Affordable yet fun to drive is what I think of when I see the 2024 Mazda 3 Sport. It is stylish, engaging to drive, and perfect for a couple or single person as there isn’t a whole lot of space for the rear passengers.
Engine/Transmission
The 2024 Mazda 3 Sport GT has a 2.5L 4-cylinder engine that produces 191hp and 186lb-ft of torque and 250hp and 320lb-ft of torque if you choose it with the Turbo engine. It is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission or a 6-speed manual transmission. During my week with the 3, I had the 6-speed MT and one thing to note is that this is only available as a front wheel drive. But if you opt for the automatic transmission, then you get a choice between FWD or AWD and with a turbo engine. O-60mph (96km/h) is said to be done in about 8 seconds while the Turbo is at about 6 seconds. While this may not seem fast, it sure does feel fast behind the wheel.
Handling/Performance
The Mazda 3 stands out in my opinion because of the way it drives. It is responsive to your inputs when steering and handles beautifully around corners or windy roads. It is an enjoyable vehicle to drive at a great price. For this N/A 2.5L engine, you will notice it has minimal hesitation when accelerating hard from a stop. Driving the MT is just as enjoyable although I must say it took me a while to get used to the clutch. I felt it to be a bit too soft for my liking as it can easily stall when starting from a stop. Not a big deal, as once you get used to it, it is very smooth as you almost forget it is a MT. Other than that, it drives great for what it is worth. For the 2024 model you lose the 2.0L trim and the 2.5L becomes the standard but you gain the Suna trim level or Carbon Edition.
Comfort
Unfortunately, the Mazda 3 Sport is not ideal for more than two people as there is barely any legroom in the rear seats. In the driver’s seat, however, they are 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 but not too disturbing.
Interior
I like everything about the inside and outside of the Mazda 3 Sport. The materials used throughout the cabin feel and look premium. Visibility is great on 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. For the 2024 model, the infotainment screen becomes a touchscreen when connected to Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Also, the connectivity is now wireless. As mentioned earlier, there isn’t much space for the rear passengers, it can get quite squishy especially if you have a tall driver as their seat will be pushed farther back. Also, the rear windows are quite on the tiny side but again this is why I suggested this car is perfect for a couple or single person as the driver and front passenger seats are comfortable.
Exterior
As I’ve mentioned in my other reviews about Mazdas, I am impressed with their looks and how they perform. The 3 Sport and the Sedan have a great-looking exterior although I do prefer the look of the Sport. Hence the name, it looks sportier, and its looks match its performance.
Pros/Cons
The starting price of the 2024 Mazda 3 Sport is $24,950CAD for the GX and $32,450CAD ($27,955USD) for the GT not including the Turbo. For this price you get a very stylish car and premium like, an engaging ride around town and on windy roads, comfortable driver’s seat, the option to choose 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 and so I can see this being a deal breaker for some but if you choose the sedan, you will have slightly more space. Overall, a car very well worth it in my opinion.
2024 Mazda 3 Sport GT Gallery
