2022 Mazda 3 Hatchback

In recent years, Mazda has moved away from its playful Zoom Zoom identity to a more sophisticated style, and its cars show it. The fourth-generation Mazda 3 Hatchback is a mature car that exudes style and class and is far removed from competitors such as the Honda Civic Hatch and Toyota Corolla Hatch, which still pander to younger buyers, to a large extent. The Japanese hatchback is an affordable family car, but higher trim levels are starting to border on German levels of quality and refinement that you would expect from a Mercedes-Benz A-Class. The 2.5-liter turbocharged engine on offer produces a hearty 250 horsepower and is the perfect addition to a package that has every other base covered. Mazda is on the precipice of turning into a premium brand if it continues to deliver cars of this caliber.

The 2022 Mazda 3 Hatchback isn't necessarily going to win any beauty contests, but we think it's a handsome car to look at, and we appreciate its sculpted lines. The Carbon Edition model adds some spice to an otherwise mature look. Standard exterior features include LED head-, tail-, and daytime running lights, rain-sensing window wipers, and body-colored dual folding power side mirrors with integrated turn signals. All models have a rear roof spoiler, too. Preferred models and above add a power sliding-glass moonroof with a one-touch-open feature and interior sunshade. Turbo models also get a windshield wiper de-icer, and Turbo Premium Plus models feature a black aero roof spoiler, black front air dam, and front air guides. The base model rolls on 16-inch wheels, while the rest of the range gets 18-inch alloys.

The Mazda 3 Hatchback is a compact hatchback with similar dimensions to cars such as the Honda Civic Hatchback. The total length of the Mazda 3 Hatchback is 175.6 inches, and it has a width of 70.7 inches and a height of 56.7 inches. It rolls on a 107.3-inch wheelbase and has a front track of 61.7 inches and a rear track of 62.2 inches. A ground clearance of 5.5 inches is shared across the line. The Mazda 3 Hatchback weighs in at 3,022 lbs in its lightest, the FWD Premium with a manual transmission, while the top-spec Turbo models in AWD form weigh 3,383 lbs.

Mazda is appealing to a more mature market with the Mazda 3 Hatchback, which shows in its exterior color palette. The base model is offered in Deep Crystal Blue Mica and Jet Black Mica for free, or Snowflake White Pearl Mica for an additional $395. The Select and Preferred get access to Soul Red Crystal Metallic ($595), Platinum Quartz Metallic, and Machine Gray Metallic ($595). Carbon Edition models are exclusively offered in Polymetal Gray Metallic, but the color can also be had on Premium and Turbo models for $395, replacing Deep Crystal Blue Mica.

The recent addition of the 2.5-liter turbocharged engine option has thrown the Mazda 3 Hatchback into unfair comparisons with performance cars such as the Subaru WRX STI and VW Golf R, but it should be stated from the outset that the Mazda 3 is not a hot hatch. The base 2.5-liter engine packs a decent 186 horsepower and feels reasonably plucky, but being a naturally aspirated engine, it requires one to get the revs up before any actual power is sent to the wheels. The 2.5-liter turbocharged engine is the one to go for if you're looking for any degree of performance. This motor produces 250 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque on premium fuel and sends its power exclusively to all four wheels via a six-speed manual transmission. Mazda doesn't publish official performance figures for the Mazda 3 Hatchback, but independent testing has shown that sub-six-second 0 to 60 mph sprints are possible. The top speed is 130 mph.

There are two engine options on offer for the 2022 model year. All non-turbo models are equipped with a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 186 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque. While a six-speed manual is available to the Premium model in FWD configuration, on all other FWD models, power is sent to the front wheels via a Skyactive six-speed electronically controlled sport automatic transmission. This engine and transmission combination is fine for most occasions and pulls off the line well. Its lack of forced induction requires one to push the engine harder to achieve any sort of lively response from the engine, and fully loaded, performance can get sluggish. As a city car, however, the 3 Hatch performs just fine with the 2.5-liter engine. Preferred and Premium models are also available with all-wheel drive.

The turbocharged 2.5-liter version delivers a more robust 227 hp and 310 lb-ft, although these figures increase to 250 hp/320 lb-ft with premium unleaded fuel. Power is sent exclusively to all four wheels. The 2.5T pulls strongly in any gear, and the sheer amount of torque on tap makes the base engine feel weedy by comparison. If you're after any sort of performance, the 2.5T engine is the way to go. The six-speed automatic transmission is intuitive enough, but we wouldn't describe it as sporty.

This family-friendly hatchback has been set up for comfort over sheer handling prowess, but Mazda doesn't build sloppy-handling cars, and the 3 Hatchback feels composed and ready for action. On city roads, one notices a firmer than usual ride quality, but this is balanced out by excellent dampening, and that stiffness eventually transforms into tight body control and stability at higher speeds. Steering is light but natural-feeling at any speed, which adds to the appeal of driving this hatchback. Most models have a natural tendency to understeer. Turbocharged models benefit from the AWD system, as torque steer is virtually eliminated. We suggest going for a set of grippier summer tires on the turbo model as the standard all-seasons aren't too fun to push around a tight bend.

The Mazda 3 Hatchback is powered by a relatively large 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine, unlike many rivals who have opted for smaller capacity engines assisted by a turbocharger. This doesn't stop the Mazda from returning impressive fuel consumption figures. The base FWD model will manage 26/34/29 mpg on the city/highway/combined circuit, and the AWD version will see those numbers dip to 25/31/27 mpg. The FWD six-speed manual delivers 24/33/27 mpg. AWD turbo models are the heaviest drinkers of the lot and post gas mileage figures of 23/31/26 mpg.

FWD models have a 13.2-gallon fuel capacity and can manage a maximum range of 383 miles in their most frugal guise, while AWD models get a 12.7-gallon fuel tank and a maximum range of 330 miles.

Despite being a non-luxury brand, Mazda sure goes out of its way to design and execute premium interiors. The Mazda 3 Hatchback isn't German, but sitting inside the cabin of this affordable Japanese hatch, you'd struggle to spot many differences. The design is sleek and tasteful, and the high quality of the materials and assembly is tangible. Yes, the base model feels like an entry-level machine, but the higher up you go, the more it feels like Mazda is trying to punch above its weight class. Top-tier trims get leather seats and modern tech such as a head-up display. The interior of the Mazda 3 is comfy and accommodating, but drivers beware - rear visibility is atrocious due to the car's curvy rear end, and the rearview camera and blind-spot assist will become essential companions.

There's space for five adults inside the Mazda 3 Hatchback, and when we say that, we mean it. The interior of the 3 Hatch is spacious and feels airy, despite the poor rear visibility. Those in the front get a set of comfortable seats that feature eight-way power adjustability and leather trim from the Preferred models and up. The legroom in the front is a generous 42.3 inches, and there's ample headroom, too, so six-footers and above need not worry about feeling cramped. Those in the back also get a decent amount of room: there's 37.2 inches (36.5 with the moonroof) of headroom and 35.1 inches of legroom.

The interior of the Mazda 3 Hatchback feels like a personal attack on premium compact cars like the Mercedes-Benz A-Class and Audi A3, and we're highly convinced that, at this rate, Mazda should consider entering the premium market. The base model features Black cloth upholstery, soft-touch plastics, and brushed aluminum look finishes. Select models gain access to leatherette upholstery, but you need to upgrade to the Preferred to Turbo to unlock Greige as a color choice, with the correct exterior paint pairing. The Carbon Edition features Red leather only, and the Premium and Turbo Premium allow you to choose that or Black leather.

Select models and up feature a leather steering wheel and gear selector, and the Carbon Edition sports aluminum speaker grilles.

People buy hatchbacks because of their good looks but also their perceived practicality. The Mazda 3 Hatchback is more practical than most but, unfortunately, it lags behind the competition in cargo space. The 2022 iteration offers 20.1 cubic feet of trunk space, compared to the 25.7 cubes you get in the Honda Civic Hatchback. Those 20-odd cubic feet are enough to pack a golf bag or two, and you'll easily fit the week's groceries. If you need more room, the Mazda's 60/40 split fold-down rear seatback drops down to free up some additional space.

Small-item storage is ample, thanks to a large glove box, a generous center console armrest with a covered storage compartment, and a front passenger-side seatback pocket. You also get an overhead console that can store small items on Preferred models and up, and there's a set of front storage pockets with bottle holders, and two cupholders ahead of the gear shifter for your decaf frappe-whatever.

The Mazda 3 Hatchback doesn't hold back on standard features, and while the base model isn't exactly a Maybach, the rest of the lineup offers impressive specs. The 2.5 S Hatchback comes standard with manual air conditioning, Mazda's advanced keyless entry system, push-button start, and driver-assistance tech such as smart brake support, lane departure warning, lane-keep assist, radar cruise control with stop & go driver attention alert, and high-beam control. Select models add dual-zone automatic climate control, leatherette seats, a leather steering wheel and shifter, and driver-assist features such as blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.

Preferred models include luxuries such as an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat with lumbar support and two-position memory, and heated front seats. Carbon Edition cars get red leather seats and an adaptive front lighting system. Premium trim cars come with paddle shifters, a head-up display, and traffic sign recognition. Stepping up to the 2.5 Turbo adds a frameless auto-dimming rearview mirror and a heated steering wheel, although it doesn't get the traffic sign recognition. The top-of-the-range 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus features traffic sign recognition, rear cross-traffic alert with smart brake support, traffic jam assist, and a surround-view camera system.

Mazda has done an excellent job with the infotainment system in this car. The standard 8.8-inch touchscreen display is controlled by a console-mounted rotary knob and is intuitive and easy to use. All trims get standard infotainment tech such as Bluetooth streaming, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, two USB ports, HD Radio, Pandora internet radio integration, and an eight-speaker sound system. The Carbon Edition introduces a Bose 12-speaker premium audio system with Centerpoint and AudioPilot tech, which is continued through the rest of the lineup. Premium models and up add SiriusXM satellite radio and navigation.

Mazda is known for building some seriously reliable cars, and as a testament to that, the NHTSA's recall history for the 2022 Mazda 3 is clean. The 2021 model was recalled for an issue with a leaky tire valve, and 2020 models had problems with an emergency braking malfunction and front brake calipers.

To further allay reliability concerns, Mazda will back all new Mazda 3 hatch models with a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty, a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty, and a roadside assistance plan that stretches three years or 36,000 miles in the USA.

Both the NHTSA and the IIHS have lauded the 3 as one of the safest cars in its class with the Mazda 3 Hatchback's reviews from the authorities being flawless. The NHTSA gave it a full five-star rating in all tests, and the IIHS awarded it a Top Safety Pick+ classification and a spread of top scores.

To achieve such a sterling safety record, the 2022 Mazda 3 Hatchback's standard safety specification has to reflect this. So, in addition to the prerequisite rearview camera, traction and stability control, ABS brakes, and LED headlights, all models come with driver-assistance features such as driver attention alert, lane-keep assist, smart brake support, lane departure warning, cruise control with stop & go, and high beam control. The Select trim adds blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic control, while the Carbon Edition features an adaptive front-lighting system. Premium models get traffic sign recognition, and the 2.5T Premium Plus adds rear cross-traffic alert with smart brake support, traffic jam assist, and a surround-view monitor. The total airbag count for the Mazda 3 Hatch is eight, including driver and front passenger knee bags.

Mazda has reached a point where it's straddling the line between economy and premium labels, and the Mazda 3 Hatchback is a car with an identity crisis - in a good way. The hatchback is priced as a budget-friendly family vehicle, but its styling, build quality, and performance, especially on turbo models, say something different. Natural competitors such as the Honda Civic Hatchback are comparable at the lower end of the trim lineup, but right at the top, it wouldn't be out of place to compare the Mazda to German players such as the Mercedes-Benz A-Class and Audi A3. Turbocharged models add some much-needed zoom to an attractive-looking car that has always begged for more power, but remember one thing: this is no hot hatch. It might have the power and an AWD system, but the Mazda 3 Hatchback behaves like a mature adult and not some vaping Tik Tok influencer. Mazda has come miles with the Mazda 3 Hatchback and offers a pretty premium experience for budget bucks.

The Mazda 3 Hatchback is competitively priced compared to traditional competitors such as the Honda Civic Hatchback and Toyota Corolla Hatchback. The base price for the entry-level model is $23,100 MSRP, excluding tax, registration, and a destination fee of $1,225. The Select starts at $24,450 and the Preferred at $26,100. The Carbon Edition is next with a price of $27,750, and the Premium costs $28,700. The first of the Turbo trims costs $31,900, and the range-topping 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus has a price tag of $34,750.

There's no lack of choice here. Mazda offers the 2022 Mazda 3 Hatchback in no less than seven trim levels in the US. Other than the two Turbo options, all trim levels are powered by a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder petrol engine developing 186 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque. The Turbo options have 227 hp/310 lb-ft courtesy of turbocharging, which can be upped to 250 hp/320 lb-ft by switching to premium fuel.

The base model gets exterior features such as 16-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, and rain-sensing window wipers. The interior features manual air conditioning, cloth seats, Mazda advanced keyless entry, and push-button start. The infotainment system comprises an 8.8-inch touchscreen display with an eight-speaker sound system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth streaming. Driver-assistance tech on the base model includes a lane departure warning system, lane-keep assist, radar cruise control with stop & go, and driver attention alert.

Select models get 18-inch alloy wheels and add interior features such as a dual-zone automatic climate control system, leatherette-trimmed sport seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, gear selector, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.

The Preferred features exterior parts such as side mirrors with memory positioning and a power sliding-glass moonroof with an interior sunshade. Inside the cabin, the trim includes illuminated vanity mirrors, an overhead console with sunglasses holder, and heated front seats with an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat and two-position memory. All-wheel drive becomes available at this level.

The Carbon Edition has an edgy look thanks to a set of black side mirrors, a black grille surround, 18-inch black alloys, an adaptive front lighting system, and a Polymetal Gray metallic paint job. Inside, the newest model features red leather seats and a Bose 12-speaker sound system.

Premium models get standard paddle shifters (automatic models only), are available in AWD, and also get a head-up display and traffic sign recognition as standard. The infotainment system boasts integrated navigation and a three-month trial to SiriusXM satellite radio.

The 2.5 Turbo model is the first trim to feature the turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, which is paired with AWD only. The model adds a frameless auto-dimming rearview mirror and a heated steering wheel. The 2.5T Premium Plus gets perforated leather seats, a surround-view camera system, traffic jam assist, and rear cross-traffic alert with smart brake support.

There are two appearance packages available for the Mazda 3 Hatchback, one for turbo models and one for non-turbos. The Appearance Package for Mazda 3 non-Turbo Hatchback costs $2,000 and adds styling accessories such as a front air dam, a unique spoiler, and side sill extensions. The Turbo-model version of this costs $1,900 on 2.5 Turbo models and $1,075 on 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus. All models are offered with optional accessories such as a wireless charging pad for $275 and navigation for those without it at $450.

With so many trims to choose from, new buyers may be overwhelmed, but the easiest place to start is to decide if you're after turbo or non-turbo power. Once that decision has been made, the rest becomes simpler. If we were to go with a non-turbo car, we'd suggest looking at the Carbon Edition, which gets nice-to-have features such as red leather seats, a power-sliding glass moonroof, and a 12-speaker Bose sound system. But if we had the pick of the litter, we'd stretch for the entry-level Turbo model. Not only do you get all that extra power, but you also get a smattering of high-end features, including extras such as a heated steering wheel and a frameless auto-dimming rearview mirror.

The Toyota Corolla is the best-selling car in the world, so it must be somewhat intimidating going up against it in a comparison, but the Mazda 3 Hatchback has little to fear. The Corolla is priced slightly lower than the Mazda, but in base form, it comes with a smaller, less powerful 2.0-liter engine and lacks a turbocharged option. It does return marginally better fuel consumption thanks to a standard CVT, though. Unfortunately, the Corolla isn't available in AWD. We will concede that some may find the Corolla to be better-looking than the Mazda 3, but the latter supplies more passenger space and a vastly superior design and overall feel. The Corolla isn't as safe as the Mazda, but it does have slightly more cargo space. The choice here is an easy one.

Everyone knows someone who's driven a Honda Civic hatchback, only these days, it's actually a very nice car and not some weed-tinged sardine can. The 2022 Civic Hatchback is closely priced to the Mazda 3 but is more affordable in its highest trim, topping out at under $30,000. In base configuration, the Civic is powered by a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter engine producing 150 hp and 138 lb-ft of torque, and even in top-spec, its 1.5-liter turbocharged engine fails to match the power of the Mazda's base unit. The Civic does, however, return excellent gas mileage and has a larger cargo capacity, but does not offer AWD. The Civic fails to match the Mazda in terms of interior quality but does offer a bit more space. We'll give this one to the Mazda.