2020 Mazda 3 Review

　　

2020 Mazda 3 Review

byCameron RogersManager, News

　　Cameron Rogers has worked in the automotive industry since 2013. He has tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Today, he leads the news team in developing cutting-edge news articles, opinion pieces and sneak peeks at upcoming vehicles. Favorite cars that he's driven during his tenure at zzdcar include the 991-era Porsche 911 Turbo S, Rolls-Royce Ghost and several generations of Honda Odyssey (really).

　　Just about any small sedan on the market these days offers plenty of value, efficiency and safety. If all you need is basic transportation, you can pretty much just pick a name out of a hat and be satisfied. But what if you want something that's a little special? That's where the 2020 Mazda 3 comes in.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2020 Mazda 3 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 6A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.04 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$126/mo  for 3 Base

　　3 Base

　　4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 6A) - $21,500 MSRP4dr Hatchback (2.5L 4cyl 6A) - $23,700 MSRP4dr Hatchback AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6A) - $25,100 MSRPSelect 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 6A) (Most Popular) - $22,700 MSRPSelect 4dr Sedan AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6A) - $24,100 MSRPPreferred 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 6A) - $24,200 MSRPPreferred 4dr Hatchback (2.5L 4cyl 6A) - $25,200 MSRPPreferred 4dr Sedan AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6A) - $25,600 MSRPPreferred 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6A) - $26,600 MSRPPremium 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 6A) - $26,500 MSRPPremium 4dr Hatchback (2.5L 4cyl 6A) - $27,500 MSRPPremium 4dr Hatchback (2.5L 4cyl 6M) - $27,500 MSRPPremium 4dr Sedan AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6A) - $27,900 MSRPPremium 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6A) - $28,900 MSRP

　　vs

　　$164/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Car

　　For starters, the 3 is attractively styled inside and out. It looks sophisticated and upscale, and many of the interior materials and controls have a premium feel and vibe to them. Own a Mazda 3 and your friends will probably think you spent more than you did. You also get uncommonly sporty and engaging handling, which makes the 3 fun to drive whether you're just commuting to work or taking a scenic road trip.

　　There are a few minor downsides. The 3 sedan comes up short on rear passenger and cargo space, for instance, and visibility to the rear is hampered by a high rear trunklid and thick roof pillars. But odds are most owners will be just fine with what 3 provides. It remains an zzdcar favorite and we're confident you'll feel the same.

　　

What's it like to live with the Mazda 3?

The Mazda 3 has been one of our favorite small cars for years now, and several examples have graced our long-term fleet over the last decade. When we first sat in the driver's seat of the redesigned model, we knew we wanted to test one. Read our long-term test of the 2020 Mazda 3 to learn more about what it's like to live with day to day over the course of 20,000 miles.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Average

　　7.6

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.0/10

　　How does the 3 drive? Mazda has always prioritized excellent driving characteristics, and this Mazda 3 is no different. When the road stops being straight, the Mazda 3 delivers handling that is comfortable and confidence-inspiring. It feels balanced, changes directions readily and stays controlled around turns. The steering is quick and precise too.

　　A more powerful engine wouldn't hurt, but that's easy to say because the chassis feels up to it. The non-turbocharged four-cylinder is eager and delivers smooth power from the onset, but it really gets going from the middle of the rev range. Merging onto freeways isn't a problem. In zzdcar testing, our test car covered 0-60 mph in a reasonably quick 8.3 seconds.

　　

Comfort

7.5/10

　　How comfortable is the 3? Mazda has succeeded in delivering a sporty premium experience without sacrificing comfort. Credit goes to the supportive front seats and quiet cabin at highway speeds. It's not perfect, however: Our test car's air-conditioning system didn't seem sufficiently powerful, and some of our expert drivers found the seat's head restraint too intrusive.

　　The Mazda 3 is meant to be a sporty sedan, so it has a well-controlled suspension that limits body motion. While this makes for a comparatively stiffer ride, the suspension is still compliant and absorbs bumps and pavement irregularities quite well.

　　

Interior

7.5/10

　　How’s the interior? Front passengers will enjoy their space, but taller drivers might wish the steering wheel telescoped out more. Rear legroom and headroom are below average, so the rear seating area can feel snug if the front occupants slide their seats back. That space, as well as rearward visibility, seems to have been sacrificed in the name of sleek styling.

　　While the Mazda 3 display screen lacks touchscreen functionality, the single-knob controller is intuitive. This controller-based interface is one of the best around. Nothing is complicated in this car. The controls and buttons are easy to see and understand. The setup doesn't take long to get used to, and once you do, a glance is all it takes to verify and select a function.

　　

Technology

7.0/10

　　How’s the tech? The audio system sounds great, and the 8.8-inch infotainment screen looks vibrant and works well with both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. And while we do like the single-knob controller, the lack of full-time touchscreen functionality ultimately limits what the system can do.

　　Mazda's suite of advanced driver safety features is standard on all models. Most of the aids work pretty well. But we have noticed that in heavy traffic situations the adaptive cruise control can stop abruptly even when it's not strictly necessary.

　　

Storage

7.0/10

　　How’s the storage? The Mazda 3 sedan's trunk is a little smaller than average for this class of vehicle. It does offer a wide loading area and the trunk is deep, but the wheelwells intrude and pinch down the width from each side. It's still useful, and the 60/40-split rear seatbacks fold down. Storage inside the cabin for small items is a little lacking.

　　The 3 isn't the best choice if you have small children. The child safety seat LATCH anchors are easy to find and clearly marked in each of the outboard rear seat positions. But larger rear-facing car seats are more apt to encroach on front passenger space because the Mazda 3 isn't as generous in rear legroom as its main rivals.

　　

Fuel Economy

7.0/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? The EPA estimates the Mazda 3 sedan will get 30 mpg in combined city/highway driving with front-wheel drive or 28 mpg with all-wheel drive. Both figures are subpar compared to rivals' ratings. However, we recorded 31.5 mpg on our mixed-driving evaluation route in our all-wheel-drive 3 sedan, which is better than expected. We have seen Mazdas fare well in real-world conditions before, so this may not be a fluke.

　　

Value

7.5/10

　　Is the 3 a good value? The value of the Mazda 3 lies in its premium look and feel. The interior panel gaps are tight, the controls don't feel flimsy, quality materials line the interior, and everything matches up. The chrome accent that adorns the dash is a nice touch, and with the elimination of the touchscreen, no fingerprints accumulate around the screen area. You might pay a little more to get a Mazda 3 compared to other rivals but it's worth it.

　　

Wildcard

9.0/10

　　When driving the Mazda 3, the phrase "handles like a Mazda" comes to mind. It means that it's engaging, handles well, and is as fun to drive as its stablemates. Place the transmission in Sport mode, leave it there, then go out into a fun, twisty road and you'll develop an ear-to-ear grin in no time. Consumers who want a sporty, luxurious automobile but don't want to pay outrageous luxury marque prices will find the Mazda 3 very appealing.

　　

Which 3 does zzdcar recommend?

We suggest stepping up to at least the Select package since it comes with a good number of useful features without costing a whole lot more. It's also eligible for all-wheel drive. The Preferred and Premium trim levels add more features and refinement, but if that's what you're seeking, the larger Mazda 6 may be a better choice.

　　

2020 Mazda 3 models

The 2020 Mazda 3 sedan is offered in four trim levels (also referred to as packages). The Base comes with a decent level of standard features plus a full suite of advanced safety features. Stepping up to the Select adds some niceties and smartphone integration, while the Preferred and Premium versions up the luxury and tech quotient. The hatchback version is reviewed separately.

　　All Mazda 3 models are powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine (186 horsepower, 186 lb-ft of torque). A six-speed automatic is the only available transmission and front-wheel drive is standard. All-wheel drive can be added to the Select and higher models. If you really want a manual transmission, you'll have to opt for the hatchback model.

　　Standard feature highlights for the Base include LED headlights, an 8.8-inch infotainment display, emergency telematics and an eight-speaker audio system. Advanced safety features include frontal collision mitigation, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist and a drowsy driver monitor.

　　The Select adds some desirable extras such as keyless entry, simulated leather upholstery, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. For extra refinement, the Preferred adds a power driver's seat, heated front seats and a 12-speaker Bose audio system, among other features.

　　At the top of the lineup, the Premium comes with adaptive headlights, a sunroof, a head-up display, leather upholstery and paddle shifters.

　　

2020 3 Highlights

Type: HatchbackSedanSedan

　　Trim: BaseSelectPreferredPremiumBase

　　

Base MSRP	$21,500
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	30 MPG
Cost to Drive	$126/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	13.2 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles