2022 Mazda 3 Review and Test Drive
Mazda's compact car offers something for everyone.
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Review QuickTakes:
Mazda is the automotive industry's David facing Goliaths such as Ford, General Motors, Hyundai, and Toyota. A small, independent automaker, Mazda successfully demonstrates design, engineering, and technological feats operating on budgets that amount to fractions of what the major car companies can spend. Unfortunately, those strict allocations of resources also apply to marketing, which means you might not think about the 2022 Mazda 3 when shopping for a new compact car.
And that's a genuine shame.
Christian Wardlaw
A winner of design awards, achiever of top safety ratings, and thriller of drivers who enjoy the journey as much as the destination, the 2022 Mazda 3 checks many boxes while also delivering top quality and uncommon sophistication. It can credibly compete with every compact car, from an Acura Integra to a Volkswagen Jetta. In hatchback form with optional all-wheel drive (AWD), some people might even find the Mazda 3 a great alternative to a small crossover SUV.
That's the version I sampled for this 2022 Mazda 3 review, driving the car on my usual testing route in Southern California. The test car had 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus specification with extra-cost Polymetal Gray paint, which brought the manufacturer's suggested retail price to $36,160, including the $1,015 destination charge. Mazda provided the car for this review.
Christian Wardlaw
2022 Mazda 3 Review: The Design
Mazda last redesigned the Mazda 3 for the 2019 model year, and the dramatically sculpted car won the 2020 World Car Design of the Year award. That's easy to understand, though, from certain angles, the concave body sides can look more like giant dents than purposeful design elements. Also, the hatchback's hunched back, thick rear pillars, and dramatically tapered glass result in unusual proportions, depending on your vantage point. But, no matter your perspective, the Mazda 3 looks different, which helps it stand out in a sea of lookalike compact cars.
Open the driver's door, and it's clear that Mazda paid close attention to details regarding style and materials. The company says it wants to move upmarket into premium-brand territory and brings the evidence to support the intent. Therefore, the Mazda 3's cabin is befitting of an entry-luxury model.
Complementary tones and textures, one of the industry's best instrumentation clusters, and the deft integration of the infotainment screen, air vents, door release pulls, and center console armrest into the overall design point to masterful attention to detail. Add high-quality materials and a mix of gloss black and polished metal accents, and this car exudes an upscale vibe.
Christian Wardlaw
Unfortunately, that same attention to detail does not carry over to the control layout. In a quest to limit driver distraction, Mazda creates it by remaining an automaker that believes touchscreens are dangerous to use while driving.
While I won't dispute that, because they are, the solution is to ensure that drivers have intuitive switchgear placed in expected locations and a capable voice recognition system that can execute commands so that using the screen while driving is unnecessary. Unfortunately, Mazda offers neither in its quest for minimalism and perhaps a bid to mimic what Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz did for years.
Furthermore, there are roomier alternatives to a Mazda 3 — especially the hatchback. Both body styles have a cozy, intimate feel, but the hatch's back seat is positively tiny, especially when it comes to legroom. Previously, I used a Mazda 3 sedan for a four-day family road trip to Yosemite National Park, and it served that task well. However, the Mazda 3 hatchback is better suited to people who infrequently carry rear-seat passengers.
Christian Wardlaw
Drivers will be comfortable. Reflecting Mazda's emphasis on the joy of driving, the seating position is impressive behind the legible instrumentation and the properly shaped steering wheel. In addition, I found the test car's eight-way power driver's seat supplied terrific leg support over longer distances and superb lateral support when threading curves, and Mazda adds dense padding in all of the right places to ensure optimum comfort no matter how or where you're driving the Mazda 3.
Interior storage is on the stingy side. Worse, if you get the optional wireless smartphone charger, Mazda inexplicably locates it at the bottom of the bin underneath the center armrest, rendering that space useless for anything other than charging your smartphone.
Cargo space is nothing to get excited about, either. To maximize the use of the hatchback's 20.1 cubic feet of space behind the back seat, you'll need to remove the cargo cover and pack as high as you can. Sedans have a 13.2 cu-ft trunk, and while that seems less accommodating, the space itself is more practical than what you get in the hatch.
Unfortunately, Mazda does not provide an official measurement for the hatchback's maximum cargo volume with the rear seat folded down, but that typically doubles the amount of available space.
Christian Wardlaw
2022 Mazda 3 Review: The Technology
Mazda Connect is the name for the 8.8-inch infotainment display in the Mazda 3. The test car had satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a complimentary subscription to Mazda Connected Services for three years (Wi-Fi access is free for three months or 2GB of data use).
Services include remote engine starting, 911 automatic emergency notification, a vehicle finder, etc. In addition, the 12-speaker Bose surround-sound premium audio system features classy aluminum speaker grilles and provides satisfying sound quality.
Unfortunately, Mazda Connect does not support touchscreen operation because Mazda believes that would be distracting to a driver. Mazda Connect does not have natural voice recognition technology, either, and Mazda does not provide traditional stereo controls on the dashboard. Instead, everything runs through a Commander Control knob surrounded by four function buttons and flanked by a volume knob that also toggles.
From a user experience standpoint, Mazda has copied the long reviled BMW iDrive design, circa 2002. However, even BMW now offers a touchscreen infotainment system and conversational voice recognition that you activate by saying, "Hey BMW." Super simple. Mazda Connect, not so much.
Christian Wardlaw
Mazda Connect is the worst thing about driving a Mazda 3 because it serves as a regular distraction — the opposite of what Mazda is trying to achieve. The hand-eye coordination and continual referencing of the display screen's menus and functions take too much of the driver's attention and concentration.
With time, using the Commander Knob and the center console controls gets easier after you memorize the four function buttons and where commonly referenced and used features reside within the technology's menu structure. Furthermore, once you've got the car set up the way you want, your interaction with the technology is relatively limited. But you'll likely never get used to the irritating Entertainment menu functions, aggravating stereo controls, or the navigation system's lack of a helpful voice recognition system.
On a side note, the 2023 Mazda CX-50 SUV now offers touchscreen operation of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto because the automaker realizes the platforms are optimized for this kind of user experience. However, with that said, the infotainment screen in the CX-50 still feels too far from the driver to easily use the touch-sensing functions. But I'll take this baby step forward and hope Mazda implements wholesale changes to its approach to infotainment touchscreen technology in the future.
Moving on from Mazda Connect, I have nothing but praise for Mazda's approach to its head-up display system. It shows data related to the posted speed limit, the vehicle's travel speed, the cruise control speed setting, navigation instructions, and safety system information on the windshield. One of my favorite things is that it tells you when another vehicle is in the Mazda 3's blind spots; you may not need to look away from the road and at the side mirrors to determine if it's safe to change lanes.
Christian Wardlaw
Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are standard on most Mazda 3 models. They're part of a broader i-ActiveSense package of driver-assist and collision avoidance technologies. In addition, the test car's Premium Plus trim added exclusive features such as Traffic Jam Assist, which blends adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go technology with lane-centering assistance for use at speeds under 40 mph. Additional Premium Plus upgrades include automatic rear braking and a surround-view camera system.
During the test drive, I used Traffic Jam Assist in thickening afternoon gridlock, and the system operated smoothly and with accuracy, but could have been more responsive to other vehicles that cut into the gap ahead.
At higher speeds, the adaptive cruise control automatically slows down for sharper bends in the road, but does so within reason to limit driver and following-motorist irritation. I also like that the lane-departure warning system emits a subtle vibration through the steering wheel rather than a blaring audible alert, though you can add a sound if you prefer it.
Overall, the Mazda 3's driving assistance technology works transparently. It did not produce false alerts during testing or attempt to take inappropriate actions. In fact, it's easy to question whether the systems are active. Then you let the Mazda 3 drift over a lane marker, you feel a vibration through the steering wheel, and you're reminded that the safety net is still in place. It simply isn't bothering you to the point where you decide to shut it off.
Christian Wardlaw
2022 Mazda 3 Review: The Drive
Driving the Mazda 3 Turbo is a sheer delight no matter the situation. But, as is true of the rest of this car, there is some room for improvement.
Adding a turbocharger to the 2.5-liter four-cylinder increases output to 227 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and torque to 310 lb-ft starting at 2,000 rpm. If you run the car on 93-octane fuel, the specs are 250 hp at 5,000 rpm and 320 lb-ft at a slightly higher 2,500 rpm. A six-speed automatic transmission with a Sport mode delivers the turbocharged power to all four wheels.
Christian Wardlaw
Mazda delivered the test car with 91-octane gas in the tank, the highest available in California. Unlike with some turbocharged compacts, the Mazda 3's power feels like it builds gradually and never really crescendos, supplying satisfying and seemingly never-ending forward thrust across the engine's rev band.
Because there is so much torque on tap, there isn't much sensation of low-end turbo lag. Furthermore, the power curve never drops off a cliff between peak torque and peak horsepower, ensuring smooth, seamless acceleration across the engine's operational range.
Many car companies use automatic transmissions with eight ratios or more, but Mazda sticks with a tried-and-true six-speed automatic. Activate its Sport mode, and it adopts a more urgent dynamic. Paddle shifters allow the driver to take manual control of gear changes, but aside from sampling them, I felt using them was unnecessary. The transmission turned in a flawless performance.
Christian Wardlaw
Flawless describes the steering, too, which is crisp, quick, and communicative. And though the Mazda 3 has a simple torsion-beam rear suspension design, Mazda has tuned this car so that its presence isn't a liability.
Neither firm nor sloppy, the Mazda 3's suspension supplies a fantastic balance between ride compliance and outright handling without ever beating up a driver with too much information about the road surface. The automaker also equips the Mazda 3 with G-Vectoring Control Plus. This brake-based system adjusts vehicle weight transfer in response to driver inputs, helping the car feel utterly smooth and natural whether you're the driver or a passenger.
When evaluating a performance-oriented vehicle, I use a specific road that tortures braking systems. In this environment, the Mazda 3 2.5 Turbo's brakes did not prove up to the task, though they performed better than some rivals. So let's just say that if you're hustling down mountain grades, you'll want to take it easy in this car.
The brakes don't fade on relatively level ground, the tires supply unyielding grip without any squeal, and the suspension demonstrates excellent damping and motion control, soaking up undulations without allowing unwanted body motions. Hit a bump or dip in the road mid-corner, and the Mazda 3 catches itself and sticks. And while the suspension supplies clear lines of communication between the road surface and the driver, the car doesn't beat everyone up in the process, maintaining its supple ride at all times.
Christian Wardlaw
Could Mazda firm the car up to make it feel more like a racing machine? Sure it could. But why do that when a smooth and refined driving character doesn't limit outright capability and driving enjoyment? That's like adding a massive wing to the back of a car that serves no real-world purpose other than attracting the wrong kinds of attention.
Speaking of which, I love that the Mazda 3 2.5 Turbo is all about stealth. It looks that way. It drives that way. It sounds that way. And in part due to its low-key demeanor, you can thoroughly enjoy its power, performance, and handling without resorting to a weekend track event. Furthermore, it is hushed on the highway, making it more suitable for a daily driver.
Overall, the low-key Mazda 3 2.5 Turbo is classically Germanic in nature, a no-nonsense driver's car meant for grown-ups who don't wish to draw attention to themselves. As such, I adore it despite its flaws.
I may have adored driving it too much. The test car averaged 22.9 mpg on the evaluation loop, falling well short of the EPA's official fuel economy rating of 26 mpg in combined driving. Also, at 12.7 gallons, the fuel tank is small. Based on my result, the maximum range is just 291 miles, which means you will stop at gas stations frequently.
Christian Wardlaw
Is the 2022 Mazda 3 a Good Car?
Overall, the 2022 Mazda Mazda3 is a good car, but your satisfaction with owning a Mazda 3 will directly correlate to what you prioritize in a compact sedan or hatchback.
The Mazda 3 offers style, sophistication, safety, and a reputation for reliability combined with enjoyable driving characteristics. Plus, you can get AWD for driving in cold climates under wintery conditions. If these things are important to you, this Mazda delivers.
However, the Mazda 3 is small inside, the infotainment system is a constant source of aggravation, and the hatchback's added practicality isn't as impressive as expected. Furthermore, based on my experience, fuel economy with the turbocharged engine leans toward the thirstier side of the spectrum for a vehicle this size.
Good thing the more efficient Mazda 3 2.5 S models are just as pleasing to drive, even if they aren't quite as fast.
