2022 Mazda MAZDA3 vs 2023 Mazda MAZDA3

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 continued with its established design, available in both four-door sedan and five-door hatchback body styles. It offered a range of models, including the affordable Mazda3 2.0 (sedan only), the popular Mazda3 2.5 S, and the speedy Mazda3 2.5 Turbo. The 2.5 S lineup provided the most variety, with five trim levels and a choice between front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD). The 2.5 S Premium hatchback was the only model offering a six-speed manual transmission. Prices ranged from $20,800 to $34,400, excluding the $1,015 destination charge. The top-of-the-line 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus hatchback, with extra-cost Polymetal Gray Metallic paint, had an MSRP of $35,810, including the destination charge.

The 2022 Mazda3's appearance was not universally appealing, with deeply sculpted flanks and a hatchback design that some might call "hunchback." However, it had a certain artistry that could be appreciated. The interior was refined, with sophisticated design and polished metallic finishes, creating an upscale, almost elegant driving environment. The Mazda3 2.5 Turbo's stealthy design, without flashy spoilers or body kits, made it look mature and serious. It offered a compelling alternative to entry-level luxury cars, delivering more value for less, except in perceived cachet.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 featured rakish headlights framing a large, menacing grille, available in both sedan and hatchback body styles. While the sedan had conventional proportions, the hatchback's daring design was one of the cleanest and most forward-thinking, with rear angles curving up around the rear window and doors. This futuristic design had some shortcomings, but it continued into the cabin with a clean, organic layout. The infotainment system rose out of the dash, and the conventional shifter design was a welcome choice. The climate controls were easy to use, and the steering wheel had an elegant design, albeit cluttered with controls.

The 2023 Mazda3 offered various trim levels, including the 2.5 S, Select, Preferred, Carbon Edition, Premium, 2.5 Turbo, and 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus. Standard features on the 2.5 S included 16-inch alloy wheels, pushbutton start, keyless entry, two USB ports, and an 8.8-inch infotainment display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims added features like 18-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather-wrapped steering wheel, synthetic leather upholstery, moonroof, heated front seats, power-adjustable driver’s seat, and more. The 2.5 Turbo models gained a more powerful engine, with the top trim adding advanced driver assistance features.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 offered a range of engines. The most affordable version, the 2.0 sedan, had a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 155 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque, with a focus on fuel economy, returning 31 mpg in combined driving. The 2.5 S model, the most popular choice, featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine generating 186 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque, with a six-speed automatic transmission and optional AWD. Fuel economy for the 2.5 S ranged between 27 mpg and 30 mpg in combined driving. The 2.5 Turbo model had a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine, producing 227 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque with regular gas, or 250 hp and 320 lb-ft with premium fuel. It had standard AWD and returned 26 mpg (hatchback) or 27 mpg (sedan) in combined driving.

The 2022 Mazda3 2.5 Turbo was a fun car to drive, with smooth and supple ride quality, nimble handling, flawless steering, and outstanding balance. However, the brakes showed signs of fade during aggressive driving on challenging roads. Despite this, the Mazda3 2.5 Turbo was praised for its exceptional quality, unassuming style, and attainable price, though it could benefit from a brake upgrade.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 featured a base 2.5-liter naturally aspirated inline-four engine, producing 191 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, with a six-speed automatic transmission and optional AWD. A manual transmission was available on FWD Premium models. The optional turbocharged 2.5-liter engine produced 227 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque with regular fuel, or 250 hp and 320 lb-ft with premium fuel, with standard AWD and automatic transmission.

The 2023 Mazda3's turbo engine emitted a fantastic sound, engaging drivers from the start. The steering was well-weighted, providing excellent feedback without feeling too heavy. Off-the-line acceleration was moderate, but the car shone in second gear, especially in Sport mode, which held gears longer and provided ample torque. The brake feel was akin to a hardcore sports car, with minimal pedal travel and requiring precise control. The Mazda3's handling was a standout feature, offering a perfect blend of precision and refinement, with fantastic balance through corners and a smooth ride over bumps. The tap-shift function for the automatic transmission mimicked race-car sequential shifters, adding to the performance driving experience.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 had a low seating position, making entry and exit challenging, especially with small door openings. However, once inside, the front seats provided a snug but comfortable fit, with excellent thigh and side bolster support. The interior was driver-focused, with user-friendly controls, except for the Mazda Connect infotainment system. The back seat was less accommodating, with limited legroom and no rear air conditioning vents or USB ports. Storage space was adequate, with large door bins, a big glove compartment, and a sizable center console bin. The hatchback offered 20.1 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 47.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 sedan provided 13.1 cubic feet of cargo space, smaller than competitors like the Honda Civic, Kia Forte, or Nissan Sentra. The hatchback offered 20.1 cubic feet of cargo space, usable but not as spacious as many small SUVs. The rear seating area had limited legroom and headroom, making it suitable for short trips or smaller passengers. The front seating area had a decently sized center console compartment, though the lid's design was frustrating. The Mazda3's ergonomics and sizable cupholders were helpful.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 featured the Mazda Connect infotainment system with an 8.8-inch static display, controlled via a center console dial. Mazda's approach aimed to reduce driver distraction, but the lack of a physical tuning function and a voice recognition system that required specific commands were drawbacks. The system's shortcomings could be mitigated by using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Mazda Connected Services, complimentary for three years, provided remote access to vehicle functions via a smartphone app, including remote engine starting and a car finder function. An eight-speaker audio system was standard, with a 12-speaker Bose Centerpoint surround-sound system available on higher trims.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 also had an 8.8-inch infotainment display, operated via a center console dial. The system's menu navigation was clumsy, and the lack of touchscreen functionality made it unintuitive. The standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration had issues, with the Home button not functioning as expected. The Mazda3 came with two USB ports, HD radio, Bluetooth connectivity, and voice control. Higher trims added navigation, satellite radio, and a 12-speaker Bose premium stereo system, which provided great sound quality.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 excelled in safety, with standard features including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive front headlights, Traffic Jam Assist, reverse automatic braking, and a surround-view camera system. The Mazda3 received five-star ratings in every assessment from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 also came with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward automatic emergency braking, automatic cruise control, pedestrian and cyclist detection, adaptive headlights, lane-departure warning, and rain-sensing windshield wipers. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, traffic-sign recognition, traffic jam assist, and a 360-degree parking camera system. The traffic-sign recognition feature was helpful, and the side mirrors tilted down when in reverse, aiding in parallel parking. However, the massive C-pillar created a significant blind spot, and the infotainment system's layout presented a safety issue due to its distracting nature.