Mazda Revises the 3 Sedan and Hatch for 2024

Matthew Guy
by Matthew Guy

Despite being on the market for a few years, the Mazda 3 remains high on our list of recommendations whenever someone asks for advice on affordable compact cars. For the 2024 model year, Mazda has gifted it a handful of updates.


Headlining changes is the new availability of a 10.25-inch infotainment display, one which packs the likes of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. While more than a few of our readers – and writers, if we’re honest – are content to take their so-called infotainment in the form of a single-DIN tape deck, wide swaths of the buying public demand these types of IMAX screens no matter the vehicle segment. Mazda is only too happy to oblige, fitting the billboard as standard on all turbocharged models. Others make do with the old 8.8-inch tablet.


Speaking of, you may recall the post from a few days ago about the 3’s new Carbon Turbo trim, a package that bundles together a unique color combo pairing Zircon Sand metallic paint with a black interior that utilizes exclusive terracotta leatherette along with red contrast stitching. Seems the brand’s expressed intent of taking the place uptown is spreading to the little 3 as well.


In all, there will be a dozen different variants across sedan and hatchback body styles this year, ranging from the $24,170 front-drive sedan to the $36,650 turbocharged all-wheel drive Premium Plus hatchback. We maintain that the trim level sounds suspiciously like a soup cracker. In case you’ve blanked on the details, non-turbo trims get a 2.5L engine good for 191 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque. This sum shows up for duty on regular fuel.


Flipping to the turbo, that mill is also a 2.5L, though it delivers 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque when fed a steady diet of premium 93 octane oats. Cheap out with regular 87 octane fuel reduces the turbo engine to 227 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. We don’t know about you but if we paid for the 250 ponies, we’ll be making sure to use all of ‘em.


For the 2024 model year, hatchback models will arrive at dealerships this summer followed by sedan models a couple of months later.


[Image: Mazda]


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Matthew Guy
Matthew Guy

Matthew buys, sells, fixes, & races cars. As a human index of auto & auction knowledge, he is fond of making money and offering loud opinions.

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  • Corey Lewis Corey Lewis on Jun 15, 2023

    These are overdue for a visual overhaul about now but they're playing with screen sizes and black trim.


    Needs the turbo engine if paired with AWD, the regular engine is adequate for FWD usage. Nobody should buy the hatch with its poor visibility and inconvenient shape.

  • Gabe Gabe on Jun 18, 2023

    Maybe for 2024 Mazda 3 sedans can actually be available at dealers. Last I checked there was only one within a 250 mile radius among dozens of dealers.

  • MaintenanceCosts If I were shopping in this segment it would be for one of two reasons, each of which would drive a specific answer.Door 1: I all of a sudden have both a megacommute and a big salary cut and need to absolutely minimize TCO. Answer: base Corolla Hybrid. (Although in this scenario the cheapest thing would probably be to keep our already-paid-for Bolt and somehow live with one car.)Door 2: I need to use my toy car to commute, because we move somewhere where I can't do it on the bike, and don't want to rely on an old BMW every morning or pay the ensuing maintenance costs™. Answer: Civic Si. (Although if this scenario really happened to me it would probably be an up-trimmed Civic Si, aka a base manual Acura Integra.)
  • El scotto Mobile homes are built using a great deal of industrial grade glues. As a former trailer-lord I know they can out gas for years. Mobile homes and leased Kias/Sentras may be responsible for some of the responses in here.
  • El scotto Bah to all the worrywarts. A perfect used car for a young lady living near the ocean. "Atlantic Avenue" and "twisty's" are rarely used in the same sentence. Better than the Jeep she really wants.
  • 3-On-The-Tree I’ll take a naturally aspirated car because turbos are potential maintenance headaches. Expensive to fix and extra wear, heat, pressure on the engine. Currently have a 2010 Corolla and it is easy to work on, just changed the alternator an it didn’t require any special tools an lots of room.
  • El scotto Corolla for its third-world reliability.
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