2022 Mazda Mazda3 Hatch Turbo Premium Plus

For more than a decade, the compact Mazda3 has offered a unique blend of upscale design, agile handling, good fuel economy, and reasonable pricing. The Turbo

• Trim Tested: Mazda3 Hatchback 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus

• Price as Tested: $35,810 (estimated including destination charge)

• What We Like: Upscale design; agile; available with manual transmission

• What We Don’t: Cramped back seat; pricey; infotainment learning curve

How It Drives: The Mazda3 Turbo has a 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder making 227 horsepower on regular gas (250 with premium gas). That motor is the most powerful of the Mazda3’s three engine options; the other two make 155 horsepower and 186 horsepower.

The Turbo is an expensive upgrade in a new Mazda3 hatchback, requiring 9,000 more of your hard-earned dollars. I don’t think it’s worth it. While it is the strongest of the three available engines, it doesn’t make the 3 feel powerful – just a little faster. The midtier, 186-horsepower engine costs 30% less, and it’s certainly not 30% worse. In fact, it’s pretty lively. It also doesn’t need premium gas to get its top performance, as the Turbo does.

The Mazda3 is among the few compact cars still available with a manual transmission, and that adds to the fun. Both the 186- and 250-horsepower engines can have one. Most people will choose the automatic, and that’s a great transmission as well. While the majority of automakers are using continuously variable automatic transmissions (CVTs) to save gas, Mazda sticks with a traditional 6-speed automatic, which makes it feel faster without hurting fuel economy. Handling remains a top

Hatchback is the ultimate Mazda3, in terms of price and performance. Is it worth the extra money?

Not Only Gorgeous, Its Turbo Tough

Mazda3 attribute, regardless of the engine. Only the Honda Civic can match the Mazda3’s cornering. The 3’s ride is firm but not stiff, which bolstered my confidence in corners without making me uncomfortable. It really feels like a little luxury car, a theme that recurs in the cabin.

Interior Comfort & Quality: The Mazda3’s interior is Porsche-like – driver-focused, sleek, high-tech, and premium. It’s the nicest interior in the class. The leather front seats in our test car were supportive and had plenty of head- and legroom, although they are somewhat narrow, which could squeeze wider drivers.

Though the Mazda3 is gorgeous inside, there’s a lot about it that isn’t practical. The rear seats are cramped – with the front seats set for my6-footheight,I didn’t have enough legroom and there was barely enough headroom. The Mazda3 hatchback’s cargo area is roomy compared with a sedan, but it can’t hold anywhere near the cargo that fits behind the hatch of an SUV. The hatchback also has huge rear window pillars that create large blind spots.

Technology & Usability: The Mazda3’s infotainment system looks sleek, like the rest of the vehicle, but it has a steep learning curve. The central screen isn’t a touchscreen; instead, a knob between the front seats rotates to select items on the display. Another knob controls the volume. It’s intuitive once you’re used to it, but it takes a while to get used to it. The Mazda3 isn’t a high-tech wonderland, but the base hatchback has a ton of features, including items. as diverse as adaptive cruise control, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and lane keep assist, making it a great value.