More often than not, small saloon cars look a little strange. Based on more popular hatchbacks, it's obvious where the stylists have shortened the roof panel, cropped the rear wings into shape and grafted on a distended rump. Rather more O-No than J-Lo in the posterior, these cars have never sold very well here in the UK, British buyers preferring the sleeker shape and added versatility of a hatchback. Mazda, as is so often the case, think rather differently. Try as you might you won't find one body panel shared between the Mazda3 saloon and its more common sibling, the hatchback. It's a model developed in its own right.

But how can the Mazda turn a market that has been largely indifferent to small saloons? The answer, to be crushingly blunt is that it can't and won't. It will never be an everyday sight on our roads nor will its sales figures rival that of the hatch. What it does offer is possibly the best option in class for those who adhere to the notion that boot is best. Where Mazda characterise the hatch as being 'dynamic and sporty', the saloon is marketed as being a sleeker and more sophisticated car, its coupe-like roofline, long wheelbase and short overhangs giving it a very distinctive and not unpleasant profile.

Although the changes to the current 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. All the engines bar the 1.6-litre petrol have also been tweaked since the Mazda3 was first launched and there are improvements in terms of emissions and fuel economy right across the range. The 2.0-litre petrol unit gets sequential valve timing (SV-T) that boosts torque and also gets an electronic throttle and a six-speed manual box. If required, there's also the option of an uprated four-speed auto.

Much of the development budget since launch 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 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.

"The Mazda3 saloon offers possibly the best option in class for those who adhere to the notion that boot is best"

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.

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 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.

Two engines are offered in saloon guise, the entry-level 1.4-litre unit not being available if you want four doors. Prices kick off at £13,495 for the 1.6-litre engine in Takara or there are 1.6 or 2.0-litre petrol Sport models - no diesels. The 150bhp 2.0-litre petrol engine will be of most interest to those subscribing to Mazda's whole 'zoom-zoom' philosophy and it's a pleasantly peppy unit, zipping the Mazda3 to sixty in nine seconds flat. A fuel economy figure of over 34mpg is fair return for an engine with this much go, although the 196g/km emissions figure will probably have company car drivers checking out the diesel version. 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.

Although the Mazda3 saloon isn't going to change the way we perceive small saloons, it does have a lot going for it. In fact, it's hard to think of a better small four-door car in this very niche-orientated little sector. Manufacturers such as Volkswagen and Vauxhall offer no credible threat in this sector but - and it's a big but - even if they did bring models to market, they'd have a tough time competing with the Mazda3 saloon. And talking of big buts, never let it be said that this car has one.

TOP 5 3 DEALS

The results below show the top 3 deals on buyacar

	Mazda 3 1.6d TS2 4dr Saloon
	ETR	Mthly	Saving £2,163	Price £13,562
	Mazda 3 1.6 TS 4dr (Pre-model) Saloon
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	Mazda 3 1.6 TS 4dr Activematic (Pre-model) Saloon
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	Mazda 3 2.0 Sport 4dr [6] (Pre-model) Saloon
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	Mazda 3 2.0 Sport 4dr Saloon
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