The 4th generation Mazda 3 has not been with us for very long. It’s only been 3 years since it arrived as a 2019 model. In that time, however, the competition has stepped up their game. The Elantra & Forte offer a lot of value, the Corolla is the fuel saver, and the Civic is the best all-rounder. So does the Mazda 3 still have what it takes to stay on top?
Performance
Engine – The base Mazda 3 is powered by a 2.0L naturally aspirated 4-cylinder that can produce 155 hp and 150 lb-ft of torque (115 kW & 203 Nm). This is an ok engine but if you have the budget for a mid-level trim, the Mazda comes equipped with a larger 2.5L naturally aspirated 4-cylinder. This 2.5L engine can produce 186 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque (138 kW & 252 Nm) which is more than a lot of its competitors such as the new Civic and the Corolla. This being a naturally aspirated engine, response is immediate. As well, the torque is in the mid-rpm range so the motor doesn’t need to struggle too much to get the 1,408 kg (3,104 lbs) body up to speed. Best of all, this engine can be paired with an AWD system; something that its competitors don’t have.
But if you’re wanting for more power, the Mazda 3 is available with a turbocharged version of the 2.5L engine for both the sedan and the hatch. Depending on what type of fuel you put in the tank, this engine can produce up to 250 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque (186 kW & 434 Nm). Those numbers are with premium fuel. With regular fuel, the engine produces a respectable 227 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque (169 kW & 420 Nm). Because it is turbocharged, getting up to speed in a city environment feels effortless. There is a lot of low end grunt but the engine is still fairly responsive at the top end. With this turbo engine, the Mazda 3 can accelerate up to 100 km/h in just 6 seconds. As well, this engine can only be paired with the AWD system, no FWD option.
Fuel Economy – The standard 2.0L engine is the most fuel efficient of the bunch. In the Mazda 3 sedan, it is rated for 8.4 L/100km (28 MPG) in a city and 6.6 L/100km (35.6 MPG) on a highway with the automatic transmission. The 2.5L naturally aspirated engine in this sedan demo vehicle is rated for 8.9 L/100km (26.4 MPG) in a city and 6.5 L/100km (36.2 MPG) on a highway. Not too far off from the base 2.0L engine. The Turbocharged 2.5L engine in this hatchback demo vehicle is rated for 10.1 L/100km (23.2 MPG) in a city and 7.5 L/100km (31.3MPG)on a highway.
Transmission – Depending on which engine you choose to go for and whether it’s the sedan or hatchback, the 2022 Mazda 3 is available with a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic. The turbo engine is only available with the automatic. The manual is available with both the 2.0L and the 2.5L engines but with the 2.5L, it’s only in the hatchback form. In America, the manual is only available on the hatchback.
I previously drove a Mazda 3 with the manual transmission and it was a lot of fun. The shifter didn’t feel notchy and the clutch was light enough for daily commutes. The automatic may only have 6 gear ratios to choose from, however, it is a great transmission. Shifts between the gears are smooth and if you put the car into Sport mode, the shifts are quick and responsive should you decide to use the paddle shifters.
Braking – Whether it’s the base Mazda 3 or the Turbo Mazda 3, this car has no issues in stopping. The brake pedal has quite a bit of travel which allows for smooth stops and it progressively gets firmer the harder you press on it.
Handling – Of all its competitors, the 2022 Mazda 3 has always been known as the driver’s car. Sharp and firm steering give the driver confidence to push this Mazda 3 through corners a bit more quickly than its competitors. Body roll is well controlled by the suspension without too many jounces after driving over a big bump. G-vectoring control momentarily limits engine torque while driving through corners to prevent the body from rolling too much which in turn maintains traction and provides a smoother drive for occupants.
The AWD system is a blanket of security for those that live in areas where winters are actually winters. As mentioned earlier, the turbo engine is only available with the AWD system while the 2.5L N/A engine is available with the AWD system. The 2.0L engine is not. In the turbo Mazda 3, the AWD system can send enough power to the rear wheels that it can get the back end to step out of line in snowy conditions. Of course this is with traction control turned off and you are actively trying to get the back end to swing out. With traction and stability control left on and lighter throttle applications, the Mazda 3 AWD is stable on less than ideal road surfaces.
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Comfort
Ride Comfort – While the Mazda 3 is positioned more as a sporty car, the ride comfort is not sacrificed. Yes, it is a tiny bit firmer than a comparable compact car from a different manufacturer but you can still drive over potholes without the fear of shaking your teeth loose. The seats were redesigned in this latest generation Mazda 3 to provide better support.
Interior Space – Front occupants have a generous amount of leg and head room. The driver gets a 10-way power seat on this GT trim while the passenger has to make due with a 4-way manually adjustable seat. The rear occupants don’t have as much room though. Leg room is tight if you’re over 6’ and headroom is just as tight.
For the sedan, the trunk volume measures at 374L (13.2 cu-ft) with the seats up and 940L (33.2 cu-ft) with the rear seats down. The Sport version (hatchback) has 569L (20 cu-ft) with the seats up and 1,334L (47.1 cu-ft) with the rear seats down.
Noise, Vibration, & Harshness – This generation Mazda 3 is very quiet. It feels like you’re in a much more premium and expensive vehicle. The cabin feels very insulated from the outside world. The only noise that feels a bit intrusive is road noise on highways that have old and porous asphalt. The turbo engine also makes a pretty good noise when the rpm needle goes past 4,000 rpms.
Odds and Ends
Pricing – The 2022 Mazda 3 sedan starts at $21,400 CAD ($21,150 USD) with the Sport costing $1,000 CAD ($2,000 USD) more. This GT sedan with the 2.5L engine and FWD costs $31,400 CAD ($27,700 USD) while the Mazda 3 Sport GT Turbo with AWD costs $36,700 CAD ($34,750 USD).
Gadgets – A fully loaded Mazda 3 GT has a lot of the same features that its competitors have. These include heated front seats, heated steering wheel, satellite navigation (subscription not required), sunroof, dual-zone automatic climate control, auto high beam headlights, and soft leather upholstery. However, the Mazda 3 GT also has surround view cameras and a head-up display. These are features that very few or no other compact car in the same price bracket have.
The infotainment system was updated with this current generation Mazda 3. Not only does it have modern graphics but it is faster than the previous generation. It supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (both wired) but it is no longer a touch screen. You must use the rotary knob on the center console or voice controls. The infotainment was designed with the rotary knob in mind so it is easy to navigate around. But using CarPlay or Android Auto with the rotary knob is frustrating. Those apps work better with a touchscreen.
Interior Design – The cabin feels a bit more upscale and premium than other competitors like the Hyundai Elantra. Soft leather adorns this GT trim’s dashboard but for the 2022 model year, the center dash leather is no longer in the same colour as the seats. I much prefer having it in the same colour as the seats because it creates an interesting contrast. Elsewhere the buttons and knobs have a premium feel that even some lower BMW and Mercedes-Benz models can’t replicate.
Exterior Design – The exterior sees an evolution of the Kodo design language with a blend of sharp lines in the front and smooth curves along the side and back. Turbo versions of the Mazda 3 receive black wheels and the 3 Sport has black surrounds on the grille instead of chrome. New for 2022, the turn signals fade as they blink just like in the Mazda CX-30.
Safety – The Mazda 3 sedan and hatch received Top Safety Pick+ awards from the IIHS with both receiving Good scores in every crash test. As for advanced driver and safety aids, the Mazda 3 doesn’t have a whole lot in base form. All it comes with are blind spot sensors and rear cross traffic alert. At least, that’s all it comes with here in Canada. In America, the Mazda 3 has lane keep, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure warning. In Canada, you only get those features if you move up to the GS trim with the GT trim adding surround view cameras, rear emergency braking, and traffic sign recognition.
Warranty – But while Canadian Mazda 3’s may not have as many advanced driver aids and safety features as their American counterparts, the Canadian Mazda 3’s arguably have a better warranty. It has a 3 year / unlimited km basic warranty and a 5 year / unlimited powertrain warranty. In the United States, the warranty is 3 year / 36,000 mile basic & 5 year / 60,000 mile powertrain. For more info on Canadian warranty, click here. For more info on U.S.A. warranty, click here.
Conclusion – First and foremost, the 2022 Mazda 3 remains as the driver’s car. Not the Civic, Forte, Elantra, Corolla, etc can match the Mazda 3’s driving dynamics for the price that you’re paying. The interior of the 3 is one of the nicest ones on sale today but the Civic is awfully close on its heels. Unfortunately one of the biggest drawbacks of the Mazda 3 is its interior volume. The competitors offer more of it. As well, it is a bit pricier than the competition and not as fuel efficient. However, despite its shortcomings, the Mazda 3 remains in the top 3 (or 2) on my list of compact cars to purchase.
Thank you to Mazda Canada for providing the Mazda 3 Sedan. www.mazda.ca
2022 Mazda 3 GT Gallery
