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The Greenest Car of 2024 Isn’t an EV2022 Mazda 3 Review
What do our experts think of the 2022 Mazda3? We look at powertrain, interior options, trim levels, and more. Find out our thoughts here.
What’s new for the 2022 Mazda3?
The only notable change to the Mazda3 for 2022 is the addition of a new Carbon Edition package that blacks out trim while adding a 12-speaker Bose audio system.
2022 Mazda3 – mazdausa.com | Shop 2022 Mazda3 on Carsforsale.com
The Breakdown
Outstanding handling
Terrific value
Great turbo engine
Confined space in back seat
Low on cargo space
base model lacks features
MazdaSpeed3 please?
2022 Mazda3 Specs
- 155 horsepower from base engine
- 150 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 8 available trims
- 13.1 cu-ft of cargo capacity
- Big standard infotainment screen
- Automated emergency braking
- 3 year limited warranty
2022 Mazda3 Powertrain
It’s a bit rare these days to find a compact car like this with three very different engines on offer. The base sedan is by far the drollest of the bunch and thankfully its underpowered 2.0-liter engine is confined to this single trim. It’s just not capable of producing the oomph we’ve come to expect from Mazda products. On the other hand, it’s pretty similar to rivals like the Volkswagen Jetta or the Honda Civic.
The middle of the range 2.5-liter engine with its 186-horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque is solid and affable. It’ll get you where you need to go and provide just a touch of spirited driving engagement when you push it really hard. It’s smoother than the base engine too and that shouldn’t go unnoticed. Finally, there’s the turbocharged engine. It comes at a premium compared to the other two but it’s fantastic.
With 320 lb-ft of torque and 250 ponies on tap, the 2.5L turbocharged engine is probably the closest thing we’re going to get to a real MazdaSpeed3 anytime soon. The AWD system does a nice job of limiting torque steer and allows the car to carve corners far better than basically every rival on the block. Honestly, every trim of the Mazda3 handles really well. It’s just this turbo motor that pairs most beautifully with the suspension.
All 2022 Mazda3 sedan trim levels come equipped with a SKYACTIV-DRIVE 6-speed automatic transmission. A six-speed SKYACTIV-MT overdrive manual transmission is optional on FWD models.
2022 Mazda3 Fuel Economy & MPG
The base engine in the Mazda3 is good for one thing: fuel economy. With EPA estimated ratings of 28 mpg city and 36 mpg highway, it’s the best of the bunch. None of the variants are really thirsty though with the AWD Turbo hatchback scoring worst with 23 mpg city and 31 highway.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
No matter which Mazda3 you might look at, one thing will continually ring true, it’s going to have an impressive interior. Even when we get into the expensive turbo models, the fit, the finish, and the materials used feel like a steal. They’re great to use in practice too with satisfying clicks, flips, and notches under your fingertips. The seats are also impressive and that includes the cloth on the base sedan. Mazda finds a nice balance of support and firmness without lacking sufficient cushioning for longer rides.
If there’s a downside to the Mazda3 it’s the back seat and the cargo area. As a taller guy, I really struggled to find a comfortable way to inhabit the rear seats short of laying sideways back there. That’s fine when your one tall friend is the only person in the back but I wouldn’t have enjoyed any sort of trip while sharing that space with another adult. In addition, the rear cargo area isn’t very big either. A fitting replacement for a small crossover this is not.
Entertainment & Technology
Mazda comes out of the gates blazing with a big 8.8-inch infotainment system that looks terrific and works well in practice. Of course, if you’re one that has to have a touchscreen it should be noted that this isn’t. The system is completely controlled by a rotary knob not too dissimilar from BMW’s iDrive. Despite that, we think it’s easy to learn and certainly does provide tactile feedback to let you know that you’ve done what you meant to without having to look directly at the screen.
The optional Bose audio system features a full and rich sound profile so we recommend it. Additionally, we feel that the inclusion of so many advanced driver assistance aids is a real value at this price point.
Safety Features
The Mazda3 scored five stars in NHTSA crash testing and was awarded a Top Safety Pick+ rating by the IIHS. That’s fantastic praise on top of the already excellent safety tech inside of this little car.
2022 Mazda3 Trims & Pricing
Base – $21,815
The only way to get the Base trim is to opt for the sedan because it isn’t available in the hatchback body style. It’s also the only Mazda3 to use a 155-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. It sends that power to the front wheels only through a six-speed automatic transmission. It also gets 16-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, an 8.8-inch infotainment system, and cloth upholstery. Like every Mazda3 it comes equipped with forward-collision mitigation, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and lane-keep assist.
2.5 S -$22,765
From this trim onward both the hatchback and sedan are available although the former will cost around $1,000 more. Each comes with front-wheel drive as standard but most can be had with AWD for $1,400 more. The 2.5 S gets a 2.5-liter four-cylinder that makes 186-horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque. It also adds Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity.
Select – $24,115
On top of the 2.5 S, the Select trim adds simulated leather upholstery, keyless entry and ignition, dual-zone automatic climate control, and blind-spot monitoring.
Preferred – $25,765
The Preferred gets a sunroof, heated front seats, and a power-adjustable driver’s seat.
Carbon Edition – $27,415
The new addition to the lineup this year adds dark trim to the Mazda3 as well as red leather upholstery and a 12-speaker Bose sound system.
Premium – $25,765
18-inch wheels start off the Premium trim and they’re joined by paddle shifters, leather upholstery, a heads-up display, and adaptive headlights.
Turbo – $31,565
AWD comes standard on the Turbo models. In addition, this trim makes 250-horsepower, has 18-inch wheels, a heated steering wheel, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.
Turbo Premium Plus – $34,115
As the cream of the crop, the Turbo Premium Plus gets all the bells and whistles including a navigation system, parking sensors, a surround-view camera system, traffic jam assist, and rear automatic braking.
Warranties
Despite all of its good qualities, the one area where Mazda doesn’t impress is the warranty category. They offer the same three years or 36,000-miles worth of Limited coverage and the same five years or 60,000-miles of powertrain coverage that many lesser rivals do. They don’t offer any complimentary maintenance like Toyota or Hyundai either.
What we think
2022 Mazda3 – mazdausa.com | Shop 2022 Mazda3 on Carsforsale.com
This is a fantastic little car and the Turbo hatchback model is in a league of its own right now. Everything about the 2022 Mazda3 feels like it was thoughtfully done aside from the warranty coverage and that’s why we’d never hesitate to suggest it to friends or family. Nothing we can think of in the market offers the handling, safety tech, and interior quality, at this price point.
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