2023 Mazda MAZDA3 vs 2024 Mazda MAZDA3

The 2023 Mazda3 featured rakish headlights framing a large, menacing grille and was available in both sedan and hatchback body styles. While the sedan had somewhat conventional proportions, the hatchback boasted a daring and futuristic design. The rear angles curved up around the rear window and doors, creating a clean and forward-thinking look. Inside, the cabin continued this clean futurism with a simple yet elegant design. The infotainment system rose organically out of the dash, and the conventional shifter design was a welcome choice. The climate controls were easy to use, and the steering wheel, though a bit cluttered with controls, had an elegant design.

The 2024 Mazda3, despite being last redesigned in 2019, looked astonishingly modern with swooping lines and beautifully scalloped bodywork. The squinting headlights with LED turn signals and stylish round lighting elements added to its dramatic and expensive-looking design. Available in sedan and hatchback body styles, the hatchback was the more handsome of the two, offering better appointments and more usable storage space. Our test car, a 2024 Mazda3 Hatchback with Turbo Premium Plus trim, impressed with its material quality and comparative value, featuring red leather upholstery and a beautifully designed interior.

The 2023 Mazda3 came with a base 2.5-liter naturally aspirated inline-four engine producing 191 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and optional all-wheel drive (AWD). A manual transmission was available only on front-wheel drive (FWD) Premium models. Our test model featured the optional turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 227 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque on regular fuel, or 250 hp and 320 lb-ft with premium fuel. The turbo engine emitted a fantastic sound and provided a thrilling driving experience with well-weighted steering, precise handling, and a sporty brake feel.

The 2024 Mazda3 offered two engine options: a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 191 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque, and a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 250 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque on premium fuel. Front-wheel drive was standard on lower trims, while AWD was included on higher trims. A six-speed manual transmission was available only on the Hatchback S Premium with FWD. Our Turbo Premium Plus test vehicle delivered a delightful driving experience with tight and precise steering, minimal body roll, and impressive handling. Fuel economy varied depending on the drivetrain and engine, with the turbocharged AWD hatchback achieving 23/31/26 mpg.

The 2023 Mazda3 sedan provided 13.1 cubic feet of cargo space, while the hatchback offered 20.1 cubic feet. However, rear seating space was limited, with little legroom and headroom, making the back seats suitable only for occasional use. The front seating area had a decently sized center console compartment and helpful ergonomics, though the lid was a bit frustrating to use.

The 2024 Mazda3 hatchback offered 20.1 cubic feet of cargo space, competitive with the Subaru Impreza and more than the Toyota Corolla Hatchback. Total cargo space was 47.1 cubic feet. However, rear passenger space was tight, with limited legroom and headroom. The sedan provided 13.2 cubic feet of trunk space and similarly tight rear quarters. The hatchback's beautiful bodywork created a massive blind spot at the C-pillar, and the rearward visibility was poor due to the small and sloped rear window and rear lip spoiler.

The 2023 Mazda3 came standard with an 8.8-inch infotainment display operated via a dial in the center console. This non-touchscreen system had a steep learning curve and clumsy menu navigation, making it difficult to use. Standard features included two USB ports, HD radio, Bluetooth connectivity, and voice control. Our test model had upgrades like navigation, satellite radio, and a 12-speaker Bose premium stereo system.

The 2024 Mazda3 featured a similar infotainment system with a rotary controller instead of a touchscreen. While the rotary dial took some getting used to, it was better than some other non-touchscreen solutions. The 2024 model introduced a new 10.25-inch screen in its top two trims, offering touchscreen functionality only for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Standard features included wireless CarPlay and Android Auto on higher trims, a wireless charging pad, Wi-Fi with an AT&T subscription, remote services, navigation, and roadside assistance. The Bose stereo in higher trims sounded good.

The 2023 Mazda3 came standard with a host 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 features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, traffic-sign recognition, traffic jam assist, and a 360-degree parking camera system. However, the massive C-pillar created a significant blind spot, and the infotainment system's layout presented a safety issue.

The 2024 Mazda3 received five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and was named a 2024 Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Adaptive Cruise Control with stop-and-go was also included, with the Turbo Premium Plus trim adding Cruising and Traffic Support for smart steering assistance during heavy traffic.