The Mazda Mazda3 is a perennial favorite among car reviewers, with its great driving characteristics, attractive design, upscale interior, and great fuel economy. The 2019 Mazda Mazda3 kicks of a new generation that builds upon the success of the last in both sedan and hatchback form, most notably including the option of all-wheel drive.
What's New For 2019
The Mazda Mazda3 is completely updated for the 2019 model year.
Choosing Your Mazda 3
The Mazda Mazda3 comes with a single engine choice: a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder with Mazda's SKYACTIV-G technology that allows for higher engine compression ratios that allow for more power and better fuel economy without the use of a turbocharger.
This results in an engine that makes 186 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, while still achieving an EPA-estimated 27 miles per gallon city, 36 mpg highway, and 30 combined. All-wheel drive variants get 25/33/28 mpg (city/highway/combined).
All sedan models receive a six-speed automatic transmission, but a six-speed manual is available on the top-tier Premium hatchback with front-wheel drive. This is a strange but welcomed move, as most companies these days only offer manuals in their cheapest trim levels.
Additionally, while the Mazda3 gets standard front-wheel drive, all trims except for the base model sedan have the option of all-wheel drive, which is a rarity for many other compact cars. It isn't meant for off-roading but it'll sense what's happening in real time so that traction is best maintained through a variety of conditions. This upgrade will add $1,400 to the price of the car across the board for both sedan and hatchback models.
The new Mazda3 features a fully redesigned interior that looks beautiful and modern, truly raising the bar for all other compact cars. All models are well equipped, receiving a well-integrated 8.8-inch infotainment touchscreen that's a new design for the brand, in addition to a new eight-speaker sound system, reconfigurable gauge cluster, LED headlights and taillights, and keyless entry and start. The only options available besides premium paint choices are dealer installed accessories like a cargo net or illuminated door sills.
The Mazda3 comes in two body styles, with four trims levels:
If you can swing it, it's worth going for the Select Package sedan over the base 2019 Mazda Mazda3. It's only a $1,600 premium, but the amount of features added is well worth the price. Additionally, the all-wheel-drive system brings a lot to the Mazda3, making the compact known for being fun to drive even more so.