2023 Mazda3 Review | The premium efficiency candy spot

Pros: Gorgeous design; enjoyable to drive; upscale inside; highly effective engines; out there all-wheel drive and engine improve

Cons: Below-average gas economic system; tight rear seat; no high-performance variant; infotainment system will not be for everybody

The 2023 Mazda3 is certainly one of our favourite compact automobiles. It manages to mix an upscale inside with very good driving dynamics for a value that continues to be extremely aggressive with contemporaries just like the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla. Particularly if you get into the Mazda3’s larger trim ranges and Turbo choices, it presents itself as a reliable entry-level luxurious automobile various. Ask us if we’d somewhat have a fully-loaded Mazda3 Turbo or a base Mercedes-Benz CLA, and the reply will probably be Mazda3 each single time.

Driving fans will discover loads to like within the Mazda3, as Mazda nonetheless gives a pleasant six-speed handbook transmission on the hatchback mannequin. Neither this nor the Turbo come near a Mazdaspeed revival, however they’re nonetheless legitimately enjoyable automobiles to drive proper out of the field. If it’s all-weather traction you’re in search of as an alternative, Mazda has a solution there with a rare-for-the-segment all-wheel-drive choice. As for the downsides, they’re all house and utility associated. Both the sedan and hatchback have small rear seats for the phase, and regardless of the hatchback being formed for larger storage, the cargo space is small (the sedan can really maintain extra). Of course, you possibly can toss down the seats within the hatchback for lots extra utility, nevertheless it’s a less-than-ideal automobile for a four-person journey with baggage. Despite a few of these drawbacks, we nonetheless extremely advocate the Mazda3 to anyone who asks. The design could also be happening 5 years outdated at this level, nevertheless it’s nonetheless the prettiest compact automobile you should purchase, and the inside design stays unmatched at this value level. If you couldn’t inform by now, we actually just like the Mazda3.

Interior & Technology   |   Passenger & Cargo Space   |   Performance & Fuel Economy

What it is wish to drive   |   Pricing & Trim Levels   |   Crash Ratings & Safety Features

What’s new for 2023?

Mazda drops the bottom 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine choice for 2023, nevertheless it additionally updates the now-standard 2.5-liter naturally aspirated engine for extra energy. A 5-horsepower improve means output is bumped to 191 horsepower, whereas torque stays the identical at 186 pound-feet. Plus, Mazda reintroduces cylinder deactivation for 2023 (it was initially out there earlier than being dropped), resulting in a rise in gas economic system over final 12 months.

What are the Mazda3’s inside and in-car expertise like?

The inside fairly merely makes you go “wow.” A Toyota Corolla or Hyundai Elantra, which are literally fairly good, appear and feel like they need to value considerably much less – particularly when evaluating prime trim ranges. Whatever trim degree of Mazda3 you’re contemplating, nevertheless, the important thing to its wow issue is how the Mazda’s design removes visible litter by decreasing switchgear and successfully hiding air vents and door handles. It simply seems to be particular. Honda will get shut with the brand new Civic, however the Mazda3’s inside continues to be nicer.

It’s additionally purposeful. The steering wheel, which seems to be sensational, is an absolute deal with to carry. There’s appreciable heart console house, and Mazda’s tech interface, which had lagged behind its competitors attributable to key usability points, has been cleaned up. The dashtop display is giant and simple to see. The knob that controls it’s giant, not in contrast to BMW’s iDrive, and ergonomically positioned on the middle console. It’s not a touchscreen, although, as Mazda engineers decided that attempting to find touch-operating icons will be distracting. They’re not incorrect, and the higher-mounted display is definitely simpler to learn at a look. That stated, there are lots of people who do not not look after this setup and particularly favor a touchscreen like those supplied in all of the Mazda’s opponents. Specifically, the shortage of a touchscreen could make it more durable to pick out icons in Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which have been designed to be managed by contact. There’s a purpose the Mazda CX-50 now permits contact operation when utilizing CarPlay and Android Auto, however that development sadly hasn’t made it to the Mazda3 but. 

How huge is the Mazda3?

The Mazda3 is common by way of its exterior dimensions. It’s much like, however a bit shorter than a Honda Civic, VW Jetta or Hyundai Elantra, however greater than a Corolla. Front occupants could have house proper on par with compact opponents, and with good seats and seating place, it is lots snug. The again seat, against this, has the least quantity of legroom within the phase. Admittedly, it will’ve been 10 years in the past, however right now it might really feel cramped in comparison with the big Civic. The hatchback’s avant garde roofline additionally makes rear headroom tight and the unusually fats rear pillars make issues a bit dungeon-y. Of course, some could think about that a suitable trade-off for the three hatch’s distinctive look.

The sedan’s trunk is helpful and managed to suit all six suitcases in our baggage check, nevertheless it should be stated that its 13.2 cubic-feet of house is outdone by the surprisingly cavernous Honda Civic and Hyundai Elantra trunks. The Mazda3 Hatchback cargo space jumps as much as 20.1 cubic-feet, however that quantity is misleading because it counts numerous house up close to the roof that is not notably helpful. We really discovered the sedan can maintain greater than the hatchback when the again seat is raised attributable to it having an extended house. Fold that again seat down, although, and the hatchback clearly grants it far more room and flexibility than the sedan can handle. There additionally is not a lot of a drop-off in house between the Mazda3 hatchback and the mechanically associated Mazda CX-30 small SUV. 

What are the Mazda3’s gas economic system and efficiency specs?

Every 2023 Mazda3 comes with a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated inline-four good for 191 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. That makes it a strong and torquey base engine for its class; a few of its rivals’ improve engines do not even produce that a lot. All variations come commonplace with a six-speed automated, however the top-of-the-line Premium Hatchback will be outfitted with a six-speed handbook (front-drive solely), which would be the fanatic’s alternative. Front-wheel drive is commonplace with the automated, and strange for the phase, all-wheel drive is an choice.

Fuel economic system is 30 mpg mixed for many variations with the automated and front-wheel drive, however the base mannequin achieves 31 mpg. Even a base AWD mannequin is nice for 30 mpg mixed, however falls to 29 mpg in Premium trim.

The Mazda3 Turbo is a novel entry within the phase in that it offers an enormous energy improve with out the kind of high-performance chassis upgrades you’d discover in a Honda Civic Si or VW Jetta GLI. It options Mazda’s 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder present in far bigger automobiles just like the CX-9 and CX-50 SUVs. It produces 227 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque on 87 octane, however pump 93 octane, and people figures go as much as 250 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque. You can solely get the Turbo with a six-speed automated and all-drive drive. Fuel economic system dips to 27 or 26 mpg mixed, relying on which trim of Turbo you go for.

What’s the Mazda3 wish to drive?

The Mazda3 is a lot enjoyable. We’ve already talked in regards to the Mazda’s robust powertrain, however its journey and dealing with actually make it one thing particular. The steering weight is just about smack in the midst of the spectrum from mild to heavy. It builds resistance naturally and even delivers some highway really feel, whereas each enter returns precisely the quantity of steering you want.

The chassis then follows in sort, because it’s amazingly impartial with nary a touch of understeer. Body roll may be very restrained. Over bumps, the automobile would not get nervous, which is spectacular contemplating its torsion-beam rear-end. It’s a automobile that begs to tear round corners. Thankfully, the Mazda’s journey high quality would not undergo a lot for its dealing with prowess. It’s definitely on the agency facet, sufficient that some folks used to notably soft automobiles may be delay. But the firmness is couched in wonderful physique management. There’s little or no motion from bumps, and it feels downright European. Road noise and engine noise are hushed, too, making for a refined cruising expertise.

The Turbo would possibly sound like a efficiency mannequin on paper, nevertheless it’s no Mazdaspeed3 revival. Yes, the Turbo is noticeably faster in a straight line and makes a pleasant growl, however the engine is a lazy one. It prioritizes low-end shove over a sportier race to the highest of the tach, and the six-speed automated isn’t a speedy shifter. The Turbo’s suspension is simply modified to account for the additional weight of the Turbo powertrain. It finally ends up using a little bit firmer however dealing with a little bit worse than a non-Turbo automobile because of the smallest sensation of entrance heaviness not skilled within the naturally aspirated model. That stated, the Mazda3 Turbo continues to be an ideal dealing with and driving automobile — simply don’t anticipate something as critical as a VW GTI or Golf R.

What different Mazda3 evaluations can I learn?

2021 Mazda3 Turbo vs. VW GTI | How the recent(ish) hatches examine

We drive each to see which grown-up sizzling hatch may be higher for you

Mazda3 Sedan and Hatchback Luggage Test | Trunk comparability

See how the bags scenario adjustments between the Mazda3 sedan and hatchback (plus the CX-30 SUV).

2021 Mazda3 Turbo First Drive | A enjoyable luxurious various

Here’s what we thought in regards to the Mazda3 Turbo after getting our first style of the boosted model.

2020 Mazda3 Hatchback Drivers’ Notes | Luxury with a handbook

Here are all of our workers’s ideas in regards to the Mazda3 when it is outfitted with the six-speed handbook transmission

2019 Mazda3 First Drive | Defining the time period ‘enjoyable to drive’

Find out what’s new in regards to the 2019 Mazda3, together with its engineering, styling and have content material. Also included are our first driving impressions.

2019 Mazda3 AWD First Drive | Unconventionally unbelievable

Our first drive of the all-wheel-drive 2019 Mazda3, the one automobile in its class not made by Subaru that is not front-wheel drive. We discover it is a reliable various to entry-level luxurious sedans.

2019 Mazda3 Drivers’ Notes Review

“The Mazda3 is the sportiest in the segment and, as far as I’m concerned, it’s dead-even with the Honda Civic for the top spot in the looks department.”

2019 Mazda3 Hatchback AWD Premium Second Drive | Gushing about an distinctive automobile

We check the range-topping hatchback and stroll away extremely impressed.

What is the 2023 Mazda3’s value?

The 2023 Mazda3 pricing begins at $23,615 for the S, together with the $1,065 vacation spot cost. That’s for the bottom 3 Sedan, which comes commonplace with 16-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, an eight-speaker sound system, two USB ports, an 8.8-inch infotainment show and a full suite of accident avoidance tech (see security part under).

The base hatchback S trim with front-wheel drive has a base value of $24,615 and is supplied with an analogous degree of normal options because the sedan. The solely technique to get the six-speed handbook transmission is to get the hatchback in Premium trim, and it prices $30,215.

A Turbo Hatchback (least expensive technique to get the Turbo powertrain) begins at $33,515. Opt for the Turbo Sedan in its Premium Plus trim — the one method the Turbo Sedan comes — and the worth is $35,065.

Mazda3 Sedan

• S: $23,615
• S Select: $25,015
• S Preferred: $25,615
• S Carbon Edition: $28,315
• S Carbon Edition AWD: $29,715
• S Premium AWD: $30,515
• Turbo Premium Plus: $35,065

Mazda3 Hatchback

• S: $24,615
• S Select: $26,015
• S Preferred: $27,615
• S Carbon Edition: $29,265
• S Carbon Edition AWD: $30,665
• S Premium AWD: $31,465
• S Premium 6MT: $30,215
• Turbo: $33,515
• Turbo Premium Plus: $36,365

What are the Mazda3’s security scores and driver help options?

Every 2023 Mazda3 comes commonplace with the fashionable automobile fundamentals, together with automated emergency braking, adaptive cruise management, lane-departure warning and help, blind-spot monitoring, rear- rear cross-traffic alert and automated high-beams. Move up the trim ladder into the fully-loaded Turbo, and also you achieve niceties like rear automated emergency braking, site visitors signal recognition, a 360-degree view digicam and a site visitors jam help that capabilities as lane following at low speeds on the freeway.

The Mazda3 sedan and hatchback acquired a Top Safety Pick+ award by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. They bought the absolute best crash scores in addition to the absolute best scores for the frontal crash prevention system and LATCH youngster seat ease of use. They bought an Acceptable headlight rating for the bottom trims, however a “Good” for Premium and Turbo trims. The NHTSA gave the Mazda3 equally excessive marks in its crash testing, awarding it 5 stars for each crash check state of affairs.

Related video: