2025 MAZDA MAZDA3

When it comes to having fun behind the wheel, the Mazda3 is one of our favorite compact cars. Even the least expensive model delivers adept handling, a comfortable ride, and an upscale interior, creating the feeling of driving a more expensive car. And when outfitted with the available turbocharged engine and all-wheel drive, the Mazda3 approaches a fun-to-drive factor on par with performance specialists like the Honda Civic Si and Volkswagen Golf GTI. It’s not quite as roomy or efficient as segment stalwarts like the Civic or Toyota Corolla, but the Mazda3 is something special.

We’ve logged hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of compact cars, including the Mazda3 Hatchback 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus seen here coated in Polymetal Grey Metallic with a bottom-line sticker price of $38,265.

There are only a few minor changes for the 2025 Mazda3. Models equipped with navigation can now receive over-the-air updates, while Amazon Alexa Built-in becomes a new feature on the Select Sport and higher trims.

The Mazda3 is something more than your typical compact car, and has the pricing to match. Competitors like the Corolla and Hyundai Elantra offer more and better features-per-dollar than the Mazda3, but none can match the Mazda’s semi-premium persona.

Before buying a Mazda3, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should really pay. Mazda3 resale values are about typical for the segment. Remember, recouping more money when you sell a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on your next one.

While the 250-horsepower turbo engine is the right choice for some, most 2025 Mazda3 buyers go for the 191-horsepower 4-cylinder engine matched with a 6-speed automatic transmission and front- or all-wheel drive. The Mazda3 has outstanding driving dynamics no matter how it’s optioned. It’s comfortable in daily city and highway driving, but entertaining when asked to do more. Most compact cars benefit from nimble handling, but the Mazda3’s chassis and suspension design deliver responsiveness and agility without sacrificing suppleness or poise. This ability to accommodate the demands of a wide range of driving styles makes the Mazda3 special. The hatchback model’s chunky rear pillars impact rearward visibility, but standard blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are helpful.

Fuel Economy

The Mazda3 returns up to 31 mpg in mixed city/highway driving with the base engine. Adding AWD drops that to 30 mpg, and the turbocharged Mazda3 returns up to 27 mpg. Most compact cars are less potent than the Mazda3 but more efficient. The Hyundai Elantra achieves up to 37 mpg, the Honda Civic gets up to 36 mpg, and the Toyota Corolla returns up to 35 mpg. Those three are also available as even more fuel-efficient hybrids.

Fine cabin materials are arranged into an interior design with a neatness that would impress an Audi or BMW owner. A similar level of Germanic attention to detail goes into the front seats, shaped to keep the spine in the correct position to help the driver remain alert yet relaxed. Even how the body is welded helps reduce noise, vibration, and harshness. We’ve found that it all comes together to make a supremely comfortable interior for a car in this price range. And, while the control knob for the infotainment setup does take some time to learn, ultimately it’s a safer way to operate the system as you don’t have to take your eyes off the road as much.

Sedan or hatchback, rear legroom is the same at 35.1 inches. That’s just okay for the compact car class. The Hyundai Elantra, for example, has 38 inches, and the Honda Civic boasts 37.4 inches. The Mazda3 sedan’s trunk has 13.2 cubic feet of space, which is a also bit small for this class. For reference, the Honda Civic’s trunk has 14.8 cubic feet of room.

Naturally, the hatchback has more cargo space than the sedan. It has 20.1 cubic feet of room behind the rear seats, which is still a little small compared to the 24.5 cubic-foot cargo hold in the Honda Civic hatchback. The key advantage of the Mazda3 hatchback over the sedan is its 47.1 cubic feet of maximum cargo space with the rear seats folded down. One of our editors has loaded bicycles, dressers, and surfboards into an even older, smaller Mazda3 hatchback, and another was able to fit an antique cedar chest in the hatch of this latest generation.

The big decision is choosing a sedan or a hatchback version of the Mazda3. Either way, it’s a stylish compact car that we think could easily wear a badge from one of the luxury marques, and no one would think anything was amiss.

Mazda Connect infotainment systems
Two different infotainment systems are available in the Mazda3, and we like both. The standard 8.8-inch screen uses a multi-function command knob, while the 10.25-inch screen on the turbo models upgrades with touchscreen capabilities when using wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

Available i-Activ AWD
All-wheel drive is an uncommon option in this class, and we’re happy to see it available on the Mazda3. It’s ideal for drivers who want the all-weather traction of AWD but don’t want an SUV.

Exciting turbo engine
The available 250-horsepower turbocharged engine turns the Mazda3 into a veritable sport compact. It adds to the driving excitement without sacrificing its daily practicality or fuel economy (too much).

i-Activsense safety features
The standard safety tech suite in the Mazda3 includes driver assistance features such as automatic emergency braking, full-speed adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high beams. Additional optional features include blind-spot monitoring and an adaptive front lighting system.

Two body styles
The Mazda3 offers two distinct body styles. The sedan is more affordable, but the stylish hatchback adds greater versatility with more cargo space.

Carbon trims
The Carbon Edition and Carbon Turbo models enhance the Mazda3’s sporty aesthetics with special paint colors, black wheels, gloss black exterior trim, and unique interior touches like red contrast stitching in the Carbon Turbo trim.

Most Mazda3 models are powered by a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine rated at 191 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque. A more energetic turbo engine is available, making 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque when fed premium gas. Front-wheel drive is the standard setup. All-wheel drive is available, and it’s standard on turbocharged models. All models come standard with a 6-speed automatic transmission, though the Mazda3 is a rarity these days in that it offers enthusiasts a 6-speed manual transmission on the hatchback variant.

3-Year/36,000-Mile Warranty

The Mazda3 is backed by a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. That coverage is typical for the segment.

Safety

The Mazda3 earned the Top Safety Pick+ (TSP+) designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). It’s well-equipped with standard safety features, including full-speed adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, and driver attention alert.