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2020 Mazda Mazda3 review

Research, photos, specs, and expertise
7 photos

Mazda Mazda3 highlights

Customer rating

Pros

  • High-end interior design and materials
  • Fun to drive with sharp handling
  • Excellent audio experience from both available systems

Cons

  • Limited legroom in the back
  • Cargo capacity is disappointing
  • No manual transmission on offer

Mileage (EPA estimate)

24 city, 32 highway, 27 combined

Pricing for current inventory

(no current inventory)

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Price
Year

A fun commuter car with lots of features.

Do you need a commuter car but want an infusion of style and sophistication? If so, consider the 2020 Mazda Mazda3, a compact car that comes as a sedan or a hatchback. Both body styles come with available all-wheel drive, making the Mazda3 a good choice if you regularly have to tackle inclement weather. All 2020 Mazda3s come with a 186-hp engine that is both peppy and fun to drive, giving you a reason to smile when you get behind the wheel.

All Mazda Mazda3 years

What is new for the 2020 Mazda Mazda3?

  • Mazda3 trims have been upgraded with Rear Spoiler as standard equipment this year.
  • Full Roof Rack features are now available as options on select trims.
  • The Select trim now comes with Cruise Control as standard equipment.

2020 Mazda Mazda3 trims

Curious how Mazda Mazda3 trims differ? Use our side-by-side vehicle comparison to see the differences and similarities

Base:

Select:

Preferred:

Premium:



Mazda Mazda3 photos

5 reasons to buy the 2020 Mazda Mazda3

1. Practical and fun commuter car

2020 Mazda Mazda3 Review: Engine | CarMax

The 2020 Mazda Mazda3 is a great choice if you're looking for a commuter car. The FWD Mazda3 with the 2.5L engine and automatic transmission gets an EPA-estimated 30 mpg combined.

The 2.5L 186-hp engine, standard on all Mazda3s, is peppy and powerful, delivering plenty of acceleration and passing power for your daily commute.

2. Plenty of space

2020 Mazda Mazda3 Review: Backseats | CarMax

The Mazda3 is a small car, but the hatchback version gives its interior space greater versatility. While the sedan offers 13.2 cubic feet of cargo space, the hatchback has 20.1 cubic feet, even with the rear seats in use. That means that you can load up a stroller, sports equipment, or your groceries without too much worry since the Mazda3 offers the space to accommodate your lifestyle.

2020 Mazda Mazda3 Review: Trunk Cargo | CarMax

3. Available all-wheel drive

If you live in a cold, snowy climate, all-wheel drive is a must, but if you don't want an SUV or crossover you still have a handful of great cars to pick from. The Mazda3 offers all-wheel drive on both sedans and hatchbacks, letting you have the style you want and the capabilities you need. All-wheel drive is available on all body styles and trims except the base-level sedan.

4. Standard driver-assist features

2020 Mazda Mazda3 Review: Front Seats | CarMax

All 2020 models come standard with driver-assist features including lane-departure warning, smart braking, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring is standard on all trims except the base-level sedan. This means that when you're looking for the right 2020 Mazda3 for you, you'll be able to find great features all the way from the base model and up.

5. Available luxury touches

The 2020 Mazda3 has many standard features but offers even more luxury with optional upgrades. The sedan is available with leatherette-trimmed seats in the Select trim while leather-trimmed seats are available in the Premium trim for both sedans and hatchbacks. The Premium trim level also offers a moonroof in both body styles.

Similar vehicles

If you're interested in the 2020 Mazda Mazda3, you should also check out these similar vehicles from Previous generation years.

Image of Mazda Mazda6

The Mazda6 is a comfortable car that checks a lot of boxes. From 2018, there's an available turbocharged engine that offers 250 hp, making it a great option for road trips and long stints on the highway. But it's not just the engine options that make the Mazda6 a great car. Inside, you get a wealth a creature comforts, too. From 2018, there's Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, plus a center command control that allows you to access the features on the screen, with ergonomic controls placed within close reach. Since the cabin was designed around the driver, everything is exactly where you'd expect, so you can drive in comfort wherever the journey takes you.

All 2018-2019 Mazda6 Sport models include:

  • 17-inch alloy wheels

  • Dual-zone climate control

  • Rearview camera

  • Blind-spot monitoring

  • Bluetooth connectivity

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Ratings & reliability

Customer ratings

4.8 out of 5

9 customer reviews
4
Excellent

RepairPal gave the Mazda Mazda3 an overall reliability rating of 4 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Excellent. This rating ranks Mazda Mazda3 15th out of 46 among Compact Cars.

View RepairPal's full rating of the Mazda Mazda3

Mazda Mazda3 features and specs

Base 2WD 4D Hatchback

Standard Features

  • ABS Brakes
  • Air Conditioning
  • Alloy Wheels
  • AM/FM Stereo
  • Automated Cruise Control
  • Automatic Transmission
  • Auxiliary Audio Input
  • Blind Spot Monitor
  • Bluetooth Technology
  • Cloth Seats
  • Lane Departure Warning
  • Leatherette Seats
  • Overhead Airbags
  • Power Locks
  • Power Mirrors
  • Power Windows
  • Rear Defroster
  • Rear Spoiler
  • Rear View Camera
  • Side Airbags
  • Smart Key
  • Traction Control
  • Full Roof Rack
  • Navigation System
  • Remote Start

Drive Wheels

Front Wheel Drive (2WD)

Engine size

2.5L

Horsepower

186

Torque (ft-lbs)

186

Engine type

Gas

Fuel capacity

13.2

Wheelbase

107.3"

Overall length

175.6"

Width

70.7"

Height

56.7"

Leg room

F 42.3"/R 35.1"

Head room

F 38"/R 37.2"

Front tires

P215/45VR18

Rear tires

P215/45VR18

Seating capacity

5

Transmission

Automatic

2020 Mazda Mazda3 FAQ

More about the 2020 Mazda Mazda3

Color options

Exterior colors

  • Deep Crystal Blue Mica

  • Jet Black Mica

  • Machine Gray Metallic

  • Snowflake White Pearl

  • Sonic Silver Metallic

  • Soul Red Crystal Metallic

Interior details

  • Seating for five people

  • 13.2 cubic feet of cargo space in the sedan and 20.1 cubic feet in the hatchback

  • Standard seven-inch display screen and eight-speaker audio system

  • Leatherette or leather seats on all but the base sedan

  • Rear-seat armrest with cup holders on all but the base sedan

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