History / Overview
Mazda redesigned its 3 compact sedan into a fourth generation in 2019, helping it maintain its reputation as one of the most stylish economy cars, and adding the model's first-ever AWD option. A hatchback variant called Mazda3 Sport is covered in a separate buyer's guide entry.
What's New / Key Changes from Last Year
For 2020, Mazda has made passive keyless entry standard in GT trim; it was formerly part of that trim's premium package.
GT Premium adds a frameless rearview mirror and a new wheel design.
Available Trims
The Mazda3 comes in GX, GS and GT trims. GX and GS come with a 2.0L engine and a six-speed manual transmission, while GT gets a 2.5L and a six-speed automatic. The automatic is optional in GX and GS, and the GS can also be had with the 2.5L engine. All-wheel drive is optional with the 2.5L engine and automatic transmission.
Standard Features
On the outside, GX trim comes with 16-inch steel wheels with covers, LED headlights and daytime running lights, and LED taillights, tire pressure monitoring, power-adjustable side mirrors, auto-off headlights, and variable intermittent wipers.
Interior features include an 8.8-inch infotainment display, Bluetooth, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, an 8-speaker stereo, tilt-and-telescopic steering, keyless entry, push-button engine start, power windows, an eight-way manual driver's seat, and a 7.0-inch digital gauge display.
Notably, air conditioning and cruise control are not included; instead, both are part of a GX convenience package.
GS trim adds 16-inch alloy wheels, auto on/off headlights, heated side mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, automatic dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, a heated/leather-trimmed steering wheel, a leather-trimmed shift lever, a rear-seat armrest with cupholders, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, radar cruise control, city-speed collision and pedestrian detection with automatic braking, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and driver attention alert.
Finally, GT trim brings 18-inch wheels, a sunroof, automatic headlight leveling, front and rear signature lighting, adaptive headlights, a 12-speaker stereo, passive keyless entry, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.
Key Options
A GX convenience package adds alloy wheels, blind spot monitoring, air conditioning, heated front seats, and cruise control.
GS offers a luxury package of leatherette upholstery, a sunroof, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a 10-way power driver's seat with memory, and side mirrors that tilt down in reverse gear.
The GT Premium package is where you'll find leather upholstery, a 10-way power driver's seat with memory, rear automatic braking, rear parking sensors, navigation, a head-up display, satellite radio, a front wiper de-icer, auto-dimming/tilt-down side mirrors, a frameless rearview mirror, and piano black exterior trim.
Fuel Economy
Mazda's fuel consumption estimates for the 3 sedan are 8.4/6.6 L/100 km (city/highway) with the 2.0L engine and automatic transmission, and 8.7/6.4 with the manual gearbox.
With the 2.5L engine, ratings are 8.8/6.4 L/100 km (city/highway) with FWD, and 9.2/7.0 with AWD.
Competition
The compact car class is still alive and well in 2020, despite having lost the Chevrolet Cruze and Ford Focus in recent years. The Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla and Hyundai Elantra remain among Canada's best-selling vehicles. Nissan's Sentra is all-new for 2020, and the Volkswagen Jetta and Kia Forte were redesigned in 2019.
