Mazda 3 Hatchback Hatchback, starting at 24500 £

The Mazda 3 Hatchback Hatchback impresses with 186 HP and an attractive starting price of 24500 £ . Here are all the details at a glance.

from about £24,500
3 Hatchback

Mazda 3 Hatchback

  • Engine Type : Petrol MHEV
  • Transmission : Manuel, Automatic
  • Drive Type : Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP : 140 - 186 HP
  • Consumption L/100km : 5.6 - 6.5 L

First Impression: Presence That Punches Above Its Class

Mazda's Kodo philosophy gives the 3 Hatchback a taut, sculpted look that punches above its class. At 4,460 mm long with narrow overhangs and clean surfaces, it reads almost like a compact premium car rather than a budget hatch. Paint quality and detailing lift the presence at the kerb — it stands out without shouting, which helps when parking next to more anonymous rivals.

Cabin Feel: Simple, Sophisticated, and Surprisingly Refined

The interior mixes soft-touch materials, minimalist controls and a driver-focused layout that feels more grown-up than most small cars. Seats are supportive for long commutes and the rotary infotainment controller keeps attention on the road, although touch input can be fiddly at times. Contrast stitching and tidy trim levels make the Mazda 3 feel like a step up in fit and finish compared with mainstream competitors.

Everyday Use: Practical Enough, but Not Class-Leading

Practicality is reasonable rather than class-leading: the hatch offers a 351‑litre boot with the seats up and up to around 1,026 litres with them folded, so weekly shopping and weekend bags are covered. Rear legroom is adequate for average adults but taller passengers will notice the sloping roofline eats headroom. Five seats are standard and payloads sit in the mid‑400 kg range, so family duties are possible but expect compromises compared with larger small SUVs.

Comfort: Composed Ride with a Firm Edge

Suspension tuning prioritises composure over sharpness, smoothing out urban potholes while keeping body control on sweeping A‑roads. Noise insulation is improved versus previous generations, though sustained motorway speeds can still reveal engine and wind noise depending on trim and wheel size. Curb weight ranges between about 1,419 and 1,549 kg, which helps explain the planted feel but also means the ride isn't featherlight.

On the Road: Engaging, Not Extreme

Engine options centre on Mazda's petrol MHEV tech, from the 140 hp 2.5 e‑SKYACTIV‑G up to the 186 hp 2.0 e‑SKYACTIV‑X, with manual or automatic gearboxes and optional AWD on the stronger unit. Sprint figures vary from roughly 8.0 to 9.8 seconds for 0–100 km/h depending on engine and transmission, so the car feels brisk without being a hot hatch. Steering is precise and the chassis is communicative, offering engaging handling for corner work while stability systems keep things sensible in poor grip.

Fuel Use and Range: Efficient in Real Life, Not Just on Paper

Official consumption figures sit between about 5.6 and 6.5 L/100 km depending on engine, drive and gearbox; in real-world mixed driving expect around 6.5–7.5 L/100 km with calm driving yielding the lower values. With a fuel tank of roughly 48–51 litres, typical range between fill-ups is in the order of 600–850 km depending on speed and conditions, making long runs practical. CO2 emissions fall into the 126–146 g/km band, which matters for company tax and fuel costs in some markets, and the mild‑hybrid system softens stop‑start traffic efficiently.

Tech and Safety: The Essentials Done Well

Mazda's i‑Activsense suite supplies adaptive cruise, lane‑keep assist, automatic emergency braking and traffic sign recognition, covering the expected semi‑autonomous basics rather than pioneering new features. The infotainment screen is easy to read from the driver's seat and supports smartphone integration, with a rotary controller that reduces distracting taps. Higher trims add niceties such as a head‑up display and upgraded audio for longer journeys.

Who Should Buy It?

The Mazda 3 Hatchback suits buyers who want a compact car with premium looks, solid build quality and engaging handling instead of just the cheapest headline price. It appeals to commuters and small families who value style and driver involvement, and to those willing to trade a bit of rear‑seat space for better materials and on‑road manners. Multiple petrol MHEV variants exist — from 140 hp to 186 hp with different transmissions and drive options — so buyers can pick the balance of economy, performance and traction that suits them.

Costs and Consumption

Price
24500 - 35500 £
Consumption L/100km
5.6 - 6.5 L
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
126 - 146 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body

Body Type
Hatchback
Seats
5
Doors
-
Curb weight
1419 - 1549 kg
Trunk capacity
351 L
Length
-
Width
1795 mm
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
470 - 485 kg

Engine and Performance

Engine Type
Petrol MHEV
Transmission
Manuel, Automatic
Transmission Detail
Manual Gearbox, Automatic Gearbox
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Power HP
140 - 186 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
8 - 9.8 s
Max Speed
-
Torque
238 - 240 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4
Power kW
103 - 137 kW
Engine capacity
1998 - 2488 cm3

General

Model Year
2025
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, E
Brand
Mazda
What drivetrain options does the Mazda 3 Hatchback have?

The Mazda 3 Hatchback is available as Front-Wheel Drive or All-Wheel Drive.

The prices shown are estimates based on German list prices, adjusted for local VAT. Local registration taxes (e.g. NoVA, BPM or CO2 malus) are not included. This information is not legally binding.