BBC Topgear Road Test - February 21 2001 Mazda - 323

Mazda’s 323 is undeniably pretty. From the side, it’s one elegant teardrop, so smooth and rounded it’s difficult to tell which is the front. The long, swooping bonnet and tiny headlamps give it a sporting, aggressive look, while the stubby boot and sloping back window suggest something more chunky and substantial than a small family saloon.

Despite its lack of character, the Mazda’s 115bhp 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine is good to use, but the 1.5-litre is rather lacklustre. The former is quiet and whizzes round to 7,000rpm enthusiastically. The gearbox gave no problems and its light, slick gearchange was easy to use.

Surprisingly, four-cylinder 323s lack anti-lock brakes and the pedal lacks initial feel. The ride is soft so the 323 cruises over potholes comfortably. The handling is well down on the Alfa 146 and nowhere near as good as the Peugeot 306 class-leader. There’s lots of body roll and understeer while over-light power steering at speed doesn’t help, either.

The interior – blacker than Darth Vader’s coal house – is a shock after the exciting exterior but is comfortable for front seat occupants, although the rear’s not too roomy. Twin airbags are standard in all but the cheapest 1.5 model.

This fine family car is not perfect but should be easy to live with. The 323 will hold its value better than rivals like the Alfa 146 when you come to sell it. If anything goes wrong, there’s a three-year warranty to fall back on, but the Mazda just doesn’t feel as if it’s going to be needed.

For Build quality, refinement, reliability, keen 1.8 engine
Against Gloomy interior, ponderous handling, no ABS