2025 Mazda 3 review

Beyond equipment upgrades and price rises, the Mazda 3 remains a refined and rewarding small car with a couple of unresolved flaws.

Mazda's second-smallest hatch has gotten smaller in recent years, but it's still a competitive option in the shrinking small car class.

The Mazda 3 is a premium-looking sedan inside and out, but the driving experience isn't quite as upscale as its looks suggest.

The Mazda 3 is still fun to drive and beautifully finished. Its base petrol engine isn't all that quick or efficient, but it's still solid.

A lot of small crossovers are just higher-riding hatchbacks anyway, so why not just get an OG hatchback like the Mazda 3?

The Mazda 3 has received a minor tech upgrade for MY24, though the local range no longer offers any manual or mild-hybrid options.

You didn't read that wrong; this is a regular hatchback that features a manual transmission. In 2023, that's seriously rare.

With distinctive styling and a luxurious interior, the Mazda 3 has plenty of showroom appeal but it's not as accommodating as it could be.

The Mazda 3 range now offers four engines in Australia, but the G20e M Hybrid isn't the one we'd be stumping for.

Now that the ‘new’ Mazda 3 has become more familiar with time, does its forward-thinking and upmarket spin still impress against the ever-changing small car landscape?

Mazda has revolutionised the internal combustion process with a mix of diesel and petrol engine tech. How well does it work? We find out.

Wondering what the difference between the old MZD Connect system and the seventh-generation setup is?

Does a big jump in price mean a big jump in driving enjoyment? We get behind the wheel to find out.