The Mazda 3 is one of those special cars that you hope will never go away. Sporty-looking, practical, fun-to-drive and inexpensive, the Mazda 3 hits all the high notes for what is needed to be a great car. A few years ago, we saw the fourth generation Mazda 3 make its debut and found that it still hit all those notes. For 2025, the Mazda 3 moves forward with the same recipe and continues to be the car we initially fell in love with back in 2003.
As it has always been, the Mazda 3 is available in both sedan and hatchback body styles, the latter being what I am assigned this week. The one advantage the hatchback holds is that it is the only body style that can still be had with a six-speed manual transmission. Sedans come only with a six-speed automatic, and to be honest, most hatchbacks will end up having an automatic in them as well. But it's nice to know Mazda still offers the six-speed in the hatchback, especially at a time when the manual transmission is becoming a thing of the past.
The base Mazda 3 hatchback continues to use a 2.5-liter Skyactiv four-cylinder - which is a carryover from last year. Power is rated at 191 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque. It comes with a six-speed automatic transmission, but if you choose the Premium package, the manual transmission, mentioned above, becomes an option.
More power can be had with the availability of the 2.5 turbocharged four-cylinder. Borrowed from Mazda SUVs, this engine delivers 227 hp and a healthy 310 lb-ft of torque (both those numbers go up to 250 and 320 respectively when using 93 octane gasoline). As a bonus, all-wheel drive is standard. While the manual gearbox with the base engine would be the way to go for the most engaging 3 to drive, the turbocharged Mazda 3 gets the nod for being the quickest 3.
For 2025, the Mazda 3 basically continues as it did last year. Minor changes include a newly available Alexa built-in voice assistant and the ability to receive onboard navigation updates over the air.
Its interior uses an intuitive, driver-oriented dashboard and console that not only makes the 3 feel very sporty, but places all the controls within easy reach and are simple to use. And it's all done in a clean, uncluttered fashion, which adds a sense of elegance to the cabin. The infotainment screen, though positioned out of arm’s reach, is controlled by an easy-to-use dial-button control interface. And like in all Mazdas, the volume knob is located on the center console between the seats.
Front seat driver and passenger have plenty of room. The backseat reminds us that the 3 is a compact and can be tight when three passengers are seated back there, especially if anyone is over 6 feet tall. However, one of the biggest perks of a hatchback is its versatility, and the Mazda 3 excels in this area. With the rear seats folded flat, the interior transforms into a surprisingly spacious cargo zone, making the Mazda 3 as practical as it is fun to drive.
And it is fun to drive. My favorite feature of the past Mazda 3s has always been how enjoyable they are to drive - and today's 3, with the turbocharged engine just adds to it. The Mazda 3 has always been a good handling car - with precise steering and a firm - but not jarring - suspension, it's a real joy to take into turns. And now with all-wheel drive and the power from the turbocharged engine, it's even better. The power is great (it's very linear, without the surge that might be expected in a turbocharged car) and the engine note has a little snarl to it, something I've always found Mazda's to lack. The automatic can be a little slow to shift at times but shift paddles do help solve that.
I didn't get to drive a manual transmission Mazda 3 and finding one may be difficult. But it may be worth it, as shifting your own gears could only add to the great driving dynamics that the automatic Mazda 3 has.
Pricing for the Mazda 3 hatchback starts at $26,135 for the base 2.5 S, while the sedan starts a thousand dollars less. The tester, a 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus hatchback, has an MSRP of $38,135.
On paper, the Mazda 3 is largely overshadowed by its competitors, which include the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic, both easily out selling the 3. But the Mazda 3 is far more exciting to look at and drive, making the entire experience with the car a real joy.