Mazda Mazda3 Red

Mazda likes to do things its own way, and the 3 is a fine example. Unlike many rivals, it’s not available in full hybrid, electric or diesel form – your only power choice is between two 2.0-litre petrol engines. Both of these have mild hybrid technology, which uses an electric starter-generator to boost efficiency and provide a small amount of electric power assistance to the petrol engine (but not enough to power the car outright). The lower-powered (122-horsepower) version is called Skyactiv-G. It’s up to the job, but needs to be revved hard to get the most out of it. The other option is the 180-horsepower Skyactiv-X, which uses a very advanced (and unusual) ignition system that is designed to give fuel economy more akin to a diesel engine. It’s certainly gutsier than the Skyactiv-G and provides decent performance outright, but it’s not as flexible as the turbocharged petrol (or diesel) engines used by many rivals.