Mazda 3 BP (Hatchback) G25 GT (2019-2026)

A lovely and well-finished car but with some caveats – I love my SP 25. It has loads of torque and has loads of sheer grunt. In fact you have to be careful on low speed roads as the car tends to cruise away and over the limit unless you keep an eye on the head-up display. The fit and finish, especially of the interior, is just excellent. Typical Japanese quality. My only negatives are as follows: -The entertainment unit always turns on automatically when you start the car. You have to manually turn it off each time if you want a quite drive. There is no permanent stop to this and I think Mazda should do a software update to rectify this. -Similarly Istop comes on when you start the car and you have to turn it off if you don't want to use the feature. You cannot set it permanently to off. Again, a software update should be provided to rectify this. -The low speed ride is a bit harsh...it seems it's either full power or nothing. The dealer has offered to re-calibrate my transmission on the next service so I will see if this fixes it. -If you are on the ground cleaning the lower bumper area whatever you do DON'T lean on the lower bar to help yourself up. It seems to bring the front bumper clips apart at the front wheels. The only way to fix it is to push the bumper back into place and then lift that very same lower bumper which seems to bend things back into place. -The body panels are worryingly thin. If anyone wants to rest their backside on the car, especially on the rear quarter panels, tell them to take a flying leap and leave the car alone. Mazda has used very thin steel in an effort to keep body mass low but I think they have made it too thin. -My car is that beautiful "Soul Crystal Red" colour and it is a gorgeous colour indeed, especially with the black mag wheels BUT... if you scratch the car by accident forget about touching it up or even getting a detailer to touch it up. Mazda uses a special paint process to create this colour involving a primer, a base coat of one colour, the more candy-apple red as the next coat, a tinted clear coat and then a final clear coat. It seems to be impossible to touch up and if you do the repair will stand out like a dog's gonads. The only answer is to have the whole panel resprayed. This seems to be a common problem with metallic finishes on cars these days so next time I will buy a plain Jane colour because they are a cinch to touch up. Stone chips can be touched up if they are small. -The over-shoulder rear visibility is very poor due to the tiny windows at the rear quarter panel. You will find yourself relying on the blind spot monitor a lot. Apart from all of the above the car is wonderful to drive, handles as if it is being magnetically held onto the road and is quiet inside, save for the lovely throaty roar from the exhaust. It is, indeed, a fun little pocket rocket.

Forget the Golf. If you just want a nice hatch minus performance – Very good value for money, very good styling. Pro's One of the best, if not the best interior design of its class. Excellent handing dynamics. Good steering feedback. 2.5 Litre is very punchy, great torque off the line. Great head lights. Infotainment is easy to use Transmission is smooth. Fuel economy is acceptable. Great body control around corners, driver focused car. Cheap maintenance

Negatives.

- The suspension is incredibly stiff. You will feel EVERYTHING on the road. Be aware Mazda's philosophy is to make their cars driver focused, however to stay in budget they use very simple suspension items such as McPherson struts and a torsion bar therefore leading to a harsher ride.

- Knock in the front end. Common issue, strut mounts replaced.

- Wipers hitting the A pillar.

- Mazda's service schedule is not as competitive.

- Brake pedal feel is very woody.

Gorgeous car – I will kick off with a few of the things that stand out. -Very different driving dynamics compared to the old BL model which drove like a go kart. I guess it will take time to get used to, it's certainly more comfortable. -Overly aggressive radar and cruise. This has greatly improved with a software update. -Piano black/ acrylic needs to go. -Sometimes fumbles on gears. This has greatly improved with a software update. -Auto high beam can be a bit slow when going around a corner. Hopefully that means I'm not blinding the person coming towards me.

Winning notes -Styling, I love it. The lights, the massive grille, the polymetal grey colour. -Interior is gorgeous, especially in the higher end models with chrome accents and leather/ faux. Although I wish the A/C dials were metal and turned with more weight like an old AV receiver. -I'm a skinny guy, I usually lean/ slide side to side in the seats when cornering. These seats are amazing. -The Bose stereo is extremely impressive. -Lights are super bright.

Conclusion I have to give Mazda a lot of kudos for continually updating the car which is ironing out some of the issues I listed above. This car delivers an exceptional experience which is why I bought the car. Keep up the great work Mazda!