The SP25 Astina is the Mazda 3 with the good engine and all the toys, and it is the one enthusiasts quietly recommend to their friends. This 2018 example, in blue, is exactly that car.

The 2.5-litre gives the 3 the one thing the smaller engine never quite had - effortlessness. Merging is easy, hills do not require a downshift and a plan, and the whole car feels like it has room to breathe. It still returns sensible fuel figures on a commute, which is the trick of a naturally aspirated Mazda done properly.

It handles like a Mazda 3 should. The front end bites, the body stays flat through a corner, and the ride settles into a comfortable rhythm on a country road. It is the sort of car that makes you take the long way home without really deciding to.

Astina means the equipment list was already ticked when it left the factory, and the cabin still feels a cut above. The seats hold you properly, the driving position is low and right, and the whole thing is put together with the tightness Mazda built its reputation on.

As a hatchback it stays genuinely useful. The rear seats fold for the awkward loads, the boot handles a weekend away for two, and it slots into a city parking space without drama - all the practicality of something bigger, none of the bulk.

At 84,000 km it is well inside its stride, with the kind of service life ahead of it that makes a used Mazda such an easy recommendation. Sharp to look at, quick enough to enjoy, cheap enough to run every day.

It has a 2.5-litre engine and a hatchback boot, which means it can outrun most things at the lights and still bring home a flat-pack. Pick your priorities.

All prices displayed exclude government charges. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information provided, MM Carz recommends you confirm with one of our consultants to confirm specific specifications/features about the car. Please also note our vehicles may not always be on display, as they may be in for detailing - please contact us in advance to confirm availability before visiting our showroom.