LOOKS

The 2024 Mazda3 features an attractive exterior with the trademark Mazda-style front end — with its hood lip curling over a large, bold grille. Sharp lighting designs also accentuate the front of the 3.

Whether you choose the hatch or sedan, the 3 is without question as sharp-looking or more attractive than its compact rivals.

My test vehicle featured a Snowflake White Pearl exterior paint color, 18-inch black alloy wheels (16-inchers come standard), LED headlights and taillights, power sliding-glass moonroof, rain-sensing windshield wipers, heated power side mirrors with turn lamps and memory positioning, and a wiper de-icer. The adaptive headlights swivel as you turn the steering wheel, allowing for better illumination in the curves.

Moving inside the 3, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how premium it looks and feels, and will wonder at times if you’ve gotten into a vehicle from a luxury brand.

Compared to the more pedestrian designs of typical compact cars, the 3 is in its own class. The red leather seating in my test vehicle looked great and felt very comfortable. The 3 has heated front seats and a heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel, and other helpful features included 60/40 rear seating that folds down to improve cargo space.

One downside of the Mazda3 is that its cargo capacity does have major limitations. Though in the grand scheme of things, it should be understood that driving a compact car will always limit how much you can carry around.

The 2024 Mazda3 hatchback features just over 20 cubic feet of cargo space with rear seats up, and just over 47 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down.

In terms of people sitting in the vehicle, the back seat is tight and shouldn’t be reserved for large humans. Let the little ones or shorter adults take that space when possible.

The design of the Mazda 3 hatchback can limit visibility in the rear a bit, but not too harshly.

HOW’S THE RIDE?

A pair of engines is offered on the 2024 Mazda3.

My test vehicle featured the stronger of the two options, a 2.5-liter turbo four-cylinder engine that delivers up to 250 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque.

The base engine is a non-turbo 2.5-liter four-cylinder option with just 191 horsepower and 186 pound-feet, a steep drop from the turbo.

Both versions are paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, and some trim levels include paddle shifters.

All-wheel drive is an option, with FWD coming standard. You can also opt for a Mazda3 with a six-speed manual transmission (which must be paired with FWD).

The Mazda3 features G-Vectoring Control technology, which allows for better steering response by reducing torque in turns to put extra weight on the front tires. It also offers dynamic stability control and a traction control system.

The 0-to-60 numbers on the 2024 Mazda3 with the turbo engine are respectable, coming in around 6 seconds. It’s not the most powerful vehicle in the world, but can definitely get moving quickly when you need to gain ground quickly.

The overall feel of driving the Mazda is one of bold, yet smooth, power and acceleration. It handles impressively and the small size makes it quite nimble and agile on twisty roads.

The 3 proved to be tons of fun even without massive power numbers. Mazda has clearly designed the 3 for people who love driving. And you’ll want to get the turbo engine to truly experience what the 3 can do, as the base engine won’t knock your socks off. And even with the strong performance, the sound of the engine isn’t overly loud or annoying.

While most compact cars are not going to offer a thrilling ride unless you go the luxury route, the Mazda3 bucks that trend and blows away a variety of mostly ho–hum competitors.


TECHNOLOGY, SAFETY

The infotainment setup on the 2024 Mazda3 has either an 8.8-inch or 10.25-inch center screen and is controlled by a dial in the center console. The dial works fine, but overall it’s not the best system out there in terms of user-friendliness and efficiency. Voice commands did work quite well if you want to avoid the dial. 

If you are wondering about a touchscreen option, it does exist, but oddly enough only when you connect your phone wirelessly via Android Auto or Apple CarPlay.

A six-speaker sound system is standard, though you can upgrade to a more snazzy 12-speaker Bose system. The Mazda3 features a wireless phone charger, integrated navigation system with traffic sign recognition, satellite radio (trial period included, but it’s worth renewing), and multiple USB inputs. Phone calls and music can be streamed to the vehicle by connecting your phone via Bluetooth.

For a smaller vehicle like the Mazda3, you get an impressive array of safety features included as standard, and they don’t get in your way or act oversensitive.

I found the 360-degree multi-view cameras to be extremely helpful for parking situations, and other features on the 3 included: High beam control, driver attention alert, lane departure warning system, lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, airbags throughout the vehicle, tire pressure monitoring system, and automatic emergency braking.

The radar cruise control worked effectively and slowed down the 3 when vehicles would enter into my lane, and the front and rear sensors were effective at detecting other vehicles.

Other safety features include:
— Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert (warns if a vehicle is in your blind spot)
— Head-up display (keeps driver’s eyes on the road by displaying important information on the windshield)
— Lane centering system (steers the vehicle back into lane)
— Rear automatic braking
— Drowsy driver monitor (warns of driver fatigue)

MPG

The official fuel mileage numbers on the 2024 Mazda3 I tested with the turbo engine come in at 23 city/31 highway/26 combined. In my time driving the vehicle, I averaged just over 23 miles per gallon.

Depending on configuration, your numbers can jump as high as 27 city/37 highway/31 combined.

These aren’t the best fuel economy numbers you’ll find for this size of vehicle, but are still respectable considering the drive quality delivered by Mazda. 

PRICE

I tested a maxed-out, top trim version of the Mazda3, and my test vehicle was priced just over $38K. Choosing the base model will get your price to a very affordable $25K.

In addition to the base, trim levels include Select Sport, Preferred, Carbon Edition, Premium, Carbon Turbo and Turbo Premium Plus. You’ll need to choose one of the higher trim options if you want to upgrade to the turbocharged engine.

This pricing is a bit more than some of the rivals, but you’re getting a much better ride and vehicle design in the Mazda3 than the more inexpensive alternatives. And on the high end of the price range with the turbo engine, it’s competing more with performance sedans such as the Volkswagen GTI.

And if we’re being honest, the Mazda3 is the most luxury-feeling of all non-luxury car brands, so cross-shopping vs. compact luxury rides will make you realize you’re really getting quite a steal even at the highest trim level.

Warranties on the 2024 Mazda3 are decent, but not the best you’ll find in the segment. They include a 60 month/60,000 mile powertrain warranty and 36 month/36,000 mile new vehicle warranty.

BOTTOM LINE

Among the few remaining non-luxury compact cars, the 2024 Mazda3 remains arguably the most fun to drive and best designed of the lot — especially its high-end interior. You’re not getting the extreme sportiness of more pricey luxury sedans, but it’s far more enjoyable than any other affordable non-luxury compact you’ll drive.

Its small size limits its audience, but those who are comfortable with a smaller ride and choose the Mazda3 will enjoy their time behind the wheel each day. 

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