Operational economics are a fleet manager’s imperative when choosing vehicles, but foot soldiers using company cars inevitably hanker after models that are rewarding to drive at dynamic and functional levels.
In that context, our Mazda 3 succeeds.
Seemingly out of kilter, like Honda used to be before its 1.6-litre engine arrived, the 2.2-litre 150hp SkyActiv Mazda squares the power-economy circle. It pulls like the proverbial locomotive from low revs and in higher gears.
Ticking over at 1800rpm with 70mph on the speedo generated 55mpg to and from Wales, even if our 50.1mpg average is 19mpg adrift of theoretical official combined figures.
