Not much has changed for the 2025 Mazda3 GT Turbo but it continues to be a fun car to drive around town and on windy roads without breaking the bank. You still have the option of choosing between a manual or automatic and a sedan vs hatchback.
Engine/Transmission
The 2025 Mazda 3 GT Turbo has a 2.5L 4-cylinder engine that produces 227 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque and 250 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque if you use premium fuel. It is paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode should you wish to use them. The manual transmission continues to only be available with front wheel drive whereas the automatic you have the option of front wheel drive or all wheel drive. 0-100k/h is said to be done in about 6 seconds, so it really does pick up speed quickly. The Mazda 3 GT Turbo is rated for 10.1 L/100km in a city and 7.3 L/100km on a highway while I averaged 9.8 L/100km with mostly highway driving but enthusiastically that is. I know I could have averaged better fuel economy but that really isn’t on my mind when driving exciting vehicles. I will say though that as it is a bit of a powerful car, it still is a fuel-efficient car.
Handling/Performance
There is never a dull moment with the Mazda3 GT Turbo; it is a quick car and feels very much sporty to drive. Merging onto a highway or overtaking another vehicle is not a problem as it picks up speed rather quick. It is very responsive to your inputs and easy to maneuver offering a great driving experience. It will make you feel confident behind the wheel as it feels balanced while driving on windy roads, so you won’t get that feeling that you are about to roll over. This is a great car to drive on a daily but also enthusiastically.
Comfort/Interior
Unfortunately, the Mazda3 GT Turbo continues to not be ideal for tall individuals as there is not much legroom in the rear seats. In the Sport (Hatchback) it is even worse as it is smaller and barely any legroom space depending on how far back the front seats are pushed back. In the driver’s seat, however, it is comfortable and have enough seat adjustments to suit your seating needs. It is also a quiet cabin for the most part, you will only hear the engine noise with some heavy acceleration but it’s not a bad noise. Driving over potholes is a bit evident as it is meant to be a sporty drive which makes for a stiffer ride, but the suspension absorbs the uneven roads quite well, so it is not too disturbing. The headroom is also compromised due to its smooth style and the display screen is still not a touchscreen. Luckily, the control knob is quick to react to your inputs so navigating through the display won’t be a pain. However, if you connect to Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, the infotainment screen becomes a touchscreen but as usual this drains your phone battery. Being inside the Mazda3 GT Turbo is great, it has materials that are nice to touch and feels very premium like throughout the cabin. Storage space is less than its competitors as the trunk space is smaller, but it is a bit deeper than most. Visibility is great to the sides and to the front, but it is minimal when trying to reverse park. Thankfully the 10.25-inch touchscreen provides great visibility when reversing.
Exterior
The 2025 Mazda3 GT Turbo is great to look at and depending on the colour you choose, looks even more sporty and classy. I do prefer the look of the Sport (hatchback) but both look great with the 18-inch alloy wheels, LED exterior lighting, and their signature lighting on the front and rear lights to name a few.
Pros/Cons
The price of the Mazda3 GT Turbo is $38,650 CAD ($32,300 USD). For this price you get a very stylish car and premium like, an engaging ride around town and on windy roads, comfortable front seats, the option of choosing a manual transmission which isn’t so common nowadays and somewhat fuel efficient even if you choose the turbo engine. Unfortunately, space isn’t all that great for rear passengers, but I feel that those who are looking into a Mazda3 GT Turbo are more interested in the driving experience at a much lower cost than a very powerful sports car. This Mazda3 GT Turbo provides a great experience for a lower cost which sounds appealing to me.
2025 Mazda 3 GT Turbo Gallery
