The Mazda3 stands out as a sportier and more upscale choice than compact rivals from Honda, Nissan, and Toyota. Its ride and handling are accomplished, the interior has a premium vibe, and the car is available with all-wheel-drive. Both sedan and hatchback versions are available and a more powerful turbo engine comes on high-end versions.
The standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and six-speed automatic transmission work well together, as the car always delivers power predictably, without hesitation. But this combo’s fuel economy is not a standout. Our front-wheel-drive car achieved only 30 mpg overall in our tests. Although commendable by itself, this result means the Mazda3 trails the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla by about 2 mpg overall. The optional turbo engine adds considerable punch.
The Mazda’s ride is firm, but the suspension effectively soaks up impacts from bumps and ruts. The cabin is significantly quieter than other competitors, which contributes to the car’s mature and substantial feel.
Historically, the Mazda3 was among the most agile compact sedans, which made it fun to drive, but the current generation dialed back on that. The sedan is responsive and capable, but it lacks the engaging handling found in past versions.
Notably, the Mazda3 offers all-wheel drive, which is rare in this class. The Subaru Impreza and Toyota Corolla also offer all-wheel drive. The hatchback version, which costs more than the sedan, adds versatility but compromises rear and side visibility due to a chunky rear roof pillar.
The 3’s interior quality is a step up from its competitors, including the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla. The cabin looks and feels upscale, with rich, generously padded surfaces and high-quality trim, buttons and knobs throughout, which is rare for this class.
The infotainment system includes a high-mounted center screen with a rotary controller positioned between the front seats. But this system has a steep learning curve and forces drivers to make multiple twists and taps of the rotary controller to complete simple tasks. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility are standard for all versions.
Unless buyers opt for the Preferred package, the front seats are quite basic and short on lumbar support. The rear-seat room is not very generous—but that’s typical for compact cars.
Standard advanced safety features include forward collision warning (FCW), automatic emergency braking (AEB), lane keeping assistance (LKA), lane departure warning (LDW), blind spot warning (BSW), rear cross traffic warning (RCTW), and rear door alert. Adaptive cruise control (ACC) comes standard.
Mazda would like potential customers to view the 3 as a semi-premium offering and there’s some merit to that argument. It’s a stylish, pleasant and likable car that’s competitive in every way but more complicated controls and less than stellar fuel economy keep it from reaching up to the highest ranking peers.