Used 2019 MAZDA MAZDA3

The Mazda3 compact car has been completely redone for 2019, and the total makeover brings fresh technology, enhanced safety features, and an emphasis on premium aesthetics and feel. The all-new 2019 Mazda3 is again offered as a sedan or hatchback, similar to rivals like the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Hyundai Elantra, and Subaru Impreza. At $21,000, the new Mazda3 now has a higher starting price than competitors, but also boasts more standard horsepower and designer looks. Though its sales have traditionally trailed models like the Civic and Corolla, the 4th-generation Mazda3 remains among the most enjoyable cars to drive in its class. In addition to its inherently athletic manners, the Mazda3 further tempts with a new X-factor: the availability of all-wheel drive (AWD).

Good news, Mazda fans: There’s still plenty of that intrinsic “zoom-zoom” in the new Mazda3. In fact, we think the 2019 Mazda3 is its best version yet. Yes, the rear suspension has moved to a simpler torsion beam vs. the previous multilink. But Mazda’s engineers have done such a good job that the 3 retains its status as the most athletic car in its class. With its taut architecture and excellent steering feel, Mazda’s compact sedan and hatchback are made to carve corners. Even more impressive are this new Mazda3’s newfound levels of quiet. It has the hushed ride of a premium car.

The powertrain is mostly carryover from the previous generation, but the now-standard engine is the previously optional one: a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder. With 186 horsepower, it’s best in class for standard horsepower. In addition to this respectable power figure is the way it’s delivered, and another trait that separates the Mazda3 from competitors like the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla. Rather than using a CVT automatic transmission, the Mazda has a 6-speed automatic that is absolutely sublime. Switch into Sport mode and start attacking corners, and the system feels like it has ESP, reading your mind and knowing when to downshift or hold gears.

If there’s one loss, it’s the wide availability of Mazda’s sublime 6-speed manual transmission. It’s still offered, but only in a high-trim version of the Mazda3 hatchback. The Mazda3’s new, optional all-wheel-drive system is another major plus (see Favorite Features, below).

The new Mazda3 has a classy cabin with an upscale look. While the base sedan uses cloth seats, all other trims, and all versions of the hatchback, have leatherette or genuine leather upholstery. Moreover, the soft-touch material extends to the dash and door panels. All models come with a central 8.8-inch screen that is non-touch-controlled by nature (Mazda says that can be distracting).

The driver’s seat is comfortable, and the driving position is above average. The rear seats are expectedly tight for a compact car, but livable if the front seat isn’t occupied by a March Madness power forward. The Mazda3 hatchback boasts over 20 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, compared to the sedan’s 13-cubic-foot trunk. For more flexibility, the rear seats in both models fold in a 60/40 split to accommodate larger items and more gear. The Mazda3’s curvaceous exterior design does mean rear blind spots, however. This is especially so in the hatchback.

The 2019 Mazda3 again comes in two forms: as a 4-door sedan or 5-door hatchback. Both are sleek and a testament to Mazda’s design language. Few will argue with the sedan’s beauty. We think it is among the most stylish in its segment. The hatchback is bound to be more polarizing, due to a very thick C-pillar – the mass of metal between the rear passenger windows and the back. Another key difference between the Mazda3 sedan and hatch is length. The sedan measures 183.5 inches, while the hatch is an even more garage-friendly 175.6 inches. Base sedans ride on 16-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, but all other models get snazzier 18-inch alloys.

ALL-WHEEL DRIVE
For the first time, a Mazda3 is offered with traction-enhancing all-wheel drive. This makes it a tempting choice for drivers in cold-weather states, and a serious rival to the less-powerful Subaru Impreza – the only other compact car in its class with AWD.

MAZDA CONNECT INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM
All Mazda3 models come standard with a new infotainment system that bundles features like an 8.8-inch central display, 7-inch digital instrument gauge cluster, and a rotary controller in the central console. Audio buffs will appreciate another Mazda first: the ability to play high-res digital FLAC music files.

The 2019 Mazda3 is available in four trims: base, Select (sedan only), Preferred, and Premium. The least-expensive new Mazda3 is the base sedan. It comes with keyless entry, push-button start, automatic transmission, and an infotainment system with 8.8-inch screen, 8-speaker audio, two USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity, and AM/FM/HD Radio.

We recommend skipping that model and stepping up even one trim level to the Select sedan or a base hatchback. Doing so will get you the features you really want. These include Apple CarPlay/Android Auto integration, leatherette upholstery, dual-zone climate control, radar cruise control, and rain-sensing wipers. Moreover, the safety systems in these step-up models include automatic emergency braking that can prevent a frontal collision, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning and lane-keep assist, and a driver-attention system that monitors for drowsiness.

Moving to the Preferred trim package adds an 8-way power driver seat with lumbar support and memory settings, 12-speaker Bose audio, heated front seats, and SiriusXM satellite radio. At the top, Mazda3 Premium models include leather seating, steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, a head-up display that works even with polarized sunglasses, and a power moonroof. Standalone options include a navigation system, wireless charging pad, and black exterior accent package. All-wheel drive can be had on all models except the base sedan. If you want a manual transmission Mazda3, your only option is a Premium trim hatchback with front-wheel drive.

For the 2019 Mazda3, only one engine selection is available, but it’s an eager one: Mazda’s 2.5-liter 4-cylinder. It leads the class with 186 standard horsepower, and puts that power to the ground via a responsive 6-speed automatic transmission. As we’ve noted, a 6-speed manual is available, but only in a top-trim hatchback. That’s a pity, because it’s an absolute joy to use with its light-as-a-feather clutch pedal and crisp shifter.

All Mazda3 models come standard with front-wheel drive (FWD). New this year, an optional all-wheel-drive system integrates well with Mazda’s G-Vectoring Control Plus system that acts behind the scenes to fine-tune vehicle movements for a more pleasant and controlled driving experience. All-wheel-drive Mazda3 models can split their front/rear power up to 50:50. We found the system grippy and well-controlled while driving in snow on both all-season and winter tires.

All Mazda3 models are impressively fuel efficient, garnering up to 36 mpg on the highway. Some Mazda3 models further eke out their fuel savings with a cylinder-deactivation (CDA) system that works so well you won’t even know when it’s operating. That system is standard on all hatchback models, Premium sedan trims, and all models with AWD.

2.5-liter inline-4
186 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
186 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 25/35 mpg (manual, FWD hatchback), 26/35 mpg (automatic, FWD sedan), 27/36 mpg (automatic, FWD sedan with CDA), 26/35 mpg (FWD hatchback), 25/33 mpg (AWD sedan), 24/32 mpg (AWD hatchback)