The Mazda3 has always been an athletic choice in compact cars, and the 2023 model is no exception. It also has the distinction of being one of the most upscale cars in its class. If you like the idea of a premium compact car without a premium price tag, the Mazda3 is an appealing alternative to a luxury car. It competes with compact cars like the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, and Hyundai Elantra.
One of the strengths of the Mazda3 is the variety in its model range. It’s available as a sedan or a hatchback and has two engine options. It’s also one of the only cars in its class available with a manual transmission, but only in one specific configuration.
The engine, at its base, is a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter 4-cylinder, but it’s upgradeable to a stronger turbocharged 4-cylinder. The base engine produces 191 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque, while the turbo powerplant produces up to 250 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque if you use premium 93-octane gas. The base engine returns an EPA-rated combined fuel economy of 31 mpg, versus 27 mpg for the turbo engine.
In Mazda3 models with the base engine, front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard and all-wheel drive (AWD) is optional. Meanwhile, all turbocharged models come standard with AWD.
Let’s take a closer look at the 2023 Mazda3 trim lineup and find the right one for you.
2023 Mazda3 2.5 S (starting at $22,550 for sedan; $23,550 for hatchback)
The 2.5 S trim of the 2023 Mazda3 is well-equipped for a base car in this class. Every 2.5 S model uses the naturally aspirated 4-cylinder engine, a 6-speed automatic transmission, and FWD.
Standard features include an 8.8-inch Mazda Connect infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, two USB ports, an 8-speaker audio system, black cloth seats, LED headlights and taillights, 16-inch alloy wheels, push-button start, a backup camera, and rain-sensing wipers.
The standard i-Activsense safety tech suite bundles adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, driver attention alert, and automatic high beams.
When you apply the $1,065 destination fee ($1,110 in Alaska), the starting price of the Mazda3 comes to $23,615. If you get one with a 60-month loan at 3% interest with no trade-in or down payment, the monthly payment will start at about $424. See 2023 Mazda3 2.5 S models for sale
2023 Mazda3 2.5 S includes:
i-Activsense safety features: This standard safety tech suite includes automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and more.
Mazda Connect infotainment system: The standard 8.8-inch screen in the Mazda3 comes with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone connectivity.
LED headlights: These headlights improve the visibility (and safety) of the Mazda3.
2023 Mazda3 Select (starting at $23,950 for sedan; $24,950 for hatchback)
Upgrading to the Select trim adds some nice features to the Mazda3 while keeping the price reasonable.
The extensive upgrades include blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, dual-zone automatic climate control, a rear armrest with cupholders, door mirror turn signals, black leatherette seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, and 18-inch alloy wheels.
Assuming a 60-month loan at 3% interest with no money down, the Mazda3 in Select trim starts at about $449/month. See 2023 Mazda3 Select models for sale
2023 Mazda3 Select includes:
Blind-spot monitoring: This helpful feature adds safety and confidence to lane changes.
Automatic climate control: Dual-zone automatic climate control keeps you and your passenger comfortable.
Leatherette seats: These seats add a more premium feel to the Mazda3.
2023 Mazda3 Preferred (starting at $25,550 for sedan; $26,550 for hatchback)
The Mazda3 gets a little more upscale with the Preferred trim. It adds a power moonroof, leatherette seats available in black or greige (a grayish beige color), heated front seats, a memory driver’s seat and mirrors, and a gloss-black front grille.
The Preferred model starts at about $478/month if you get one with a 60-month loan at 3% interest and no money down. See 2023 Mazda3 Preferred models for sale
2023 Mazda3 Preferred includes:
Power moonroof: This feature opens up the interior of the Mazda3 to lots of fresh air.
Heated front seats: A must-have feature if you live in a cold climate.
Memory package: Your seat and mirrors will always be in the perfect position.
2023 Mazda3 Carbon Edition (starting at $27,200 for sedan; $28,200 for hatchback)
The 2023 Mazda3 Carbon Edition is primarily an appearance package. It comes exclusively in Polymetal Gray exterior paint with red leather seats. You also get black 18-inch alloy wheels and gloss-black mirror caps.
On top of the aesthetic upgrades, it comes standard with a Bose 12-speaker audio system. This trim is also the most affordable in which AWD is available.
The Carbon Edition will have a monthly payment starting at about $508, assuming a 60-month loan at 3% interest and no money down. See 2023 Mazda3 Carbon Edition models for sale
2023 Mazda3 Carbon Edition includes:
Unique appearance package: The Carbon Edition turns heads with black wheels and Polymetal Gray paint while you enjoy the stylish red leather seats.
Available AWD: This is the most affordable variant of the Mazda3 available with AWD.
Bose premium audio: Enjoy your music as it was meant to be heard via this top-notch 12-speaker audio system.
2023 Mazda3 Premium (starting at $29,400 for sedan; $29,150 for hatchback)
The Premium trim is unique in the Mazda3 lineup: It’s the only one available with a 6-speed manual transmission. If you get a manual Mazda3, it has to be a hatchback with FWD. Every Mazda3 Premium with automatic transmission comes standard with AWD. This quirk is why the hatchback has a lower starting price than the sedan here.
As its name implies, the Premium trim moves the Mazda3 upmarket. As the top non-turbo trim of the Mazda3, it has luxurious features like Bose 12-speaker audio, leather seating, SiriusXM, navigation, an Active Driving Display head-up display, paddle shifters, an adaptive front lighting system, and LED signature lighting.
The Mazda3 Premium has a starting monthly payment of about $547 if you get one with a 60-month loan at 3% interest and no money down. See 2023 Mazda3 Premium models for sale
2023 Mazda3 Premium includes:
Available manual transmission: If you want a manual Mazda3, this is the only trim that offers a stick shift.
Active Driving Display: This color head-up display, projected onto the back of the windshield, helps you keep your eyes on the road.
Leather seats: Genuine leather seats at this price point help make the Mazda3 Premium a good value when compared to a luxury car.
2023 Mazda3 2.5 Turbo (starting at $32,450)
The Mazda3 becomes a veritable hot hatch with the 2.5 Turbo trim. Available exclusively as a hatchback with AWD, the Mazda3 2.5 Turbo trim is the enthusiast’s choice. It strikes a nice balance of performance and value.
The featured content of the Turbo trim is similar to the Premium model, but it doesn’t have leather seats or navigation. It does have a heated steering wheel, black or greige leatherette seats, an auto-dimming mirror, chrome interior trim, and a windshield wiper de-icer.
Aesthetic improvements to hint at its added performance include gloss-black 18-inch alloy wheels, gloss-black mirror caps, a gloss-black front grille, and more prominent exhaust outlets.
The Mazda3 2.5 Turbo starts at about $602/month, assuming a 60-month loan at 3% interest with no money down. See 2023 Mazda3 2.5 Turbo models for sale
2023 Mazda3 2.5 Turbo includes:
250-hp turbo engine: This engine upgrade adds a lot of excitement to this practical hatchback.
Gloss-black trim: The appearance package on this turbocharged hatchback is sporty yet subtle.
Heated steering wheel: Once you’ve gone through a winter with a heated steering wheel, you won’t know how you lived without one.
2023 Mazda3 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus (starting at $34,000 for sedan; $35,300 for hatchback)
The 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus trim sits at the top of the Mazda3 model range. It offers the best the Mazda3 has in terms of both luxury and performance. It’s available as a sedan or a hatchback, and AWD is standard.
Standard features include leather seats, reverse automatic emergency braking, Traffic Jam Assist, Traffic Sign Assist, a 360-degree camera, front and rear parking sensors, a universal garage door opener, navigation, and Active Driving Display.
The sporty aesthetic is enhanced with a lip rear spoiler on the sedan. The hatchback has a rear roof spoiler and a front air dam. These improvements add to the styling and the aerodynamics of the Mazda3.
The top 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus trim has a starting monthly payment of about $630 if you get one with a 60-month loan at 3% interest and no money down. See 2023 Mazda3 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus models for sale
2023 Mazda3 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus includes:
Aerodynamic accents: A rear spoiler and a front air dam improve the aerodynamics and aesthetics of the Mazda3.
Traffic Jam Assist: This feature uses adaptive cruise control and a steering assist function to make highway driving nearly effortless, even in a traffic jam.
360-degree camera: Get a good view of everything around you with this safety feature.
