I honestly thought Mazda had stuffed up the new 3.

First impressions were of goopy electric steering feel, a firmer ride than seemed necessary, wooden brakes and an over-the-shoulder blind spot you could hide a cruise ship in thanks to the enormous C-pillar.

There were certainly positives: a beautiful interior (though one that lacks illumination at night), much improved noise levels, every gizmo under the sun, but whither the fizzy, fun to drive Mazda 3?

Mazda 3 G25 interior

Our test car was the G25 Astina with a 139kW/252Nm 2.5-litre atmo four: it’s not fast but it’s fast enough to entertain, the six-speed auto making the most of the available grunt with an outstandingly responsive Sport mode, though automatic upshifts about 300rpm shy of redline are disappointing.

The true magic of the new 3, however, is in its chassis. In terms of driving enjoyment, it has all but the very best hot hatches beaten. It’s fluid and responsive, precise and accurate, adjustable and controllable, clearly the work of engineers that love driving.

Mazda 3 G25 rear corner

Step down the range a couple of notches and the $29,490 G25 Evolve offers involving dynamics at sensible speeds and the bonus of a manual gearbox for those that way inclined.

Let’s hope rumours Mazda is working on a hot version of the new 3 come to fruition, for to not capitalise on a chassis this talented would be a very big stuff-up indeed.

Engine: 2488cc inline-4cyl, DOHC, 16v Power: 139kW at 6000rpm Torque: 252Nm at 4000rpm Weight: 1380kg 0-100km/h: 8.0sec (est.) Price: $37,990