2020 Mazda 3 Sport
For this week’s review we’ve gotten our hands on the 2020 Mazda 3 Sport, a compact hatchback with AWD. This year there are minor updates to the interior appearance like the addition of a frameless rear view mirror with auto-dimming function and a satin chrome plated bezel on the steering wheel, and glove box lever. The Mazda 3 is in an interesting category because there isn’t much AWD compact hatchback options in the mainstream market that are sub 30 K CAD other than Subaru Impreza and Mini Clubman.
Disclosure: Mazda Canada provided me with the 2020 Mazda 3 Sport for a week to test drive, and photograph. All photos in this blog post was taken by me. #Mazda3Sport
ACCELERATION: 7.5/10
2.5L I4 - 186HP @ 6000 / 186 lb-ft @ 4000
6-speed Automatic (Optional AWD)
6-speed Manual (AWD option not available)
7.8 second 0-100 km/hr (I4 T)
BRAKING: 7.25/10
Average braking ability most likely from the smaller tires
HANDLING: 9.5/10
Feels eager to attack any corner
RIDE: 7.75/10
Suspension tuning is nice on paved roads while. Mazda did a good job to balance handling and ride quality. Over roads with a lot of pot holes it can feel rougher.
ECONOMY: 8.25/10
6M FWD - 25/35/29 MPG (City/Highway/Combined)
6A FWD - 26/35/30 MPG (City/Highway/Combined)
6A AWD - 24/32/27 MPG (City/Highway/Combined)
CABIN NOISE: 8/10
Wind noise is well controlled but we do get some tire noise inside.
EXTERIOR: 9/10
Black trim around the grill looks really good compared to older Mazdas with the chrome grills.
Overall styling is polarizing. I often hear it’s too round and bubbly at the back but for me the exterior is hot! I would pick the hatch over the sedan.
INTERIOR FOR DRIVER: 8.25/10
Has power driver seats with 2 position seat memory and tilt/telescopic steering column. Very comfortable seats for your back
Viewing angles are compromised due to the large C-pillar, small rear side and back windows.
Although it may not be that fast, the driving experience is the most engaging in the class.
Interior fit and finish quality feels very premium and is unmatched
Love that the manual transmission is offered in the higher trims. The shifts feel good! I wish it did have a manual hand brake but most of the industry is moving to the e-brake and brake hold features.
INTERIOR FOR PASSENGERS: 6.5/10
Rear passenger comfort is a weak point with the Mazda 3 but looking at the numbers below it actually scores well in legroom
Because the front hood is so long it reduces the interior space significantly especially in the rear. If you’re regularly transporting people in the rear I would recommend something a bit larger like a Mazda 6 or CX-5.
Normally in mainstream vehicles the rear materials are cheaper so it was nice to see the doors have soft touch and chrome materials like in the front. Definitely more premium materials than you’ll find in the Corolla or Civic.
Combined Legroom:
78.3- Civic Hatch
77.9 - Ioniq
77.4 Mazda3
76.7 - CX-3
76.5 - Trax
77.0 - Elantra Hatch
71.9 - Corolla Hatch
Rear Headroom:
38.8 - Trax
38.5 - Elantra Hatch
38.0 - Corolla Hatch
37.4 - Civic Hatch
37.4 - Ioniq
37.2 - CX-3
37.2 - Mazda 3 (36.5 for moonroof version)
INTERIOR STORAGE: 7.5/10
20.1 Cu Ft with the seats up
Seats fold in a 60/40 fashion
The opening is smaller than I expected. It would have helped with loading bulky items if the hatch opening flush with the trunk bed.
Has a spare tire space
INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM: 8/10
Infotainment is similar to BMW’s iDrive system
Wide screen LCD that isn’t a touch screen
Supports Android Auto and Apple Car Play
Overall the infotainment looks really nice and is really only rivaled by Hyundai when comparing between mainstream brands
OVERALL IMPRESSION OF THE 2020 Mazda 3:
The 2020 Mazda 3 is the sexiest and most premium feeling compact hatchback with AWD under 30 K. The only other vehicles that come to mind with AWD is the Mini Clubman and Subaru Impreza but neither look as good and premium as the Mazda 3. For the amount of luxury you get, it is a really good price. There is not much bad to mention other that the rear passenger and cargo is on the smaller end making the Mazda 3 better suited for empty nesters or young people without kids yet.
In Europe the revoluntary Skyactiv X engine is available in the Mazda 3, but in North America we still have the Skyactiv-G. Part of me wants to suggest waiting for the Skyactiv-X engine to eventually make its way to Canada or go for the 2019 model to save some money since there are no major updates in 2020!