Max Davies
Top five small passenger cars of 2024
Small cars continue to be popular, and these are the ones we liked most from the selection we reviewed in 2024.
2 Months Ago
About the Mazda 3
Last updated Dec 18, 2024The Mazda 3 is the Japanese automaker's third top-selling vehicle, and is the fourth top-selling small car in Australia.
It's available in hatchback and sedan body styles with a range of different four-cylinder petrol engines, including two 24V mild-hybrid offerings.
Pros
- Loads of style
- Upmarket ambience
- Packed full of gear
Cons
- Pricey to buy and service
- Lacks turbocharging
- Could benefit from tamer ride quality
Mazda 3 Rating
Mazda 3 News
2024 Mazda 3 Reviews
2024 Mazda 3 Price
G25 Evolve SP
| Configuration | Price From* |
|---|---|
| 2.5L, 6 sp automatic Unleaded FWD 5d Hatchback | $34,670 |
| 2.5L, 6 sp automatic Unleaded FWD 4d Sedan | $34,670 |
G20 Pure
| Configuration | Price From* |
|---|---|
| 2.0L, 6 sp automatic Unleaded FWD 4d Sedan | $30,470 |
| 2.0L, 6 sp automatic Unleaded FWD 5d Hatchback | $31,190 |
G20 Touring
| Configuration | Price From* |
|---|---|
| 2.0L, 6 sp automatic Unleaded FWD 4d Sedan | $34,670 |
| 2.0L, 6 sp automatic Unleaded FWD 5d Hatchback | $34,670 |
G25 Astina
| Configuration | Price From* |
|---|---|
| 2.5L, 6 sp automatic Unleaded FWD 4d Sedan | $42,470 |
| 2.5L, 6 sp automatic Unleaded FWD 5d Hatchback | $42,470 |
G20 Evolve Vision
| Configuration | Price From* |
|---|---|
| 2.0L, 6 sp automatic Unleaded FWD 4d Sedan | $34,020 |
| 2.0L, 6 sp automatic Unleaded FWD 5d Hatchback | $34,020 |
G25 Evolve SP Vision
| Configuration | Price From* |
|---|---|
| 2.5L, 6 sp automatic Unleaded FWD 5d Hatchback | $36,670 |
| 2.5L, 6 sp automatic Unleaded FWD 4d Sedan | $36,670 |
G25 GT Vision
| Configuration | Price From* |
|---|---|
| 2.5L, 6 sp automatic Unleaded FWD 4d Sedan | $39,990 |
| 2.5L, 6 sp automatic Unleaded FWD 5d Hatchback | $40,070 |
G20 Touring Vision
| Configuration | Price From* |
|---|---|
| 2.0L, 6 sp automatic Unleaded FWD 4d Sedan | $36,670 |
| 2.0L, 6 sp automatic Unleaded FWD 5d Hatchback | $36,670 |
G20 Pure Vision
| Configuration | Price From* |
|---|---|
| 2.0L, 6 sp automatic Unleaded FWD 5d Hatchback | $33,190 |
| 2.0L, 6 sp automatic Unleaded FWD 4d Sedan | $33,190 |
X20 Astina
| Configuration | Price From* |
|---|---|
| 2.0L, 6 sp automatic Premium Unleaded FWD 5d Hatchback | $43,310 |
| 2.0L, 6 sp automatic Premium Unleaded FWD 4d Sedan | $43,310 |
G20e Evolve Vision
| Configuration | Price From* |
|---|---|
| 2.0L, 6 sp automatic Unleaded FWD 4d Sedan | $33,460 |
| 2.0L, 6 sp automatic Unleaded FWD 5d Hatchback | $33,460 |
G20 Evolve
| Configuration | Price From* |
|---|---|
| 2.0L, 6 sp automatic Unleaded FWD 4d Sedan | $32,020 |
| 2.0L, 6 sp automatic Unleaded FWD 5d Hatchback | $32,990 |
G25 GT
| Configuration | Price From* |
|---|---|
| 2.5L, 6 sp automatic Unleaded FWD 4d Sedan | $38,570 |
| 2.5L, 6 sp automatic Unleaded FWD 5d Hatchback | $38,570 |
*excl. on-roads
All Mazda 3 Pricing
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2024 Mazda 3 Dimensions
1440mm
1795mm
4660mm
The dimensions shown above are for the base model.
See all 2024 Mazda 3 Dimensions2024 Mazda 3 Boot Space
The Mazda 3 has a claimed boot capacity of 444 litres for the sedan, and 295 litres for the hatch.
2024 Mazda 3 Gallery
CarExpert High Resolution Photos of the Mazda 3
View 19 images
2024 Mazda 3 Exterior
Mazda has given its current-generation 3 sedan and hatch the Kodo design theme which is synonymous among many of its other models.
The Japanese automaker says the design improvements on the Mazda 3 improve economy, improve the driver experience, and deliver a more premium feel behind the wheel – think more German than Japanese.
In hatchback form, there's a flowing silhouette without a shoulder line.
Entry-level models receive 16-inch alloy wheels and other trim levels receive 18-inch alloy wheels.
View 6 images
2024 Mazda 3 Interior
The modern, minimalist design remains super fresh and hugely appealing, but it’s not merely form over functionality.
Mazda designers have gone to great pains to produce a cabin that not only looks incredibly smart but is ergonomically high-brow. Everything on the slick and lovingly trimmed wheel, which almost appears oversized for the cabin’s packaging and proportions, falls neatly to hand wherever you decide to reach or touch.
The front seats are excellent and the driving position suitably sporty, the instrumentation is clear and quick-glance legible. Nor does the TFT-analogue blend of the instrument cluster in any way seem low-rent compared with the fully-digital trickery creeping into mainstream small cars.
Trying to navigate Apple CarPlay with a rotary-type console controller is rubbish. Especially, say, negotiating Spotify play lists one moment and attempting to zoom on a sat-nav map the next. It’s so clunky, so distracting and at times so frustrating it becomes inherently far less sage to use than what is perhaps intended. It needs a touchscreen, with no lockout.
More pleasing is that the high level of presentation and richness extends through to the second row – seemingly small stuff such as the full-trimmed front seat backs makes all the positive difference. Too many mainstream vehicles skimp on the rear accommodation and it’s good to those in back aren’t treated like second-rate occupants.
It is, though, quite claustrophobic in row two, which is hardly the last word in leg room and the ambience hobbled somewhat by the high-sweeping window line that doesn’t do outward visibility, particularly for younger kids, many favours. Air vents are a good inclusion but the lack of device power is a bit of an oversight.
There’s 60:40 rear seat split-folding for decent load through but as a five seater – or realistically a four-adult prospect – the 295-litre boot space is a bit skimpy. It is, however, fully carpeted and offers useable square floor space and a high rear lip, while under the floor sits a space saver spare.
View 6 images
2024 Mazda 3 Safety Rating
The Mazda 3 has an ANCAP safety rating of five stars, with scores of 98 per cent in adult occupant protection, 89 per cent in child occupant protection, 81 per cent in vulnerable road user protection, and 76 per cent in safety assist.
All 2022 Mazda 3 models come standard with the following safety features:
- Autonomous emergency braking (forward and reverse)
- Adaptive cruise control with stop/go
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Lane-keep assist
- Reversing camera with rear parking sensors
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Traffic sign recognition
- Front, front-side and curtain airbags
- Driver’s knee airbag
- G25 GT and higher models also come with driver attention monitoring, front cross-traffic alert, and front parking sensors.
The available $1500 Vision Technology package, available on automatic G20 and G25 models, adds:
- Surround-view camera
- Cruising and Traffic Support
- Front parking sensors
- Driver attention monitoring
This equipment is standard on Astina models.
2024 Mazda 3 Fuel Economy
Fuel economy for the 2022 Mazda 3 model range varies. The combined fuel economy for each variant is as follows:
- 5.5L/100km for X20 sedan and hatch
- 5.9L/100km for the G20e sedan
- 6.0L/100km for the G20e hatch
- 6.1L/100km for G20 auto sedans
- 6.2L/100km for G25 manual sedans and G20 auto hatches
- 6.3L/100km for G20 manual sedans and G25 manual hatches
- 6.4L/100km for G20 manual hatches
- 6.5L/100km for G25 auto sedans
- 6.6L/100km for G25 auto hatches
All models run on 91RON regular unleaded fuel except for the X20 models, which require 95RON premium unleaded.
All models have a 51L fuel tank.
| Mazda 3 | Fuel Type | Combined |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5L, 6 sp automatic Unleaded FWD 5d Hatchback | Unleaded | 6.6 L/100km |
| 2.5L, 6 sp automatic Unleaded FWD 4d Sedan | Unleaded | 6.5 L/100km |
Cost of ownership
What are the running and servicing costs of a Mazda 3?
In addition to a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, Mazda offers five years of capped-price servicing. Servicing is required every 12 months or 10,000km.
How does the 2024 Mazda 3 drive?
Our expert take on Mazda 3 drivability.
One topic much talked about of late has been turbocharging: specifically, the lack of it in Aussie-spec Mazda 3s.
It’s becoming a spectre that looms about the subject of the Mazda’s small-car experience on road, even if what it’s actually got is, for the most part, fairly decent.
The 2.5L four-pot has a typical naturally-aspirated character that’s quick in response if lacking a decent low-range shove as backup. It doesn’t lack for energy, per se, but it does make smooth driving off the mark more concerted than it ought to be.
As noted in past reviews, the inclusion of the conventional six-speed auto is nigh on a godsend, if mostly because the engine can make a bit of a racket under full load and you wouldn’t want the CVT to pin 4000rpm hard and long in your ears.
As a powertrain it’s smooth and refined, save for a strange and fairly faint buzzing vibration at a standstill with the transmission in drive, which is borderline annoying.
There’s a Sport mode to sharpen its senses and tighten the muscles, but given it makes throttle response perkier without injecting much in the way of extra tractive effort does leave it feeling a fit flustered and less useful than you might expect.
The steering is nice and clear, the oversized wheel adds a sheen of input accuracy and delicacy, though the weight is a touch hefty and the rack ratio a little slow. It’s no deal-breaker, mind, if a noteworthy observation.
Fidgety ride quality is a bit of a Mazda trait demonstrated widely throughout its stable, undoubtedly to inject a sporty feel to the drive.
The new ‘3’ has made strides in improving noise, vibration and harshness minimisation over its forebear and still stacks up quite well. The efforts injected into the hatch do bring about a sense of premium-ness in the driving experience.
There’s a real quality vibe to how it goes about traversing A to B patently lacking in some of its competition.
2024 Mazda 3 Colours
What colours are available for the Mazda 3
The Mazda 3 is available in the following finishes:
- Platinum Quartz Metallic
- Sonic Silver Metallic
- Deep Crystal Blue Mica
- Jet Black Mica
- Snowflake White Pearl Mica
The following finishes cost an additional $495:
- Polymetal Grey Metallic
- Soul Red Crystal Metallic
- Machine Grey Metallic
2024 Mazda 3 Warranty
2024 Mazda 3 vs other Smalls to consider
The Mazda 3 has many competitors in its small car segment.
The Toyota Corolla is a top-seller with its cheap servicing and brand credibility, the Hyundai i30 has a simple and spacious interior, and the Kia Cerato recently received a mid-life facelift.
No competitor has the same semi-luxury finish of the Mazda 3, although you can get more powerful turbo engines in the Kia and Hyundai, and hybrid power in the Corolla.
The 3 also will be cross-shopped with the Mazda CX-30, which is built on the same bones and uses the same engines – but packs a more practical interior.
Should you buy the 2024 Mazda 3
Is this the right car for you? Out experts buy or not guide.
In many ways the Mazda 3 is a cut above the average, particularly in presentation, the amount and types of kit offered, and the safety features and upmarket vibe. In other ways, it does look expensive to buy and to run as a naturally-aspirated prospect with less-than-perfect torsion beam underpinnings.
Thus, it’s a mixed bag of what you hope a semi-premium small mainstream hatch might represent and room for improvement, particularly on the topic of turbocharging and chassis sophistication.
As it currently sits, and given there’s such a broad choice of trim and mechanical variation on offer, we’re more inclined to look further down the Mazda 3 range for its most compelling blend of quality and value.
Mazda 3 FAQs
The cheapest Mazda 3 is the G20 PURE that starts from $29,500.
The most expensive Mazda 3 is the G25 ASTINA that starts from $41,800.
The best towing capacity of a Mazda 3 is 1200 kg offered by the following variants: G20 PURE, G20 EVOLVE, G20 PURE VISION, G20 EVOLVE VISION, G25 EVOLVE SP, G20 TOURING, G20 TOURING VISION, G25 EVOLVE SP VISION, G25 GT, G25 GT VISION and G25 ASTINA.
The largest Mazda 3 is the G20 PURE which measures 1795mm wide, 4660mm in length and sits 1440mm tall.
The most powerful Mazda 3 is the G25 EVOLVE SP which has 139kW of power from its 2.5L ELECT DIRECT INJ engine.
The Mazda 3 is built in Japan and shipped to Australia.
The heaviest Mazda 3 is the G25 EVOLVE SP VISION which weighs 1870 kg (kerb weight).
The Mazda 3 uses Unleaded Petrol.