Mazda3 Saloon review – premium feel at an affordable price

Verdict – is the Mazda3 Saloon a good car?

The Mazda3 Saloon is a rare sight on British roads, but it’s a welcome addition to the Mazda3 lineup. It exudes premium quality that rivals competitors such as the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe or Audi A3 Saloon, and yet is much lower in price. It’s one of the best cars of its type to drive, but choice is now very limited, with just one engine and trim level on offer, which could put buyers off.

Mazda3 Saloon models, specs and alternatives

Nowadays it’s not especially common to come across a saloon version of a family hatchback, but that’s what Mazda has done with the Mazda3 Saloon. We think the hatchback version is an underappreciated gem, one of the main flaws of which is its limited boot space. On paper, the Saloon’s boot is larger, but perhaps the main draw here is a sophisticated, unique and stylish look, and the potential for improved refinement.

We think the Mazda3 Saloon is a beautiful car to look at, as is its hatchback sibling. Unlike some family hatchbacks which can end up looking a bit odd as though the boot was an afterthought in the transition to becoming a saloon, the Mazda3 Saloon arguably looks as though it was designed this way from the outset. It looks even sleeker than the hatchback and mirrors its larger sibling, the Mazda6 in design.

The few rivals that remain for the Mazda3 include the Audi A3 saloon, Mercedes A-Class Saloon and BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe. Interestingly most of the Mazda3 Saloon’s mainstream rivals have been discontinued, making it the most affordable of the few family hatchback-based cars on sale. The Hyundai i30 Fastback is another competitor in a similar price range, though it still retains a hatchback boot, and at the time of writing is no longer available to configure. 

As of 2024, the Mazda3 Saloon lineup is incredibly simple and you don’t get the same breadth of options as you do with the more-popular hatchback model. It can be had solely in mid-to-high spec Exclusive-Line trim and with just the 2.0-litre 183bhp e-SkyActiv X engine with either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. That is our pick of the range, though, so we’re glad it’s the one to remain for the Saloon.

The best saloon cars to buy in 2024

One real draw for the Mazda3 Saloon is the way it drives – we think it’s second only to the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe in this department, though there’s obviously no ‘hot’ version like the 2 Series lineup. While all 2 Series Gran Coupe models now come with an automatic gearbox, the Mazda3 Saloon does at least still come offered as a manual, which some keen drivers will enjoy.

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As a result, the Mazda 3 Saloon is well equipped, getting 18-inch alloy wheels, heated front seats, a Bose surround sound system, front and rear parking sensors, tinted glass and keyless entry. It’s perhaps a little disappointing that there’s no leather or faux-leather trim option for the Saloon, so it’s less customisable than its premium German rivals, though admittedly the Mazda3 Saloon is still a better-equipped package for the price of an entry-level BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe.

The fit and finish of the Mazda3 really is excellent and much better than you might expect considering Mazda isn’t traditionally considered a ‘premium’ marque. Mazda as a brand finished very strongly, coming seventh out of the 32 manufacturers ranked in our 2024 Driver Power owner satisfaction survey of cars currently on sale in the UK.

Safety is impressive, with the Mazda3 earning the maximum five-star rating in independent crash-tests performed by Euro NCAP. The car will also brake automatically if it senses an obstruction in the road and you don't take action.

With stylish looks, good value, engaging handling and an excellent reputation for reliability, the Mazda3 deserves to be on your shortlist if you’re looking for a family car.