I got to drive Mazda’s new generation Mazda 3 hatch this week – the stylish new hatchback range arrives in showrooms this weekend featuring a big lift in quality and refinement but also a big lift in price. I drove the 2.0-litre six-speed auto G20 Evolve at $27,990 and the top-spec 2.5-litre auto G25 Astina at $37,990. Both models displayed exceptional quality, noticeable as soon as you step into the cabin with premium materials and finishes. Every model features a head up display in the windscreen, a great safety plus that should be standard on all cars. Despite the extensive lift in features and quality the two engines carry over from the outgoing model – the 2.0-litre 114kW engine unfortunately doesn’t live up to the rest of the new car and the 2.5-litre 139kW is the one to own. Of course it comes at added cost and it will be interesting to see if Mazda higher pricing on this premium small car has an impact on sales. The entry 2.0-litre manual G20 Pure at 24,990 is now $4,500 dearer to the outgoing manual Neo Sport. That’s a big price hike at this end of the market and enough to discourage some buyers despite the added quality and features. I drove both engines around the Central Coast on rough roads where the new found suspension refinement shone with great balance and ride control, not so the 2.0-litre engines hesitancy. One other disappointment was the adaptive cruise control – too intrusive and lacking refinement in operation. I’m David Berthon

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