Mazda3 XD Astina first drive review

What do you get when you combine a frugal diesel engine with a hatchback loaded with creature comforts?

The answer, Mazda hopes, is a car that can rival the likes of the Volkswagen Golf GTI, Subaru WRX and even the Audi A3.

Mazda is pitching the new Mazda3 XD Astina as a 'performance diesel' and while its potential rivals may sound unlikely, there is at least some substance to its claims that this latest addition to the range packs a sporty punch.

On paper the XD Astina shouldn't be well suited to the twisting, turning roads of Tasmania's ruggedly beautiful east coast. And yet, across more than 400km of driving the Japanese brand's new diesel 3, it shone brightly.

What Mazda has done is taken the luxury laden Astina model and slipped a 2.2-litre Skyactiv turbo diesel under the bonnet - hardly the recipe for a hot hatch to rival the GTI and WRX.

But with a hefty 420Nm of torque  the XD Astina takes on a unique character in the Mazda3 range. With the next generation MPS hot hatch variant of the 3 still unconfirmed, the XD fills a void at the top of the range for those that like the hatch but want more urgency from the engine bay.

"Whilst we're not saying this is an MPS replacement it gives it a flagship of the range," says Mazda spokesman Steve Maciver.

The engine offers up the type of low range shove and mid-range pulling power the 2.5-litre petrol engine simply cannot match. And, of course, it offers potential fuel economy benefits, using as little as 5.0-litres per 100km if driving suitably.

But we knew that already from our brief sample of the Mazda3 XD in Japan in June.

What our test drive around Tasmania did tell us was just how the Mazda3, with a more powerful diesel engine, would handle Australia's unique road conditions.

Our Japanese test drive was limited to the Mine race track, which offered very little in the way of bumps and imperfections in the surface. The roads between Launceston and Hobart, via St Helens, offered up various road surfaces, qualities and conditions.

The XD Astina remained composed throughout, handling the variety of conditions with ease. Like its petrol siblings the diesel variant is well balanced and comfortable in Australian conditions.

But while the engine is a step up and Mazda has hopes of competing with hot hatches and luxury small cars, the XD Astina hasn't been re-tuned for sportier driving dynamics.

Aside from different rear dampers to account for the 60kg heavier engine, the XD Astina uses the same steering and suspension set-up as the rest of the current 3 range.

But that's not a bad thing, as such. The steering is nicely weighted and responsive and the brakes performed well; although there was some noticeable fade after demanding downhill sections of Tasmanian mountain roads.

Critically for the XD Astina, and unlike the previous generation 3 diesel, it is available with a six-speed automatic transmission.

The self-shifting 'box is well suited to the car's luxury side, and will make it more attractive to a wider group of buyers. But for those that prefer to change gears themselves for a more engaged experience, a six-speed manual is also available.

Starting at $40,230 (plus on-road costs) for the manual and $42,230 for the automatic, the XD Astina sits at the top of the range, above the SP25 Astina. But that means it comes fully loaded with creature comforts and Mazda's full suite of safety aids.

One of the biggest selling points Mazda claims, especially against any potential European rivals, is its high level of safety equipment which includes radar cruise control, blindspot monitoring, forward obstruction warning, lane departure warning, rear cross traffic alert, smart brake support and smart city brake support.

Luxuries also include a sunroof, bi-Xenon adaptive headlights, satellite navigation, heads-up display, reversing camera and keyless entry.

In order to give it some visual difference, the XD rides on bright finished 18-inch alloy wheels, has a red key line on the front grille, a black lower rear bumper insert and leather and suede seats.

It is also the first diesel model in the Mazda range to wear a 'SkyactivD' badge – something the company says will roll out on its other oil-burning models in the near future.

Ultimately Mazda doesn't have strong sales expectations for the XD Astina, not surprisingly given its premium price and unique drivetrain in the 3 range. By the end of the 2014 it hopes to have sold 300 examples but over the life of the current Mazda3 it should only make up approximately 1 per cent of the range.

Unquestionably Mazda has produced a nice, luxurious, sporty hatch in the XD Astina. It finds a space between the current petrol range and the future MPS, but it is simply not a genuine hot hatch.

It is hard to envisage it stealing buyers from the GTI, WRX, Ford Focus ST, A3 and Mercedes-Benz A-Class, but it will have appeal to those that want a Mazda3 with more punch and all the trimmings.

Mazdd3 XD Astina prcing and specifications

Price: $40,230 (man)/$42,230 (auto) plus on-road cost

On sale: September 1

Engine: 2.2-litre 4-cyl turbo diesel

Power: 129kW at 4500rpm

Torque: 420Nm at 2000rpm

Transmission: 6-speed man/auto, FWD

Fuel consumption: 5.0L/100km (man)/5.2L/100km (auto)