Mazda 3 Astina Review: If You Know, You Know

I am a Mazda fan. I grew up in Mazdas, from the 626 to the B2500 Eagle, and the Mazda CX-60 Takumi is still, to this day, one of the best cars I have ever driven. So coming into the Mazda 3 Astina, I was already excited. That excitement was heightened even further when I saw that my test car was an all-black Astina with burgundy seats. What a spec!

I know the Mazda 3 is a niche car. Much like Alfa Romeo, it is one of those ‘if you know, you know’ cars that does not necessarily need to shout for attention to make an impression. And while I did not quite know before getting behind the wheel, just looking at this Mazda 3, I then knew.

Exterior: A Timeless Design 

This car is so beautiful. I know many people prefer the older sedan shape, but I have always loved the hatchback look, so for me, this takes the crown. The shiny black paint, black rims and chrome accents dotted around the car are such a winning combination. In the Astina specification, I think this is a perfect-looking car.

The base specification, by comparison, is simply too basic for me and almost looks like a completely different car. The Mazda design language is timeless, so while the Mazda 3 does look very much like every other recent Mazda, especially from the front, that is hardly a complaint when the entire range looks this good. I particularly like the rounded-off front and rear lights, which give the car a softer, more elegant appearance without taking away from its sporty character.

The two exhausts also finish off the rear nicely, while the side profile is smooth and very aerodynamic-looking. There is a lovely balance to the proportions, and the hatchback silhouette gives it a sporty edge that the sedan simply does not have for me. Put everything together in this all-black Astina specification and the Mazda 3 becomes a proper showstopper.

Interior: Premium and Classy

Mazda is one of the few brands that is not Chinese where you can step inside and get almost everything you need without having to keep paying extra for the extras. In the Astina, black leather seats come as standard, while my test unit had the optional burgundy upholstery, which I think suits the car perfectly. You also get a small sunroof, electrically adjustable seats and plenty of soft-touch upholstery, and while mine was finished in black, the upholstery can also be specified in burgundy to match the seats.

Space is where the Mazda 3 takes a back seat, get it? Because rear seats are not particularly comfortable for full-grown adults if you are planning a long road trip. The sloping roofline means headroom is not great in the back, although legroom is perfectly fine. That same roofline also creates a fairly large blind spot around the C-pillar, so it does eat into the driver's visibility a little.

Otherwise, it is a really nice-looking interior. I like the way the infotainment screen is flush into the dashboard rather than looking like a tablet that has simply been stuck on top, and that design leaves more room for physical controls. There is also a practical centre area with space for your drinks and somewhere to put your keys, so the cabin manages to look good without forgetting that you actually have to live in it.

Tech & Features: Everything You Need, Standard 

One thing I really like about Mazda is the effort it makes to keep technology from becoming distracting. The 10-inch infotainment screen is a good example. It is not in your face, either in size or proximity, because it sits closer to the windscreen than it does to you. You also get an easy-to-use rotary Commander Dial, but unlike some other Mazda models, you can actually use the screen as a touchscreen too. Then there are the must-haves, including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The wireless charger is another little detail that shows Mazda has thought about how you actually use these features. Instead of putting it out in the open on the centre console where the sun can hit your phone and cause it to overheat, it is positioned in a more sensible spot. You also get a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, but I like that you can customise it to give you that more traditional, almost old-school rotary dial look. There is also a head-up display that can show your speed as well as navigation directions, so you can keep your eyes where they should be.

The best part, though, is the 12-speaker Bose sound system. It is so good, and you can even tailor the system to favour the driver's ears, which means if you are heading out on a solo road trip, you are sorted. It is one of those features that makes the cabin feel more special without trying too hard.

The thing is, all of this comes as standard. In a German car, you are often paying extra for these features, and not necessarily at reasonable prices. You still get cruise control, rear parking sensors and a reverse camera as standard, while Mazda avoids bombarding you with annoying ADAS systems and other gimmicks. You get what you need, you get some genuinely nice features like the Bose system and head-up display, and most importantly, the car does not make you work around its technology.

Drive & Performance: A Hot Hatch That Isn’t 

One thing you hear quite often is that the Mazda 3 needs a turbo. Looking at the car, I can understand why. It has the stance and styling of a hot hatch, so you naturally expect more power than the numbers suggest. With 121 kW and 213 Nm, though, this is not a fast hatch. It is much more of a cruiser.

That said, the naturally aspirated 2.0-litre engine is actually a lot of fun when you give it some work. Maximum torque arrives at around 6,000 rpm, so you really have to play with the revs to get the most out of it, but when you do, it becomes such a joy to drive. The fact that it is naturally aspirated also means you get some fun engine sounds as you rev it out, something you do not always get from modern turbocharged engines. Throttle response is pretty good too, and you can definitely feel a difference when you put it into Sport mode.

The gear changes are smooth, while the ride quality leans towards the stiffer side. Thankfully, the leather seats do a good job of absorbing most of the bumps, so it remains comfortable enough. The handling is not quite as direct as the sporty styling suggests either, which again brings me back to the same point: this car looks like a sporty hatch, but it drives much more like a cruiser.

Fuel consumption is where I think the Mazda 3 could really improve. Mazda claims 6.3 L/100 km, but I was getting around 8.2 L/100 km in my time with it. That is not terrible, but better consumption would make an already appealing car a very, very appealing one.

Price & Verdict

As I said earlier, the Mazda 3 is an ‘if you know, you know’ car. At R620,400, you could easily be tempted to look at a Chinese SUV, and you would get a pretty good one for that money. But if you know the Mazda brand, and especially if you have an affinity for the Mazda 3, then you already know what you are going to choose.

I do think the Mazda 3 Astina could have been a bit cheaper, though. Yes, it is cheaper than some of the alternatives it competes with, such as the Polo Vivo and Toyota hatchbacks, but this is also a car you buy because you want to make a statement for yourself. That puts it in an interesting space because it is still more affordable than many of the Chinese crossovers and SUVs, but you are paying a premium for the Mazda 3 experience.

The saving grace is that with Mazda, you know your R600,000-odd gets you pretty much everything you need. There is no endless options list where you have to keep paying extra for features that should have been there in the first place. And with a naturally aspirated engine and no turbocharger, there is also a certain peace of mind that comes with keeping the powertrain relatively simple.

I really love the Mazda 3 Astina. Drop the price by around R100,000 and it becomes incredibly difficult not to look at. At the current price, though, it is not an amazing deal. For that kind of money, you want a little more power, better fuel consumption, or ideally both. But even with that criticism, the Mazda 3 was incredibly fun to live with. It is the kind of car that gives you confidence and a bit of an aura when you are driving it, while still being comfortable enough and giving you all the technology you actually need.

Final Scorecard: 8.0/10

Category	Rating out of 10	Notes
Design	9	One of the best-looking hatchbacks around, especially in this Astina specification.
Performance	7	Fun when you work the naturally aspirated engine, but the numbers do not quite match the sporty looks.
Tech & Features	10	Excellent standard equipment without the usual expensive options list.
Driveability	8	Comfortable, smooth and confidence-inspiring, with more cruiser than hot-hatch character.
Price	6	The biggest weakness. At R620,400, you expect either more power, better consumption or both.