History/Overview
“Sport” is Mazda’s language for hatchback, meaning the car you’re reading about here is the five-door version of the brand’s popular compact car. The Mazda3 made a move upscale in 2019 with the introduction of its current fourth-generation design, helping it compete not only with other affordable compacts but also those from luxury automakers.
What’s New/Key Changes From Last Year
For 2023, the Mazda3 Sport’s available 2.5L naturally aspirated engine gains five hp and is now a bit more fuel efficient.
Available Trims
Mazda offers the 3 Sport in GX, GS, and GT trim levels. GX and GS start with a 2.0L, four-cylinder engine and a six-speed manual transmission that options to a six-speed automatic. In GS trim, an available 2.5L engine is bundled with the automatic and all-wheel drive. GT models come exclusively with the 2.5L engine; front-wheel drive versions offer both transmissions, and AWD again comes packaged with the automatic. The final configuration sees a turbocharged 2.5L team up with the automatic and AWD.
Standard Features
GX models come with 16-inch alloy wheels, auto on/off LED headlights/taillights, and rain-sensing wipers. Inside, there’s an 8.8-inch touchscreen, eight-speaker audio, manual A/C, regular keyless entry, heated front seats, and a digital gauge display. In this configuration, the only advanced safety features are blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.
GS trim adds dual-zone A/C, heated side mirrors, a heated steering wheel with leather trim, and a bunch of driver safety assists: radar cruise control, forward collision mitigation, pedestrian detection, lane keep assist, automatic high beams, and driver attention alert.
GT models gain 18-inch wheels, adaptive/auto-levelling headlights, reverse-tilt side mirrors, a wiper de-icer, and passive keyless entry. Inside, there’s a garage remote, auto-dimming rearview mirror, 12-speaker audio, navigation, a sunroof, leather upholstery, and a power driver’s seat. There are more driver assists, too: rear automatic braking, traffic sign recognition, a head-up display, 360-degree camera views, front and rear parking sensors, and traffic jam assist.
Key Options
A GS luxury package adds leatherette upholstery, power driver’s seat, auto-dimming mirror, a sunroof, and reverse-tilt side mirrors. GT’s sole available upgrade is the turbocharged engine.
Fuel Economy
Mazda’s fuel consumption estimates start at 8.6/6.7 L/100 km (city/highway) with the 2.0L, six-speed automatic transmission, and front-wheel drive; the 2.0L/6MT/FWD combo is good for 8.7/6.6 L/100 km. 2.5L cars start at 8.7/6.7 L/100 km with the auto and FWD, or 9.0/6.4 L/100 km for 2.5L/6MT cars. All-wheel drive models are rated for 9.0/7.0 L/100 km with the 2.5L non-turbo engine and automatic transmission, and 10.1/7.5 L/100 km with the 2.5L turbo powerplant.
Competition
Mazda’s hatchback competitors to the 3 Sport include the Toyota Corolla, Subaru Impreza, Kia Forte5, and Honda Civic.
