2024 Mazda 3: A Comprehensive Guide On Features, Specs, And Pricing

The Mazda 3 is one of those cars that can either be a stylish entry-level economy car or something that is geared a little higher upmarket with premium materials, decent performance, and impressive technology. It would be hard to compare it to something more upmarket like a BMW or Mercedes, however, over the years, it has come close to the level in upper trim configurations, and at the price point (for any trim), you’d be hard-pressed to find another model that shares the same driving dynamics or overall driver engagement.

The current, fourth-gen Mazda 3, sold in both hatchback and sedan form, was revealed in early 2019 and has been on the market ever since. A mid-cycle update would make sense in the next year or two, however, over the past few years, Mazda has worked diligently to keep the car up to par with its main competition, namely the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla. With all of this in mind, there’s a lot to know about the 2024 model year and what makes it stand strong in the compact class.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including Mazda, Fueleconomy.gov, NHTSA, and IIHS.

What’s New For 2024

Since Mazda decided to skip a mid-cycle update for the 2024 model year, there isn’t a lot new to talk about. However, The 3 Turbo Hatchback is now offered with an exclusive carbon trim that includes Zicron Metallic paint with gloss black accents. The highlight of this model year is definitely the inclusion of a new 10.3-inch infotainment display system, though, if you want to take advantage of that, you’ll need to go with the optional turbocharged engine.

2024 Highlights

• Available AWD
• New infotainment system on turbo models
• Available six-speed manual on certain models
• Upscale interior on most models
• Excellent driving dynamics and driver feedback
• Sporty daily driver
• Long list of standard equipment as the base level

Exterior Dimensions

(Source: Mazda)

Engine Specifications And Performance

The Mazda 3 is available with two different powertrain configurations. The original base engine was dropped in 2023, leaving the once optional 2.5-liter naturally aspirated unit as the base offering. This change in the engine lineup also brought a small bump of power, so with the base models now come with 191 horsepower. With this engine, you’ll get front-wheel drive as standard equipment, though you can opt for the AWD system. This is your main powertrain of choice until you get to the upper, more expensive turbo models.

The Mazda 3 Turbo comes with a 2.5-liter engine as well, though, the turbocharger brings output up to 250 horsepower. It should be noted, however, that this power output is only available when you run premium, 93-octane fuel. If you run regular unleaded, it’ll pose no issue to the engine, though, power is reduced to 227 horsepower.

Unfortunately, if you want the six-speed manual transmission, you’ll have to avoid the sportier and more powerful Turbo models altogether as well as most of the lower trim levels. The six-speed automatic is standard on all models, with exception of the 2.5S Premium trim, which must be FWD if you want the manual. AWD is standard on the Carbon Edition as well as the Turbo models.

Performance Specifications

(Source: Mazda)

Fuel Economy

When Mazda dropped the base engine in 2023 for the once-optional 2.5-liter engine, there was a small bump in fuel economy, however, the 3’s fun-to-drive dynamics don’t come without a small sacrifice in the fuel economy department. Since there’s no hybrid model available, fuel economy is split between as low as 23 mpg in the city and as much as 37 mpg on the highway depending on the model and driveline configuration. Average annual fuel costs range anywhere between $1,500 to as much as $1,750 according to fueleconomy.gov.

(Source: EPA)

Interior Technology And Comfort

Best Interior Features Of The 2024 Mazda 3

• Dual-zone climate control standard across the lineup
• Bose 12-speaker audio system in Premium trims and up
• 10.25-inch infotainment system in Turbo models
• Overall sporty interior design

Overall, the Mazda 3’s cabin gives of a vibe that it’s upscale and premium. Even the base model has leatherette trimming, and the base infotainment system, despite being only 8.8 inches, actually seems larger than it is because of its placement on top of the dash. What really makes the Mazda 3 feel like a driver’s car, however, is the high-sitting center console that helps separate the driver from the passenger. There is no digital gauge cluster as you might find in some other models, however, it’s not really an issue as the whole interior design and trimming just works.

There are a lot of standard features, even at the base level but if you want things like wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay or eight-way power-adjustable seats, you need to move up the range a bit. Sport seats are standard, as is a leather-wrapped steering wheel, but if you want real leather upholstery and trimming, you have to step up to at least the Carbon Edition. This area of the range is also where you start getting more speakers, wireless Android and Apple CarPlay integration, and other little niceties.

Going for the Turbo models really doesn’t bring a lot of new from the Carbon Edition, but the highlight would be the larger infotainment system. Turbo models also include a heated steering wheel, wireless phone charging, and navigation (range-topping model only.) Finally, all models feature a 60/40 folding rear seat to increase cargo capacity if needed.

Interior Dimensions

(Source: Mazda)

Safety And Reliability

Almost all trim levels of the Mazda 3 are equipped with the same long list of safety equipment. The basics include things like blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, dynamic stability control, radar cruise control with stop-and-go, and smart forward brake support. The 2.5S Premium trim also includes adaptive front lighting and traffic sign recognition, while the range-topping Turbo Premium S includes smart brake support rear and rear crossing to go with a 360-degree camera and cruising and traffic support. In other words, even at the very base level, you’re not missing out on any of the most vital safety and driver assistance systems.

In terms of safety ratings, the Mazda 3 comes back quite impressively. During testing by the IIHS, the Mazda 3 has scored “Good” ratings (the best you can get) across the board. It should be noted that it did get an “Acceptable” rating for structure and safety cage as well as driver torso and pelvis injury measures in the updated side impact testing. The 2023 Mazda 3 was labeled as a Top Safety Pick+ for 2023. As for the NHTSA, it has not rated the 2024 Mazda 3 yet, however, the 2023 model received five-star ratings across the board.

IIHS Crash Testing

NHTSA 5-Star Ratings

• Recalls (NHTSA): 0
• NHTSA Investigations: 0
• NHTSA Consumer Complaints: 7 complaints in 2023, 0 complaints for 2024
• Awards: 2023 IIHS Top Safety Pick+

Warranties

Mazda has simplified its warranty so that every model in the lineup carries the same warranties where they are applicable. The basic rundown is a 3-year, 36,000-mile new vehicle limited warranty, 5-year, 60,000-mile powertrain warranty, and a 3-year, 36,000-mile roadside assistance service. Mazda batteries also come with a specific warranty, which is as follows:

• 1-36 months: free replacement and labor
• 37-48 months: you pay 70 percent of battery MSRP and labor
• 49-60 months: you pay 80 percent of battery MSRP and labor

As usual, all warranty claims are subject to verification.

2024 Mazda 3 Versus Its Competitors

The compact sedan and hatchback market is still a pretty viable one despite the continued direction of attention to anything that can be called a crossover or SUV. As such, the Mazda 3 doesn’t have a shortage of competitors, however, in this case, the two of the best models to cross-shop are the Toyota Corolla and the Honda Civic.

How the Mazda 3 Compares To The Honda Civic

• 	2024 Honda Civic Hatch	2024 Mazda 3
  Model	Honda Civic Hatch	Mazda 3
  Engine:	2.0-liter four-cylinder or turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder	2.5-Liter SKYACTIV
  Torque	138 LB-FT @ 4,200 RPM or 177 LB-FT@ 1,700 RPM	186 – 320 LB-FT
  Transmission	Six-speed manual or CVT	6AT | 6MT
  Driveline	Front-wheel drive	FWD | AWD
  MSRP	$24,950	$25,690 – $36,650
  Fuel Economy	29-35 MPG	23 – 36 MPG
  Horsepower	158 HP @ 6,500 RPM or 180 HP @ 6,000 RPM	191 – 250 HP

The Honda Civic is one of those models that people naturally gravitate to because of Honda’s long-running history of reliability, fuel economy, and ease of use. Like the Mazda 3, the current Honda Civic has been on the market for a few years now, so a mid-cycle update is expected to come in the near future. As of the time of this writing, the Civic isn’t available as a hybrid, though, Honda has confirmed that a hybrid Civic is in fact coming for the 2025 model year for the hatchback and sedan, with the powertrain being very similar to that found in the Accord Hybrid.

As of now, the Civic is available in four trim levels (excluding the high-performance SI and Type-R), starting with the entry-level LX and topping out with the Civic Sport Touring. The base engine is a 1.9-liter inline-four that delivers 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque. If you move up to the EX-L or Sport Touring, you’ll get a turbocharged, 1.4-liter inline-four that puts down 180 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque.

A CVT transmission handles shifting duties on the LX and EX-L, however, a six-speed manual is available on the Sport and Sport Touring models. Fuel economy figures range from 26 mpg to as much as 39 mpg. The Civic is rather affordable with a starting price of $24,950, while the range-topping Sport Touring comes in at $31,450.

How The Mazda 3 Compares To the Toyota Corolla

• 	2024 Toyota Corolla Hatchback	2024 Mazda 3
  Model	Toyota Corolla Hatchback	Mazda 3
  Engine:	2.0-liter four-cylinder	2.5-Liter SKYACTIV
  Torque	151 LB-FT @ 4,800 RPM	186 – 320 LB-FT
  Transmission	CVT	6AT | 6MT
  Driveline	Front-wheel drive	FWD | AWD
  MSRP	$23,155	$25,690 – $36,650
  Fuel Economy	35 MPG	23 – 36 MPG
  Horsepower	169 HP @ 6,600 RPM	191 – 250 HP

While cars like the Mazda 3 and Honda Civic might be due for a facelift, the current twelfth-generation Corolla has been on the market since its unveiling in late 2018, so it’ll probably new a new generation before its closest competitors. Despite its age, however, Toyota’s long-running, best-selling strategy has kept the Corolla fresh, modern, and ready to compete with the latest and greatest.

The Corolla is offered with one of two powertrains, the base being a 2.0-liter inline-four that delivers a complacent but not-special 168 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque. Where the Corolla shines, however, is the hybrid powertrain that pushes fuel economy to the next level. This model runs on a 1.8-liter engine that’s paired with three electric motors and a small battery pack. The sacrifice here is that the combined output is rated at just 134 horsepower. Fuel economy for the non-hybrid ranges from 32 to 42 mpg while the hybrid model can get as much as 47 mpg when driven sensibly. Pricing for the Corolla starts at $22,050, so it can be quite affordable if you need a no-frills, good-looking daily driver.

How Much The 2024 Mazda 3 Costs

With six trim levels available, you can expect to pay anywhere between $25,690 for the entry-level Mazda 3 2.5 S Select Sport and as much as $30,350 for the 2.5 S Premium. If you’re looking at the turbo models, you’ll have to pony up $32,950 for the 2.5 Carbon Turbo or $36,650 for the 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus.

(Source: Mazda)

Is It Worth Buying A 2024 Mazda 3?

The Mazda 3 is a unique proposition in the compact car market. It starts a bit higher than the bulk of its competitors, but it’s so well-equipped at the base level that the slightly larger starting price cancels out the difference. On top of that, Mazda’s unique driving dynamics and sporty handling make it one of the more engaging compact models to drive without having to step up to some high-performance model that costs 40-percent more. If you can factor out the marginally lower fuel economy and don’t need to tote around a ton of luggage or a large family, the Mazda 3 is absolutely one of the best compacts on the market today and is definitely worth considering.