Mazda 3 Turbo Sedan - Who does Number 3 work for?

The Mazda 3 Sedan is a strong vehicle that seems to get overlooked. It just doesn’t fit in. Here’s what I mean: The Mazda 3 Sedan doesn’t have the perceived status of something like a 3-series BMW or Audi. But it’s not a basic/generic appliance like a Kia or Nissan sedan. Also – it’s not as sensible & generally not as long-lasting as a Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla. In that regard, the Mazda is not an obvious go-to choice. And then there’s the argument that sedans overall are a dying breed. For example, Ford doesn’t even make a sedan anymore. And Audi just killed the A4. But…

Here’s where the Mazda 3 Sedan excels though…

The Mazda 3 delivers a notably driver-centric driving experience amongst its competitors. Let’s be clear. It won’t set your pants on fire. And it’s not gonna make anyone trade-in their Miata (see Miata review). But the Mazda 3 won’t lull you to sleep either. And in a trending age of gross driver disengagement & hand-sanitized driving experiences, the Mazda 3 puts the spirit of driving before monotonous mobility. For example…

The Mazda 3 steering & suspension…

Feels a bit more alive & less numb than many of the price-point competitors in its segment. You feel more of a direct connection between the road and the steering wheel in the Mazda 3… like they’re actually connected & not just a virtual simulation.

The volume & infotainment controls…

Are located further-down on the center console (near the cupholders). Admittedly, that can be initially confusing on a test drive, but give it a chance. Because once acclimated, Mazda’s controls allow you to keep your eyes on the road, especially with Mazda’s heads-up display. Remember, the first step to ‘safety’ is human attentiveness… NOT evermore tech mandates & sensors.

Mazda’s ergonomics & interior materials/fabrics…

All point to a car company that prioritizes at least some sense of driving engagement over diluted mobility. Driving is active. Mobility is passive. Choose your future. You can tell that Mazda interiors are designed by drivers, sports car racers, and enthusiasts… not Silicon Valley.

The Mazda 3 2.5 turbo engine…

At 250hp and 320tq, the turbocharged Mazda 3 has the juice. Mated with all-wheel-drive, it’s really a good (albeit understated) package. There’s more inside the Mazda 3 than Mazda lets out of the cage. It’s that ‘last domino’ that Mazda tends to leave standing. For instance, if/when you put the Mazda3 turbo into Sport Mode & “manually” shift it, the true spirit of the car starts to come through. And it’s good! Mazda knows how to make nimble, maneuverable driving machines. So why not make them more like that – all the time?! In other words, make Sport Mode become the Normal Mode ——> and let Normal Mode be the Eco/Comfort Mode. Just make that little adjustment, and viola, the Mazda 3 truly starts to stand out. It’s like starting to play a Netflix movie & it’s blurry by default… but you can select Clear Mode if you want. Why?!

Swap some of the tech & convenience for a real manual transmission & Mazdaspeed badge, the current Mazda 3 would become very interesting.

Mazda 3 Price-point…

Opinions aside, the Mazda 3 delivers good value at a time when value in the automotive industry has gotten hard to find. I was pleasantly surprised that this specific turbocharged Mazda 3 hit a low-30s price-point on the window sticker. The engine seems more robust than a lot of the others in its segment. Likewise, the driving experience feels overall more engaging & enjoyable… even though ‘this sedan’ in ‘this color’ gave me unshakable ol’ granny vibes & that’s probably NOT Mazda’s intention lol. Like I said the Mazda 3 kinda falls in a weird void. It doesn’t exactly relate to a Civic/Corolla… nor does it quite compare to a 3-series BMW/Audi. Maybe that’s not a bad place to be though.