- The Mazda3 is available as a sedan or hatchback
- Pricing starts at $24,170 | Price it your way
- On sale now | See Mazda3 models for sale near you
The Mazda3 has always had an automotive wink to its character. Sure, it resides in a class of sedate, inoffensive small sedans that prioritize efficiency and value. The Mazda3 has those latter two traits, too. But it strives for and gives more. Especially to drivers who love driving.
That’s because unlike the majority of its rivals, the Mazda3 is actually fun to drive. There’s an inherent athleticism to the Mazda3. The way it connects you to the road with its taut manners, eager acceleration, and even snappy shifts can’t help but bring a smile to your face.
These traits are more than just subjective, as the numbers back up the story. The Mazda3 comes standard with a 191-horsepower 4-cylinder engine – quite a bit more than most rivals. Drivers seeking more serious thrills can opt for a turbocharged engine that delivers up to 250 hp. And those needing extra grip can opt for all-wheel drive (standard on turbo models), another rare trait in this class. Rarer still – and a sign that Mazda knows its audience – is that the Mazda3 hatchback models offer a manual transmission instead of the standard 6-speed automatic.
Let’s take a look inside the 2024 Mazda3 to see what else it has to offer.
Passenger Room and Comfort
We’ve spent significant time in the latest-gen Mazda3, covering thousands of miles and over a year testing one, and we can attest that it’s a comfortable place to be. The well-bolstered front seats are all-day comfortable and have a special way of coddling you, especially in spirited driving. We especially like the 8-way power-adjustable seat in higher trims, which allowed us to find the perfect driving position.
In back, legroom of 35.1 inches is on the lower end within this segment but still enough for average-sized adults to be reasonably comfortable.
Features and Tech
The Mazda3’s standard 8.8-inch center screen is integrated into the top part of the dash within easy line of sight. Even the graphics feel premium. For 2024, Turbo models get a larger (10.25-inch) screen as standard, and their wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration is wireless.
Rather than using a touchscreen-based system, the Mazda3’s infotainment system is managed primarily via a rotary knob and auxiliary buttons in the center console, directly behind the transmission lever. It took us only a day to become accustomed to and appreciate it.
We also love that the Mazda3 comes with a full suite of active safety and driver-assistance features, including adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assist and blind-spot monitoring.
Materials and design
“Is this a luxury car?” That might be your first thought when sitting down in the Mazda3. It really looks – and feels — that nice. This becomes apparent the moment you touch the steering wheel – you know, the thing in the car that you’ll touch all the time.
To our hands, the Mazda3 has the nicest-feeling steering wheel in its class. All but base models have a leather-wrapped one, and we think that touch alone is worth the mere $520 difference between the S and S Select Sport trims. Yet that small price difference also gets you leatherette upholstery instead of cloth. (Hatchback models conveniently begin at the S Select Sport trim).
Another way in which you might mistake the Mazda3 for a car wearing a luxury badge is in its choice of interior colors. This isn’t just the usual choice of black, gray, or beige. The Mazda3’s cabin can pop with beautiful red or white leather or terracotta leatherette. Imagine being welcomed by that every time you open the door.
Cargo Room and Flexibility
At 13.2 cubic feet, the Mazda3 sedan’s trunk is big enough to hold plenty of grocery bags, while standard 60/40 split-folding rear seats allow for the accommodation of longer items and larger loads. But if you value cargo space as much as you do premium design and frisky driving manners, turn your attention to the Mazda3 Hatchback. It boasts 20.1 cubic feet behind the rear seat, and that space easily more than doubles with the seats folded. Incredibly, our Mazda3 Hatchback test model swallowed a vintage trunk after a glorious day of thrifting. Who needs an SUV?
Build and price your own version of the 2024 Mazda3 to see this week’s Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price, or check out Mazda3 models for sale near you.
