2021 Mazda 3 Review

　　

2021 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).

　　The 2021 Mazda 3 is one of the more entertaining small sedans around. That's particularly true for this year since Mazda has introduced a new turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Borrowed from the Mazda CX-5 and CX-9 SUVs, this engine produces 227 hp and a stout 310 lb-ft of torque (250 hp and 320 lb-ft on 93 octane gasoline). It comes standard with all-wheel drive, too.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Mazda 3 2.0 4dr Sedan (2.0L 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

　　$120/mo  for 3 2.0

　　3 2.0

　　2.0 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 6A) - $20,650 MSRP2.5 S 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 6A) - $21,650 MSRP2.5 S 4dr Hatchback (2.5L 4cyl 6A) - $22,650 MSRPSelect 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 6A) (Most Popular) - $22,850 MSRPSelect 4dr Hatchback (2.5L 4cyl 6A) - $23,850 MSRPSelect 4dr Sedan AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6A) - $24,250 MSRPSelect 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6A) - $25,250 MSRPPreferred 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 6A) - $24,500 MSRPPreferred 4dr Hatchback (2.5L 4cyl 6A) - $25,500 MSRPPreferred 4dr Sedan AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6A) - $25,900 MSRPPreferred 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6A) - $26,900 MSRPPremium 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 6A) - $27,000 MSRPPremium 4dr Hatchback (2.5L 4cyl 6A) - $28,000 MSRPPremium 4dr Hatchback (2.5L 4cyl 6M) - $28,000 MSRPPremium 4dr Sedan AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6A) - $28,400 MSRPPremium 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6A) - $29,400 MSRP2.5 Turbo 4dr Sedan AWD (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 6A) - $30,050 MSRP2.5 Turbo 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 6A) - $31,050 MSRP2.5 Turbo Premium Plus 4dr Sedan AWD (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 6A) - $32,600 MSRP2.5 Turbo Premium Plus 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 6A) - $33,900 MSRP

　　vs

　　$164/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Car

　　The turbocharged model is undoubtedly the one to get if you want a speedy Mazda 3. But this isn't a revival of the Mazdaspeed 3. That cult classic, last seen in 2013, upgraded the standard 3 with a turbocharged engine, a sport-tuned suspension and a six-speed manual transmission. The new Mazda 3's turbocharged engine is automatic-only and doesn't come with any other performance upgrades, but its effortless thrust and impressive refinement are nice complements to the car's steady handling and premium design.

　　Still, athleticism and good looks only get you so far. Compared to the Honda Civic, Kia Forte and Subaru Impreza, the Mazda 3 comes up short when it comes to rear passenger and cargo space. But there's more than enough good here to make it worth checking out, especially if you enjoy a small car with extra oomph.

　　

What's it like to live with?

In order to get the full ownership experience, we added a 2020 Mazda 3 sedan to the zzdcar long-term test fleet. Over the course of a year and 20,000 miles, we'll have a variety of opinions, updates and data. You can read all about it here.

　　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.

　　The standard 2.5-liter 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 all-wheel-drive Mazda 3 sedan covered 0-60 mph in a reasonably quick 8.3 seconds.

　　Want more get-up-and-go? The optional turbocharged 2.5-liter engine certainly delivers, whittling the 0-60 mph time way down to 6.1 seconds in our track test of the hatchback. That's a whole new ballgame. It's refined too, with an abundance of thrust that's readily available. Just a gentle prod of the throttle enables easy passing and merging.

　　

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. But 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, 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 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 only apparent wart is high-gloss black trim in the center console that attracts fingerprints and smudges. To be fair, this is a problem on many luxury cars too. You might pay a little more to get a Mazda 3 compared to other rivals, but it's generally worth it, although the turbo model might seem overpriced next to such all-stars as the Hyundai Elantra N Line and Volkswagen GLI.

　　

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. Just keep an eye on the bottom line if you opt for the turbo engine since there are multiple performance-oriented rivals available for the same money or less.

　　

Which 3 does zzdcar recommend?

Step up to the midgrade Mazda 3 2.5 S. It doesn't cost much more than the base 2.0 and gets you more power plus some desirable features such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration. Also consider adding the sensibly priced Select package for its upgraded interior. The new turbocharged engine is cool, but its premium pricing will make it a questionable expense for many drivers. If you like having plenty of power underfoot, though, it's definitely worth a test drive since it really changes the car's character.

　　

2021 Mazda 3 models

The 2021 Mazda 3 sedan is available in three trim levels that coincide with the choice in engine: Mazda 3 2.0, Mazda 3 2.5 S and Mazda 2.5 Turbo. The midgrade 2.5 S trim is eligible for all-wheel drive, while the Turbo has it as standard equipment. Both of these models are also eligible for option packages. The Mazda 3 is also available in a hatchback body style.

　　The base Mazda 3 2.0 is only offered with front-wheel drive. Standard feature highlights include:

　　2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (155 horsepower, 150 lb-ft of torque) Six-speed automatic transmission 16-inch alloy wheels LED headlights Rain-sensing wipers 60/40-split folding rear seats Remote vehicle monitoring and control via a smartphone app 8.8-inch infotainment display Eight-speaker audio system Every Mazda 3 also comes with:

　　Frontal collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front) Lane keeping assist (steers the vehicle back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker) Automatic high beams Drowsy driver monitor (issues an alert if sensors determine you are becoming fatigued) Stepping up to the Mazda 3 2.5 S adds:

　　2.5-liter four-cylinder engine (186 hp, 186 lb-ft) Apple CarPlay and Android Auto From there, you can add three optional packages to the 2.5 S:

　　Select package Simulated leather upholstery Dual-zone automatic climate control Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing) Keyless ignition and entry Preferred package Power-adjustable driver's seat with memory settings Heated front seats Sunroof Premium package 18-inch wheels Upgraded exterior lighting with adaptive headlights (swivel as you turn the steering wheel for better illumination in curves) Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line onto the windshield) Leather seats Paddle shifters Integrated navigation system 12-speaker Bose audio system At the top of the lineup is the Mazda 3 2.5 Turbo. It comes with contents of the 2.5 S' optional packages, minus the leather upholstery and navigation system. In addition, it comes with:

　　2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine (227 hp and 310 lb-ft on regular or 250 hp and 320 lb-ft on 93 octane gas) All-wheel drive 18-inch black-painted wheels Auto-dimming rearview mirror Heated steering wheel The Premium Plus package is exclusive to the 2.5 Turbo and buffs up the 3 even more with:

　　Front and rear parking sensors Auto-dimming driver-side mirror Trunklid spoiler Navigation system Leather upholstery Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the Mazda 3 and its surroundings for tight parking situations) Universal garage door opener Traffic Jam Assist (a partially automated hands-on driving system) Rear automatic braking

　　

2021 3 Highlights

Type: HatchbackSedanSedan

　　Trim: 2.02.5 SSelectPreferredPremium2.5 Turbo2.5 Turbo Premium Plus2.0

　　

Base MSRP	$20,650
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	31 MPG
Cost to Drive	$120/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	13.2 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles