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A 2.0-litre petrol engine with 148bhp in a small hatch should make for a decently swift driving experience. However, the Mazda is curiously devoid of interest, even though this –stop model now comes with a six-speed manual where previously this engine has only been available with an automatic gearbox. This improves acceleration to 0-62mph in 10.4 seconds and top speed to 128mph. The engine itself revs keenly, if a little noisily, and the gearbox slides from one gear to the next easily. The i-stop element comes into play when the car is at a standstill. With the gearbox in neutral and the clutch pedal raised, the engine switches off to save fuel. Mazda says its system allows the engine to restart in half the time of any competitor stop-start system and it certainly works quickly.

The Mazda 3 delivers a reasonably sporty, capable driving package regardless of which engine you choose. In the i-stop model, there’s just as much front end bite into corners and plenty of grip to see you safely out the other side. Again, like other Mazda 3 models, the i-stop doesn’t cope so well as many rivals with bumpy roads and there’s just a little too much jolting over bumps for all-day comfort. The firm suspension also allows a fair degree of road noise to transmit into the cabin.

There’s little doubt that the Mazda 3 in i-stop guise will be as unerringly reliable as any other car from this manufacturer. There is a mild concern that this is Mazda’s first stop-start model, so we’ll have to wait and see how this side of things fares, though it’s reasonable to expect it will be very good. Some of the cabin plastics are a bit too hard and basic for our tastes, but the Mazda 3 is very well put together.

There’s a full complement of front, side and curtain airbags inside of the Mazda 3, as well as ESP as standard for this model. There are also some unique safety elements for the i-stop model, including electronics that won’t let the engine restart when the clutch is re-engaged to drive off if the bonnet is open, if the driver’s seatbelt is undone or any of the car’s doors are open. To restart the car, the driver has to switch off the ignition and turn it on again.

Available as a saloon or hatch with the 2.0-litre engine and i-stop function, we prefer the hatch for its added versatility. There’s a large boot space accessed easily through the hatch, though the saloon still provides decent access. Rear seat space is also good, although the saloon pinches a little of this due to the slope of its roofline. In the front, the driving position is a cinch to tailor to drivers of different statures and sizes, while comfort is excellent. The main dials are clear and classy, while the rest of the dash is laid out with typical Mazda clarity.

The 2.0-litre Sport version of the Mazda 3 is the car we’d least likely recommend in this particular range. The addition of i-stop to this model should help, but the reduction in carbon dioxide emissions is not enough to help out here, even if we prefer the six-speed manual to the auto ’box. At 159g/km for the 2.0 Sport i-stop, buyers conscious of emissions will still find more financial comfort in the diesel-powered models from the 3 range that come in under the 120g/km mark. There’s also the combined economy of 41.5mpg that is reasonable for a petrol but still way off what we’d like to see from a stop-start model. Mazda reckons the 2.0 Sport i-stop will appeal to company buyers, but with a list price of £18,025 there are too many other appealing options out there to warrant more than a cursory glance at this Mazda. If you do spend this amount on the 2.0 Sport i-stop, you’ll be luck to see back more than 40% of your spend when you sell in three years’ and 36,000 miles’ time.

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