Success stories can turn into sob stories with alarming rapidity but one suspects that Mazda's latest sales growth may well have some staying power. Previously relying on the MX-5 for most of their corporate image, Mazda's latest raft of models guarantee a broad base of success. The Mazda3 represents the brand in the important Ford Focus-dominated Family Hatchback sector and the onus falls upon this car to generate the cashflow to fund more exotic flights of fancy. The 1.6-litre version might be the closest Mazda come to a commonplace car but it's anything but ordinary.

Three petrol powered engines are offered for sale in the UK, the 84bhp 1.4-litre and 150bhp 2.0-litre powerplants acting as bulwarks for the mass market appeal of this 105bhp 1.6-litre unit. Thus equipped, prices start £13,315 in TS trim, with the plusher TS2 variant weighing in at £14,275. Given that these prices are considerably cheaper than those of the Ford Focus on which the Mazda3 is based, it's easy to see from where Mazda's optimism stems.

Fire the engine up and it settles into a smooth hum with none of the coarseness you might expect. It returns some very respectable figures, getting to 60mph in 11 seconds and running out of puff at 113mph. An average fuel economy showing of 39mpg is around average for the class although the 162g/km CO2 emissions figure isn't the car's standout feature. Low insurance costs are, however, both variants fitted with the 1.6-litre engine falling in to Group 5, making it a car that may well appeal to younger drivers.

Although the changes to the latest revised version are difficult to spot, they're extremely extensive. The exterior benefits from tiny changes to the front grille, lights, alloy wheels and colour palette while the cabin gets more equipment, a higher quality feel for the instrument panel, revised trim materials and the option of a keyless go entry system. Much of the development budget has been spent on targeting the three issues identified by existing Mazda3 customers as requiring attention, namely refinement at speed, fuel economy and luggage capacity. The refined aero package has helped to reduce fuel economy by up to 6 per cent, a revised boot on the saloon model has eased access to the luggage bay but these are small improvements.

"The shape will also appeal to younger drivers looking for something with five doors but with a dash of panache"

The area where Mazda can really award themselves a gold star is refinement at cruising speed. Although a 1.4 decibel reduction in cabin noise may sound like pretty small beer, the scientifically-minded amongst you will know that 3 decibels represents a doubling of noise, so this model really is way quieter than its predecessor. There's additional soundproofing in the roof and under the bonnet, the car's generator has been replaced by a quieter unit, the tyres have been redesigned to run in a more hushed manner and the wheel rims have been revised to reduce noisy harmonics. The suspension has been modified to make it stiffer and allow the shocks absorbers and dampers to keep the tyres better planted on the tarmac. The geometry has been altered to reduce understeer during fast cornering and the Mazda3 does at last feel closer to the Ford Focus, a car which shares many of its underpinnings.

If the exterior hits the spot, the same can be said of the cabin. The interior is very similar to the Mazda6 insofar as it offers a resolutely modern design with decent levels of equipment coupled with materials quality that's rather variable. Although the fabrics and leather trimming of the test car were beyond reproach, some of the dash plastics felt a little lightweight. The steering wheel and overlapping aluminium-rimmed dials look very sporting and there are some nicely detailed metallic touches dotted about the cabin. The minor controls on the centre console are all very easy to get to grips with and upspec models feature an LCD screen that rises out of the dash top to house functions such as satellite navigation.

Interior accommodation is middle ranking, Mazda perhaps deciding that if customers in this price range really want to maximise the sheer amount of cubic inches available in the cabin, they'll likely opt for a mini-MPV. The Mazda3 isn't huge in the back and the small rear doors don't open particularly wide. Headroom is very good, despite the swoopy styling. The front pair of passengers should have no difficulty getting comfortable although one drawback of the thick rear pillars is somewhat limited rear three-quarter visibility when reversing or doing a 'lifesaver' check when switching lane. Straight off the bat it's apparent where the advances are, with refinement and general drivetrain smoothness being a standout feature of the Mazda3. The five-speed manual gearbox is one of the slickest in class, although as the sector is dominated by many Volkswagen group 'boxes, that's perhaps not saying much.

This focus on refinement and civility come at the expense of ultimate handling capabilities. Although this chassis may well be sharpened up in sportier versions, the Mazda3 doesn't feel on home turf if hurled through a series of corners with extreme prejudice. The controls feel well weighted but keen drivers will yearn for a little more feedback and response. That can probably be engineered in with beefed up springs, lower profile tyres and industrial-strength anti-roll bars but for the time being, the Mazda3 should be applauded for bringing big car ride quality into a manageable sized package. Equipment levels are, as you would expect from Mazda, generous and aggressive pricing is as you would expect.

So why should you buy a Mazda3 1.6 over, say, a Ford Focus, a Renault Megane or a Honda Civic? As good as it is, it doesn't move the game on significantly in any single area. The Ford has better steering, the Renault looks sassier and the Honda feels more impish. Despite this, the Mazda scores plenty of points in the final totting up due to the fact that it is a great all rounder. The one caveat we'd express is that the 1.6-litre engine isn't the pick of the range, that honour being reserved for the diesel unit. It's probably not even the best petrol engine you can get either, the 2.0-litre powerplant taking that particular plaudit. So, good car, average engine would be the sum up here.