2020 Mazda 3 Hatchback

Over the past few years, Mazda 3 has been one of the favourite choices of the people when it comes to compact cars, for which its top-notch interiors, fun-to-drive personality and easy-to-use infotainment system are to be appreciated. Mazda has achieved excellence in a category like handling capabilities of its hatchback, the Mazda 3.

The new iteration is available in three trims namely, Sport, Touring and Grand Touring. The Sports trim is the base variant and is fairly featured against the price at which it is offered. It comes with a 2.0 L engine whereas, the Touring and Grand Touring trim gets a 2.5 Liter engine. All Mazda 3s comes coupled with a six-speed manual transmission while a six-speed automatic is optional.

With a base price of $19,345, it has many standard features listed in the table below. The Touring variant with a price tag of $20,840 is an upgraded version of Sport. The range-topping Grand Touring starts at $23,895 and features LED exterior headlights, fog lights and taillights, a sunroof, a digital speedometer and an upgraded display in the instrument panel.

Trims	Sport	Touring	Grand Touring
Auto	$20,395	$21,890	$24,945
Manual	$19,345	$20,840	$23,895
Key Features	16-inch alloy wheels	In addition to or replaces Sport feature with:	In addition to or replaces Sport feature with:
	Body-colored, dual folding power side mirrors
	Clear-lens halogen headlights	18-inch aluminum alloy wheels with Dark Silver finish	Bi-LED headlights with auto leveling
	Daytime running lights	Body-colored folding, heated power side mirrors with integrated turn signals	LED Daytime Running Lights
	Dual exhaust with bright tip finishers	Auto on/off headlights	LED combination tail lights
	Rear roofline spoiler	Advanced Blind Spot Monitoring System 12 with Rear Cross Traffic Alert 13	LED fog lights
	Rear window wiper	Dual-zone automatic climate control system	Black metallic finish front grille
	Dual map lights and rear cabin light	6-way power adjustable driver's seat with manual lumbar adjustment	Roof-mounted "shark fin" antenna
	3-point seat belts for all seating positions	Variable heated front seats	Perforated leather-trimmed sport seats
	Tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS)	Leatherette-trimmed sport seats	Bose 9 speaker surround sound system with Centerpoint 2 and AudioPilot 2
	Dynamic Stability Control6 and Traction Control System	Leather-wrapped steering wheel	SiriusXM Satellite Radio with 4-month trial subscription 11
	Air conditioning with pollen filter	Leather-wrapped gear shift knob	Full-color Active Driving Display
	Power door locks with 2-stage unlocking feature	Rain-sensing windshield wipers	Analog tachometer and digital speedometer
	Power windows with driver's-one-touch up/down	Mazda Advanced Keyless Entry	Power sliding-glass moonroof with one-touch-open feature and interior sunshade
	Remote keyless entry system with "answer back" feature
	Push button start

The 2020 Mazda 3 hatchback comes in two engine options depending on the trim level you choose. The base engine is the 2.0-liter 4-cylinder that produces about 155 horsepower and 150 lb.-ft. of torque. The engine is powered by 6-speed manual transmission.And a 2.5 L inline four-cylinder engine for Touring and Grand Touring trims pumping out 184 hp and 185 lb-ft of torque.

The engines are punchier while delivering power out to the wheels. The base engine may feel a little sluggish to generate power but manages to deliver a decent acceleration. On the other hand, the 2.5-liter engine produces excellent power and acceleration that may put its rivals in a tensed situation.The 2.5 L engine with a six-speed manual transmission is a perfect recipe to have fun with.

Models	Mazda 3 (Sport)	Honda Civic Hatchback (LX)	Volkswagen Golf (S)	Kia Forte5 (LX)
MSRP	$20,235	$20,150	$20,910	$18,300
Engine	2.0L DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder	1.5L I-4 DOHC 16-Valve Turbocharged	1.8L TSI DOHC 16V Turbocharged 4-cyl	2.0L, DOHC, 16-valve I-4
Transmission	6-speed manual	6-speed manual	5-Speed manual	6-Speed Automatic
Power	155 hp	174 hp	170 hp	164 hp
Torque	150 lb-ft	167 lb-ft	184 lb-ft	151 lb-ft

Acceleration

The more powerful 2.5 L engine under the hood offers better acceleration and makes driving a thrilling experience. Despite producing very less numbers in terms of power while compared to its rivals, the Mazda 3 hatchback takes just 7.6 seconds to reach the 60 MPH mark.

The low power accounts in poor quarter-mile numbers as the car take 16.7 seconds to do so. 

Models	Mazda 3 (Sport)	Honda Civic Hatchback (LX)	Volkswagen Golf (S)	Kia Forte5 (LX)
0-60 MPH	8.1 sec	7.5 sec	6.7 sec	6.9 sec
Quarter mile	16.0 sec	15.5 sec	15.3 sec	15.2 sec
Engine	2.0L i-4	1.5L i-4	1.8L i-4	2.0L i-4
Emission   (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)	5.6	5.3	6.1	6.3

It takes 7.6 seconds from a standstill to click 60 mph and does a quarter-mile run in 16 seconds. Comparing the Mazda 3 to its closest competitors, it seems to be the slowest accelerating car in this segment. Golf leads the race doing 0-60 mph in 6.7 seconds followed by Kia Forte5 and then Honda Civic.

Handling and Steering

The Mazda 3 gains marks in this section, it may not be as silent on the inside as the Golf or as good in ride quality as the Civic but the Mazda 3 surely is a great and fun ride for the value we pay. The handling is responsive at needed times and provides great drive under both, high and low speeds. The steering holds the grip around corners making it a smooth curved drive every time.

Though the Mazda 3 falls behind in terms of numbers, it offers exceptional driving dynamics. The steering is very engaging although the feedback from the road is not as good as one would expect. It is not the quickest it handles like no other car in this segment, being nimble around the corners and remains composed in the straight line at highway speeds. The grip on the tires is good and the suspension setup will give you more confidence while driving.

Braking

The Mazda 3 hatchback fails to impress with its braking power and it stops from 60 MPH in just 127 feet. It has got discs of 11-inches in front and 10.4-inches in the rear. 

The brake pedal response is good but is a bit slow to react in panic stops. Brakes on the hatch have a decent bite. Braking is linear and smooth without any unnecessary jerks. 

Model	Mazda 3 (Sport)	Honda Civic Hatchback (LX)	Volkswagen Golf (S)	Kia Forte5 (LX)
Brake Front(in)	11.0	11.1	11.3	11.0
Brake Rear(in)	10.4	10.2	10.7	10.3
Curb weight(lbs)	2875	2822	2963	2928
60-0 MPH (ft.)	127	115	117	115

Comparing it to Honda Civic and Kia Forte which takes only 115 ft and Volkswagen Golf which takes 177 ft to stop from 60-0 mph, Mazda 3 has the longest stopping distance in this segment. 

Mazda's traditional setup with its naturally aspirated engine and a six-speed transmission and the fact that it is the most massive of the lot holds it behind in terms of fuel-efficiency. The all-wheel-drive further reduces the mileage figure with 24 in the city and 32 on the highway. 

Models	Mazda 3 Hatchback	Volkswagen Golf	Honda Civic Hatchback Sport	Toyota Corolla XSE Hatchback
MPG (City)	26	28	29	30
MPG (Highway)	35	36	35	38
MPG (Combined)	30	31	32	33
Fuel Capacity (Gallons)	13.2	13.2	12.4	13.2
Range (City/Hwy/Combined) (mi)	343.2/462.0/382.8	370/475.0/356.4	360/434.0/446.4	396.0/502.0/462.0

The presumable reason for the lower MPG aggregates could be imputed on the higher curb weight of the cars but despite the being heavy, Corolla gives a lot more beneficial mpg than the rivals. Although, low mileage will make you feel less sinful when you are driving your Mazda like a lunatic. 

The moment you enter the cabin of the Mazda 3, you feel ample space to comfortably to seat in. The hatchback has tried to match the number of passenger volume with that of its rivals’. The rear seats, however, make you enter into them with relatively small door apertures and is quite uncomfortable on legroom when compared to its rivals.

The middle seat position is cramped in all directions. Most of the adults won’t be able to fit in 5 of themselves for a long drive.

The front seats of the hatchback have great comfort on under-thigh and lumbar support. The problem lies only in the seating comfort of the rear seats which may turn to be quite claustrophobic for three people in the rear row.

Model	Mazda 3 (Sport)	Honda Civic Hatchback (LX)	Volkswagen Golf (S)	Kia Forte5 (LX)
Passenger capacity	5	5	5	5
Passenger Volume (ft cube)	96.4	97.2	39.5	98.2
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg)   (In.)	38.6/57.2/42.2	39.3/57.0/42.3	38.4/55.9/41.2	39.4/56.1/42.2
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg)   (In.)	37.6/54.4/35.8	37.4/55.0/36.0	38.1/53.9/35.6	38.7/54.9/35.9

The hatchback also gets a 6-way power-adjustable driver seat with manual lumbar on the mid and the top trim. The replacement of manual handbrake with electronic handbrake has increased some in the front cabin. The tilt and telescopic steering wheel help to comfortably settle the driver’s knees. 

Interior Features

The overall seating and comfort have been upgraded and are better than the previous year Mazda 3 with the following features :

• Auto-dimming rearview mirror
• Digital speedometer
• Six-way power seats and heated front seats.
• leather upholstery
• 7" Infotainment touch screen

Infotainment System

All the Mazda 3s come with a 7-inch touch infotainment display using Mazda connect. The graphics are crisp and the interface is easy to use. It also features a heads-up display showing relevant information. The range-topping GT variant gets an updated display in the instrument panel and a digital speedometer.

It also gets a 9 speaker surround system for the best music quality with connectivity feature options like Bluetooth and 2 USB ports. Sadly, the car is not equipped with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Cargo Volume

The hatch gets a decent amount of cargo space in the compact car segment with 20.2 ft.cube of total volume. There is no available storage space in underfloor as spare tire sits there. 

The maximum cargo volume that can be achieved is 47.1 ft.cube with the rear seats folded. 

Model	Mazda 3 (Sport)	Honda Civic Hatchback (LX)	Volkswagen Golf (S)	Kia Forte5 (LX)
Behind 2nd Row (ft.cube)	20.2	25.7	17.4	23.2
2nd Row Folded (ft.cube)	47.1	46.2	53.7	N/A

The first and foremost thing that makes the Mazda 3 an eye candy is the sleek and sporty design. The hood of the hatchback is quite long and makes you feel as if you are driving a sedan while the rear bumper has undergone some changes as compared to 2016 Mazda 3.

The hatchback sports a big chrome-garnished grille in the front making it look aggressive.Mazda 3 leads this segment with highest ground clearance of 6.1 inches.

Hence, overall figures suggesting the hatch to be a comfortable car that can tackle most of the terrains.Over the generations, Mazda 3 has been slightly upgraded in exterior dimensions and design.

Model	Mazda 3 (Sport)	Honda Civic Hatchback (LX)	Volkswagen Golf (S)	Kia Forte5 (LX)
curb weight(lbs)	2875	2822	2963	2928
Length(in)	175.6	177.9	167.5	171.3
Width(in)	70.7	70.8	70.8	70.1
Height(in)	57.3	56.5	57.2	57.1
Ground clearance(in)	6.1	5.1	5.4	5.5
Wheel base(in)	106.3	106.3	103.8	106.3
Track width(in) F/R	61.2/61.4	60.9/61.5	61.0/59.8	61.5/62.0

The Mazda 3 has the tallest ground clearance amongst its rivals which makes you drive around on any terrain without hitting anything from the beneath. The Mazda 3 also tends to have quite long length in its structure providing a good amount of headroom to all the passengers.

Exterior Features

Some of the great exterior features on the Mazda 3 hatchback are :

• i-ELOOP regenerative braking system
• Panic Alarm
• Keyless ignition
• Hands-free entry
• Turn signal in mirrors
• i-ACTIVESENSE Safety package

The NHSTA has rated the Mazda 3 with a five-star overall rating while the IIHS calls the Mazda a Top Safety Pick. It gets a three-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Safety Features :

• Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
• ABS And Driveline Traction Control
• Side Impact Beams
• Low Tire Pressure Warning
• Curtain 1st And 2nd Row Airbags
• Airbag Occupancy Sensor
• Outboard Front Lap And Shoulder Safety Belts -inc: Rear Center 3 Point, Height Adjusters and Pretensioners
• Back-Up Camera

Mazda 3 vs Volkswagen Golf

Volkswagen Golf has better performance capabilities than the Mazda 3. It has better acceleration, power, and torque. But, the hatch takes over the Golf in braking and efficiency. On the inside, the Golf outclasses Mazda in cargo capacity with 53.7 ft.cube of total volume.

But, the cargo volume in the 3 is not so bad, with seats folded you get 47.1 ft.cube of total volume. Also, it scores superior numbers in crash tests than the Golf. Offered at a low sticker price, Mazda seems to be a better choice

Mazda 3 vs Honda Civic

Honda Civic and Mazda 3 are very similar in terms of their safety standards and Interior Quality. Also, both come in two body styles namely sedan and hatchback. Honda Civic comes with a 174 hp motor which makes it a more comfortable cruiser and is also efficient than Mazda.

On the contrary, Mazda is offered at a cheaper price with a host of advanced safety features than the Civic. Hence, if you are looking for an agile and sporty car with a decent price tag, Mazda 3 beats most in the segment.

Mazda 3 vs Kia Forte5 LX

Kia Forte5 starts at a much lower rate and it has got much more power than the Mazda 3. Also, the Kia comes with a standard 6-speed automatic transmission whereas in the Mazda 3 it will cost you extra for the automatic transmission.

Kia Forte5 overshadows the Mazda 3 in performance figures too. It is faster and brakes do a decent job on the road when compared to the Mazda 3. Hence, the Kia Forte5 has a better utility score.

The Mazda 3 does not disappoint even a single bit to prove its reliability, fun ride quality and stability along with its enjoyable premiumness and quality features. It narrows down to a point where the buyers may end up choosing between Honda Civic Hatchback or the Mazda 3 Hatchback.

Overall, the Honda Civic holds an upper edge for many standard features that it provides against the Mazda 3 but the 2017 Mazda 3 could be the best choice if you need a simple, elegant and premium car which not only provides a variety of features in its base as well as higher trims but also provides you complete value for your money.