2020 Mazda Mazda3 Sport

History/Overview

The Mazda3 Sport is the Japanese brand's compact hatchback model. Despite the Sport label, this car is mechanically identical to the Mazda3 sedan, which is covered in a separate buyer's guide entry. Mazda redesigned the 3 Sport into a fourth generation in 2019.

What's New / Key Changes from Last Year

The 2020 model year's changes affect the Mazda3 Sport's uplevel GT trim, which gains passive keyless entry as standard, which used to be part of an optional Premium package.

Meanwhile, that GT Premium group adds an auto-dimming/frameless rearview mirror, and satin chrome interior trim.

Available Trims

Mazda sells the 3 Sport in GX, GS, and GT trims. GX alone uses a 2.0L engine, while GS and GT get a more powerful 2.5L with the compact car class's only cylinder deactivation system. Both engines come standard with a six-speed manual transmission that options to a six-speed automatic; the automatic is included in GT trim. The larger engine is also optional with AWD, which includes the automatic regardless of trim.

Standard Features

GX trim comes with 16-inch alloy wheels, tire pressure monitoring, blind spot monitoring with rear cross traffic alert, LED head- and taillights, auto-off headlights, variable intermittent front wipers, an 8.8-inch infotainment display, an eight-speaker stereo with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, air conditioning, push-button engine start, keyless entry, an electric parking brake, cruise control, a tilt-and-telescopic steering column, power windows, LED interior lighting, heated front seats, an eight-way manual driver's seat, and a 7.0-inch digital gauge cluster display.

GS trim adds radar cruise control, forward collision warning with pedestrian detection and city-speed automatic braking, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, driver attention alert, heated side mirrors, auto on/off headlights, rain-sensing wipers, dual-zone automatic climate control, a heated/leather-trimmed steering wheel, a leather-trimmed shifter, and a rear-seat armrest with cupholders.

Finally, GT trim brings 18-inch wheels, passive keyless entry, adaptive and auto-leveling headlights, front and rear signature lighting, and a 12-speaker stereo.

Key Options

A GS Luxury package adds leatherette upholstery, a 10-way power driver's seat with memory, a sunroof, auto-dimming rearview mirror, and side mirrors that tilt down in reverse gear.

GT Premium models get black metallic 18-inch wheels, leather upholstery, a 10-way power driver's seat with memory, a head-up display, rear automatic braking, rear parking sensors, satellite radio, navigation, traffic sign recognition, a front wiper de-icer, auto-dimming/frameless rearview mirror, integrated garage door opener, an auto-dimming driver's side mirror, tilt-down-in-reverse side mirrors, and satin chrome interior trim.

Fuel Economy

Mazda's fuel consumption estimates start at 8.7/6.6 L/100 km (city/highway) with the GX's 2.0L engine and six-speed manual transmission. The automatic's ratings are similar, at 8.6/6.7 L/100 km.

2.5L cars with the six-speed stick are rated at 9.2/6.6 L/100 km (city/highway), and the 2.5L/automatic's figures are 9.0/6.8 L/100 km.

A Mazda3 Sport with the 2.5L/automatic transmission/AWD combo is rated 9.8/7.4 L/100 km (city/highway).

Competition

The Mazda3 Sport's competitors are the Honda Civic hatchback, the Hyundai Elantra GT, Kia's Forte5, the Volkswagen Golf, and the Subaru Impreza hatchback.