Dual power, dual appeal: How to choose a hybrid car and what features to look out for

Japanese craftsmanship and efficiency come together nicely in the Mazda3.

Both the exterior and interior are stylish, well made and user-friendly, giving this Japanese car a distinctive presence on the roads. The seamless M-Hybrid system not only improves the fuel economy of the Skyactiv-G engine, but also acceleration from a standstill.

The fun-to-drive factor is enhanced by the G-Vectoring Control Plus, a Mazda-devised algorithm which makes cornering feel more accurate and…