2022 Mazda 3 Review

Name: 2022 Mazda 3 Review
Brand: Mazda

Price Range: $18,500 - $25,998

2021 Mazda 3 Premium Sedan Exterior Shown

+184

he 2022 Mazda 3 hatchback has a unique proposition: available all-wheel drive paired with near-luxury appointments. Its strengths are not specs on paper — utility, fuel economy and drivability all fall around average — but in how it looks on the outside and feels on the inside. The 3 delivers style and refinement that make it more special day to day, but these attributes come with additional cost.

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Price & Payment

64 cars

$22,514 avg. price

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Appraise My 2022 Mazda 3

Mazda 3 model years

Mazda 3 for Sale

Mazda 3 types

Sedan
Hatchback

2022 Mazda 3 Review

byKurt Niebuhr^{Senior Vehicle Test Editor
Kurt Niebuhr has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. A automotive photographer by trade, Kurt is now one of Edmunds' high-performance test drivers. He's driven and photographed hundreds, if not thousands, of vehicles all over the world, so Kurt's library of automotive experiences would certainly make for a good book. When not dreaming about getting his racing license or trying to buy out-of-date film for his cameras, Kurt can usually be found cursing at his 1966 Mustang.}

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

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

2022 Mazda 3 for sale near you

3 of 64 listings

2.5 S 4dr Hatchback
MSRP: $18,800
19 mi away
2.5 Turbo Premium Plus Sedan
MSRP: $25,499
19 mi away
2.5 S 4dr Hatchback
MSRP: $21,998
18 mi away

See all 64 listings

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

Our Verdict^{The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.}

Good

7.7

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

8/10

How does the Mazda 3 Hatchback drive? Mazda vehicles tend to have pleasing driving dynamics, and that's true of the 3 hatchback. Above-average horsepower and acceleration make quick work of merges and on-ramps, while proper feedback from the brake pedal adds to a sense of control during typical driving and confidence during panic stops. The same goes for the steering and handling. Though not thrilling, both are pleasant in the daily grind.

At our test track, even the standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder impressed with an 8.2-second sprint to 60 mph. But the optional turbocharged 2.5-liter engine is a whole new ballgame, whittling the 0-60 time way down to 6.1 seconds. It's a refined turbo too, with minimal lag and an abundance of readily available thrust. You don't need to floor it; just a gentle prod of the gas pedal makes quick work of passing or merging.

Comfort

7.5/10

How comfortable is the Mazda 3 Hatchback? The 3's interior is a generally pleasant place to occupy, with comfortable and supportive front seats that allow for all-day driving. The most prevalent sound is some engine noise during moderate and heavy acceleration, but it doesn't have an annoying drone. In fact, the turbocharged engine makes a rather endearing baritone thrum. Across the lineup, irksome road noise is minimized.

Owing to the 3's more driver-focused mission, the ride transmits most bumps and vibrations into the cabin, but the suspension controls these motions in a way that keeps passengers from complaining. When it comes to air conditioning, you can simply set it to auto and forget it.

Interior

7.5/10

How’s the interior? The 3 is a master class in simplicity and intuitiveness. The controls are easy to use and find, helping to keep your eyes on the road. We also like the driving position. Everything is within view, and almost all drivers should be able to find a setting that they prefer.

What brings the score down? Visibility and the rear seat. The rear window is small, and the rear side pillars create large blind spots. While proper mirror placement helps, backing out of a parking spot requires more awareness and concentration than it should. While we largely praise the front-seat experience, the back seat is tight. There's enough headroom, but legroom and shoulder room are below segment average. Plus, you have to duck when getting in or out.

Technology

7.5/10

How’s the tech? Support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay comes standard. Controlling the interface with a rotary dial instead of a touchscreen takes some getting used to, but it works after practice. Onboard navigation is a functional stand-alone option for those who live in areas with poor cellphone reception.

A suite of active safety equipment, which includes adaptive cruise and collision mitigation, comes standard. But some systems can be overzealous in their warnings, and the adaptive cruise has difficulty braking smoothly. Fortunately, you can adjust these systems individually.

Storage

7/10

How’s the storage? The cargo area is a touch smaller than average. Though the storage area is deep, there's no way to lower the back seats from the cargo area. We are more fond of the center storage options for the front occupants, including the long, wide tray that accommodates most personal effects and the small cubby to the left of the steering wheel. Rear passengers have few storage options, and the door pockets throughout are average size.

The easily accessible car seat anchors help when installing a car seat, though the somewhat smallish rear space means you'll likely have to move the front seat forward. Plus, the cargo privacy shield blocks the rear tethers — a minor annoyance.

Fuel Economy

7.5/10

How economical is the Mazda 3 Hatchback? All-wheel drive means a slightly smaller (by a half-gallon) fuel tank and an EPA-rated 27 mpg combined (24 city/32 highway). Front-wheel drive brings an estimate of 29 mpg combined with the automatic and 27 mpg combined with the six-speed manual. These figures are a bit below average when compared to similarly outfitted hatchbacks. But we achieved 32 mpg on our 115-mile mixed-driving evaluation route, so it's likely that you'll be able to match the EPA rating in real-world driving.

Value

7.5/10

Is the Mazda 3 Hatchback a good value? Style is the Mazda 3's calling card, and it's delivered through high-quality materials that are tightly assembled. 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.

Fuel economy, warranty and ownership perks are about average. You're paying for the style more than anything else, though the optional turbo engine adds a big dollop of performance — and naturally costs even more. At the top trim level and outfitted with all-wheel drive, the 3 hatchback is more expensive than just about everything in the segment, especially if you go turbo. That brings luminaries like the Volkswagen GTI and even the Golf R into play, so it's worth doing some cross-shopping to make sure the Mazda wins in your book.

Wildcard

9/10

Though there's still some fun to be had from behind the wheel, the latest-generation 3 delivers a different kind of driving pleasure that's geared more toward refinement rather than thrills. The 3 can still make you smile on a mountain road, but it's more oriented to being pleasurable on the daily commute. Having said that, the turbocharged engine is a game-changer, enabling the unassuming 3 to keep up with many entry-level luxury cars.

The hatchback's expressive exterior styling is a standout, especially in a crowded parking lot. The look makes the 3 special. The interior design and materials back up this presence, creating an overall sense of luxury and style that's unmatched among competitive hatchbacks.

Which 3 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.

Compare 2022 Mazda 3 trim levels

Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart

2022 Mazda 3 models

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: .

The base Mazda 3 2.0 sedan is only offered with front-wheel drive. Standard feature highlights include:

2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (155 horsepower, 150 lb-ft of torque)
Six-speed automatic transmission
16-inch alloy wheels
LED headlights
Rain-sensing wipers
60/40-split folding rear seats
Remote vehicle monitoring and control via a smartphone app
8.8-inch infotainment display
Eight-speaker audio system

Every Mazda 3 also comes with:

Frontal collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front)
Lane keeping assist (steers the vehicle back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)
Automatic high beams
Drowsy driver monitor (issues an alert if sensors determine you are becoming fatigued)

Stepping up to the Mazda 3 2.5 S adds:

2.5-liter four-cylinder engine (186 hp, 186 lb-ft)
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration

From there, you can add three optional packages to the 2.5 S:

Select package

Simulated leather upholstery
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert (warns if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing)
Keyless ignition and entry

Preferred package

Power-adjustable driver's seat with memory settings
Heated front seats
Sunroof

Premium package

18-inch wheels
Upgraded exterior lighting with adaptive headlights (swivel as you turn the steering wheel for better illumination in curves)
Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line onto the windshield)
Leather seats
Paddle shifters
Integrated navigation system
12-speaker Bose audio system

Carbon Edition package

Black-painted wheels
Black heated mirrors
Gray exterior paint
Red leather interior
Includes Preferred package
12-speaker Bose audio system

At the top of the lineup is the Mazda 3 2.5 Turbo. It comes with contents of the 2.5 S' optional Select, Preferred and Premium packages, minus the leather upholstery and navigation system. It also comes with:

2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine (227 hp and 310 lb-ft on regular or 250 hp and 320 lb-ft on 93 octane gas)
All-wheel drive
18-inch black-painted wheels
Auto-dimming rearview mirror
Heated steering wheel

The Premium Plus package is exclusive to the 2.5 Turbo and buffs up the 3 even more with:

Front and rear parking sensors
Auto-dimming driver's side mirror
Trunklid spoiler
Navigation system
Leather upholstery
Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the Mazda 3 and its surroundings for tight parking situations)
Universal garage door opener
Lane keeping system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane)
Rear automatic braking

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2022 Mazda 3 2.0 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 6A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $2.89 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$114/mo

$154/mo

Avg. Midsize Car

Calculate my fuel costs

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Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

4/5Excellent

#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

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Mazda 3 from 2008-2022.}

$386/yr

vs. $416/yr
for Average Compact Car

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

1.09x/yr

vs. 1.01x/yr
for Average Compact Car

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

vs. 10.4%
for Average Compact Car

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Mazda 3 Reviews

Owner Reviews

4.0

46 reviews

5(57%)

4(15%)

3(9%)

2(15%)

1(4%)

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Most Helpful Owner Reviews

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 …

Finally satisfied

Ontheroad, 03/22/2022

2022 Mazda 3 Preferred 4dr Sedan AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6A)

Though I've only had my car for one week, I am in love. I have always been a auto enthusiast, spending hours watching videos and scouring the internet for both professional and lay reviews of automobiles from makes A to Z. Before deciding on this vehicle, most of my research kept pointing to Mazda. Over and over again, this company scored high in almost every category that really …

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.

See all 46 reviews of the Mazda 3

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2022 3 Highlights

Type:

Sedan

Trim:

2.0

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$21,150
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	31 MPG
Cost to Drive	$114/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	13.2 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

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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

2022 Mazda 3 Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

What's it like to live with?

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which 3 does Edmunds recommend?

2022 Mazda 3 models

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2022 Mazda 3 2.0 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 6A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $2.89 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Mazda 3 Reviews

Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

You Don’t Want to Stop Driving It

Beautiful car

Absolutely incredible car

Finally satisfied

2022 3 Highlights

Safety

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Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2022 Mazda 3 2.0 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 6A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $2.89 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.}