What's New
The 2021 Mazda Mazda3 receives two new engines for the model year. The base model now comes with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder for the sedan body style, while a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder is now available for higher trims. The new turbo engine really gives the Mazda3 an edge in the compact class.
Choosing Your Mazda Mazda3
The Mazda3 is available in seven trim levels: 2.0, 2.5 S, Select, Preferred, Premium, 2.5 Turbo, and 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus. Pricing starts at $21,445 including destination for the base 2.0 model and climbs to $33,395 for the 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus.
All but the 2.0 trim are also available with a hatchback body for an extra $1,300 to $2,000, depending on the trim.
Engine Choices
With two new additions to the lineup, the Mazda3 is now available with three engines. The base 2.0-liter four-cylinder is only available on the entry-level sedan. The majority of models come with the 2.5-liter four-cylinder, while the new turbocharged four-cylinder is reserved for the top two trim levels.
Engine Type | Horsepower | Torque | Fuel Economy (Combined) |
2.0L 4-Cylinder | 155 hp | 150 lb-ft | 31 mpg |
2.5L 4-Cylinder | 186 hp | 186 lb-ft | 30 mpg |
2.5L Turbocharged 4-Cylinder | 250 hp | 320 lb-ft | 27 mpg |
A six-speed automatic transmission is standard on the majority of trims. The hatchback is available with a manual transmission with the 2.5-liter engine. All-wheel drive is an extra $1,400, and it's required to unlock the turbo engine.
Passenger and Cargo Capacity
Both the Mazda3 sedan and hatchback can seat up to five passengers. When it comes to cargo space, the sedan has 13.2 cubic feet, while the hatchback can hold up to 20.1 cubic feet of cargo space.
Safety Features
Every Mazda3 comes with automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, automatic high beams, and rain-sensing windshield wipers.
Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert come as standard on the Select trim. The Premium trim comes with traffic sign recognition, while the 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus adds a surround-view camera system and parking sensors.
Connectivity
For 2021, the Mazda3 comes with an 8.8-inch infotainment screen, a 7-inch display in the instrument cluster, Bluetooth, two USB ports, and an eight-speaker audio system. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone compatibility require stepping up to the 2.5 S trim.
Navigation is available for $450, while a wireless smartphone charging pad costs $275.
The new entry-level Mazda3 is only available in a sedan body style and is the only trim to come with the 155-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. Standard exterior features include 16-inch wheels, LED lights, and rain-sensing windshield wipers. On the inside, it gets cloth upholstery, remote keyless entry, and push button start.
The main things the 2.5 S trim adds is the 186-hp 2.5-liter engine – as its name implies – and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration.
The Select adds 18-inch wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, leatherette upholstery, and advanced keyless entry.
The Mazda3 starts to feel upscale with the Preferred trim. Heated front seats, a moonroof, and an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat are standard.
The Premium trim brings adaptive headlights, 18-inch wheels, leather upholstery, LED headlights, paddle shifters, satellite radio, and a Bose audio system.
The 2.5 Turbo is the first trim in the lineup to come with the newly available turbocharged engine and all-wheel drive as standard. Otherwise, its features mirror the Premium.
2.5 Turbo Premium Plus - From $33,395
The range-topping 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus trim adds a black spoiler, front and rear parking sensors, an auto-dimming driver’s side mirror, perforated leather upholstery, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and more standard safety features.
Compare Mazda3 Trims Side-By-Side
Unless you really don’t like the body style, we recommend the 2021 Mazda Mazda3 in hatchback form. As great as the turbocharged engine is, we think the Preferred trim is the sweet spot in the lineup. It comes with smartphone compatibility and extra convenience features that really help it stand out as the best value option.