2023 Mazda 3 review: Full range detailed

Mazda's design philosophy often seems to be 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' – a symptom of doing big-brand things on a small-brand budget.

Despite this, the fourth-generation Mazda 3 managed to represent a vast improvement over the popular third-gen model and gives pricier Euro-badged models a run for their money.

But its superior refinement, dynamics, ride comfort, cabin quality and style haven't translated into bigger sales due to the rise of small SUVs and higher entry-level pricing.

From May 2023, it cost even more to join the Mazda 3 club, with the entry-level manual gearbox dropped from the range – plus a $2000 price increase across the line-up seeing the entry-level price leap by more than $3000.

Mazda also deleted its G20e and X20 mild hybrid engines, so now there are just six variants to choose from instead of 14 – though that's not necessarily a bad thing.

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Click the above photo to see our full gallery

JUMP AHEAD

• Mazda 3 pricing
• What body styles are available for the Mazda 3?
• What features are standard in every Mazda 3?
• What key features do I get if I spend more?
• How safe is the Mazda 3?
• How comfortable and practical is the Mazda 3?
• Rear seat comfort
• How much boot space does the Mazda 3 offer?
• I like driving, will I enjoy the Mazda 3?
• Which Mazda 3 engine uses the least fuel?
• What is the Mazda 3's towing capacity?
• How long is the warranty and what are the Mazda 3's servicing costs?
• Which version of the Mazda 3 does Wheels recommend?
• What are the Mazda 3's key rivals?

Mazda 3 pricing

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What body styles are available for the Mazda 3?

The Mazda 3 is available as a five-door hatchback and four-door sedan, neither of which incurs a price premium. Both are front-wheel drive. The Mazda 3 is classed as a small car, lower priced.

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What features are standard in every Mazda 3?

The features listed below are standard in the entry-level model and will appear in higher-grade models unless replaced by more premium equivalent features.

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What key features do I get if I spend more?

The well-equipped entry-level G20 Pure comes with 16-inch alloy wheels and cloth seats.

The G20 moniker refers to the 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, which is coupled with a six-speed automatic gearbox.

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Stepping up to the G20 Evolve brings:

The G20 Touring adds more desirable features, including:

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The G25 Evolve SP brings the spirited 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine.

It has most of the G20 Touring's features but loses the leather seats in favour of black cloth upholstery. The 18-inch alloy rims are matt black, as are the door mirrors and grille.

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The G25 GT ups the luxury features with:

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Unfortunately, the G25 GT misses out on the 12-speaker Bose premium audio system available in the range-topping Astina spec, because of the ongoing semiconductor shortage.

The G25 Astina comes with the lot, which includes the following extras over the GT:

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G25 Astina hatchback with Burgundy trim

Options

The Vision Technology package that is standard in the G25 Astina is a $2000 option in the Pure, Evolve and Touring grades, and a $1500 extra in the G25 GT, which already has the 10.25-inch infotainment screen.

Some price lists refer to the pack as a separate variant, such as G20 Pure Vision.

Paint

Mazda generally provides five standard paint options and three premium paints that cost an additional $595.

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How safe is the Mazda 3?

The entire Mazda 3 range is covered by a five-star ANCAP safety rating, based on testing conducted in 2019.

It has a 98 per cent score for adult occupant protection, 89 per cent for children, 81 per cent for vulnerable road users, and 76 per cent for safety assist.

Seven airbags (dual front, side, curtain, and driver’s knee) feature across the range.

Each variant includes the following active safety equipment as standard:

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How comfortable and practical is the Mazda 3?

You sit quite low in the 3, a position designed to deliver a sporting feel, and to distinguish it from the higher-riding CX-30.

It’s a lovely dash in front of you too, beautifully built and it’s all integrated nicely. You know a lot of midnight oil was burned to ensure even the fonts were consistent.

The thin-rimmed steering wheel is very nice, too, and feels like it was plucked from an MX-5.

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The driving position feels spot-on, with the steering column providing an extra 20mm (for a total of 70mm) of reach adjustment, allowing taller drivers to pull the wheel in closer.

Mazda has also vastly improved road noise using sound-damping ‘nodes’ sandwiched within the bodywork.

Interior design is another highlight. The cabin ambience elevates the Mazda 3 above most competitors.

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The instrument panel, air-conditioning controls and centre console are clutter-free with greater practicality evident in things like the dual cup holders forward of the shifter, and a generous bin ahead of that for a phone or sunglasses.

The 8.8-inch touchscreen isn't the biggest out there, but it's quite wide thanks to its cinematic aspect ratio. It is positioned slightly further away from the driver to reduce the eye-focussing time from the road ahead to the display.

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Mazda has also bucked the touch-screen trend, claiming it’s safer for drivers to navigate the improved system via the larger rotary controller.

Some see this as a minus, but the system is easy enough to operate.

The head-up display uses an integrated and sophisticated projector system that doesn't intrude over the dashboard. Eyes-ahead clarity for navigation and speed-sign recognition is excellent.

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Click the photo above for our full gallery

Rear seat comfort

Interestingly, while the G20 Pure gets advanced kit like a head-up display it misses out on rear air vents and a fold-down centre armrest.

But overall, rear leg- and knee-room are quite good as headroom considering the swoopy exterior profile. The seat cushions are comfortable, and the leather-appointed upholstery has a more quality feel than its rivals.

Variants with the centre armrest bring two cup holders to the rear seats, but there are no USB sockets, which is an odd oversight considering the attention to detail at the front of the cabin.

Side vision isn't great, particularly in the hatchback which has a broad C-pillar and, unless you're in an Astina with a sunroof and two-tone trim, it can get a little gloomy back there.

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How much boot space does the Mazda 3 offer?

The boot in the hatchback is a tight 295 litres, which is 100 litres less than the Hyundai i30.

It’s helped by 60:40 split-folding seats and a broad tailgate opening that allows you to fit a bicycle laid on its side.

The Mazda 3 sedan holds a considerably more functional 444 litres (which is 36 litres more than the previous model) albeit without the hatchback functionality.

The sedan's seatback can also split 60:40 to allow for bulkier items.

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I like driving, will I enjoy the Mazda 3?

Yep. The Mazda 3 has a delightfully responsive steering set-up that manages to balance slow-speed manoeuvring with high-speed handling, without the need for different steering modes.

Keen drivers will lap up the precision with which you can place the nose when pushing into corners.

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The 2.0-litre engine copes admirably with city life and has enough power for easy highway touring. It revs freely and mates well with the six-speed auto gearbox that most buyers opt for.

This engine doesn't provide as much shove when you first press the accelerator, as with the turbo engines in some small-car rivals - it needs to spin past 4000rpm before really waking up but when it does it's keen and even sounds a little rorty. Of course, driving this way will send your fuel economy north of its official 6.2L/100km fuel consumption.

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The bigger, 2.5-litre petrol engine in the G25 versions is the better fit for this car and offers about 25 per cent more go than the 2.0. With the added grunt the car feels deliciously responsive, and its driveability is abetted in auto form by immaculate gear changes.

While it’s not what you’d call a strong performer – the 2.5-litre turbo found in some of Mazda's larger models would be perfect here – it’s more relaxed than the smaller engine and happier to go up hills and drag a full load of people and things.

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The Mazda 3 also benefits from Mazda’s G-Vectoring Control, whose operating principle is simpler than the name might suggest.

It adjusts the engine when you turn the steering wheel, decelerating slightly so as to transfer load to the front tyres and help them bite (and reversing the process as you return to the centre). You don’t notice it working but the car feels more planted, while changing direction more fluidly.

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Which Mazda 3 engine uses the least fuel?

The G20's 2.0-litre four-cylinder SkyActiv G petrol is the more fuel-efficient of the two engines available in a Mazda 3 on paper.

Until recently it consumed 6.2 litres/100km in the official test (city and country combined) but the introduction of cylinder deactivation in May 2023 brought a 5.0 percent reduction to 5.8L/100km for the hatch and 5.9L/100km in the sedan.

Producing 114kW/200Nm, this engine is otherwise the same one that was under the bonnet of the previous model but is still an excellent unit.

The sportier Mazda 3 G25 SkyActiv G is a more powerful 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol that also carries over from the third-generation 3. Its 139kW/252Nm peak output brings you about 25 per cent more thrust in most driving conditions, which brings swifter overtaking and, for some drivers, more fun, with only a slight increase in fuel consumption (6.6L/100km).

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Both engines are now only coupled with a six-speed automatic and have an auto stop-start system that reduces fuel use in city driving.

It shuts down the engine whenever you stop, and starts it automatically when you take your foot off the brake pedal to drive away. It can be a little irritating in heavy traffic, but you can turn it off.

The Mazda 3 range did have Mazda's 2.0-litre SkyActiv X 'supercharged' engine, which provided superior power and torque (132kW/224Nm) but consumed just 5.5L/100km.

However, it was only available in the range-topping Astina and cost $3000 more than the G25 so buyers weren't exactly lining up for it.

There was also the mild-hybid G20e, which consumed a frugal 6.0L/100km, but was deleted from the range in early 2023 along with the SkyActiv X.

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What is the Mazda 3's towing capacity?

With either engine or body shape, the Mazda 3's braked towing capacity is 1200kg.

It can tow unbraked loads up to 600kg, while its maximum towball download is 80kg.

How long is the warranty and what are the Mazda 3's servicing costs?

As per the wider Mazda range, the 3 is covered by the brand’s five-year / unlimited-kilometre warranty, along with a complimentary roadside assistance program over the same period.

In addition, Mazda offers five years of capped-priced servicing. It has 12-month or 15,000-kilometre service intervals, whichever occurs first.

Servicing prices for each powertrain can be found below:

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Which version of the Mazda 3 does Wheels recommend?

There's no bad option in the Mazda 3 range. Each variant is well-equipped for the price and is a pleasure to drive.

The sweet spot of the range would have to be the G25 Evolve SP, which has the punchier 2.5-litre engine and some attractive additions.

With no more manual gearbox option, you just need to choose between colours and body shape, which we'll leave up to you.

The bold-looking hatchback still stands out after a few years, especially with the G25 black exterior garnish. But while the sedan is more demure, it's elegant in a scaled-down Mazda 6 way and brings the bigger boot.

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What are the Mazda 3's key rivals?

• Honda Civic
• Hyundai i30
• Kia Cerato
• Peugeot 308
• Subaru Impreza
• Toyota Corolla
• Volkswagen Golf

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