2023 Mazda3 Turbo AWD Review - More Than Meets The Eye?

The Mazda3 Turbo Premium Plus hatchback is stylish and refined, but let's find out once and for all if it drives anything remotely like a real hot hatch.

[wowhenryxl]

Mazda soul red is just amazing on any model

[Jdm_fl]

Not having a manual was a missed opportunity for Mazda

[dukmahsik]

It's a great daily warm hatch, def not meant to be a hot hatch

[yaminoyume]

If I were to buy a new car today, this would be the one. Elegant design with German level refinement and expression.

I'm glad Mazda isn't equipping their cars with CVTs like Honda and Toyota currently are.

[doctorferdinand]

Traded my 9th gen Si for this car in this exact spec, and I agree with everything you said.

This car is a great daily driver, my commute is 90 minutes each way and the Mazda is just a relaxing experience the whole time. AWD and 250hp/320tq practically off idle makes the straight line performance above most actual sport compacts. Power really falls off after 5300 RPM though. I pull the paddle at 5000 to account for the relatively slow shifts. This engine is the anti vtec.

The car will hustle around a back road, but it just doesn’t feel great doing it. Definitely feels sportier than entry level luxury cars like the A4 or C class but definitely not a hot hatch. The front end feels very heavy (way heavier than my old si.) And the steering is a pretty slow ratio, but nicely weighted. Biggest weakness is the brakes though, I’m pretty sure they’re the same brakes on the standard 3, I wouldn’t want to put too much heat in them.

[KidNato]

My wife recently picked this over the Integra Aspec. The quality of the interior alone swayed her to the Mazda.

[Weather_Nerd]

Definitely think they should bring back the MS3 but man I just love the way the whole modern Mazda lineup looks and that red color real pops in the sunshine.

Only Mazda I ever owned is my NA6 Miata (1991) but I learned to drive in a 2005 Mazda 3 which was a fantastic car and had a friend with a early 2000s Protege growing up that we all loved and all that said, I would highly consider a Mazda if I wanted some basic modern car (or 100% an ND2 if I wanted a modern sports car lol). Surprised they never really exploded in popularity but those who know KNOW

[scarboy]

While I love the turbo engine Mazda has, I do feel it's more at home in the CX-5/50 than the 3 (at least from my impressions having driven it a few times and having a CX-5 Turbo in our garage). The sweet spot of the 3 is def the N/A Manual IMO. 32K with all the must have features like Bose Audio and weighs under 3100lbs. the turbo being mid to high 30s feels a bit much. Not saying bad value, just near 40K for a Mazda 3 sounds insane to say

[GamesDays]

I have had the 2023 PPT for a little over a year now and my thoughts. The fuel economy on this car is far from good. Especially in only city driving. Also using the power say goodbye to the gas. Literally the only negative. Positives. This car is a master of deception. It loves moving much faster than you think it is. And if you push it this car will give it to you. It may not be a manual full blooded hatch but I like to see it as a grown up version. This thing will burn alot of cars you see every day driving around. And the looks, especially with the aero package, the interior is luxurious AF. Besides the bad MPG, it's my absolute favorite 3 they have made. And yes I owned a MazdaSpeed3.

[Mt.Anubias]

I really enjoy your reviews and selection. You bring a lot of knowledge and practicality.

[kylenewberry]

I think part of the thing would be using the built in sports mode to help with the shifting.

[ShaiyanHossain]

a manual option would have definitely made me consider this car more

I wish they'd bring a proper Mazdaspeed3 back though

[blucaller]

I have a CX-9 (same engine) and that low end torque is addicting. Always smile a little when I down shift to pass. Had a CX-90 (369 ft lbs torque) as a loaner for a few weeks while I had some TSB work done on my car. Same Mazda low end torque on downshifts but even crazier. I was getting better MPG with the eco stuff turned off. Now if they can get that engine in a Mazda 3 👊🏽

[timw]

I really really like the Mazda3. This was on my list but i have a deposit on a GRC.

[opmike]

Such a shame we didn't get a proper Mazdaspeed spec. Everyone has a performance division these days except Mazda, it seems.

[seb]

I'd call it a room-temperature-hatch.

[jacerose]

As a 2020 MAZDA 3 A HATCH FWD owner i will say i love the car as a daily, and the mazda maps is worth it if you have HUD as it shows you the exits and lane(s) you need to be in on it and not just your speed

[AlumarsX]

To me it's closer to an 80s rally car with the larry soft suspension that still follows your inputs pretty well. It's basically a reliable GTI with easier maintenance. I get 30mpg on road trips, mostly 24-26 with a lot of around town.


The turbo torque on this thing makes me drive way too fast no matter where I'm at. It only feels good with sport mode on though, it's ass power delivery otherwise. Don't even bother shifting past 5, stay in the torque instead. You gotta shift at 4.5 for it to hit 5k RPMs on the dot. It's way faster than the 2.0T Giulia I had and rides way better. I might downsize to 16s.

[gooniac]

the car in stock form leaves a lot to be desired. But if you add some better tires, the new corksport full intake (they include the charge pipe now as well), strut tower brace, bare minimum an axle back exhaust, and some better brake pads (ideally rotors and pads swapped out) the car makes a big change for the better! Just those changes alone will make you fall in love with the car. I did all of these things with my Mazda6 which is FWD using the same engine and have been contemplating getting the Mazda6 in its place simply because of the AWD. If all those changes work so well in the heavier Mazda6 FWD platform, there is no reason to think that the Mazda3 wouldn't benefit even more from those simple mods! Serious increase in low end torque (which was already good) but then it actually pulls to redline without running out of steam! And this is all before the tune which will help even more! It can be a hot hatch with a lil love still retain all the things that make it near luxury level... Mazda went way too conservative as always but if you love making simple mods all on your own the reward is worth the little bit of work!

[churchofbrap]

Love my 2019 Miata, mazda makes such great cars. I miss my Mazdapeed 3 and its too bad they've abandoned their performance models!