Flash Drive

2022 Mazda3 Turbo Sedan

October 31, 2022 - Behind The Wheel - Comments: 

Model Tested: 2022 Mazda3 Turbo Premium AWD Sedan

The 2022 Mazda3 Turbo Carbon Edition is a new addition to the popular Mazda3 lineup.

Engine: 2.5-liter turbocharged I-4, 227-250 horsepower, 310 lb-ft torque

Transmission: 6-speed automatic, all-wheel-drive

EPA Rating: 23-mpg city, 32-mpg highway, 27-mpg combined

Base Price: $33,100

As Tested: $34,750

Performance:

Turbocharger boosts personality

Quite athletic, nimble

The Mazda3 Turbo is available in both a sedan and a hatchback body style.

Sport mode makes noticeable performance improvement

Premium fuel boosts horsepower to 250

Good fuel economy

Good city commuter car

Smooth transmission

Efficient all-wheel-drive

Lots of excellent safety features including HUD

Rain sensing wipers

Front seat room, comfort, and features are excellent but rear seat room is tight.

Comfort:

Stretch-out driver/front passenger legroom

Heated front seats (3 temps)

Driver power lumbar support

Supportive seats with soft headrests

Heated leather steering wheel

Tilt/telescopic column

Lots of auxiliary controls, but some difficult to read

Great head up display

Snug backseat unless fronts are moved up considerably

The Mazda3 Turbo Sedan is athletic and good fun on open roads.

Very tall floor hump

Utility:

Excellent infotainment screen

Large central dial for controlling screen

Large front door bins with bottle notches

Medium size console bin with sliding armrest

Decent size glovebox, but no lock

One seatback storage pouch

Small rear door bins with bottle notches

Soul Red Crystal Metallic is a great optional color but worth the extra charge.

Split, folding rear seats

Significant slope to folded seats

Folded seats higher than trunk floor

Large pass-through

Flat cargo floor

Wide rear opening, but high lift-over

WOW Factors:

Lots of upscale features @ reasonable price point

Athletic performance

Controls are well-placed.

Great head up display

Very good front row room/comfort

All-wheel-drive for all-weather confidence

Quality interior materials

Whines:

Radio controls not very intuitive

Chrome auxiliary controls hard to see

Snug rear seat

Small, hard visors

Bottom Line:

The 2022 Mazda3 Turbo is a compact sedan with personality and fun. The turbocharged 2.5-liter engine

The Mazda3 Hatchback body style is more sporty looking than the sedan but it has some rear visibility drawbacks.

makes a big difference in the car’s performance and personality. The Premium Plus package adds a lot of worthwhile luxury. All-wheel-drive improves handling and all-weather confidence. Excellent safety features, and a quality interior add up to a fun-to-drive, well-rounded compact sport sedan that’s attractively priced.