Mazda 3 Hatchback Skyactiv-X 180ps GT Sport auto 5d Owner Review

Looks good, incredibly economical (the WLTP figure is easily achieved unless you have the right foot of a hippo), has all the features you need. The auto gearbox is pretty slow and slurred, like any other torque converter box, but I had to buy an auto because it will be driven by someone without a manual licence. The manual version is the one to choose if you can, I'm sure. There are flappy paddles but they're only really useful for holding a low gear downhill or for guaranteeing you won't get an unnerving mid-corner gearchange - the shift is still auto-like.

The suspension is very good at soaking up shocks and road noise but it's a heavy car and you can't drive it like an MX-5 - no powering out of bends, especially as it's FWD, the weight is in the nose, and it will always try to run wide. Don't buy it if you want a sports car, but it's good for relaxed transport.

Never had any issues with rear visibility.

Really good features - you can totally turn off lane departure warnings and collision avoidance, which are otherwise super-annoying or even dangerous. I couldn't do that in previous Mazdas. Auto start-stop works really well with the mild hybrid system - it doesn't use the normal starter motor at all, but instantly and silently restarts using the motor-generator. It will sometimes decide not to shut off at traffic lights for no apparent reason, but nudging it from D into N usually works. Auto Hold also works well on this car - it was unusable on my (manual) CX-5, refusing to release until I could smell clutch!