The new Mazda3 will be available in two body styles – hatchback and Fastback (saloon) – offering the longest wheelbase within the C-segment and offering sporty looks coupled with low CO2 emissions, excellent MPG and sharp pricing.

The model will be the third car in the Mazda range, following the Mazda CX-5 and new Mazda6, to feature the fuel-efficient SKYACTIV technology.

Andy Cutler, UK forecasting editor for cars at Glass’s Information Services, said: ‘The new Mazda6 launched earlier this year is an excellent car and all-new Mazda3 promises to be every inch as good.

‘The all-new Mazda3 is spacious, performance is strong, the image is appealing and build quality and specification are good. The entry-level SE trim level features alloy wheels, air conditioning, power-folding heated mirrors and a leather steering wheel along with trip computer, radio/CD with six speaker audio system, 7-inch TFT colour touch screen, USB/iPod connectivity and Bluetooth hands-free system so has “touchy-feely” features that company car drivers view as important and that gives the new Mazda3 more corporate appeal than the outgoing model.’

Commenting on the Fastback (saloon) model, Cutler said: ‘The Mazda3 Fastback is a medium-sized saloon and looks a cracking car. Some of the UK’s best-selling company cars are saloons – the Audi A4, BMW 3-Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Volkswagen Passat. With company car drivers downsizing and the Mazda3 being a large car in the C-segment the model has the potential to prove popular.’

He added: ‘If Mazda can put “bums on seats” and encourage fleet managers and company car drivers to test the car they will find there is not much in the segment with the same combination of performance and price.’

Mark Jowsey, director – manufacturer liaison at KeeResources, which compiles vehicle whole life cost data under the KWIKcarcost brand, added: ‘If you accept that the key factor that drives people into the showroom is the looks of a car, then Mazda should have plenty of opportunities with the Mazda3. The new car is a great looking product.’

Jowsey continued: ‘Mazda6 is larger than many of its competitors and the new Mazda3 adopts the same approach, with a spacious wheelbase, which is larger than many lower-medium sector competitors.

‘The sensible line-up of powertrains available should satisfy both retail and corporate buyers, with Mazda’s impressive 2.2-litre 148bhp diesel offering 72.4mpg and only 104g/km. This provides the corporate driver with the best of all worlds – great performance, high economy and low Benefit-in-Kind taxation.’

Mazda head of fleet Steve Tomlinson said: ‘We are delighted at the hugely positive reaction the all-new Mazda3 has received. The car’s exciting styling and the fact that it features our breakthrough SKYACTIV technology to deliver a class-leading combination of performance, CO2 emissions and fuel economy will, we anticipate, ensure significant fleet appeal.’