Quick Take: 2021 Mazda3 Turbo Hatchback
Earlier this week we found ourselves in the driver’s seat of the all-wheel-drive hatchback version of the Mazda3 2.5 Turbo during the Western Automotive Journalists’ Media Days event in Half Moon Bay. The Mazda3 has become a much more upscale vehicle in recent times, offering equipment once only available in cars more than double the price. With a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine making up to 250 horsepower, we were interested to see what the more powerful version of the Mazda3 would be like and we weren’t disappointed in the least.
The Mazda3 2.5 Turbo we drove had the Premium Plus Package, which adds a black rear roof spoiler, black front air dam, navigation, a 360-degree view monitor when parking, and perforated leather seats. Other features included radar cruise control with stop-and-go capability, blind spot monitoring, power lumbar support for the driver’s seat, LED headlights, moonroof, a 12-speaker Bose audio system, a heads-up display, and 18-inch black alloy wheels. All of these features and the premium interior made the cabin of the Mazda3 hatchback a nice place to be, even in heavy traffic.
While driving down Highway 1 and on the sinuous back roads, the Mazda3 had the spot on steering feel and suspension tuning that Mazda’s vehicles are known for. Handling was also helped by the i-ACTIV all-wheel-drive system that helped the Mazda3 stick to the pavement when things became windy. Even on rough roads the ride was restful and didn’t have us pining for something else. The 6-speed automatic transmission (which all AWD-equipped cars come with) was very accurate under exuberant conditions in its sport mode and did an excellent job coming out of slow corners thanks to the more powerful engine.
In the end, it should be important to note that the Mazda3 2.5 Turbo is not a typical hatchback. As most hatchback shoppers are looking for practicality, they forget about the dollop of fun and stylish nature which cars should have, something which the Mazda3 provides in spades. We were delighted by our time with the Mazda3 2.5 Turbo hatch and we think compact car shoppers will be too as soon as they get onto a scenic, serpentine road.
