FROM one month to the next, Mazda is locked in a battle with arch rival Toyota to win the title of Australia’s most popular car and by adding a diesel-powered variant to its popular Mazda3 range, the Japanese car-maker is hoping the new variant will tip the balance in its favour, putting its small hatchback ahead of the venerable Corolla, which is not available as a diesel.

Priced at $40,230 Mazda also wants its XD 2.2-litre diesel flagship to break into the sportier end of the small hatch market, putting the likes of Volkswagen, Subaru and Ford on notice.

The XD is the most expensive Mazda3 on offer but it is also the best equipped and the most fuel efficient option in the range. Can it conquer the notoriously difficult small diesel car segment with Mazda popularity?

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