Looking for a new car? The Mazda 3 hatchback might be perfect for you. This Mazda 3 Hatchback Review gives you all the facts about dimensions, specs, fuel economy, and real-world driving experience.
Why People Choose the Mazda 3 Hatchback
This car looks good and drives well. Many owners love how it feels on the road. The hatchback design gives you more space than a regular car.
The car costs less than luxury brands but feels expensive inside. Young people and families both like this model. It works great for city streets and long trips.
How Big Is the Mazda 3 Hatchback?
Size matters when buying a car. Here are the exact numbers:
Outside Size
- Length: 175.6 inches
- Width: 70.7 inches
- Height: 56.7 inches
- Distance between wheels: 107.3 inches
- Height from ground: 5.5 inches
Inside Room
- Head space front: 38.1 inches
- Head space back: 37.6 inches
- Leg space front: 42.2 inches
- Leg space back: 35.1 inches
- Shoulder width front: 55.6 inches
- Shoulder width back: 54.8 inches
Storage Space
- Back area: 20.2 cubic feet
- Seats folded down: 47.1 cubic feet
The car fits in small parking spots. Four people can sit without feeling cramped.
What's Under the Hood
Small Engine Choice (2.0L)
- Makes 155 horsepower
- Gets 28 MPG in city, 36 MPG on highway
- Good for daily driving
- Saves money on gas
Big Engine Choice (2.5L)
- Makes 186 horsepower
- Gets 27 MPG in city, 35 MPG on highway
- More power for highway driving
- Still good on gas
Other Important Parts
- Manual or automatic transmission
- Front wheels get power (all wheels optional)
- Good brakes that stop well
- 16-inch or 18-inch wheels
What the Car Looks Like
The Mazda 3 hatchback has a modern look. The front has a big grille and bright LED lights. The side has smooth lines that look sporty.
The back end looks different from other cars. The lights go around the corners. Chrome pieces make it look more expensive.
You can pick from these colors:
- White
- Gray
- Blue
- Red
- Black
Inside the Car
Open the door and you see nice materials everywhere. The seats feel good and look expensive. The dashboard has real stitching like fancy cars.
What You Get
- Big screen for music and maps.
- Phone connects without wires.
- Air conditioning.
- Power windows.
- Remote key entry.
Extra Nice Things (Expensive Models)
- Leather seats
- Heated seats for winter
- Really good sound system
- Wireless phone charging
- Two-zone climate control
The front seats hold you well on turns. Tall people have enough room. Everything feels solid and well-made.
Tech Stuff Made Simple
The screen in the middle is easy to use. You can touch it or use a knob. Your phone connects right away.
Phone and Music Features
- Works with iPhone and Android
- Plays music from your phone
- Takes calls hands-free
- Multiple charging ports
- Good radio reception
The expensive sound system sounds amazing. Music is clear and loud without distortion.
Safety Features That Keep You Safe
Safety is really important. This car got top scores from safety testers.
Standard Safety Stuff
- Watches your blind spots
- Warns about cars behind you
- Stops automatically if needed
- Keeps you in your lane
- Adjusts cruise control speed
- Switches headlights automatically
Extra Safety Features
- Helps in stop-and-go traffic
- Knows if you're getting tired
- Sees people walking
- Camera shows all around the car
These features work without bothering you. They help prevent crashes.
How It Drives
Driving the Mazda 3 hatchback is fun. The steering wheel responds quickly. The car goes where you point it.
Driving Experience
- Speeds up fast with the big engine
- Transmission shifts smoothly
- Uses less gas than expected
- Quiet inside on highways
- Takes corners without leaning much
The all-wheel drive helps in snow and rain. Power goes to all four wheels when needed.
Gas Mileage in Real Life
Most owners get good gas mileage. Your driving style changes the numbers.
What Real Owners Say
- City driving: 25-28 miles per gallon
- Highway driving: 33-36 miles per gallon
- Mixed driving: 28-32 miles per gallon
These numbers match what Mazda promises. Gentle driving gets better mileage.
Does It Break Down?
Mazda makes cars that last. Most owners have few problems in the first years.
Maintenance Facts
- Oil changes every 7,500 miles
- Service costs less than luxury brands
- Parts are easy to find
- 3-year warranty covers everything
The car runs on regular gas. This saves money compared to premium fuel cars.
Different Models and Prices
Mazda makes several versions. Each one has more features.
Basic Model
- Manual transmission
- 16-inch wheels
- Basic radio
- All safety features
Middle Model
- Automatic transmission
- Better interior
- Nicer sound system
- More convenience features
Top Model
- 18-inch wheels
- Leather seats
- Best sound system
- All available features
Prices start around $23,000. The fanciest model costs about $32,000.
Good Things and Bad Things
Great Things
- Looks expensive inside and outside
- Good on gas
- Safe in crashes
- Fun to drive
- Built well
- Mazda has good reputation
Not So Great
- Back seat could be bigger
- Some road noise
- Screen can be slow sometimes
- Less cargo space than some others
Who Should Buy This Car?
Different people love this car:
People Starting Careers: Looks professional and saves gas money.
Couples with Kids: Room for small family and easy to load stuff.
Daily Commuters: Comfortable seats and good mileage for long drives.
First Car Buyers: Reasonable price and won't break down much.
How It Compares to Others
Against Honda Civic Hatchback
- Mazda feels more expensive inside
- Honda has more back seat room
- Both last a long time
Against Volkswagen Golf
- Mazda costs less to fix
- VW has bigger trunk
- Mazda uses less gas
Against Subaru Impreza
- Mazda looks nicer inside
- Subaru always has all-wheel drive
- Both very safe
For more detailed information about performance specifications and real-world testing data, check out this comprehensive Mazda 3 analysis and buyer's guide.
What We Think
This Mazda 3 Hatchback Review shows a car that does everything well. It looks good, drives nice, and won't break your budget.
The inside feels more expensive than the price. Driving is enjoyable for daily trips and weekend fun. Safety features work great and don't get in your way.
Some people want more back seat room. Others need bigger cargo space. But most buyers will be happy with what they get.
The car makes sense if you want something special. It costs more than the cheapest cars but gives you more quality.
Conclusion:
The Mazda 3 hatchback offers excellent value with premium interior quality, fun driving experience, and strong safety features. While rear seat space is limited, most buyers love the stylish design and reliable performance. Starting around $23,000, it competes well against Honda Civic and Volkswagen Golf. This Mazda 3 Hatchback Review recommends it for young professionals, small families, and first-time buyers seeking quality and style.
Mazda 3 Hatchback Review: Dimensions, Safety & Features