2021 Mazda 3 Hatchback Test Drive Review: The Grown-Up Hot Hatch
With the introduction of the fourth-generation Mazda 3 Hatchback, the Mazda brand took a turn in a very different direction in the US. Goodbye 'Zoom-Zoom,' hello 'Driving Matters' as a brand slogan, and in comes a new target audience for Mazda. Rather than catering directly to younger buyers with sporty products like the MazdaSpeed line, Mazda is now after a more mature demographic with buyers seeking a near-luxury product at mainstream prices.
This transition becomes apparent when stepping inside the new Mazda 3 Hatchback. Premium materials and elegant design give the Mazda 3 a whiff of Audi on the interior, which is high praise for a mainstream vehicle. For 2021, Mazda has now added a turbocharged engine variant with 250 horsepower, putting the 3 on a more level playing field with hot hatchbacks like the Volkswagen Golf GTI. But actually, Mazda hopes to punch well beyond the GTI's pedigree. Mazda says its new turbo 3 is so premium, it can steal customers from the Audi A3, BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, and Mercedes-Benz A-Class. Is the 2021 Mazda 3 hatch worthy of poaching luxury buyers? Or are those aspirations a bit too lofty? We took one for a few days to test drive it and find out.
What's the Price of the 2021 Mazda 3 Hatchback?
The base price of the Mazda 3 Hatchback range starts low with the S at an MSRP of $22,500. Interestingly, this is $1,200 less expensive than the cheapest 2020 model. Following this is the Select at $23,700, the Preferred at $25,350, and the Premium at $27,850. The base turbocharged model begins at $30,900, followed by the turbocharged Premium Plus at $33,750. These prices all exclude tax, licensing, registration, and a destination fee of $945. On the Select, Preferred, and Premium, upgrading from FWD to AWD will add $1,400 to the final bill. With all the little extras added on, the Mazda 3 Hatchback 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus will cost just over $40,000.
2021 Mazda 3 Hatchback Exterior
Dimensions
Length | Wheelbase | Height | Max Width | Front Width | Rear Width | Curb Weight |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
175.6 in | 107.3 in | 56.7 in | 70.7 in | 61.7 in | 62.2 in | 3,082.0 lbs |
2021 Mazda 3 Hatchback Performance
Handling and Driving Impressions
When an automaker's slogan is 'Driving Matters,' the cars better be pretty fun to drive. In this area, we were rather disappointed with the Mazda 3 AWD hatchback we had for review last year. The carryover 2.5-liter four-cylinder felt adequately-powered but joyless, and the AWD system was let down by its screechy, gripless all-season tires. By dropping in a turbocharged engine, Mazda easily fixed the 3's lack of speed. As with other Mazda models to use this turbo four-pot, the 3 feels gutsy, especially at low engine speeds. The engine has so much torque on tap, it rarely strains itself during passing maneuvers, delivering effortless acceleration reminiscent of a luxury model.
The characteristics of the Mazda 3 2.5 Turbo feel ideal for buyers who are coming out of a luxury brand like Audi or BMW, but it will disappoint customers in search of their next hot hatchback. This car is not a spiritual successor to the MazdaSpeed3, and thinking of it as such will only lead to disappointment. The AWD system strips aways the manic torque-steer of the old Speed3, replacing it with sensible understeer. Mazda will not offer the 3 will a summer tire option, though the Bridgestone all-seasons are much grippier than the Toyo Proxes that are also on offer. Those who care at all about how their car handles should get the Bridgestones, or better yet, get a set of summer tires elsewhere for the warmer months.
Though the addition of the turbocharger will propel the hatchback at faster speeds, Mazda hasn't done much else to improve the handling. The suspension is still tuned for comfort, meaning the car exhibits plenty of body roll around corners. With AWD standard, the 3 2.5 Turbo at least feels planted at all times, though we would have liked to see Mazda offer sport suspension and larger brakes. In Sport Mode, the car activates its G-Vectoring Control, which senses driver inputs and manages the weight balance when cornering to apply more grip on the front end using a combination of the brakes and gearbox. Sadly, the six-speed automatic box lacks the quickness of more modern transmissions, and on-throttle, it often short shifts, even in Sport mode. With this transmission, the Mazda 3 feels perpetually inclined to be driven at seven-tenths rather than all-out. We hate to take the cliche "it needs a manual stance," but Mazda could probably benefit from a newer automatic with a few more cogs or a dual-clutch transmission in the near future. In this regard, it feels more lukewarm than a true hot hatch.
2021 Mazda 3 Hatchback Interior
2021 Mazda 3 Hatchback Trunk and Cargo Space
Warranty
Basic | Drivetrain | Corrosion | Roadside Assistance |
---|---|---|---|
3 Years / 36,000 Miles | 5 Years / 60,000 Miles | 5 Years / Unlimited Miles | 3 Years / 36,000 Miles |
US NHTSA Crash Test Result
Overall Rating | Frontal Barrier Crash Rating | Side Crash Rating | Rollover Rating |
---|---|---|---|
5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 |
Verdict: Is the 2021 Mazda 3 Hatchback A Good car?
The 2021 Mazda 3 Hatchback is an interesting cross-blend between a mainstream and premium vehicle. Both the exterior and interior look visually stunning, tremendously increasing the car's curb appeal. Adding a turbocharged engine fixed the lack of pace, finally allowing the car to accelerate effortlessly like the premium item that Mazda billed it as. While we can't imagine too many shoppers seriously comparing it to an Audi, BMW, or Mercedes, the fact that those cars might pop into mind when thinking about a Mazda is an impressive feat on its own.
We do have some warnings though for those reading this Mazda 3 hatchback review. For good and for bad, the 3 feels like a grown-up car, even with the new turbocharged engine. It lacks the silly streak of a hot hatch, meaning buyers coming in from a Golf GTI or Hyundai Veloster N could be bored by the Mazda 3, as it's not really hot-hatch competition. This car is perfect for someone who's had their fun with a smaller or less comfortable hot hatchback and now wants a more mature vehicle with similar power, a nicer cabin, and sexy styling. Our hatchback preferences skew more towards the wacky and ridiculous, but if your tastes are more reserved and sophisticated, the 3 could be an interesting option.
What Mazda 3 Hatchback Model Should I Buy?
Mazda's addition of a turbocharger finally matches the speed to the level of luxury inside, so that is the engine we'd opt for. As for what trim level of the Mazda 3 2.5 Turbo to buy, we prefer the standard trim rather than the pricier Premium Plus model. Even the base Mazda 3 with the turbo comes well-equipped at $30,900. Stepping up to the Premium Plus for $33,750 adds a few nice features such as a 360-degree camera, traffic jam assist, road sign recognition, and built-in navigation, but the turbocharged engine is pricey enough, and we'd show restraint to keep the Mazda 3 closer to $30,000.
2021 Mazda 3 Hatchback Comparisons
2021 Mazda 3 Hatchback vs Mazda 3 Sedan
Naturally, both the 3 Sedan and Hatchback have much in common. Dynamically, they're each fun to drive and come with feature-packed, well-finished cabins. Their different body styles have an impact on practicality, though, as the sedan offers only 13.2 cubic feet of trunk space in comparison to the hatchback, which has over 20 cubes before folding down the seats. However, the sedan offers a bit more headroom for occupants at the back. While both the sedan and hatchback now offer the option of a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine at the top of the range, the sedan comes with an entry-level 2.0-liter engine that produces only 155 hp but drops the price down to a more wallet-friendly $20,500. Because of this, the sedan undercuts the hatchback by $2,000. Comparing apples with apples, the sedan is around $1,000 cheaper than the equivalent hatchback. Choosing between the two will depend on which body style better suits your needs.
2021 Mazda 3 Hatchback vs Mazda CX-3
The CX-3 is one of the smaller crossovers on the market. In fact, it's even shorter and narrower than the 3 Hatchback. While both cars are offered with either front- or all-wheel-drive, only the 3 Hatchback has the option of a turbocharged engine, whereas the CX-3 has to make do with a rather gutless 2.0-liter naturally-aspirated engine churning out no more than 148 hp and 146 lb-ft of torque. It's clear that both vehicles came from the same stable, though, as they're more entertaining to drive than most rivals despite the rather sluggish base engines. Both also have well-crafted cabins that are more upscale than you'd expect at the price, but rear-seat space isn't generous in either according to our reviews. The 3 also has a bigger trunk than the CX-3, and isn't enhanced practicality supposed to be the point of a crossover? Both Mazdas are excellent cars, but we'd side with the more powerful 3 Hatchback if it came down to a choice between the two.