The market for small family cars is highly competitive. Michael McAleer looks over the first in the field.
The new Mazda3 enters the Irish market today, the first combatant in what promises to be next year's hottest battle in the largest market in Ireland - the small family car segment. As we await the arrival of the new Opel Astra and VW Golf, the new Mazda arrives with prices starting at €19,500.
The Ford-owned Japanese firm will be hoping to repeat the enormous success of its Mazda6 in the mid-size family car segment, where it recorded growth of over 300 per cent this year with a model that really put Mazda back on the map after several years in the doldrums.
The resurgence continues apace with its new Mazda3. It replaces the lifeless looking 323 with a stylish model featuring distinctive curves and sporty front haunches, along with the new trademark smiling Mazda front grille, a V-shaped rear window and the Mazda6-style rear light clusters.
In hatchback format, the entire package bears a striking resemblance to the likes of the eye-catching Alfa Romeo 147. Mazda can take further comfort from the fact that, not only does the hatchback version have the sporty appearance of a racy Italian, the saloon model loses none of the sharp styling.
Inside the sporting themes continue. There are large sunken dials and rear seat legroom is impressive with ample headroom. There is also an adequate 635 litres of boot space in the hatchback.
On a recent test drive, we found the most lasting impression is one of strong build quality and a good weighty feel on the road. Behind the wheel it actually feels like a much bigger car, with smooth direct steering. The engine revs high, though we admittedly expected more potency from the model we drove, particularly on the long motorway stretches.
While there are no plans announced yet for a sporty three-door version, pressure may be brought to bear, particularly given the enormous success of the 323F when it was introduced in 1989. While figures show over 55 per cent of sales in this segment is for five-door models, the sporty 323F of the late 1980s, complete with pop-up lights, single-handedly achieved a 4 per cent share for Mazda, a truly impressive result for a derivative.
The Mazda3 is available initially in two petrol formats - 80 bhp 1.4-litre and 105 bhp 1.6-litre - with prices ranging from €19,500 up to €23,500 for hatchback models, and between €20,600 and €23,500 for saloon versions. Diesel engine models will be available later in the year. Prices are in line with competitors such as the Toyota Corolla, VW Golf and Ford Focus.
The Mazda3 shares more than price with its Ford competitor. It's built on what will be the next generation of the Ford Focus chassis, and after driving this and Volvo's new S40 (also on the new Focus plan) it would seem to be the chassis to beat in this segment.
Indeed the Mazda3 could be regarded as Ford's stalking horse in the small family car battle, softening up the new entrants from Opel and VW before the new Focus arrives at the end of next year. From a motoring and business standpoint, it would seem to be warming up to be the market to watch next year.