels, climate control and electric rear windows, while the TS2 adds 16-inch alloys, cruise control and Bluetooth connectivity. Solely for the UK, the Sport version has different front and rear bumpers, side skirts and rear spoiler. This model also features 17-inch alloy wheels, a sports exhaust and rear privacy glass.

There's a choice of 1.6- and 2.0-litre petrol engines with 104- and 148bhp respectively. Diesels are taken care of by a 108bhp 1.6-litre turbodiesel and a pair of 2.2 turbodiesels in 148- and 183bhp forms. Both the petrol and diesel 1.6s use a five-speed manual gearbox, while the 2.0-litre petrol has a five-speed automatic gearbox. The 2.2 turbodiesels each have a six-speed manual gearbox. Mazda will offer these engines in both hatch and saloon, though it expects the hatch to make up by far the greatest share of sales in the UK.

Driving it

Mazda says it has concentrated on improving the formula of the previous 3 with its new small hatch. That means the drive is intended to be a little sharper and more comfortable. On both fronts, it has succeeded. The only problem is, the competition has moved the game on, so the Mazda3 remains no better than a middle-ranker in the small hatch class when it comes to how it covers ground. We tried the 1.6-litre petrol and diesel engines, and the 2.2-litre turbodiesel. The petrol is set to be the big seller of the range and it makes a good job of hauling the 3 along without much noise, even revved hard when the driver wants to make progress. Its slick five-speed manual gearbox is a pleasure to use, which is just as well as it needs plenty of stirring on more undulating roads to keep the 3 moving with any real vigour.

The 1.6-litre diesel should be a more relaxed experience than the petrol of the same capacity, but we found it also needed a fair few revs to give its best. Driven in this fashion, the 1.6 diesel loses its composure and shows up a noisy side to its character that is in contrast to the general refinement displayed by the Mazda3 in most conditions. At the other end of the scale, the 183bhp 2.2 turbodiesel we tried was so quiet and smooth that it does a very good impression of a fine petrol engine. The only giveaway to the 2.2's diesel fuel is the slight delay in delivery of its power until 2,000rpm is showing on the rev counter. However, once stoked up, the 2.2 keeps on pulling all the way through its rev band to feel very strong. Just as impressive is the way the 2.2 does not overwhelm the front tyres. Instead, there's excellent traction and a surprisingly sporty drive. Turning in 0-62mph in 8.2 seconds, this diesel works as a subtle warm hatch. The petrol 1.6 manages 0-62mph in 12.2 seconds, while the 2.0-litre petrol auto takes 10.6 seconds and the 1.6 diesel takes 11.0 seconds to cover the same sprint.

Some road noise makes it way into the 3's cabin on rougher roads, but wind and engine noise are kept at bay. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of distortions in the road's surface. Even on smooth roads, we noted the 3 picks up on small imperfections. Steer onto rougher patches of tarmac and the suspension sends jitters through the car that simply would not be felt in a Volkswagen Golf. This is a shame, as the Mazda is otherwise a pleasant and able car to drive with well judged assistance for its power steering, plenty of cornering grip and little body lean. Final judgement will come when we drive the car on home soil.

Worth Noting

One of the most impressive changes marking out the new Mazda3 is the improvement in economy and emissions over its predecessor. Through selective use of lighter materials in the car's construction and finessing of the engines, Mazda has come up with a small hatch that is among the best in its class for fuel consumption and emissions without the need to resort to puny engines or a raft of minor changes that undermine the driving ability of the car. Nope, simple and thoughtful engineering has resulted in a 1.6-litre petrol hatch that turns in 44.7mpg and produces 149g/km of carbon dioxide emissions. The 1.6 diesel goes further with 119g/km emissions to qualify for low-rate road tax and impressive 62.8mpg combined economy. Even the most powerful 2.2 turbodiesel manages 50.3mpg and 149g/km. The Mazda3 is only really let down by the 2.0-litre petrol with automatic gearbox and its 175g/km and 37.1mpg, though even this is good in comparison to some competition.

Summary

Mazda's 3 is a very good small hatch and it's encouraging to see the company applying the same thinking to this car as it has to the 2 and 6 ranges. Lower weight helps improve the car's green credentials, while the 3 continues to offer a spacious and brilliantly well constructed cabin. If you sense a 'but' on the horizon, here it comes: the Mazda3 is a fine small hatch, but this is a class jam-packed with excellent cars. To excel in company as exalted as the VW Golf, Ford Focus or Honda Civic, a car needs to be outstanding and the Mazda3 doesn't quite manage that, good as it is.