If you like the look of the Mazda 3 but have been put off by the lack of a diesel engine with emissions on the right side of 100g/km, it’s time to look again.

That’s because Mazda has added a new 1.5D to the range. This slots in below the 2.2D, costing £850 less and, crucially for company car drivers, putting out just 99g/km.

So driving it won’t gain you a clobbering from the taxman. But will the sense of satisfaction end there?

Well, it’s a budget-conscious diesel. So don’t go expecting thrills. But it nips in and out of traffic with alacrity in town, and so long as you don’t put big silly alloys on it you won’t feel many jarring impacts from the road.

Thus it’s as comfortable as any other 3, which is hardly surprising as engine apart it’s exactly the same as the rest of the range. It’s well enough equipped and sufficiently roomy all round, for people and luggage alike, though there are better options available if this is what matters most to you.

You’ll share the cabin with a cocktail of engine, wind and tyre noise, though, if you use a 1.5D at higher speeds. The engine sounds strained at times, and its performance backs that up. It doesn’t try to shake the car to bits, though, so you can do distances without feeling abused by the time you get there.

It’s pleasing enough on the open road, too, with steering and suspension that aren’t there to make you cackle but can still put a smile on your face. By no means is it rapier sharp, but it’s up for fun so long as you keep it sensible.

That’s the watchword for this Mazda, however. It’s a sensible car for buyers who want a sensible option at a sensible price. There are strong finance deals on offer, and it you’re a company car driver the sub-100g/km CO2 rating will looks like a clincher.

Don’t write off the 2.2D, though. It’s only one bracket up for tax, and if you regularly drive out of town its extra performance will make the business a lot more pleasant.

We were impressed by the 2.2’s real-world fuel consumption of just 59.4mpg, too. The official figures say the 1.5 should beat that, but it’ll do well to take much of a chunk out of its big brother for running costs.

Nonetheless, if this is all the Mazda you need then it really will be all the Mazda you need. It has more or less everything the rest of the range offers – but at a lower price. That alone will be enough to convince most of the people most of the time.

Mazda 3 1.5D

Engine size: 1.5-litre diesel

Price from: £18,895

Power: 104bhp

Torque: 199lb ft

0-62mph: 11.0 seconds

Top speed: 115mph

Fuel economy: 74.3mpg

CO2: 99g/km