2020 Mazda 3

The 2020 Mazda 3 Sedan can be considered to be the best deal for a compact car coupled with performance and styling. When compared to its rivals, it outperforms all of them and thus, at this price, Mazda 3 Sedan is a terrific package. From performance to looks, to comfort, this car hits all the right notes in an attempt to offer its buyer an all-around utility without compromising on the style factor.

The ride inherits all the comfort traits of a family sedan while setting some cutting-edge tech and appearance benchmarks. Under the hood of 2020, Mazda 3 Sedan is a 2-liter 4 cylinder naturally aspirated gas-based engine which is complemented by its 6-speed manually shiftable automatic transmission and front-wheel drive.

The Mazda 3 is available in four trims with a standalone 2.5-liter inline-four engine. A six-speed automatic transmission is standard while the Premium hatchback is the sole configuration that gives a manual transmission. Moreover, a lot of active safety assist features have also been added as standard to make your M-wheels safer.

All other trims, except for the passage level, offer AWD for an additional $1400.  The range-topping Premium starts at $26,500  and features LED exterior headlights, fog lights and taillights, a sunroof, a digital speedometer, and an upgraded display in the instrument panel.

Model	Base	Select	Preferred	Premium
MSRP (FWD)	$21,500	$22,700	$24,200	$26,500
MSRP (AWD)	-	$24,100	$25,600	$27,900
Key Features	Daytime Running Lights	Adds/Upgrades to Base trim-	Adds/Upgrades to Select trim-	Adds/Upgrades to Preferred trim-
	16-inch Alloys	Apple CarPlay	8-way power-adjustable driver's seat	WIndshield-project full Active Driving Display
	Body-Colored, Dual Folding Power side Mirrors	18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels	Side mirror memory adjustment	Distance Pacing Cruise Control
	i-Activesense Driver Assist	Mazda Advanced Keyless Entry	SiriusXM Satellite radio	Power sliding-glass moonroof
	Adaptive Cruise Control	Body-colored folding, heated power side mirrors with integrated turn signals	Black metallic finish front grille	Adaptive Front-lighting system
	Blind-spot Monitoring	A dual-zone automatic climate control system	Bose 12 speaker surround sound system	Paddle shifters
	Rain-sensing windshield wipers	Android Auto	Illuminated visor vanity mirrors	Leather-trimmed sport seats
	An 8.8-inch large center display	Leather-Finish Interior	Variable heated front seats

Which trim do we recommend?

The Mazda trims do not carry any engine or performance differences, considering this we’d recommend you go for the Select variant. The Select variant feels a lot more premium from the inside, courtesy to its leather-finished interiors. This trim also offers 18-inch alloys, as compared to the Base trim’s 16-inch, thus enhancing the ride quality. 

The solitary engine remains unchanged with a 2.5L I4, which is capable enough to generate an imposing 186 hp along with 186 lb.-ft. Of torque. These figures are the greatest in the segment, with Civic completing the closest run at 174 hp.

Every variant of the Mazda 3 sedan comes six-speed automatic and Front Wheel Drive (FWD) standard. The 6 -speed manual transmission is only offered on the Premium hatchback. Front-wheel drive is standard but all-wheel drive can be had with the automatic.

If you chose to change gears manually, you can feel the smoothness of the low-effort shifter, the precisely placed pedals for toe-heel shifting, and continuous clutch take-up. The sport setting is brilliantly tuned for maximum attack. 

Models	Mazda 3 (Sport)	Honda Civic Ex-L	Kia forte EX IVT	Hyundai Elantra ECO DCT
MSRP	$22,420	$24,377	$21,990	$21,050
Engine	2.5L I-4	1.5L Intercooled Turbo I-4	2.0L I-4	2.0L Intercooled Turbo I-4
Transmission	6-Speed Automatic	6-Speed Automatic	6-Speed Automatic	6-Speed Automatic
Horsepower (hp)	186 @ 6000 rpm	174 @ 6000 rpm	147 @ 5500 rpm	128 @ 5500 rpm
Torque (lb/ft)	186 @ 4000 rpm	162 @ 1700 rpm	184 @ 2100 rpm	156 @ 1400 rpm

The Mazda 3 sedan is simply not able to match the low-end torque of rivals like the Honda Civic and Hyundai Elantra because of the naturally aspirated powertrain. The Mazda 3's performance isn't a dealbreaker, the 2.5-liter will be ideal for most demands.

Also, Read - Is there a turbocharged engine in 2021 Mazda 3

How fast is it?

Even though the sedan lags behind in the low-end torque, the engine, and transmission work together perfectly without any misfiring or unnecessary throttle to display an impressive acceleration.  It takes 8.1 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.

Models	Mazda 3 (Sport)	Honda Civic Ex-L	Kia forte EX IVT	Hyundai Elantra ECO DCT
0-60 MPH	8.1 secs	7.5 secs	6.9 secs	8.3 secs
Quarter Mile	16.0 secs	15.5 secs	15.2 secs	16.4 secs
Engine	2.5L I4	1.5L I4	2.0L I4	2.0L I4

The only ride which requires more than 8.1 seconds, is the Hyundai Elantra but considering the horsepower gap between the Mazda and the Hyundai offerings, the Mazda 3 still remains a turn-off. 

How well does it stop?

Brakes on the Mazda have a decent bite with a curb weight of 3255 lbs. Eyeing this fact, the braking performance of the Mazda 3 earns our respect. It offers a biting stopping experience, it's easy to modulate and you can freely push the chassis harder without any worry.

The braking arrangement is smooth and does well in panic braking scenarios. The ride requires 122 ft. In order to depreciate from 60-0 MPH, which indeed is a decent figure. 

Model	Mazda 3 (Sport)	Honda Civic Ex-L	Kia forte EX IVT	Hyundai Elantra ECO DCT
Brake Front (in.)	11.6	11.1	11.0	11.0
Brake Rear (in.)	10.4	10.2	10.3	8.0
Curb Weight (lbs.)	3255	2976	2903	2857
60-0 MPH (ft.)	122	115	115	125

How well does it handle?

In terms of handing, the sedan offers exceptional driving dynamics. The steering on the Mazda is very engaging although the feedback from the road is not as good as one would expect. Though Mazda 3 is not the quickest it handles like no other car in this segment. It is 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.

The notably light controls and road movements of the Mazda make it responsive and playful. The ride quality is decent and the grip levels are firm. It can be a little uneven on rough pavements but that doesn't affect the overall goodness of the car. The steering quality is quite impressive with its on-center precision, the actual road feels, and quick responsiveness during cornering.

Examining the suspension, the ride scores an “A” grade. The suspensions of the Mazda 3 puts the setup of all other competitors to shame, swallowing almost every shock out there and inspiring confidence. The steering arrangement of the 2020 Mazda 3 is the point where the praise stutters a bit. The steering for the Mazda 3 feels soft and slow at feedbacks, thus making you feel less connected to the road. 

Fuel efficiency always plays a vital role when choosing a compact class car and the Sport does just fine in ensuring its prospective buyers with an admirable on-road EPA estimate. For maximum efficiency, you can go for the i-ELOOP package for the 2.5-liter engine which adds a double-layer capacitor, grille shutters, and a variable-voltage alternator.

The Mazda 3 can't be thought of as a fuel-efficient compact car, but its real-world mpg surpasses expectations. Front-wheel-drive cars with the handy automatic transmission are the most economical of the bunch at 27 mpg city, 36 highway, 30 combined, though models with bigger wheels and the less-aerodynamic hatchbacks rate 26/35/30 mpg.

Model	Mazda 3 (Sport)	Honda Civic Ex-L	Kia forte EX IVT	Hyundai Elantra ECO DCT
MPG (City)	27	32	30	24
MPG (Highway)	36	36	40	33
MPG (Combined)	30	42	35	38

All four cars have an acceptable fuel economy with considerable differences.  The Honda Civic seems to be a shining star among all the rivals while the Kia Forte takes the second spot with 35 mpg combined.

The Mazda 3 features one of the best interior design and comfort. It is the simplicity of the interior that makes it so good. It can accommodate 5 people easily with rear seats having some height restriction. It’s also easy to get in and out with wide door openings and high head clearance. 

The cabin is extremely silent and filters most of the road and wind noise, talking about the engine noise, well that’s something you’ll be the least familiar with if you drive a Mazda 3. 

The driver’s seat offers a 6-way adjustment feature to settle in and the ergonomics of pedals are just in the right position which makes driving enjoyable. The cockpit offers good visibility except for the area around bulky C-pillars.

The rear seats are little cramped and it may get tight for taller people whereas the fronts seats have ample amount of legroom and thigh support.

Model	Mazda 3 (Sport)	Honda Civic Ex-L	Kia forte EX IVT	Hyundai Elantra ECO DCT
Passenger Capacity	5	5	5	5
Front(Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in.)	38.0/55.7/42.3	37.6/57.0/42.3	38.8/56.1/42.2	40.3/56.2/42.2
Rear(Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in.)	37.2/53.4/35.1	37.4/55.0/36.0	37.5/55.3/35.7	37.3/55.3/35.7

The ride also offers a great deal of space to all its passengers. It can easily accommodate 5 people and the seats offer unmatchable comfort. The swooping roof-line, however, takes its toll on the rear headspace but overall, the ride feels comfortable even for long hours. 

Interior Features

• Tilt-telescopic electric power steering with audio and cruise controls
• 4 way manually adjustable passenger seats
• Split-folding rear seatback
• External temperature display
• 1-touch power windows
• Trip computer
• Rearview camera
• Interior air filtration and rear ventilation ducts

Also, Read: Why Mazda 3 has got the best interior in its class?

What's there to keep you entertained?

All the trims of the Mazda 3 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.

The features of the infotainment system are listed below : 

• 6 total speakers
• USB connection
• Auxiliary audio input
• AM/FM radio
• Bluetooth audio and phone
• Voice command

How much cargo can it carry?

In its boot, the 3 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. It offers the greatest in class cargo volume with rear seats down. 

Model	Mazda 3 (Sport)	Honda Civic Ex-L	Kia forte EX IVT	Hyundai Elantra ECO DCT
Cargo Volume With Rear Seats Up	20.2	25.7	23.2	14.4
Cargo Volume With Rear Seats Down	47.1	46.2	N/A	N/A

The Kia Forte tops the list with the maximum cargo storage capacity. Quite evidently as mentioned earlier, Mazda 6 takes the third spot while the Hyundai Elantra takes the last spot.

The entire lineup of the Mazda 3 is handsome with the added sharpness to its athletic lines with beautifully balanced aesthetics for a greater presence on streets than other cars. The dimensions are not too small or not too big, keeping it a middle segment compact car.

The Mazda 3 leads the league in terms of ground clearance, which lends this ride an ideal sedan profile, which is not going to tremble before crossing those potholes or a not-so-tidy street.

Model	Mazda 3 (Sport)	Honda Civic Ex-L	Kia forte EX IVT	Hyundai Elantra ECO DCT
Curb Weight (lbs.)	3255	2976	2903	2857
Length (in.)	175.6	177.9	182.7	181.9
Width (in.)	70.7	70.7	70.9	70.9
Height (in.)	56.7	56.5	56.5	56.5
Ground Clearance (in.)	5.5	5.1	5.3	5.3
Wheelbase (in.)	107.3	106.3	106.3	106.3
Track Width (in.) F/R	61.2/61.4	60.9/61.5	61.5/62.0	61.5/61.9

Some of the prominent exterior features of the 2020 Mazda 3 Sedan are:

• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Self-leveling LED headlamps
• Keyless entry
• Power sunroof
• Black metallic finish front grille
• Roof-mounted shark-fin antenna

The 2020 Mazda 3 offers a loaded suite of active safety features, which earlier were optional but now have been made a standard across all the trims. The 2020 Mazda 3 received a five-star crash-test evaluation from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and it was labeled a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

These results show that the Mazda 3 holds up pretty well against accidents. Some of these features are: 

• i-Activesense Driver Assist Feature now Offered as a Standard Across All Models
• Blind-Spot Monitoring 
• Lane-Departure Warning 
• Lane-Keep Assist 
• Adaptive Cruise Control 
• Automatic Emergency Braking
• Low tire pressure warning
• MazdaConnect Emergency SOS
• Forward collision warning system
• Electronic Stability Control
• LATCH

Mazda 3 vs Honda Civic Ex-L

The Honda Civic might be the greatest but definitely the priciest option of the segment, with a sticker price of $24,337. The ride houses a 1.5L I4, which can fabricate 174 hp along with 162 lb.ft. of torque. 

The ride can accomplish the 0-60 sprint in 7.5 seconds and requires 15.5 seconds to cover the quarter-of-a-mile distance, which are the second fastest figures of the lot. However, the Civic emerges as the indisputable king of the fuel economy arena, with a combined MPG figure of 42. 

Mazda 3 vs Kia forte EX IVT

The Kia Forte is the fastest set of wheels you can get in this budget. Fitted with a 2.0L I4, the Kia Forte churns out 147 hp along with 184 lb.-ft. Of torque, but don’t let these figures deceive you. The Kia Forte sprints from 0-60 in 6.9 seconds, which is the fastest among all. 

Mazda 3 vs Hyundai Elantra ECO DCT

Priced at $21,050, the Hyundai Elantra is the most reasonable offering in the class. The ride gets a 2.0L I4 under its hood, which can generate 128 hp along with 156 lb.-ft. Of torque, which is the lowest among all its rivals.

The ride takes 8.3 seconds to achieve the 60 MPH mark and needs 16.4 seconds in order to cover the quarter-mile distance, thus making it seem like a crawler in front of its competitors. 

A well-placed interior, advanced safety features, striking design, and great handling performance offered at an economical price, the Mazda 3 forms a perfect package of comfort, safety, and performance. But, if you are looking for a comfortable cruiser and money doesn't bother you much consider Honda Civic before buying. 

2020 Mazda 3 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Which are the different trim levels on a Mazda 3?

The 2020 Mazda 3 comes in four trim levels - Base, Select, Preferred and Premium trim, ranging from $21,500 for the base variant to $26,500 for the top-trim. An AWD setup can also be fitted for a price hike of $1,400 on top of the MSRP.

Does it come in the AWD setup?

Yes, an AWD setup can also be fitted for a price hike of $1,400 on top of the MSRP.

Is there a hatchback variant for the Mazda 3 as well?

Yes, there is a hatchback variant which comes with the same engine but offers a 6 speed manual in the top trim.