2022 Mazda 3 Review

Name: 2022 Mazda 3
Brand: Mazda

Price Range: $17,998 - $26,998

2021 Mazda 3 Premium Sedan Exterior Shown

Average

7.6

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

The 2022 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.

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Average price: $21,958

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Appraise My 2022 Mazda 3

Mazda 3 model years

Mazda 3 for Sale

Mazda 3 types

Sedan
Hatchback

Pros

Premium interior design and materials
Sharp handling makes it fun to drive
Available all-wheel drive
Quick acceleration with turbocharged engine

Cons

Mediocre legroom in the back seat
Less cargo capacity than other small cars

What's new

New Carbon Edition appearance package debuts
Part of the fourth Mazda 3 generation introduced for 2019

Overview

Written by automotive expert Kurt Niebuhr

3/3/2022

The 2022 Mazda 3 is a compact car known for its premium-feeling interior, sporty handling and stylish exterior. In 2021, Mazda introduced two engines to round out the Mazda 3 offerings: a 2.0-liter engine to make its base price more attractive and a powerful 2.5-liter turbo for those who want class-leading performance. And it still offers the solid midlevel engine, a non-turbo 2.5-liter engine. As a bonus for buyers who live in cold and wet climates, the Mazda 3 is even available with all-wheel drive.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

For sale near Ashburn, VA

1,207 listings

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2022 Mazda 3
2.5 S 4dr Hatchback
$13,777
great price
$3,292 below market
- 58,652 miles
- 1 accident, 1 owner, personal use
- 26 City / 34 Hwy MPG
- Lease Return Center (34 mi away)
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Upgraded Headlights
- Tire Pressure Warnin...
- USB Inputs
Close
Located in Triangle, VA
--CARFAX CERTIFIED!!!!!!!--SUPER CLEAN 2022 MAZDA3 WITH ONLY 58K MILES!!!!--ALL THE POWER OPTIONS--LOOKS AND RUNS AMAZING!!!!--THE BEST PRICES ONLINE!...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: No
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
29 Combined MPG (26 City/34 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: JM1BPAJL7N1506221
Stock: 506221
Certified Pre-Owned: No
2022 Mazda 3
Preferred Sedan
$18,590
fair price
$551 below market
- 79,498 miles
- No accidents, 2 owners, personal use only
- 26 City / 35 Hwy MPG
- Carvana - Richmond (95 mi away)
- Home delivery*
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Sunroof/Moonroof
- Keyless Entry/Start
- Upgraded Headlights
Close
Located in Richmond, VA
At Carvana, we go miles beyond the extra mile. That's why we provide you with a convenient, fast, and hassle-free car buying experience that puts you ...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
30 Combined MPG (26 City/35 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 3MZBPACL6NM318187
Stock: 2004504353
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 02-08-2026

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There are a few rival models worth checking out. Honda's Civic is redesigned for 2022 and, like the Mazda, is available in both sedan and hatchback forms. We also give high marks to the Hyundai Elantra and Kia Forte. Check out our Expert Rating to read our test team's full take on the Mazda 3 and help you decide which small sedan or hatchback is best for you.

What's it like to live with?

Our editorial team tested a Mazda 3 sedan for a year. We came away impressed with its reliability and upscale interior but desired a bit more performance from the regular 2.5-liter engine. You can read all about our experiences in our 2020 Mazda 3 long-term test. Note that while we tested a 2020 car, nearly all of our observations apply to the 2022 Mazda 3 as well.

Edmunds Expert Rating

edmunds TESTED

by the Edmunds Experts

Average

7.6

out of 10

We drove the 2022 Mazda 3 on our test track and on real roads. Our Edmunds team conducts rigorous independent vehicle testing, driving 500,000 miles a year.

Performance

8/10

How does the 3 drive? Mazda has always prioritized excellent driving characteristics, and this Mazda 3 is no different. When the road stops being straight, the Mazda 3 delivers handling that is comfortable and confidence-inspiring. It feels balanced, changes directions readily and stays controlled around turns. The steering is quick and precise too.

The standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder is eager and delivers smooth power from the onset, but it really gets going from the middle of the rev range. Merging onto freeways isn't a problem. In Edmunds' testing, our all-wheel-drive Mazda 3 sedan covered 0-60 mph in a reasonably quick 8.3 seconds.

Want more get-up-and-go? The optional turbocharged 2.5-liter engine certainly delivers, whittling the 0-60 mph time way down to 6.1 seconds in our track test of the hatchback. That's a whole new ballgame. It's refined too, with an abundance of thrust that's readily available. Just a gentle prod of the throttle enables easy passing and merging.

Comfort

7.5/10

How comfortable is the 3? Mazda has succeeded in delivering a sporty premium experience without sacrificing comfort. Credit goes to the supportive front seats and quiet cabin at highway speeds. It's not perfect, however. Our test car's air-conditioning system didn't seem sufficiently powerful, and some of our expert drivers found the seat's head restraint too intrusive.

The Mazda 3 is meant to be a sporty sedan, so it has a well-controlled suspension that limits body motion. While this makes for a comparatively stiffer ride, the suspension is still compliant and absorbs bumps and pavement irregularities quite well.

Interior

7.5/10

How’s the interior? Front passengers will enjoy their space, but taller drivers might wish the steering wheel telescoped out more. Rear legroom and headroom are below average, so the rear seating area can feel snug if the front occupants slide their seats back. That space, as well as rearward visibility, seems to have been sacrificed in the name of sleek styling.

While the Mazda 3 display screen lacks touchscreen functionality, the single-knob controller is intuitive. This controller-based interface is one of the best around. Nothing is complicated in this car. The controls and buttons are easy to see and understand. The setup doesn't take long to get used to, and once you do, a glance is all it takes to verify and select a function.

Technology

7/10

How’s the tech? The audio system sounds great, and the 8.8-inch infotainment screen looks vibrant and works well with both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone integration. But while we do like the single-knob controller, the lack of full-time touchscreen functionality ultimately limits what the system can do.

Mazda's suite of advanced driver safety features is standard on all models. Most of the aids work pretty well. But we have noticed that in heavy traffic, the adaptive cruise control can stop abruptly even when it's not strictly necessary.

Storage

7/10

How’s the storage? The Mazda 3 sedan's trunk is a little smaller than average for this class of vehicle. It does offer a wide loading area and the trunk is deep, but the wheelwells intrude and pinch down the width from each side. It's still useful, and the 60/40-split rear seatbacks fold down. Storage inside the cabin for small items is a little lacking.

The 3 isn't the best choice if you have small children. The child safety seat anchors are easy to find and clearly marked in each of the outboard rear seat positions. But larger rear-facing car seats are more apt to encroach on front passenger space because the Mazda 3 isn't as generous in rear legroom as its main rivals.

Fuel Economy

7/10

How’s the fuel economy? The EPA estimates the Mazda 3 sedan will get 30 mpg in combined city/highway driving with front-wheel drive or 28 mpg with all-wheel drive. Both figures are subpar compared to rivals' ratings. However, we recorded 31.5 mpg on our mixed-driving evaluation route in our all-wheel-drive 3 sedan, which is better than expected. We have seen Mazdas fare well in real-world conditions before, so this may not be a fluke.

Value

7.5/10

Is the 3 a good value? The value of the Mazda 3 lies in its premium look and feel. The interior panel gaps are tight, the controls don't feel flimsy, quality materials line the interior, and everything matches up. The only apparent wart is high-gloss black trim in the center console that attracts fingerprints and smudges. To be fair, this is a problem on many luxury cars too. You might pay a little more to get a Mazda 3 compared to rivals, but it's generally worth it, although the turbo model might seem overpriced next to such all-stars as the Hyundai Elantra N Line and Volkswagen GLI.

Wildcard

9/10

When driving the Mazda 3, the phrase "handles like a Mazda" comes to mind. It means that it's engaging, handles well, and is as fun to drive as its stablemates. Place the transmission in Sport mode, leave it there, then go out into a fun, twisty road and you'll develop an ear-to-ear grin in no time. Consumers who want a sporty, luxurious automobile but don't want to pay outrageous luxury marque prices will find the Mazda 3 very appealing. Just keep an eye on the bottom line if you opt for the turbo engine since there are multiple performance-oriented rivals available for the same money or less.

2022 Mazda 3 trim level differences

The Mazda 3 is available as a sedan or a hatchback. There are also three trim levels that coincide with the choice of engine: Mazda 3 2.0 (sedan only), Mazda 3 2.5 S and Mazda 2.5 Turbo. The midgrade 2.5 S trim is eligible for all-wheel drive, while the Turbo has it as standard equipment. Feature highlights for the Mazda 3 include: . Compare the 2022 Mazda 3 trim levels in-depth.

Which 3 trim does Edmunds recommend?

We recommend the 2.5 S for most Mazda 3 buyers. It has more power than the base model plus desirable upgrades such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. On top of that, it's also eligible for more option packages.

Cost to Drive

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$131/mo

$181/mo

Avg. Midsize Car

Calculate my fuel costs

See Edmunds pricing data

Has Your Car's Value Changed?

Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.

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Model

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Reliability

The 2022 Mazda 3 has a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic warranty and no recalls. RepairPal gives it a reliability rating of 4 out of 5, ranks it #15 out of 46 among Compact Cars. Below you’ll find our owner reviews.

Reliability Rating by RepairPal

4 out of 5 stars4/5Excellent

#15 out of 46 among Compact Cars

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.

Cost

$386/yr

vs. $416/yr
for Average Compact Car

Frequency

1.09x/yr

vs. 1.01x/yr
for Average Compact Car

Severity

vs. 10.4%
for Average Compact Car

Recalls

There are no recalls for the 2022 Mazda 3

Warranty

3 years / 36,000 miles Basic Warranty

Basic Warranty: 3 years / 36,000 miles
Drivetrain Warranty: 5 years / 60,000 miles
Rust Warranty: 5 years / unlimited miles
Roadside assistance Warranty: 3 years / 36,000 miles

Mazda 3 Reviews

Owner Reviews

4.0

48 reviews

5(56%)

4(15%)

3(8%)

2(17%)

1(4%)

See all 48 reviews of the Mazda 3

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Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Trending topics

You Don’t Want to Stop Driving It

Clayton R, 06/09/2021

2021 Mazda 3 2.5 Turbo 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 6A)

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.

Beautiful car

Ione, 03/28/2022

2022 Mazda 3 Select 4dr Hatchback (2.5L 4cyl 6A)

I have the Mazda3 2.5S hatchback Select trim in platinum quartz metallic. This is a really beautiful car that looks and feels much more expensive than it actually is. It is fun to drive, has lots of power for a car of its size, and makes my daily commute pleasurable. Only two downsides I can think of. First, the backseat is pretty cramped, but not such an issue for me since I don't have …

Absolutely incredible car

Peter, 01/03/2021

2021 Mazda 3 2.5 Turbo 4dr Sedan AWD (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 6A)

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 …

Very Nice Car for Enthusiasts That Commute

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.

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2022 Mazda 3, so we've included reviews for other years of the 3 since its last redesign.

2022 3 Features & Specs

Type:

Sedan

Trim:

2.0

MSRP (New) Excludes Destination Fee	$21,150
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	31 MPG
Cost to Drive	$131/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	13.2 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the 3 models:

Smart Brake Support: Warns if you are rapidly approaching a vehicle, pedestrian or bicyclist. Can apply the brakes to reduce the severity of a collision.
Radar Cruise Control: Maintains a driver-selected distance between the Mazda 3 and the car in front.
Lane Departure Warning System: Alerts the driver if the Mazda 3 begins wandering outside its lane.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover5 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover10.1%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good

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2022 Mazda 3 Review

Price & Payment

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

For sale near Ashburn, VA

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

What's it like to live with?

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

2022 Mazda 3 trim level differences

Which 3 trim does Edmunds recommend?

Cost to Drive

Reliability

Reliability Rating by RepairPal

Recalls

Warranty

Mazda 3 Reviews

Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

2022 3 Features & Specs

Safety

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