2025 Mazda3 2.5 T Premium Plus

This little sophisticated hatchback will satisfy your need for speed while keeping you comfortable and looking your age. Just because your hair is growing gray, it doesn’t mean you can’t have fun. After spending a week with the Mazda3 Turbo, I am convinced that it could be the next mid-life crisis car for those in need of solid transportation with added kick of driving engagement.

Interior

Mazda completely revamped its design language over the past few years, which included a massive redesign of its vehicle’s interiors. Of course, the Mazda3 was no exception and the current version has a minimalist interior that looks chic and well-crafted. There are some hard plastics on the door panels, which is to be expected, but the rest of the interior is filled with soft-touch surfaces and leather upholstery.

The front seats are comfortable and power-adjustable, and there is plenty of leg and headroom up front. However, the rear seat area is a bit cramped. The two outboard seats are accommodating for tall passengers, but the middle seat is nearly useless in comparison. I’m only five-feet, eight-inches tall and my head hit the headliner when sitting in that seat. There is also a hump on the floor, so it lacks leg room as well.

Another issue is getting in and out of the car. I know I’m part of the older generation that I referred to, but I’m not that old. Regardless, let it be known that the Mazda3 sits pretty low, so ingress and egress can be tough for tall (or older) passengers. The rear door entry is also pretty awkward due to the opening’s shape. But once, you’re in, you’re in.

The Mazda3’s cargo space is pretty good, measuring in at 20.1 cubic feet, but it’s a little smaller than the Honda Civic’s 24.5 cubic feet. Regardless, it should be big enough to fit a couple carry-on suitcases back there.

Exterior

With its smooth curves and black 18-inch wheels, the Mazda3 has an elegant, but sporty look. Those wheels contrast well with the car’s Soul Red paint job, which is a beautiful color that really pops in the sunlight. I’m not a fan of red cars, but this is one that I could live with.

I have always felt that the C-pillar, towards the back of the car, looked weird. It makes the rear windows small and intrudes on the viewing space when you have to look back and check the blind spots on either side of the car. It’s still a good-looking car, nonetheless, and doesn’t look like a street racer like the Honda Civic Type R, so it could suit most people’s tastes. If not, the Mazda3 sedan could be a better fit.

Powertrain and Driving Impressions

Driving the Mazda3 Turbo is a fun, but sedate experience. What I mean is that you can drive it around town normally and it doesn’t feel like there’s a caffeinated cat underneath the hood begging you to go faster so it can spend all its energy. Instead, the Mazda3 feels smooth when driving around town as there is plenty of low-end torque. The six-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly and the paddle shifters behind the steering wheel give the driver a sense of control. However, they are a little slow to shift the gears.

The drive gets far more exciting when you hammer the throttle. The engine spins up to its redline quickly as the turbo boost kicks in. The turbocharged 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine lets out a growl that sounds more like a yeti on sleeping pills than a raucous four-cylinder engine, but it’s an exciting experience nonetheless. Especially considering that turbo power is enough to push your head back in the seat with its 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque.

As for fuel efficiency, well, that depends on how much you can keep your foot off the gas. It’s hard not to drive this car with a lead foot, but if you baby it, the EPA says you could get up to around 26 mpg combined. Apparently, I have a bit of a lead foot, because I averaged 2 mpg during my week with the car. Keep in mind that the car has an all-wheel-drive configuration, which zaps some of that fuel efficiency.

Power aside, the Mazda3 Turbo’s steering effort feel well-weighted and sporty. It’s throttle response is sharp and its brakes have a linear feel. There’s no denying that this is a driver’s car, but if you’re not into sporty driving, it can putt around town just fine. Also, if you’re not into the turbocharged nature of this trim level, I would suggest opting for one of the lower ones with the naturally aspirated engine instead.

Technology

My tester for the week was the top-trim Premium Plus model, so it came with all the bells and whistles in the technology department. That includes a 10.25-inch infotainment screen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a Bose premium 12-speaker audio system, and a wireless phone charging dock. It also has Alexa built-in, which allows you to check the weather, get directions, and connect to smart devices in your home, which is a nice touch.

My biggest gripe with every Mazda, including this one, is the rotary knob in the center console that controls the infotainment screen. It’s easy to use, but having to mess with a dial while driving to get through the infotainment menus is annoying and somewhat dangerous. The screen is touch-sensitive, but only when the vehicle is stopped or driving at lower speeds. I wish Mazda would just make it a touchscreen instead.

Safety

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the Mazda3 an overall crash rating of five stars, so you can rest assured that this little hatchback is safe. If safety ratings don’t mean much to you, you will be happy to know that the Mazda3 comes equipped with plenty of passive and active safety features.

In addition to its series of airbags, the Mazda3 also has a rear cross-traffic alert, a lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and a lane-keep assist. There are also parking sensors and a 360-degree camera, which helps a lot when parking.

Summary

My 2025 Mazda3 Turbo tester was priced at $38,865, including the destination charge. To be honest, it’s a bit pricey for what the car is. However, considering the car is turbocharged and all-wheel-drive, which makes it a good year-round car for those who live in snow states, it could be a fair price. Also, that price is cheaper than the Hyundai Elantra N and the Honda Civic Type R, so it could be worth it for the older generation who wants to relive their glory days without looking like a boy racer.