Mazda 3
Overview of the Mazda 3
Learn about the Mazda 3Summary
If you're looking for a car with sporty handling, an upscale interior and a comfortable ride, the Mazda3 gives an air of luxury at a reasonable price. Newer models offer features that make driving safer and enjoyable, such as the rearview camera, knee airbags and Mazda Connect, an infotainment system controlled through a screen on the centre dash. Depending on the model year and body type—sedan or a hatchback—auto reviewers have some mixed opinions on whether there is enough space in the back seat or trunk.
Safety
In recent years, Mazda has made improvements to their included safety features. The rearview camera became standard on model years 2016 and onwards, while stability control was added in 2011 to prevent skidding. In addition to those for the driver and front passenger, side and curtain airbags appear in models after 2009.
In the newest 2019 model, the Mazda3 has advanced active safety technologies for specific packages, like the Select package, such as the following:
- Smart City Brake Support, which offers low-speed automatic braking
- Pedestrian detection to alert the driver or automatically brake if the car senses a pedestrian in its path
- Driver Attention Alert, which detects if the driver is losing mental alertness
Interior
Passengers of the Mazda3 will benefit from the smartly designed interior. Although, some drivers have found that the centre console box is a little on the small side. Most base models equip comforts such as heated seats and automatic climate control.
Other interior features across model years include:
- Tilt and telescopic steering wheel
- Power windows (with one-touch up/down for driver)
- Day/night rearview mirror that tilts to reduce brightness and glare at night
- Driver and passenger sun visors
On high-end Mazda3 trims, you can find a heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel and rear seat centre armrest with cup holders.
Technology
The many Mazda3 trim options supply a range of built-in technologies to enhance your experience on the road. Bluetooth and the Mazda Connect infotainment system, which support apps such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, have become standard across all trims in the latest models from 2018. You can also look forward to the following features in models from 2010:
- Six-speaker stereo system with an optional upgrade to a 10-speaker Bose system
- Steering-wheel-mounted controls
- Temperature display
- Keyless ignition and entry
Space
Driver and front passenger in the Mazda3 benefit from leg room and head space—with the impression of even more space with the moonroof—although some people report that the back seat feels cramped. Trunk space is also limited in both sedan and hatchback versions. However, because of its compact size, the Mazda3 is suited to city driving and parking on busy streets.
Comfort
The Mazda3 is available in both six-speed manual and automatic transmission, and some models feature SKYACTIV technology, which improves the engine's fuel efficiency. Drivers have the option of choosing front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive for better handling. While it's often admired for its smooth and intuitive handling, the Mazda3 is also known for being a noisy ride.
Pros and cons of the Mazda 3
- Choice of manual or automatic transmission
- Available in sedan or hatchback
- New monitor system tracks driver alertness
- Small centre console box
- Noticeable road noise
- Limited trunk space
Safety ratings of the Mazda 3
Safety ratings provided by NHTSA
- Number of airbags6
Specifications of the Mazda 3
Key specifications available across all trim levels- Seats5
- Doors4
- Fuel typeGas
- TransmissionManual or Automatic
- City consumption6.7 - 9.3 L/100km
- Highway consumption4.7 - 6.9 L/100km
- Width1796 mm
- Length4580 mm
- Trunk space350 L
- Cargo space350 L
Trims available with the Mazda 3
What is a trim? Trims are different options of the same car with different features and equipment. The specs depend on the trim you choose.This variant of the Mazda 3 2014 - 2018 is available in 9 trims:G trim features and specs
Available across all trims:
- Center arm rest between front seats
- Electric windows
- Emergency wheel
- ISOFIX installation points
- Multifunction steering wheel
- Power steering
Available with the G trim:
- Steel wheels
Available across all trims:
- Daytime running lights
- Door mirrors electrically adjustable
- Short wheel base
Available across all trims:
- Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
- Brake assist system
- Disc brakes
- Electronic traction control
- Front-driver airbag
- Front-passenger airbag
- Front-wheel drive
- Side airbag
- Side curtain airbag
- Stability control
Available across all trims:
- Power door locks
- Radio
- USB port for front passengers
GX-SKY trim features and specs
Available across all trims:
- Center arm rest between front seats
- Electric windows
- Emergency wheel
- ISOFIX installation points
- Multifunction steering wheel
- Power steering
Available with the GX-SKY trim:
- Steel wheels
Available across all trims:
- Daytime running lights
- Door mirrors electrically adjustable
- Short wheel base
Available across all trims:
- Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
- Brake assist system
- Disc brakes
- Electronic traction control
- Front-driver airbag
- Front-passenger airbag
- Front-wheel drive
- Side airbag
- Side curtain airbag
- Stability control
Available with the GX-SKY trim:
- Bluetooth
- CD player
- Computer (optional)
- MP3-CD player
Available across all trims:
- Power door locks
- Radio
- USB port for front passengers
GX trim features and specs
Available across all trims:
- Center arm rest between front seats
- Electric windows
- Emergency wheel
- ISOFIX installation points
- Multifunction steering wheel
- Power steering
Available with the GX trim:
- Steel wheels
Available across all trims:
- Daytime running lights
- Door mirrors electrically adjustable
- Short wheel base
Available with the GX trim:
- Collision warning system (optional)
- Collision warning system with automatic braking (optional)
- Tire pressure indicator (optional)
Available across all trims:
- Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
- Brake assist system
- Disc brakes
- Electronic traction control
- Front-driver airbag
- Front-passenger airbag
- Front-wheel drive
- Side airbag
- Side curtain airbag
- Stability control
Available with the GX trim:
- Bluetooth
- CD player (optional)
- Computer (optional)
- Cruise control
- Digital radio (optional)
- Hill start assist (optional)
- Rear sensors
- Rear view camera
- Touchscreen (optional)
Available across all trims:
- Power door locks
- Radio
- USB port for front passengers
GS-SKY trim features and specs
Available with the GS-SKY trim:
- Heated front seats (optional)
- Leather steering wheel (optional)
Available across all trims:
- Center arm rest between front seats
- Electric windows
- Emergency wheel
- ISOFIX installation points
- Multifunction steering wheel
- Power steering
Available with the GS-SKY trim:
- Alloy wheels
- Fog lights (optional)
- Sunroof (optional)
Available across all trims:
- Daytime running lights
- Door mirrors electrically adjustable
- Short wheel base
Available with the GS-SKY trim:
- Dusk sensor (optional)
- Rain sensor (optional)
Available across all trims:
- Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
- Brake assist system
- Disc brakes
- Electronic traction control
- Front-driver airbag
- Front-passenger airbag
- Front-wheel drive
- Side airbag
- Side curtain airbag
- Stability control
Available with the GS-SKY trim:
- Bluetooth
- CD player
- Computer
- Cruise control
- Digital radio
- MP3-CD player
- Rear sensors
- Rear view camera
- Touchscreen
Available across all trims:
- Power door locks
- Radio
- USB port for front passengers
SE trim features and specs
Available with the SE trim:
- Heated front seats
- Heated steering wheel (optional)
- Leather steering wheel (optional)
Available across all trims:
- Center arm rest between front seats
- Electric windows
- Emergency wheel
- ISOFIX installation points
- Multifunction steering wheel
- Power steering
Available with the SE trim:
- Alloy wheels
Available across all trims:
- Daytime running lights
- Door mirrors electrically adjustable
- Short wheel base
Available with the SE trim:
- Collision warning system (optional)
- Collision warning system with automatic braking
- Dusk sensor
- Overtaking sensors (optional)
- Rain sensor (optional)
- Tire pressure indicator
Available across all trims:
- Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
- Brake assist system
- Disc brakes
- Electronic traction control
- Front-driver airbag
- Front-passenger airbag
- Front-wheel drive
- Side airbag
- Side curtain airbag
- Stability control
Available with the SE trim:
- Bluetooth
- Computer
- Cruise control
- Digital radio
- Hill start assist
- Rear sensors
- Rear view camera
- Touchscreen
Available across all trims:
- Power door locks
- Radio
- USB port for front passengers
50th trim features and specs
Available with the 50th trim:
- 2 climate zones
- Air conditioning (automatic)
- Heated front seats
- Heated steering wheel
- Leather steering wheel
Available across all trims:
- Center arm rest between front seats
- Electric windows
- Emergency wheel
- ISOFIX installation points
- Multifunction steering wheel
- Power steering
Available with the 50th trim:
- Alloy wheels
Available across all trims:
- Daytime running lights
- Door mirrors electrically adjustable
- Short wheel base
Available with the 50th trim:
- Collision warning system
- Collision warning system with automatic braking
- Dusk sensor
- Overtaking sensors
- Rain sensor
- Tire pressure indicator
Available across all trims:
- Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
- Brake assist system
- Disc brakes
- Electronic traction control
- Front-driver airbag
- Front-passenger airbag
- Front-wheel drive
- Side airbag
- Side curtain airbag
- Stability control
Available with the 50th trim:
- Bluetooth
- CD player
- Computer
- Cruise control
- Digital radio
- Hill start assist
- Keyless entry
- Rear sensors
- Rear view camera
Available across all trims:
- Power door locks
- Radio
- USB port for front passengers
GS trim features and specs
Available with the GS trim:
- Heated front seats
- Heated steering wheel (optional)
- Leather steering wheel
Available across all trims:
- Center arm rest between front seats
- Electric windows
- Emergency wheel
- ISOFIX installation points
- Multifunction steering wheel
- Power steering
Available with the GS trim:
- Adaptive bending lights (optional)
- Alloy wheels
- High-beam assist (optional)
- LED headlights (optional)
- Sunroof (optional)
Available across all trims:
- Daytime running lights
- Door mirrors electrically adjustable
- Short wheel base
Available with the GS trim:
- Collision warning system (optional)
- Collision warning system with automatic braking
- Dusk sensor
- Lane departure warning (optional)
- Overtaking sensors (optional)
- Rain sensor
- Tire pressure indicator (optional)
Available across all trims:
- Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
- Brake assist system
- Disc brakes
- Electronic traction control
- Front-driver airbag
- Front-passenger airbag
- Front-wheel drive
- Side airbag
- Side curtain airbag
- Stability control
Available with the GS trim:
- Adaptive cruise control (optional)
- Bluetooth
- CD player (optional)
- Computer
- Cruise control
- Digital radio
- Hill start assist (optional)
- Rear sensors
- Rear view camera
- Touchscreen
Available across all trims:
- Power door locks
- Radio
- USB port for front passengers
GT-SKY trim features and specs
Available with the GT-SKY trim:
- 2 climate zones
- Air conditioning (automatic)
- Driver seat has lumbar support (optional)
- Electrically adjustable front seats (optional)
- Front seats have lumbar support (optional)
- Heated front seats
- Leather steering wheel
- Paddle shifters (optional)
Available across all trims:
- Center arm rest between front seats
- Electric windows
- Emergency wheel
- ISOFIX installation points
- Multifunction steering wheel
- Power steering
Available with the GT-SKY trim:
- Adaptive bending lights (optional)
- Alloy wheels
- Bi-Xenon headlights
- Fog lights
- High-beam assist (optional)
- LED daytime running lights
- Sunroof
Available across all trims:
- Daytime running lights
- Door mirrors electrically adjustable
- Short wheel base
Available with the GT-SKY trim:
- Collision warning system (optional)
- Collision warning system with automatic braking (optional)
- Dimming interior mirror (optional)
- Dusk sensor
- Fatigue warning system (optional)
- Lane departure warning (optional)
- Overtaking sensors
- Rain sensor
Available across all trims:
- Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
- Brake assist system
- Disc brakes
- Electronic traction control
- Front-driver airbag
- Front-passenger airbag
- Front-wheel drive
- Side airbag
- Side curtain airbag
- Stability control
Available with the GT-SKY trim:
- Bluetooth
- CD player
- Computer
- Cruise control
- Digital radio
- Head-Up display
- Keyless entry
- MP3-CD player
- Navigation system
- Rear sensors
- Rear view camera
- Touchscreen
Available across all trims:
- Power door locks
- Radio
- USB port for front passengers
GT trim features and specs
Available with the GT trim:
- 2 climate zones (optional)
- Air conditioning (automatic) (optional)
- Driver seat has lumbar support (optional)
- Electrically adjustable front seats (optional)
- Front seats have lumbar support (optional)
- Heated front seats
- Heated steering wheel (optional)
- Leather steering wheel
- Paddle shifters (optional)
Available across all trims:
- Center arm rest between front seats
- Electric windows
- Emergency wheel
- ISOFIX installation points
- Multifunction steering wheel
- Power steering
Available with the GT trim:
- Adaptive bending lights (optional)
- Alloy wheels
- Bi-Xenon headlights (optional)
- Fog lights
- High-beam assist (optional)
- LED daytime running lights
- LED headlights (optional)
- Sunroof
Available across all trims:
- Daytime running lights
- Door mirrors electrically adjustable
- Short wheel base
Available with the GT trim:
- Collision warning system (optional)
- Collision warning system with automatic braking (optional)
- Dimming interior mirror (optional)
- Dusk sensor
- Fatigue warning system (optional)
- Lane departure warning (optional)
- Overtaking sensors
- Rain sensor
- Tire pressure indicator (optional)
Available across all trims:
- Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
- Brake assist system
- Disc brakes
- Electronic traction control
- Front-driver airbag
- Front-passenger airbag
- Front-wheel drive
- Side airbag
- Side curtain airbag
- Stability control
Available with the GT trim:
- Adaptive cruise control (optional)
- Bluetooth
- CD player (optional)
- Computer
- Cruise control
- Digital radio
- Head-Up display (optional)
- Hill start assist (optional)
- Keyless entry (optional)
- MP3-CD player (optional)
- Navigation system (optional)
- Rear sensors
- Rear view camera
- Touchscreen
- Traffic sign recognition (optional)
Available across all trims:
- Power door locks
- Radio
- USB port for front passengers
Frequently asked questions about the Mazda 3
From 2016–2018, the highest reliability rating the Mazda3 has received is “average”, which is lower than other compact car models in its class.
The Mazda3 offers AWD for most trim options beginning in the model year 2019, on both the automatic and manual transmission options.
The Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of the 2019 Mazda3 is as follows:
GX: $18,000+
GS: $22,700+
GT: $26,200+
See your Mazda dealer for more accurate pricing.
For its class, the Mazda3 is a suitable option as a first car. The compact car offers easy handling, an elegant interior and a helpful infotainment system.
The Mazda3 has a reputation for being one of the most fun vehicles to drive in its class. The four-cylinder engine can be turbocharged for more performance.