In recent years, there have been significant improvements in various types of vehicles, including economy cars and luxury SUVs. The Mazda3 is a prime example of a vehicle that has raised the bar in its competitive class. It stands out with its attractive design, a sportier driving experience, and an interior that exceeds its price tag.
The 2024 Mazda 3 is available as both a sedan and a hatchback, offering a choice between a potent base engine and an even more thrilling turbocharged option. Additionally, it sets itself apart from its rivals by offering all-wheel drive and a manual transmission, though the manual is only available in a non-turbo model. This makes the Mazda3 an appealing choice for drivers who want more engagement and performance without having to step up to specialized performance models like the Honda Civic Type R or Toyota GR Corolla.
Although the Mazda 3 was last redesigned in 2019, it has remained competitive and desirable over the years. For the 2024 model year, it receives several updates, including a new infotainment system for the top Turbo models. Even without these updates, the 2024 Mazda3 would still be an excellent choice when compared to competitors such as the Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, Volkswagen Jetta, and Toyota Corolla. In fact, the Mazda3 often exceeds expectations with its overall excellence, offering a level of quality that surpasses its rivals.
Interior & Technology:
The 2024 Mazda 3’s interior is bound to impress with its wow factor. Even when compared to the Toyota Corolla or Hyundai Elantra, which are already quite nice, the Mazda3’s interior gives off a more high-end feel. Mazda’s design approach eliminates visual clutter by minimizing switchgear and cleverly hiding air vents and door handles, resulting in a special and clean aesthetic. The steering wheel is not only visually appealing but also a pleasure to hold. The interior offers ample center console space, and Mazda has addressed previous usability issues with its tech interface. Models with the base engine feature an 8.8-inch infotainment display controlled via a dial on the center console, which Mazda engineers believe reduces distractions compared to touch-operating interfaces. However, some individuals may prefer touchscreens and may not be pleased with this setup. Turbo models come with a larger 10.25-inch touchscreen, which supports touch-operating functions for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but Mazda’s native infotainment system remains knob-operated. It’s disappointing that this setup is not available across all Mazda3 models.
Passenger & Cargo Space:
The Mazda 3 has average exterior dimensions, comparable to the Honda Civic, VW Jetta, and Hyundai Elantra, but slightly larger than the Toyota Corolla. Front occupants will find comparable space to other compact competitors, with well-shaped seats providing comfort during long drives. However, the back seat offers the least legroom in its segment, feeling cramped compared to rivals like the Honda Civic. The hatchback’s unique roofline makes rear headroom tight, and the thick rear pillars can create a slightly claustrophobic feel. Some may find this acceptable due to the hatchback’s distinctive appearance. The sedan’s trunk is useful and can accommodate six suitcases in a luggage test, but its 13.2 cubic-feet of space falls short of the Honda Civic and Hyundai Elantra’s surprisingly spacious trunks. The Mazda3 Hatchback provides a larger cargo area, measuring at 20.1 cubic-feet, but some of the space is located near the roof and may not be practical for everyday storage. Interestingly, when the back seat is raised, the sedan offers more space than the hatchback. However, fold the back seat down, and the hatchback surpasses the sedan in terms of storage capacity and versatility. The Mazda3 hatchback also offers comparable cargo space to the Mazda CX-30 SUV.
Performance & Fuel Economy:
The entry-level 2024 Mazda 3 models come equipped with a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated inline-four engine, delivering 191 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. This makes it a powerful and torquey base engine in its class, surpassing some of its rivals’ upgraded engines. All Mazda3 models come standard with a six-speed automatic transmission, but the top-of-the-line Premium Hatchback offers the option for a six-speed manual transmission (front-wheel drive only), catering to enthusiasts. Front-wheel drive is standard with the automatic transmission, and uniquely, all-wheel drive is available as an option in this segment. According to Mazda estimates, the sedan equipped with the automatic transmission and front-wheel drive achieves an estimated combined fuel economy of 31 mpg. Opting for all-wheel drive reduces the estimate to 30 mpg. The Hatchback is estimated to achieve 1 mpg less than the sedan, whether with front- or all-wheel drive, while the manual transmission variant is expected to achieve 30 mpg. The Mazda3 Turbo stands out by offering a significant power upgrade without the high-performance chassis enhancements typically found in models like the Honda Civic Si or VW GTI. It features Mazda’s 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which is used in larger vehicles like the CX-9 and CX-50 SUVs. It produces 227 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque on 87 octane fuel, but using 93 octane fuel increases those figures to 250 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque. The Turbo is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. The estimated fuel economy for the Turbo sedan is 27 mpg combined, while the hatchback achieves an estimated 26 mpg.
What’s it like to drive the 2024 Mazda 3?
The Mazda 3 delivers an incredibly enjoyable driving experience. Its powertrain is already noteworthy, but its ride and handling truly set it apart. The steering weight strikes a perfect balance between light and heavy, providing a natural build-up of resistance and delivering the desired amount of road feel. The chassis is impressively neutral, with virtually no understeer. Body roll is minimal, providing a stable and confident ride. Despite having a torsion-beam rear suspension, the Mazda3 remains composed over bumps. It begs to be driven enthusiastically around corners. Thankfully, its handling prowess does not compromise ride quality. While the suspension is on the firm side, it offers excellent body control and minimal movement over bumps, reminiscent of European cars. The cabin is well-insulated, resulting in minimal road and engine noise, ensuring a refined driving experience. It’s important to note that while the Turbo model offers upgraded power, it is not a high-performance model like the Mazdaspeed3 of the past. Although it is noticeably quicker and has a pleasant growl, the engine prioritizes low-end power rather than revving high like a true performance engine. The Turbo model is available exclusively with a six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.
Pricing & Trim Levels:
The Mazda 3 is available in multiple trim levels to cater to various budgets and preferences. The 2024 model year introduces standard blind-spot monitoring across all models. The Mazda3 Turbo models now come with a larger 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen and are eligible for the Carbon appearance trim package. The 2.5 S Carbon model also includes all-wheel drive as standard.
Crash Ratings & Safety Features:
Mazda’s commitment to safety is evident in their inclusion of blind-spot monitoring as a standard feature for all Mazda 3 models. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) ratings for the 2024 Mazda3 are not yet available, but historically, Mazda has performed well in safety tests.
In summary, the 2024 Mazda 3 stands out with its stunning design, engaging driving experience, luxurious interior, powerful engines, and the option for all-wheel drive. While it may have below-average fuel efficiency, a cramped rear seat, and lack a high-performance variant, its overall excellence exceeds expectations. The Mazda3 is an excellent choice for drivers who prioritize style, performance, and a premium feel without having to venture into high-performance model territory.
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