I once penned an article early in my automotive journalistic career questioning “Why is good design so damn expensive“. I even used a red Mazda RX-7 as the header, a shining example of why a relatively inexpensive car can look amazing. Every time I see a fourth generation Mazda3 I immediately have the same visceral “damn that’s a good looking car!” reaction. I reviewed a 3 in basically the same spec last year on Hooniverse, so let’s see what’s changed for 2023.

TL;DR, still very good looking, awkwardly so, pretty fun to drive, infotainment drove me crazy.

2023 Mazda3 Overview

Mazda is down to only two cars, the Mazda3 and the Miata. To make that look a little more robust, they divvy each up, the 3 showing its sedan and hatchback separately, and the MX-5 showing the regular convertible and the RF retractable hardtop as different things.

As you can see, the sedan and hatchback have a $1,000 price difference, I guess to cover that extra metal bit over the rear wheels in the hatch. Trim levels look complicated, but really aren’t. It’s pretty similar to the CX-30 I just reviewed, first pick your engine, either the base naturally aspirated 2.5L or the turbo 2.5L. The base engine is still pretty robust, putting out 191 horsepower, while, just like in the CX-30, the 2.5 Turbo will get you 227 hp and 310 lb-ft on regular gas, or a robust or 250 hp and 320 lb-ft on 93 octane gas. All wheel drive is standard, as is the six-speed automatic transmission. A manual is available on the base 2.5, but not the turbo, for…reasons.

Consumer advice incoming, duck!

That’s a significant powahhh bump for the base Mazda3 over the 2022 I tested last year. Gone altogether is the base 2.0L making a measly 155 hp, and even the (now base) NA 2.5 gets five horsepower more than last year’s 3. However, the top spec 2.5L turbo is the same as 2022. So, if base engine power matters, definitely make sure you check out the 2023 over the 2022.

Our tester was a top spec 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus which starts at $35,300, a significant bump over the original MSRP. Max it out with options and it’ll be around $36,960. Let’s see what’s what and whether or not the extra cash is worth it.

2023 Mazda Mazda3 AWD Premium Inside & Out

God this thing is pretty, and even though Mazda’s Soul Red paint ($595) is a little played out (we get it, it looks good!) this 2023 looks even better than the white 2022 I tested. The depth of the color accentuates what is, mercifully, a very clean and simple design. Most automotive designers these days seem to have a bonus clause in their contract based on how many intersecting lines they can create. The Mazda3 hatchback is sculpted, round in the right places…this is starting to sound mildly sexual isn’t it? OK, I’m not saying I’m physically attracted to the Mazda3 hatch, but I’m not saying it’s not a possibility.

OK, let’s move on before this gets more awkward.

Inside, the interior is also free of extraneous bits, it is simple and clean with lots of features as standard on this Premium Plus. The dashboard is sweeping and only features one set of physical buttons for the HVAC system in the middle flanked by vents. The screen feels a bit tacked on, but the way the dashboard swoops around to the right makes it feel more integrated than some.

Let’s address that screen for a minute (or two). It is not a touchscreen, and that was more than a bit infuriating. Yes, Mazda’s rotary dial (hehe, hey rotary!) is relatively easy to use, it just doesn’t make sense not to have a touchscreen, particularly in such a small car. Some other car nerds and I were discussing this on the Twitter recently, we observed that it’s kind of funny that these knobs, trackpads, etc. were partially created because designers had moved screens way up into the top of the dashboard.

We went from touchscreens to non-touchscreens, and now we’re headed back to touchscreens. Driving a different car each week, I can only “get used to” a system so far. So, perhaps if you own a non-touchscreen Mazda3, and know your way around the menus, it’s not too bad. I found myself nearly yelling “I just want to reach up there and push the damn button!”. I do like that there is an actual volume knob, even if it is mounted down below the shifter. Again, I imagine I’d get to that.

Still, this thing is massively well-equipped. You get real cow-based leather upholstery (in black only on this trim), a surround-camera system, front and rear parking sensors, and a ton of extra stuff. The only options are a wireless charging pad ($295) and illuminated door sills ($450). It even had a standard heated steering wheel, which was great on a cold day of driving. Though, if you read my column regularly, you’ll be aware of my jihad (crusade?) encouraging the more of the wheel to be heated, or at least place less cold metal bits next to the warm bits. Damnit, I could pee myself!!

Moving on.

Hatchback practicality should be another reason, beyond the sexy, sexy, styling, to consider the Mazda3. It’s got 20.1 cu.ft. of space behind the rear seats, which is…ok. It’s oddly enough almost identical to the CX-30’s cargo space (20.2 cu.ft.), but isn’t anywhere near the Civic hatchback’s 24.5 cu.ft. and the Civic comes in with more rear legroom and headroom.

However, I do love a rear wiper!

Out on the road, it’s quick. Mags have it pegged the 2.5 turbo around six seconds to 60, which was certainly quick back in the sport compact era. It’s also only a couple ticks slower than the vaunted Mazdaspeed3 (2013 model). I’m not sure I felt the wave of torque as much as I expected, though at 3,393 pounds it’s a little heavier than some of the competition as well. Mazda does a great job with sport mode in every vehicle though, and the 3 is no different. It delivers a sense of urgency without feeling like it is just over revving for no reason. It will also hold her gear a little bit longer than normal, which is great for hooning.

The size worked against me at times, I bashed my head getting out more than once. It really hurt, and at six-feet tall that shouldn’t be a thing. Also, the automatic headlights were a bit over enthusiastic and I found myself flashing people (well, the car was, I wasn’t). It turns out that they could only be turned off via the menu, I couldn’t find an actual switch. 

Summary

The Mazda3 hatchback is, and I don’t say this lightly, one of the best looking cars for the money currently on sale. Mazda has done an amazing job with exterior styling across the lineup. Add in a beefy turbo engine with loads of torque and it’s quite a proposition. Like the CX-30 it’s still something I would recommend, but I would encourage a thorough test drive to make sure that the little foibles (like the lack of a touchscreen) aren’t deal breakers.

Just look at that ass. For those who read down this far, thank you, and I’m sorry.