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The 2024 Mazda3 comes with some great features in a small sedan. We look at powertrain, interior options and more in our review.
2024 Mazda3 hatchback – mazdausa.com | Shop 2024 Mazda3 on Carsforsale.com
What’s New for the 2024 Mazda3?
Mazda provides two important updates for the 2024 Mazda3. First, a new Carbon Turbo trim is available on the hatchback model. It adds red leather upholstery with black suede, black wheels, and Zircon Sand paint. Then, a new 10.25-inch infotainment system makes its debut on the turbocharged models.
Carsforsale.com Score
9/10
Powertrain
Score
9/10
Interior
Score
9/10
Technology
Score
9/10
Value
Score
9.25/10
The Breakdown
Great driving dynamics
Fun turbo engine
Top-notch interior
No hybrid option
Limited manual compatibility
Hatchback has poor rear visibility
A fabulous compact car value
2024 Mazda3 Specs
- 191 horsepower from base engine
- 186 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 7 available trims
- 13.2 cu-ft of cargo capacity
- Physical infotainment controls
- Lane-keep assist
- Basic three-year warranty
2024 Mazda3 Powertrain 9/10
Mazda uses its tried and true 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine across the 3 lineup. In most cars, it makes 191 hp, is naturally aspirated, and powers the front wheels. A six-speed automatic is standard in most cases but a manual gearbox is available in rare cases.
All-wheel drive is also available. Above that is a 2.5-liter turbocharged version of the same engine and it also offers front or all-wheel drive. The former gets up to 28 mpg in the city and 37 on the highway while the latter can achieve up to 23 mpg in the city and 31 on the highway.
Both engines are responsive, fun to engage with, and smooth in their operation. The base motor is lively and fun in this small vehicle. Mazda generally imbues its products with good handling and brisk dynamics and that’s true in the Mazda3 as well. To that end, it’s worth noting that the turbocharged version is even more enjoyable.
The engine responds even quicker to prodding and the chassis manages the power well. Body roll is almost non-existent and the pedals and steering wheel offer great feedback. It’s easy to keep the Mazda3 on a specific line and it feels like it’s capable of going toe to toe with some performance-oriented compact cars like the Honda Civic Si.
2024 Mazda3 Interior 9/10
In the world of automotive classes, the Mazda3 is priced like an economy car but the interior feels much closer to the mid-tier Premium class. The dash design is elegant and simple and fits together beautifully. The control surfaces include switches and knobs that physically feel great to the touch. The cabin is spacious too with good visibility and a cockpit-style seating position for the front passengers.
The rear seats are comfy too but don’t have the thick bolstering that we like on the front chairs. Despite that, all four seats are supportive and well-cushioned for long drives from place to place. If there’s a downside of the Mazda3 is a lack of headroom and legroom in the back seats but we’re happy to trade it in favor of better overall driving dynamics. It’s also worth noting that the hatchback does have some pretty big blind spots toward the rear.
Behind the second row is a smallish trunk in the sedan. It houses 13.2 cubic feet of storage so those who need more should look at the hatchback. It gets 20.1 cubic feet of space back there and in our opinion is considerably more practical.
2024 Mazda3 Technology Features 9/10
At the center of the Mazda3 infotainment system is a widescreen infotainment system that users control through a selection of physical buttons and a center scroll wheel. That might sound archaic but it’s actually very easy to use in practice and helps drivers keep their eyes on the road as opposed to on the infotainment screen.
Gone are the times when one is unsure about whether or not they actually selected what they’d planned on. The base system uses six speakers and an 8.8-inch infotainment system. A larger 10.25-inch unit is also available as are nine and 12-speaker packages from Bose. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are both on the menu as well and come in wired form on the smaller infotainment screen and wireless on the larger one.
A heads-up display comes standard on the top trim and a full suite of driver safety aids are available too. That includes lane-centering assist, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control on the base trim. Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a surround-view camera system are available on upper-level trims.
2024 Mazda3 Trims & Pricing
S – $25,335
The base trim is only available as a sedan and comes with a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, a six-speed automatic transmission, 16-inch wheels, LED headlights, cloth upholstery, a 60/40 split-folding rear seat, an 8.8-inch infotainment system, six speakers, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and automatic climate control.
Select Sport – $25,855
The Select Sport and almost every other trim is available as a sedan or a hatchback. The Select Sport gets 18-inch wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, faux leather upholstery, rain-sensing wipers, keyless entry, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.
Preferred – $27,355
This trim adds a power-adjustable driver’s seat, memory settings, heated front seats, and a sunroof.
Carbon Edition – $30,225
The Carbon Edition comes standard with AWD along with black 18-inch wheels, wireless Android and Apple connectivity, a wireless charging pad, red leather upholstery, and eight speakers.
Premium – $31,515
The Premium is only available as a hatchback and comes with front-wheel drive, 18-inch wheels, a six-speed manual transmission, upgraded interior lighting, a heads-up display, leather upholstery, integrated navigation, and a 12-speaker Bose sound system.
Carbon Turbo – $34,115
The Carbon Turbo gets the turbo engine along with all-wheel drive, black 18-inch wheels, a 10.25-inch infotainment system, red faux leather upholstery, and a wireless charging pad.
Turbo Premium Plus – $36,615
The top trim adds parking sensors, paddle shifters, premium leather upholstery, a lane-centering system, a surround-view camera, and rear automatic braking.
2024 Mazda3 Overall Value 9.25/10
It’s hard to argue about how good of a value the Mazda3 is when compared to the rest of its class. The Honda Civic is a touch better thanks to complimentary maintenance and even more extreme models on the performance and fuel efficiency end of the equation. Despite that, we might pick the Mazda3 over the Honda Civic since it offers great power, practicality, and quality. It’s worth noting too that Mazda is currently offering some attractive incentives on the Mazda3.
CarsForSale.com Overall Score 9/10
2024 Mazda3 – news.mazdausa.com | Shop 2024 Mazda3 on Carsforsale.com
Mazda would do well to follow in Honda’s footsteps. To that end, it could do with a hybrid version of the Mazda3 that really aims for huge fuel economy numbers. On the other end of the spectrum, a MazdaSpeed3 would be a welcome surprise too.
2024 Mazda3 FAQ
Is the Mazda3 AWD?
The Mazda3 is available with AWD.
Is the Mazda3 reliable?
Generally speaking the Mazda3 is considered reliable. The 2.5-liter engines it has are the same as the ones used in many other Mazda products.
Which Mazda3 has a sunroof?
The Mazda3 Preferred trim and above have sunroofs.
