Mazda3 2008 review

My son has a new car. Rather, a car that is new to our driveway. For this Mazda diesel is a veteran of 20 years and 250,000km of automotive lethargy.

A merger of Mazda 1980s commercial vehicle engineering expertise and an era when car designers fought to out-bland each other, the Capella 2.0d appears to have few redeeming features.

Unlike diesel trends over the past few decades, this car has no turbocharger. So it's low on maintenance. Unfortunately, it's also low on energy.

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But it will need refuelling after an enormous 1000km of suburban running and even its engine clatter at idle, which would mute a cement mixer, isn't enough to dull its remarkable efficiency.

The latest Mazda3 diesel has come 20 years after my son's car was assembled in Japan. In the interim, some things have changed for the better; other things have remained the same.

For example, there's now very little in the way of engine noise at idle. Performance is smart thanks primarily to better technology - common-rail direct injection and the turbocharger with intercooler - which puts it streets ahead of the Capella 2.0d in acceleration.

The latest Mazda3 is also almost as economical as its older sister, clipped because the newer engine's free-revving nature teases the driver to exploit its performance. Aside from the two-litre turbodiesel engine, the Mazda3 MZR-CD is practically the same specification as the petrol-fuelled Maxx Sport.

Adding the diesel engine cops a $4000 premium which is a bit rich. Sadly, because it's based on the $26,500 Maxx Sport model, the diesel is therefore $30,500.

And it comes only with a manual gearbox.

It would be better to base the diesel on the $20,990 Neo, add a couple of features, and let it out the door at around $25,000. That would appeal to the budget-conscious motorists who are naturally lured to the economical attractions of a diesel.

As a package, the MZR-CD is an appealing machine.

Though it will lose a big slice of the market by its manual-only transmission, it suits a broad market from families to eco-aware singles. It's fun to drive, with the engine's powerful mid-range torque making it a joy for acceleration and overtaking.

The six-speed manual gearbox features crisp and positive changes, so when matched to the light clutch it makes it a doddle to drive. The highlight is its economy and though I returned 'only' 7.1 litres/100km, I could have done a lot better if I wasn't enjoying the engine's performance.

As per the standard Mazda3, the ride is comfortable and the handling confident. It seats four adults and the boot is cavernous, though the space-saver spare tyre is dumb in an Australian-spec car.

It also looks sharp - a fact that endears the Mazda3 to a huge, primarily female audience.