The 2021 Mazda 3 offers a premium interior, great road manners and appealing fuel economy. You could say it's a bargain premium sedan. But it could use improved infotainment system functionality and a more potent engine.
Two new engines debut: a base 155-hp engine and top-trim turbocharged engine good for 250 hp
Part of the fourth Mazda 3 generation introduced for 2019
What is the Mazda 3?
The Mazda 3 is one of Edmunds' top-rated small sedans. We're particularly fond of its upscale styling and premium interior design. But the current model is typically a little more expensive than rivals, and its performance doesn't quite match the speed promised by the sleek bodywork.
The 2021 Mazda 3 aims to solve both deficiencies with a pair of new four-cylinder engine options. A new base engine should lower the Mazda 3's starting price, making it more accessible to a wider range of buyers. At the other end of the spectrum there's a new range-topping turbocharged engine that adds some much-needed performance to the 3's stat sheet.
What's under the Mazda 3's hood?
The base engine for the 2021 model is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 155 horsepower and 150 lb-ft of torque on tap. Though we expect a Mazda 3 with this engine will be slower than one powered by the carryover 2.5-liter (186 hp, 186 lb-ft), we don't think it'll be a slowpoke. Both these engines were available on the last-generation Mazda 3, and we found the 2.0-liter wasn't significantly slower in an outright sprint. Note that the 2.0-liter engine exclusively powers the front wheels. If you want all-wheel drive, you'll have to select a different engine.
We're more intrigued with the new turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder. Borrowed from the Mazda CX-5 and CX-9 SUVs, this engine produces 227 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque (250 hp and 320 lb-ft on 93 octane gasoline). With standard all-wheel drive, the turbocharged model will undoubtedly be the one to get if you want a speedy Mazda 3.
That doesn't mean it's a revival of the Mazdaspeed 3, however. That model, last seen in 2013, upgraded the standard 3 with a limited-slip differential and a sport-tuned suspension. It had a six-speed manual transmission too. The new Mazda 3's turbocharged engine won't come with any other performance upgrades, so while it's more powerful than most other small cars, it won't come with the enhancements enjoyed by hot hatchbacks such as the Honda Civic Type R or Hyundai Veloster N. Unlike its track-attacking rivals, the Mazda 3 is also exclusively paired with an automatic transmission.
How's the Mazda 3's interior?
As alluded to above, the Mazda 3 has a decidedly more upmarket interior than other small sedans and hatchbacks. The mix and quality of materials, plus a clean and thoughtful design, can make it seem like you bought a European luxury car.
On the downside, the 3's cabin space is definitely on the compact side. Rear legroom is tight, and the narrow door openings make it a little tough to enter and exit. But if you're nimble and don't frequently travel with multiple tall adults, you might not notice.
In terms of features, the new 2.0-liter engine will hew closely to the current base sedan's feature mix. The next step up the trim ladder will essentially be the more powerful engine, along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. 2021 Mazda 3 trims mimic those currently available until you get to the turbocharged engine, which will contain elements of today's top two trim packages, plus a heated steering wheel and black exterior accents. The new Premium Plus package adds a black rear spoiler, leather seats and a few new driving aids.
How's the Mazda 3's tech?
Unlike other small cars, the Mazda 3 comes with a central display screen without touchscreen capability. To operate the infotainment system you instead need to use a control knob mounted just aft of the gear shifter. On the upside, it's quite easy to navigate through the infotainment system's menus. The widescreen display's graphics look great too. The downside is that the lack of touchscreen capability makes operating Apple CarPlay and Android Auto more of a chore since those systems were designed with touchscreens in mind.
A wide variety of safety systems are available for the Mazda 3. Every model comes with features such as lane departure warning, forward collision mitigation and adaptive cruise control. In practice, most of these systems work well, though alerts can sometimes trigger unexpectedly.
For 2021, the new Premium Plus package includes a few driving aids not previously offered on the Mazda 3. There's a 360-degree parking camera, plus automatic rear braking if the system detects an object behind the car or crossing traffic while you're in reverse. You also get a system dubbed Traffic Jam Assist, an adaptive cruise control feature that offers automated steering support at low speeds.
How's the Mazda 3's storage?
The Mazda's small dimensions impact cargo capacity in addition to passenger space. The sedan's trunk is a little smaller than those of competitors, though the trunk opening itself is fairly wide. If you need more room for junk in the trunk, the hatchback is the way to go. Though it's still small by compact hatch standards, it offers about 50% more cargo space than the sedan. There are a few storage spaces inside the cabin to stash your personal belongings, but it's not quite as useful as some more utilitarian rivals.
Edmunds says
The Mazda 3 was already one of our favorite small cars, and a broader model range for 2021 means that more buyers can join in on the fun.
RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.
There’s one huge problem with this car— it is so fun that you don’t want to stop driving it! The 2.5 turbo is superb. It has plenty of power and torque but is also efficient. For the first few days, you’ll want to drive it like you stole it because it seriously takes corners like no other car I’ve driven and has acceleration and passing power like something out of a luxury car. The AWD … paired with the turbo really helps keep the car planted and under control when aggressively stepping down on the accelerator. While it’s very peppy, the engine remains very modest and quiet when you’re driving normal or idling. I will also add that it’s paired with a silky smooth transmission that shifts effortlessly. No CVT or DCT! Just a perfect transmission made directly by Mazda.
The safety features on this car are also fantastic. The adaptive cruise control is very smooth and offers four different spacing options between you and the car in front of your. The lane keep assist is not very evasive in its steering or keeping you in the lane, which is great, and the blind spot monitor is extremely helpful given the huge blind spots in the hatchback. Those are the only safety systems I’ve tested so far, and they’ve excelled my expectations. Also, the safety systems link into the head up display, which is even more brilliant. The audible warnings associated with the systems sound great and don’t scare the heck of you when they go off.
The infotainment system and interior components… WOW. Amazing. I love the fact that it doesn’t have a touchscreen, honestly. Mazda makes you use a rotary dial, with a cool clicking sound as you turn it, to control all aspects of the infotainment so that you keep your eyes peeled on the road. At first it thought that would’ve been an issue, but after using it, I wouldn’t want it any other way. Not only is it much easier than having to reach for the screen, but it keeps fingerprints off the screen, which are huge pet peeve of many. The infotainment system itself is very fast, has no lag navigating from menu to menu, and the graphics are super bright and crystal clear. When you use this, you know you’re in 2021. Next level technology. There is no wireless CarPlay, but with the center compartment having enough room to fit your phone and hide cords out of the way to keep a clean look, it doesn’t bother me one bit. In fact, it forces you to not look at your phone while driving, which I’m sure is what Mazda intended. The seats along with any place that’s in reach and meant to be touched regularly feel AMAZING. The arm rests in the center and on the door panels are like memory foam! Comfort you can literally see with your eyes. The knobs have great haptic feedback and clicking sounds that are satisfying if you’re weird like me. Everything feels very high quality and like something that will hold up beautifully for many years to come. Very little plastic pieces inside with the exception of the gear shift panel that will scratch if you’re not careful.
The exterior on this car speaks for itself. My car has black paint with black rims. It looks stunning with the design of the body. The paint quality is great with the metallic flakes that flicker in the sunshine. I would recommend, as with any car, to get a paint protection film, because of how close the car is to the ground. You are very likely to get rock chips—huge ones if you like to drive fast like me!
Overall, Mazda hit the ball out of the ballpark with the Mazda 3. I’ve read reviews where people complain of the high price point, but it’s worth every penny & you see why it’s more expensive than other rivals the moment you get behind the wheel and drive it. I’m not sure if I’ll want to leave the Mazda brand after driving this car, and I’ve driven MANY car brands. It’s that great of a car. Plus, you get a car that’s actually made in Japan and the Japanese are huge perfectionists when it comes to their work, which explains a lot in this car. If you’re on the fence, just do it. I promise you will not regret it.
I test drove and bought the turbo model with 4 doors without any hesitation. The driving experience is 10, not 8. The interior is also 10. Some journalists are wondering who will pay $31000/$34000 for this car. I will tell people don't even compare this car to Honda civic or VW Jetta or Subaru. Mazda built this thing to compete with Audi and BMW. If you think from that perspective, it is … a steal. I drive to work that has a mix of highway and curvy roads that cut through several lakes. I cannot imagine there is a car that can outperform Mazda. This car is that good. The 6 speed transmission shifts and works better than any other car I've had before. You can read articles that explain why it is so. Or just drive it and you will know in 5 minutes. It has AWD for safety and better handling. Mazda says that premium gas makes a difference at above 4000 rpm. So since I am not racing in real life, I will be happy to use regular gas. This car is not for teenagers or those who want BMW. It is for adults who appreciate thoughtful engineering, innovation, and design at a reasonable price. Thank you Mazda for building incredible cars like this. It is just what we need in a world that has turned to CVT transmission and Tesla nonsense.
Very Nice Car for Enthusiasts That Commute
5 out of 5 stars
WSM456, 10/06/2021
2021 Mazda 3 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus 4dr Sedan AWD (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
First of all this is a great car, which is why I'm giving it 5 stars. I will outline some negative aspects of the, but it should be noted that these aspects weigh much less heavily on the total experience of the car than the positive aspects - if I outlined the minor positives like I will the minor negatives there would be way too many. I just want everyone to know the parts of this car … I wish were better.
The good:
The interior; if you've been looking at this car you already know the interior is amazing. I know there are some complaints about the new infotainment center but I like it and agree with Mazda that a touchscreen is definitely not what you want to be messing with (or what you want the other people on the road messing with) while driving.
The acceleration and AWD are a great...I really don't have more to say about it.
My commute to work is mostly highway/interstate and on the highway I average around 35 MPG, surprisingly. Now to average that I do use the radar cruise control basically the whole way - you would be surprised to see the difference between gas mileage while using radar cruise vs your foot. Radar cruise is smooth and doesn't repeatedly accelerate too quickly to speed that is too fast and then have to slow down like when you drive with your foot (this cycle can be subtle depending on how you drive but, trust me, everyone does it).
The comfort of the car is really great. The seats are very comfortable and have much more adjustability than my previous vehicles. They have 2 memory seating positions, which is nice, especially for people like me that can never get the seat back to that same spot after someone moves it. The ride is smooth and cabin noise is okay - my Audi A4 I had before was definitely quieter but it was also more of a cruising car than this car, which is a little more sport-oriented. Don't get in the turbo and expect the luxuries of a vehicle meant for a quiet smooth (boring) ride. That's not the point of this vehicle.
The exterior design of this car is amazing in my opinion (and most other enthusiasts seeing as the 3 won 2020 world car design of the year at the WCAs).I have the Soul Red sedan with black wheels and a black lip on the spoiler. It looks great, the red is probably the best red on the market today and really highlights the curves on the car.
The bose sound system is awesome.
The tech is great. So many driver support and safety features make you feel comfortable driving. Love the heads up display, too.
Gripes:
The rear torsion beam instead of independent suspension. Mazda has done a really good job keeping the effects of this covered up (apparently they have something in the computer that does something to counter the negative effects of a torsion beam but I don't know the specifics) and 99% of the time you won't know but occasionally you'll hit a bump just the right way and the car takes a slightly funny bounce. It's not something that you have to correct, it just feels "off" in relation to the regular feel of the ride. Like I said driving 2+ hrs each day I don't experience this every day, maybe you won't even experience it every week, but it is something that happens.
It beeps at you a lot. The parking sensors are mainly what I'm talking about. If you pull into a parking spot and get close enough to anything that the sensors alert you and you park there, when you get back in and start up it will immediately beep at you to let you know you're close, even though you're in park.
The navigation is nice...if you don't live somewhere with constant traffic jams and road work. I'm sure this is the same for all manufacturer's navigation system but it doesn't have any real-time data. It doesn't know when there's a traffic jam, it doesn't know when there's road work that makes a route slower. This means you're just going to use google. The good news? It has wireless android auto and apple car play so it's still easy to use. It's just slightly annoying that you have a feature that doesn't work as well as you want it to and you end up using data on google maps. Like I said - this isn't necessarily a Mazda or Mazda3 problem but don't get this car with maps expecting to not use data anymore.
Rear seats are a little tight on leg room (not the worst I've been in by a long shot), but the they are still very nice, comfortable seats - more so than other small cars I've been in.
Overall, this is a fantastic vehicle. I have always wanted a WRX/STI, Civic Type R, Focus RS but I have lots of driving to do every day and...I'm not as young as I used to be and my taste has changed. I enjoy not having an extremely stiff ride, sub-par interiors/tech, and I like the more sedentary styling because I'm not 18 yrs old anymore. That being said this is a great middle ground between still wanting a sports car and a wanting a comfortable driver.
Awesome Hatchback
5 out of 5 stars
Rhyno, 02/10/2021
2021 Mazda 3 Premium 4dr Hatchback (2.5L 4cyl 6M)
I test drove two different Mazda 3 Premium hatches before buying the second. The first one was the "soul red" color with black leather interior which was a beautiful paint job. The one that I purchased is "polymetal gray" and I ended up liking this color better, it looks sort of blue-gray on cloudy days and more gray-gray on sunny days. The interior is red leather which looks much more … like an "ox-blood" color in person than it does in pictures - absolutely gorgeous and a very premium look and feel. This car does drive very well overall and has a sporty feel to it without really being a sports car. The 18" wheels do look very nice especially in the gloss black color and I find it's contrast to both the Polymetal and Red colors to be pleasing to the eyes...however this does translate to some roughness on rougher roads...not a deal breaker for me though. I did not initially intend to get such a high trim level, but buying a car with a manual transmission was an important factor to me so I ended up with the premium trim. The MT is VERY smooth in my opinion and took very little time to get adjusted to since I have previous experience with manuals. The clutch is light and easy to push and the shifter is smooth. This is a very forgiving car for someone to learn to drive MT, especially with the hill-hold button.
The features and tech in this car are fantastic and way more than I had ever intended to get. I find the heated seats and heads up display to be particularly useful. The infotainment system is a little cumbersome to get used to in regards to using the different menus but after getting the hang of it it's not so bad. The hand controls for the infotainment are really nice to use once getting accustomed to them and I find the location to be perfect for my hand in its resting place. You can tell that these cars really are designed around the DRIVER as everything is pretty intuitively placed. The backseat is definitely a little cramped but my wife and I do not have kids so this was not much of a concern for us. I have not yet had to load anything massive into the cargo area but am looking forward to testing out the space with the seats folded down.
The appearance of this car is just stellar to me and looks much sleeker and sexier than most any small hatchback I have seen on the road... and I do not see many of these updated 3's on the road (especially in hatch form) so it is nice to not have the same box that everyone else has. The other cars I was considering before purchase was the Honda Civic Hatch and the Subaru Impreza Hatch. The Civic looks like a transformer to me (very angular) and the Subaru just didn't float my boat... kind of dull. As much as I would like to say it doesnt matter to me, the aesthetics of what I was going to spend my money on was pretty important to me. I want to smile and be excited when I look at my vehicle and this is definitely a much better looking vehicle than my aging 06' Ford Ranger lol.
I bought my new car on January 16th 2021 at Flow Mazda of Greensboro NC which was a good experience overall. I only have about 600 miles on the car but 1st impressions are good and I am happy that I purchased this car. This is my first Mazda but it looks like it won't be my last as long as I continue to be happy with this purchase. My wife may end up in a CX-5 when she is ready to upgrade.
-Rhyno (happy new Mazda Owner)
Update 08/10/2021:
The Mazda 3 Premium Hatchback with MT is still a joyous car to drive and I do not have any complaints about the vehicle. I only have about 4,800 miles on it after 8 months as I am babying it to preserve its glory lol... Very fun with the MT, takes off and shoots through traffic when I need it to, runs smooth as butter around town. I am glad I purchased this car and hope that it has much longevity over the course of my ownership. Thanks Mazda, keep up the good work!
Update 02/11/2022:
Just a little over a year after purchase and I still very much enjoy driving this car! It looks fantastic and I have honestly gotten countless compliments on its sexy appearance - definitely stands out as a looker compared to most other things I see on the road. The manual transmission is still fun and I am glad I went that route. The fuel mileage seems to have improved slightly over time... Not sure if this is due to just being more broken in or if it is just my improved smoothness with shifting since being used to it at this point. Wonderful car, please do not stop making these Mazda and consider bringing back the "Speed 3" so a version with turbo + MT can be obtained! I will probably be upgrading my exhaust/intake/tune once my factory warranty has expired :-P
Update 08/18/2022:
The car is still fantastic at 14,xxx miles, drives/handles/shifts/rides very nicely. The car does have some pretty bad blind spots but that is the tradeoff for such sexy styling!
Update 02/21/2023:
I have a little <20,000 miles on the 3 hatch now and have had no true issues to speak of. It is still a fun car to drive, I enjoy the manual transmission very much. When I step out my back door and see it sitting there waiting on me it definitely puts a smile on my face.
Update 08/22/2023:
Still a great car. Go get you one before manual transmissions go the way of the dinosaurs. WU-Tang is for the children yall
Update 2/23/24
She's a keeper, and a lover. Get yourself one while you can.
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