Mazda doubtless has probably the most peculiar repute within the automotive trade. The Japanese producer’s lineup consists of the MX-5 Miata, the world’s best-selling roadster. It additionally features a handful of sedans, hatchbacks and SUVs that don’t promote significantly effectively.
It’s a long-time trade dynamic. Mazda makes worthy autos, notably the 2025 Mazda 3. However the carmaker’s choices have hardly ever obtained acceptable consideration. A breakthrough occurred final 12 months when the Mazda 3 sedan gross sales in the US elevated 39.8 % from 2023.
However right here’s the caveat: The Mazda 3 sedan’s complete gross sales quantity in 2024 was 23,853. It’s a lowly quantity when the competitors amongst small sedans consists of the Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, Kia Forte, Nissan Sentra, Volkswagen Jetta and Toyota Corolla. Rivals for the Mazda 3’s hatchback embrace the Honda Civic hatchback, Subaru Impreza, Volkswagen Golf GTI and Toyota GR Corolla.
It’s a tricky crowd. The Honda Civic is yearly among the many nation’s top-selling small sedans, together with 223,321 models in 2024. The Toyota Corolla is the top-selling automobile in historical past.
Nonetheless, the 2025 Mazda 3 is a prime candidate within the section. Honda and Toyota gave the carmakers’ small sedans sportier exterior upgrades in recent times. Mazda joined the brand new wave of good-lookers within the present technology’s 2019 debut. All through the section, staid little sedans are not any extra.
The Mazda 3’s longish snout gives the quasi-look of a modestly priced Ford GT Cobra. It has little resemblance to old-styled, modest sedans typically relegated to rental fleets and college students with modest budgets looking for stable transportation.
The reviewed 2.5-liter, 250-horsepower turbocharged trim is the highest performing possibility, finishing the 0-to-60 miles per hour normal in 5.6 seconds. The trouble is likely one of the surprises within the section. The Mazda 3 trim with a six-speed transmission will not be solely fast, it advances with confidence and in close to silence.
Mazda, like many carmakers, claims its small four-door sedan has seating for 5. However solely two adults can journey comfortably within the rear seats. General, the Mazda 3 has sufficient area besides its small trunk.
Fuel mileage averages are 23 miles per gallon in metropolis dwellings, 32 mpg on the freeway. The MSRP is $35,880, last tally $37,580.
The Mazda 3’s driving prowess can be current whereas maneuvering by visitors, at prime freeway speeds and whereas negotiating the chaos of metropolis visitors. Lane adjustments are clean.
Mazda’s normal options record is beneficiant. Whereas adopting a lot of the gear from the six extra trims, the two.5 Turbo Premium will get a large chunk of different stuff. Entrance and rear parking sensors, a heated steering wheel, leather-based upholstery and paddle shifters spotlight the trim stage.
Security upgrades embrace a lane-centering system, a surround-view digital camera system, rear automated braking, ahead collision warning with automated braking, adaptive cruise management, lane-keeping help, lane departure warning and a drowsy driver monitor.
An 8.8-inch infotainment show is normal as is Wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capabilities in decrease stage fashions, a ten.3-inch touchscreen show with wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is normal on turbo fashions. Each choices have an easy-to-use interface, largely managed by a rotary knob on the console.
Commonplace on a number of trim ranges are 18-inch wheels, dual-zone automated local weather management, keyless entry and rain-sensing wipers, Alexa built-in voice assistant and blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert.
A Bose premium audio system is normal on Premium and Turbo Premium Plus fashions and elective elsewhere. SiriusXM satellite tv for pc radio can be elective.
The 2025 Mazda 3 presents rather a lot but it surely doubtless won’t ever strategy the legacies of the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla. However it’s a worthy unheralded underdog.
