Can the re-worked version of the Mazda3 close the gap against established class-leaders such as the Focus and Golf? We took the 2.0 TS2 auto for a spin to find out.
Price: Mazda3 2.0 TS2 Automatic, (without options) £17,900 On sale: Now 0-60mph: 10.6 seconds; top speed 127mph Average fuel: 37.2mpg Standard equipment: Air conditioning, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, 16-inch alloy wheels, remote central locking, driver, passenger, side and curtain airbags, heated front windscreen, rain-sensitive wipers, power front and rear windows and a six-disc CD player.
Green car test: Volvo XC60 2.4 DRIVe
Can an SUV be green? Simon Hacker says opinions are changing – and cars like this eco Volvo XC60 might be crucial to that.
Road test: Chevrolet Cruze 1.8 LT
It looks like a Vauxhall Insignia, but is actually a similar size to the Astra. Is the Cruze king of the value cars? We find out.
Future Classics
10 cars to invest in now, while you still can.
Road test: Fiat 500C 1.2 Pop
Will the convertible version of the chic Fiat 500 eat into MINIs dominance of the premium small car market further? We find out...