VERY few people know that just across the loading bay from our £25m Oxford press hall sits a 9,900,000-litre sprinkler tank – but the satellite navigation system on the new Mazda3 does.

The appearance of the perfectly-rendered 3D image is a small, if surprising, feature, but neatly illustrates the attention to detail that pervades every aspect of the new hatchback.

First, its swoopy styling looks great and the interior is classy, well-made and oozes quality thanks to the liberal use of satin-chromed metal, soft-touch plastics and leather. It is also packed with equipment and the latest technology, including a jet fighter-style head-up display of speed, turn-by-turn navigation and vehicle warnings.

Oxford Mail:

A classy interior

But all of that pales into insignificance once you get behind the wheel, for the Mazda3 – with its cosy cockpit – delivers a simply superb driving experience.

The lighter, stiffer chassis and sophisticated suspension strikes a beautiful balance between absorbent comfort and sharp body control.

Slot in the zippy 165 horsepower, 2.0-litre petrol engine, and you have a spacious, versatile family hatchback with the chuckability of a taut-handling sports car.

Prices start at about £17,000 for the 36-strong range, with a choice of petrol or diesel engines, and standard equipment including 16-inch alloy wheels, air conditioning, seven-inch colour touchscreen, iPod connectivity and Bluetooth hands-free system.

All models also come with a laser-based city braking system to cut the risk of low-speed bumps in town, along with a secondary collision reduction system that automatically switches on the brake and hazard lights if the airbags are deployed in a crash, to help cut the risk of a secondary collision occurring.

Select the Sport Nav test model, at the top of the five-specification range, and the mix of technology becomes positively alluring.

The car now sits on 18-inch alloy wheels and the instrumentation is dominated by the large, centrally-mounted rev counter, with a smaller digital speed display nestling alongside it.

Keyless entry, follow-the-road headlights, front and rear parking sensors and a nine-speaker Bose audio system add to the comfort.

Oxford Mail:

Superb handling

A new smartphone app also allows the car to bring free web-based content into the car via the seven-inch dash-top display.

Safety equipment, too, is first rate. A string of systems, from anti-lock braking and emergency brake assist to stability control, in addition to the crash-prevention systems already mentioned, contribute to the car’s five-star safety rating in the latest Euro NCAP tests.

The car also uses an energy-recovery system under braking, so that during stop-and-go city driving the so-called i-ELOOP system can satisfy most, if not all, of the car’s electricity needs.

Together with a stop/start engine system, Mazda estimates that real-world fuel economy can be improved by up to 10 per cent.

The Mazda3 was a deserved contender for the title of 2014 European Car of the Year, which was ultimately awarded to Peugeot’s new 308.

If the competition had been decided on handling alone, the Mazda3 would have scored an easy victory.

AT A GLANCE

  • Cost £21,620
  • Insurance group: 22 (1-50)
  • Fuel consumption (Combined): 48.7mpg
  • Top speed: 130mph
  • Length: 446cm/175.6in
  • Width: 179.5cm/70.7in
  • Luggage capacity: 12.8 cu ft
  • Fuel tank capacity: 11.2 gallons/51 litres
  • CO2 emissions: 135g/km
  • Warranty: Three years/60,000 miles