The 2024 Mazda3 is a well-rounded car with an upscale cabin and engaging driving manners, but its rear seats are tight on space. If you prioritize practicality more than fun, this Mazda might not be the best option for you.
Is the 2024 Mazda3 a Good Car?
Yes, the 2024 Mazda3 is a good compact car. We even named it as a finalist for our Best Compact Car for the Money award because of its terrific combination of quality and value. The Mazda3 is fun to drive thanks in part to its peppy acceleration, responsive handling and gentle ride. The cabin is full of high-quality materials, and the infotainment system is user-friendly. However, the rear row is not adult-friendly, and sedan models could use more cargo space.
Should I Buy the 2024 Mazda Mazda3?
The Mazda3 is a top contender in the class and definitely worth considering. It punches above its pricing as a mainstream vehicle with a sophisticated interior and a refined driving experience. Not only is its handling sharp and planted, but the ride quality is polished as well. However, if you need a large cargo hold or frequently haul adults who require spacious rear seats, you might want to check out the competition. The Honda Civic offers a great amount of passenger space and is adult-friendly in both rows. Or if you want a sedan with a good amount of cargo space, check out the Kia Forte.
2023 vs. 2024 Mazda3: What’s the Difference?
For 2024, Mazda adds blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and a rear-door alert to the Mazda3’s standard features list. Also, the Carbon Edition trim gains an available 10.3-inch infotainment display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (touch capability works for smartphone functions only).
Compare the 2023 and 2024 Mazda3 »
Here are the key changes for the Mazda3 over the last few years:
- 2024: more standard safety features; larger infotainment display with partial touch capability now available in Carbon Edition
- 2023: smartphone integration became standard; new base engine and increased fuel economy; AWD made available for Carbon Edition trim
- 2022: Carbon Edition joined trim lineup
- 2021: more trims; 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine made standard; turbocharged 2.5-liter engine became available
- 2020: more standard safety features
How Much Is a 2024 Mazda Mazda3?
The 2024 Mazda3 has a starting MSRP of $24,170 for the base S model, which comes with features such as stop-and-go adaptive cruise control and an 8.8-inch infotainment display. The S Select Sport model starts at $24,690 and gains niceties like a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The Preferred trim retails for $26,190 and adds features such as heated front seats and a moonroof. Stepping up to the Carbon Edition will cost you $29,060, and its additional amenities include a 12-speaker Bose stereo and red genuine leather upholstery. If you want the turbocharged four-cylinder engine, the Premium trim could be a good choice. Its pricing starts at $30,350. The Carbon Turbo trim costs $31,750 and gains niceties such as a larger infotainment display with partial touch capability and a heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel. Finally, the top-tier Turbo Premium Plus trim starts at $35,450, and it boasts features that include gloss black accents and a surround-view camera system
Which Is the Best 2024 Mazda3 Model to Buy?
Unless you really want all-wheel drive, the base S trim should suit most buyers’ needs. It comes equipped with the peppy base engine and a good amount of standard features, including remote keyless entry, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and forward automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection. Its driving dynamics are also great, and you get it all at a competitive price point.
How Much Does It Cost to Insure a 2024 Mazda Mazda3?
The cost of insuring a Mazda Mazda3 will depend on a variety of factors, including your deductible, the level of coverage that you want, and the type of insurance that you choose. Your age, gender, location, credit score, and driving record can also have an impact on your insurance rates. Check out our car insurance guide to find the best policy for you.
Mazda3 Interior: High and Tight
2024 Mazda3 Interior Quality
The interior of the 2024 Mazda is top-notch. It’s aesthetically pleasing and full of high-quality materials that look good and are tightly assembled, making it feel on par with even some luxury cabins. It’s a handsome and comfortable place to sit.
2024 Mazda3 Infotainment, Bluetooth and Navigation
This Mazda’s infotainment system is user-friendly. Instead of a touch screen, lower trims feature an 8.8-inch display that is controlled through an easy-to-reach rotary knob on the center console. New for 2024 Mazda Mazda3, a 10.3-inch display is standard in the Carbon Edition trim. It also works with the rotary controller, but pairing it with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto enables touch capability.
- Standard infotainment features: an 8.8-inch display, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a six-speaker stereo, HD Radio, voice command, Bluetooth and two USB ports
- Available infotainment features: a 10.3-inch display with partial touch capability, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, satellite radio, navigation and a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system
- Additional standard features: push-button start and remote keyless entry
- Other available features: a moonroof
2024 Mazda3 Cargo Space
Cargo space in the Mazda3 is mixed. The sedan offers only 13.2 cubic feet of trunk space, but hatchback models have 20.1 cubic feet of room, which is more on par with the rest of the compact car class. Both body styles feature rear seats that fold down to help stow longer items.
How Many People Does the 2024 Mazda3 Seat?
The Mazda3 seats five passengers. The front seats are adult-friendly, with plenty of space and support. However, the rear seats don’t have enough room for tall adults to sit comfortably and are better left to kids on longer trips. Also, rear visibility is hindered a bit by the hatchback’s sloping roofline.
2024 Mazda3 and Child Car Seats
There are two complete sets of LATCH connectors for the Mazda3’s rear outboard seats. There’s also a tether anchor for the rear middle seat, and you can borrow lower anchors from the adjoining seats when they’re not in use. This LATCH system is easy to use.
Mazda3 Performance: Agility Center
2024 Mazda3 Engine
The 2024 Mazda Mazda3 features a standard 191-horsepower four-cylinder engine that feels capable both around town and on the highway. However, opting for the stronger turbo-four provides more excitement at higher speeds and for those looking for a more performance-oriented option.
2024 Mazda3 Gas Mileage
Sedan models equipped with the base engine return 28 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway. Hatchback models dip to 26/36 mpg city/highway. These are good estimates for a compact car. Models equipped with the stronger turbo-four and all-wheel drive see these ratings dip even more.
2024 Mazda3 Ride and Handling
This Mazda is fun to drive regardless of which body style you pick. The Mazda3 can handle winding back roads and sharp corners like a pro due in part to its responsive steering. It also provides a gentle ride in most driving situations and can soak up a good amount of imperfections in the road. Optional all-wheel drive is unique for a compact car, and it adds even more athleticism to this Mazda.
Mazda3 Reliability
Is the 2024 Mazda3 Reliable?
The 2024 Mazda3 does not have a predicted reliability score at the time of writing.
2024 Mazda3 Warranty
Mazda covers the 2024 Mazda3 with a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.
2024 Mazda3 Crash Test Results
Neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has fully crash tested the 2024 Mazda3. However, NHTSA did give the Mazda five out of five stars in the frontal crash and rollover tests.
2024 Mazda3 Safety Features
Standard driver-assistance features:
- Rearview camera
- Automatic high-beam headlights
- Driver-attention monitoring
- Stop-and-go adaptive cruise control
- Forward automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection
- Lane-departure warning
- Lane-keep assist
- Rain-sensing windshield wipers
- Adaptive headlights
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Rear-door alert
Available driver-assistance features:
- Head-up display (shows pertinent driving and navigation information directly on the windshield)
- Traffic-sign recognition
- Surround-view camera system
- Traffic-jam assist (manages braking, acceleration and steering in low-speed traffic conditions)
2024 Mazda3 Dimensions and Weight
The Mazda3 is 14.6 to 15.3 feet long. Its curb weight ranges from 3,088 to 3,393 pounds.
Where Is the 2024 Mazda3 Built?
Mazda builds the 2024 Mazda3 in Mexico and Japan.
2024 Mazda3 Models and Trims
The 2024 Mazda3 comes in seven trims: 2.5 S, Select, Preferred, Carbon Edition, Premium, 2.5 Turbo and 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus. If you’re interested in a Mazda3 with all-wheel drive, you’ll need to step up to a Carbon Edition or Premium model, where you can add it as an option, or the Turbo models, where it comes standard.
Mazda3 2.5 S
The 2.5 S trim has a starting MSRP of $24,170 for sedan models. It features a 191-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive.
This trim comes standard with cloth upholstery, push-button start, remote keyless entry, a 7-inch instrument cluster display and the Mazda Connect infotainment system, which features an 8.8-inch display, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, two USB ports, Bluetooth and an eight-speaker stereo. Standard driver-assistance features include blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear-door alert, stop-and-go adaptive cruise control, forward automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, automatic high-beam headlights, driver-attention monitoring, a rearview camera and rain-sensing windshield wipers.
Mazda3 2.5 S Select Sport
The Select trim starts at $24,690 for sedan models and $25,690 for hatchback models. It gains synthetic leather upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, a rear armrest with cup holders, dual-zone automatic climate control, keyless entry and 18-inch wheels.
Mazda3 2.5 S Preferred
The Preferred trim has a starting MSRP of $26,190 for sedan models and $27,390 for hatchbacks. In addition to the Select trim’s features, the Preferred adds more upholstery color choices, an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with memory settings and lumbar support, heated front seats and a moonroof.
Mazda3 2.5 S Carbon Edition
The Carbon Edition sedan has a starting MSRP of $29,060, while the hatchback model starts at $30,260. This trim adds standard all-wheel drive, red genuine leather upholstery, a 10.3-inch infotainment display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 12-speaker Bose stereo, wireless device charging, unique gray exterior paint and black speaker grills, wheels and heated door mirrors.
Mazda3 2.5 S Premium
Step up to the Premium trim ($30,350 for a front-wheel-drive hatchback), and you’ll get a head-up display, navigation, a 12-speaker Bose stereo and paddle shifters. Genuine leather upholstery in black or red is available. Although AWD and an automatic transmission are standard, there’s also a hatchback model with optional FWD and a six-speed manual transmission for $29,150.
Mazda3 2.5 S Carbon Turbo
The 2.5 Carbon Turbo starts at $31,750 for sedan models and $32,950 for hatchbacks. This trim boasts a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 227 horsepower (250 horsepower with Premium fuel) and all-wheel drive. The Turbo builds off the Premium trim’s features. It loses the genuine leather upholstery and navigation features, but it gains a 10.25-inch infotainment display, a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel, a windshield wiper de-icer and special chrome accents for the glove box and push-button start.
Mazda3 2.5 S Turbo Premium Plus
The top-of-the-line Premium Plus starts at $35,450 for sedans and $36,650 for hatchbacks. This trim also features the turbocharged engine and AWD. On top of the 2.5 Carbon Turbo’s features, the Turbo Premium Plus adds gloss black accents, reverse automatic emergency braking, a universal garage door opener, traffic-jam assist, a surround-view camera system, front and rear parking sensors, traffic-sign recognition, a rear lip spoiler for sedans and a rear roof spoiler for hatchbacks.