Fleet bosses say that residual value predictions for the Mazda3 put the car ahead of rivals like the Volkswagen Golf, Honda Civic, Vauxhall Astra and Renault Megane, in terms of value for money.
The company said its 1.6-litre 108bhp second-generation common-rail diesel engined Mazda3 has joined the line-up at a time when UK diesel sales are running at a record-breaking 30%.
Three variants are available – the 5dr S diesel costing £13,350 on-the-road and the 4dr/5dr TS model each costing £14,800 on-the-road.
It has CO2 emissions of 138g/km, putting it in the lowest company car tax bracket, and a Euro IV-compliant engine will come late this year.
Using figures produced by data provider EurotaxGlass's, the manufacturer is expecting that at three years/60,000 miles the entry-level S model will retain 37% of its cost new.
A Mazda spokesman said: 'That means over a typical fleet replacement cycle it will 'lose' £8,339 – almost £140 less than the less powerful and more expensive Volkswagen Golf 1.9 TDI S; almost £200 less than the similarly less powerful and more expensive Honda Civic 1.7 CTDi SE and just over £100 less than the rival Renault Megane 1.5dCi.
'Move up a trim level to the Mazda3 1.6-litre TS hatchback and at four years/80,000 miles the model outperforms the rival Volkswagen Golf 1.9-litre TDI SE in terms of price, power, residual value forecast – losing £10,710 against £10,913 – and CO2 emissions.'
Jason King, forecasting editor – cars at EurotaxGlass's, said: 'The Mazda3 is a significant move forward in terms of handling, build quality and styling when compared with the 323 which it replaces.
'The Mazda3 diesel gives the brand a real opportunity to continue the good news story that Mazda6 started. Fleet buyers can choose from plenty of capable vehicles in this sector, yet the Mazda3 provides them with something different.'
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