The Mazda3 offers something that's become uncommon ...
Variety.
It does not come just one way, with just one engine. Or just one transmission (invariably an automatic), as many of its small-car rivals do.
It's also like one other car, the Miata, with room for more than just two.
What It Is
The Mazda3 is an entry-level compact sedan and five-door hatchback. Both are essentially the same car wrapped differently, for buyers who have different needs and wants. The sedan is for people who prefer the more traditional layout and would rather pay less for it.
This version of the 3 stickers for $24,170 to start.
If you prefer the hatchback layout, which is both sportier-looking and allows for more cargo-carrying capacity, you can get that for $25,690 to start.
Both 3s come standard with a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission.
But if you want a manual transmission, you can get that in the hatchback.
If you'd like a more powerful turbocharged engine, it's available in both versions of the 3. And it makes more or less horsepower, depending on whether you want to pay for premium gas.
This engine is also paired with all-wheel drive (optional with the non-turbo'd engine).
However, it comes only with the six-speed automatic.
A top-of-the-line Turbo Premium sedan lists for $35,450.
Interestingly, the same thing in hatchback form costs a bit more this time — $36,650.
What's New for 2024
A new version of the Carbon package is available, which comes with the more powerful turbo engine, the AWD system and most of the other upgrades that were included with the Carbon package last year except the leather seats, heated steering wheel and GPS navigation system.
A larger (10.25-inch) LCD touch screen is also available.
What's Good
Base engine is powerful enough to not almost force you to spend extra for the optional engine. And it's much more fun with the available manual transmission.
Miata-like reflexes with extra seats.
Hatchback layout offers almost twice the cargo carrying capacity of the sedan.
What's Not So Good
Manual transmission only available with the hatchback — and not with the least expensive base trim. You have to buy the $30,350 Premium trim to shift for yourself.
No 12-volt power point, regardless of trim.
Controls for the audio system are multistep and awkward to use fluidly.
Under The Hood
Both the sedan and the hatchback come standard with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that is remarkable for being larger than most four-cylinder engines in most new cars including a number of luxury cars, which have 2.0-liter fours. Because it is larger, it does not need a turbocharger to make 191 horsepower.
It comes standard with a six-speed automatic, but it's available with a six-speed manual in the hatchback.
A turbocharged version of the 2.5-liter engine is available in both versions of the 3. It makes 227 horsepower if you feed it regular unleaded, or 250 if you feed it premium.
The turbo'd engine is paired only with the six-speed automatic and AWD.
With the non-turbo'd engine, a 3 takes about 7.3 seconds to get to 60. With the turbo'd engine, you can get there about two seconds sooner.
On The Road
If you really, badly want a Miata but have to have four (or five) doors and seats for more than just two, this is the best second choice you'll ever make. Forget the extra doors and seats behind you and it's easy to believe you're driving what you really wanted because this four- (or five-) door Mazda channels the spirit of the two-door/two-seater it's a cousin of.
There are just two things that detract from the package — and one of them is subjective. This car sits low to the ground, like a Miata — just 56.7 inches at the roofline for the hatch, and just 5.5 inches off the ground. This looks great and helps the 3 handle like a Miata.
But it can make getting in and out like getting in and out of a Miata.
At The Curb
The sedan is about 8 inches longer than the hatch — 183.5 inches vs. 175.6 inches — but has less room in its trunk (13.2 cubic feet) than the smaller-looking hatchback has in its cargo area (20.1 cubic feet).
It's an interesting juxtaposition because the sedan is ostensibly the more practical version of the 3, while the hatch is the sportier-looking model. Both versions have essentially the same interior space for passengers, with one difference: Backseat headroom in the hatch is a little less — 37.2 inches vs. 37.3 inches — but it's a difference without much distinction.
The biggest meaningful difference aside from the looks is that the hatch is available with the manual transmission (in the Premium trim), while all sedan trims come only with the six-speed automatic. This is in keeping with the hatch's sportier demeanor, but it's still kind of odd that the sedan, which is the least expensive version of the 3, isn't available with the standard transmission. The word is italicized to recall the fact that "standard" was once just that — and synonymous with manual transmission. The automatic was generally optional. And the reason for that was automatics increased the buy-in cost. Manuals cost less and had the potential to save you money.
Now you have to spend more to get the manual.
The Rest
One thing neither version of the 3 comes standard with is a 12V accessory power point. It's a small but noteworthy nit in that its absence makes it difficult to plug in accessories such as radar detectors that have 12V pigtails.
Carbon trims come painted a stealthy gray metallic color that helps you run under the radar — even if you can't plug in your radar detector. These also come with black-anodized 18-inch wheels shod with thin-sidewall performance tires that sharpen up the already precise steering feel of the 3.
The Bottom Line
Everyone wants a Miata. Here's one that almost everyone can justify buying.
Eric's latest book, "Doomed: Good Cars Gone Wrong!" will be available soon. To find out more about Eric and read his past columns, please visit the Creators Syndicate webpage at www.creators.com.
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