Mazda’s CX-5 and Miata remain best-sellers, but there’s another car in the lineup that deserves more praise.
The Mazda 3 is a common name when discussing inexpensive compact cars, but when compared to rivals like the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla, it falls short. The Mazda 3 is still lagging behind the competition in the subcompact class. To combat this, Mazda introduced a slew of new technological and driver-assist features, as well as premium interior upgrades, to the Mazda 3. Will these be enough to make the Mazda 3 a serious contender against the Corolla, Civic, and Elantra? We investigate why this base model is a hidden gem in Mazda’s lineup.
Mazda 3 Features A More Powerful Engine
Mazda’s CX-5 and Miata remain best-sellers, but there’s another car in the lineup that deserves more praise.
The Mazda 3 received several firsts in 2021, including a turbocharged engine option and an all-wheel drivetrain. The Japanese automaker also gave the Mazda 3 a power boost by replacing the previous base model’s 2.0-liter four-cylinder with a juicier 2.5-liter four-cylinder, which increased the Mazda 3’s base model’s horsepower to 191 from the previous generation’s 186.
The 2023 Mazda 3 offers a choice of the following trim levels:
Base model
Select model
Preferred Model
Carbon Edition
Premium Model
Turbo Model
Turbo Premium Plus.
Price-wise, the Mazda 3 falls between the 2023 Toyota Corolla, which starts at $22,654, and the 2023 Honda Civic, which starts at $24,545.
The 2023 Toyota Corolla is cheaper to buy, but it doesn’t deliver when it comes to speed or handling. The Corolla isn’t as spacious or sporty as rivals like the Mazda 3, and it also has fewer features.
Even though the Mazda 3’s biggest drawbacks are its lack of trunk and rear-seat room, it still has more interior space than the Toyota Corolla, which only has 89 cubic feet. The trunk space of the Mazda 3 and the Toyota Corolla are identical at 13 cubic feet.
Both a standard four-cylinder and a turbocharged version of that engine, the 2.5-liter Skyactive GI-4, will be available for the 2023 Mazda 3. Power output ranges from 191 horsepower from the base four-cylinder to 250 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque from the Turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder. In comparison to the Civic’s recorded 0-60 MPH time of 7.9 seconds, the Mazda 3 reached 60 MPH in 5.9 seconds.
The Mazda 3 2023 comes standard with front-wheel drive but can be upgraded to all-wheel drive and Mazda’s I-Active all-wheel drive system in 2021. Both a six-speed automatic and a six-speed manual transmission are available for the Mazda 3, with the manual transmission being available only with the front-wheel drivetrain and the automatic transmission being the only option with the all-wheel drivetrain.
Mazda 3’s Premium Upgrades
The 2023 Mazda 3’s cabin stands out for its modern design and high-quality materials. Black soft-touch molded dashboard and door/console armrest cushions are standard, with optional premium leather upholstery available for higher trim levels. Although it is not touch-screen, the Mazda 3’s 8.8-inch display is larger than that of rival compact sedans like the 2023 Honda Civic, whose display is only 7.0 inches.
While Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included in all trim levels, heated front seats, a head-up display, and a more powerful 12-speaker Bose stereo system are reserved for the upper trim levels. Wireless charging station features are dealer-specific upgrades and are not offered by Mazda, though they can be installed.
The Mazda 3’s adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capabilities stands out among the car’s other driver assistance features, which include lane keep and lane departure, automatic emergency braking, automatic high beams, and pedestrian detection. Even though stop-and-go functionality is typically an optional extra on newer vehicles with adaptive cruise control, the 2023 Mazda 3 is breaking new ground by including it as standard equipment across the board.
Why The 2023 Mazda 3 Is A Strong Choice
Handling is said to be very responsive and sticky when taking on curves at 60 miles per hour or more in the Mazda 3, and the car’s top speed of 134 miles per hour puts it on par with rivals like the Volkswagen Golf and GTI.
While the larger engine and all-wheel drivetrain option do add weight, it is no secret that the Mazda 3’s body is quite curvaceous and contributes to the total weight as well as posing visibility issues. The Mazda 3 weighs 3,393 pounds, which is heavier than other compact sedans in its segment, mainly due to the larger engine and all-wheel drivetrain option.
The hatchback design of the Mazda 3 makes it difficult to see out of its blind spots, but fortunately this problem can be remedied with the help of the car’s various cameras and driver assistance features.
Despite its flaws, the 2023 Mazda 3 is an underrated compact sedan that falls between the Toyota Corolla and the Honda Civic in terms of performance, price, and fuel economy. The Mazda 3’s premium interior and updated features make it a great option, but its reduced cargo space is a drawback.
Unlike Honda, Mazda doesn’t always seem to be in tune with its customers’ wants and needs; the turbocharged engine was only recently made available, and the 8.8-inch screen isn’t a touchscreen. So, Mazda has made sure the 2023 Mazda 3 isn’t forgotten in the compact class by taking the necessary measures.
In any case, with a starting price of $23,715, the 2023 Mazda 3 is competitively priced, and its performance is unquestionably superior. The Mazda 3 is one of the few compact sedans to offer both a manual and automatic transmission, as well as the option of an all-wheel drivetrain. The Mazda 3 stands out thanks to its modern amenities and flexible mechanical configurations, as well as the revival of the car’s classic Mazdaspeed 3 vibe and energy. The Mazda 3 is a versatile platform upon which you can install the features that you find most useful in a compact car.
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