The Mazda3 has long held a special place in my heart as an everyday vehicle that injects a genuine sense of driving pleasure and boasts an upscale interior that often surpasses its rivals. Historically, both the sedan and hatchback versions have lived up to this reputation. However, this 2024 model has presented a perplexing experience, prompting me to question what might have gone awry. Could this be an atypical test unit? I sincerely hope so, as my latest encounter with the Mazda3 has been unexpectedly disappointing.
The Appeal of the Mazda3: Luxury and Performance on a Budget
Priced at a considerable $38,410 for this fully-equipped AWD turbo variant, expectations for quality are justifiably high. Thankfully, Mazda largely delivers on this front, particularly with an interior that exudes a genuine luxury feel, rivaling some German marques. The seating is wrapped in comfortable leather, but the true highlight is the abundance of soft-touch materials enveloping the doors and dashboard. The interior design is both simplistic and elegant, prioritizing sophistication over mere visual flash. The quality of the switchgear further enhances the upscale ambiance. Spending just a few moments inside this 3 Turbo Premium Plus reveals a cabin that feels significantly more refined than any competing compact car from Honda or Toyota.
This Mazda3 also comes equipped with features that elevate its luxury status, such as a panoramic sunroof and 360-degree parking cameras – amenities not typically found in a Civic or Corolla. For a mainstream vehicle that remains relatively affordable, the Mazda3 offers a truly elevated and luxurious experience, setting a high bar in its class.
Under the hood, the turbo model packs Mazda’s well-known 2.5-liter inline-four engine, producing 227 horsepower and a robust 310 lb-ft of torque when using regular 87 octane gasoline. Opting for 93 octane fuel boosts these figures to an even more impressive 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque. Even on standard 87 octane, this Skyactiv engine propels the sleek hatchback from 0 to 60 MPH in under 6 seconds. Adding to the engine’s appeal is its uncharacteristically smooth operation and a satisfying, albeit somewhat artificial, growl, largely avoiding the typical harshness often associated with four-cylinder engines. While the transmission features only six forward gears, its seamless operation and responsiveness are perfectly adequate, thanks to the engine’s broad and potent powerband.
Where the Shine Dims: Surprising Faults in the 2024 Model
It pains me to report this, but while Mazda has consistently delivered some of the best-driving vehicles in their respective segments, this particular Mazda3 test unit exhibited shockingly poor steering. Steering feel, a traditional Mazda strength, was completely absent in this AWD hatchback. A noticeable dead spot in the center resulted in unsettling wandering at highway speeds. Minor steering corrections offered no feedback, and the dead zone abruptly transitioned into an unnatural spring-like resistance, eroding driver confidence. Having driven this exact Mazda3 configuration previously with brilliant steering, I can only speculate about a severe alignment issue or other mechanical fault in this specific vehicle. Believe me, highlighting these negatives is not enjoyable, and I sincerely hope this car was simply an anomaly.
Mazda has now unfortunately claimed the title for the most irritating array of beeps and chimes in the automotive industry. Instead of the standard five beeps upon entry, this Mazda3 unleashes a jarring eight beeps, set to an obnoxiously loud volume by default. While these can thankfully be adjusted, beeps are a constant companion every time you enter and exit the vehicle. Furthermore, numerous false warnings about leaving items in the backseat plagued my drives, despite the rear seats being consistently empty. Even more bewildering was receiving the same “check rear seats” warning upon entering the car. Adding to the electronic gremlins was a persistent “rear safety sensors faulty” warning that appeared on every drive, roughly 10 minutes into each journey – a genuinely concerning issue.
The electronic parking brake also behaved erratically, sometimes disengaging automatically when shifting into drive, and other times remaining stubbornly engaged. This inconsistent behavior, lacking any discernible pattern, breeds distrust in the system. An electronic parking brake should operate reliably, either consistently engaging/disengaging automatically or never at all; intermittent functionality is simply unacceptable in modern vehicles.
Fuel economy was another area of disappointment. Averaging just 24 MPG over a week of mixed driving is underwhelming for a compact car. To put this into perspective, a Golf R, an AWD hot hatchback with 90 more horsepower, achieved better fuel economy during a comparable test. Even a BMW 330i with AWD and similar power output surpasses the Mazda3’s fuel efficiency. In fact, prior to a longer freeway drive to Sacramento and back, the average MPG in mixed driving hovered around a mere 23 MPG. Remarkably, even a manual transmission, 382-horsepower Toyota GR Supra managed over 26 MPG in similar conditions. The Mazda3 Turbo’s 2.5-liter engine, despite its technology, proves to be surprisingly thirsty. Adding to the performance puzzle, despite the respectable horsepower and torque figures, the Mazda3 Turbo never truly feels particularly fast. While not slow, those anticipating genuine hot hatch-level acceleration will likely be left wanting. An eight-speed transmission might improve both performance and fuel economy, addressing these shortcomings.
Compounding concerns about this specific test vehicle was a low-frequency, cyclical rumble experienced at speed. Resembling a subwoofer in operation, this booming noise occurred rhythmically about once per second, emanating from somewhere within the car. Even with the radio and climate control system turned off, the persistent rumble remained, readily noticeable to passengers. This is a defect that would warrant an immediate return to the dealership. Tires are unlikely culprits given the slow, once-per-second rhythm of the noise, far slower than tire rotation speed.
A State of Confusion and Hope for Redemption
Initial excitement greeted the Mazda3 turbo hatchback’s arrival on the test schedule. However, this enthusiasm quickly dissipated after the first drive revealed a series of puzzling issues. “What went wrong?” became the overriding question. The recurring rumble, safety system warnings, incessant beeps, and phantom “items left in backseat” notifications painted a picture of shocking disappointment. Furthermore, despite its advertised horsepower, the Mazda3 Turbo lacks the visceral punch of a true hot hatch; a VW GTI, despite a lower 241 horsepower rating, feels significantly quicker in real-world driving scenarios. This Mazda3, in its current form, falls short of hot hatch expectations, leaving a sense of sadness. The hope remains that a different test unit will offer a more representative and positive Mazda3 experience.
2024 Mazda3 Hatchback Turbo Premium Plus – Test Drive Summary
As-tested price: $38,410
Mazda 3 2024 hatchback rear seats interior
Mazda 3 2024 hatchback front exterior design
Mazda 3 2024 interior front view
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Mazda 3 2024 turbo front soul red color
