Mazda’s 3 hatchback is a fun and sporty compact car that could easily pass for a luxury model. But it also has a few rough edges.
Fuel economy and cargo space are two areas where it trails. Front seat headroom and legroom are good, but cargo room is limited in the sedan and hatchback.
Comfort and Convenience
The mazda 3 hatchback provides plenty of comfort and convenience features for drivers to enjoy. This model includes features like cloth upholstery, push-button start and remote keyless entry. The base Mazda Connect infotainment system also comes standard.
The front seats are supportive and offer a great range of adjustments, including heating and cooling on higher-end models. The back seats fold down to provide more cargo space.
While sedan body styles have a 13.2 cubic foot trunk, the hatchback offers 20.1 cubic feet of space. This is more than enough for families or those who frequently transport luggage.
The mazda 3 hatchback is easy to drive and has excellent fuel economy. The exterior is sleek and stylish, making it a good choice for drivers who want to travel around Colmar, PA in style.
Safety
The Mazda 3 hatchback comes with a variety of safety features that help keep you safe on the road. These features include the i-Activsense suite of safety technology, which has been designed to alert you to potential dangers and improve your road vision and spatial awareness.
For example, the lane-keep assist feature will make minor steering corrections to keep you in your lane if you drift out of it unintentionally. It also helps to monitor your lane and notify you of any vehicles that might be in it.
Another good safety feature is the blind-spot monitoring system, which will notify you if any cars are in your blind spots as you drive. This is especially helpful if you’re backing out of a parking space or driveway.
Fuel Economy
The mazda 3 hatchback is a great choice for drivers who want to maximize their fuel economy. The EPA rates the base non-turbo engine Mazda3 with front-wheel drive and an automatic transmission at 28 mpg city, 37 highway, 31 combined.
A powerful SKYACTIV-G 2.5 Turbo engine is also available, rated at 250 horsepower with either regular 87 octane or premium 93 octane fuel. These models feature updated cylinder-deactivation technology that shuts down two of the four cylinders when not in use, like on highway speeds, for maximum efficiency and lower emissions.
Both the sedan and hatchback come standard with i-Activsense safety tech, radar cruise control, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, driver attention alert, high beam control, and blind-spot monitors. You can add the G-Vectoring Control Plus system and a few more options.
Style
The mazda 3 hatchback is available as either a sedan or 5-door hatchback and offers a choice of two four-cylinder engines. You can also opt for a high-end trim level that includes a turbocharged engine and all-wheel drive.
It aims to compete with more premium cars and is priced accordingly. While it might not be the most practical compact car, it satisfies those who want a sleek and stylish ride and a quality interior.
Both the sedan and hatchback models offer a 191-hp, 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine. For 2023, Mazda has improved the entry-level motor by adding five more horsepower and cylinder deactivation to boost fuel economy.
The base 2.5 S trim is an excellent choice for buyers who don’t want to break the bank but still need a reliable compact. It has all the expected features like a power moonroof, a backup camera, push-button start, LED headlights, and standard i-Activsense safety tech that bundles adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and driver attention alert.
