For the 2022 model year, Mazda’s well-liked Mazda3 compact car won’t change much. The 3 is getting a small price bump to reflect changing costs and a new Carbon Edition with dark, stylish accents.
Mazda has been busy revamping its SUV lineup, introducing adventure-oriented models like the CX-50 alongside road-hugging SUVs like the CX-5. With Americans buying fewer sedans, Mazda’s lineup of sharp-handling cars is set to shrink. The Mazda6 has been discontinued, leaving the Mazda3 to carry the brand’s reputation for sporty family cars on its own.
The Mazda3 has slipped to seventh in our list of the Best Small Cars. It remains a critical favorite for its crisp handling but can be more expensive than competitors, and not everyone likes the styling of its hatchback model.
Sedan and Hatchback Body Styles Continue
The Mazda3 stays largely the same in 2022. It’s still offered as both a sedan and a hatchback. Every trim level sees a modest price increase, between $100 and $500. The destination fee goes up by just $20 – likely due to a truck driver shortage and spiking diesel prices.
Under the hood of the entry-level edition, you’ll find a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine making 155 horsepower. A more powerful 2.5-liter 4-cylinder making 186 horsepower is available at higher trims. Both send power to the front wheels through a 6-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is optional.
Mazda’s i-Activsense driver aid suite is standard at every trim level. It includes adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assist, and automatic high beam control.
The new Carbon Edition slots neatly in the middle of the range at $26,400 in sedan form and $27,400 as a hatchback. It comes in a sharp Polymetal Gray exterior paint with 18-inch wheels and mirror caps painted gloss black. Inside, red leather upholstery and a 12-speaker Bose sound system set it apart.
Pricing:
Mazda also requires $1,015 for destination and handling in 49 states ($1,060 in Alaska).
| Model | Sedan | Hatchback |
| Mazda 3 2.0 | $20,800 | Not Available |
| Mazda3 2.5 S | $21,750 | $22,750 |
| Mazda3 2.5 S Select Package | $23,100 | $24,100 |
| Mazda3 2.5 S Preferred Package | $24,750 FWD | $25,750 FWD |
| $26,150 AWD | $27,150 AWD | |
| Mazda3 2.5 S Carbon Edition | $26,400 | $27,400 |
| Mazda3 2.5 S Premium Package (6MT) | Not Available | $28,350 |
| Mazda3 2.5 S Premium Package | $27,350 FWD | $28,350 FWD |
| $28,750 AWD | $29,750 AWD | |
| Mazda3 2.5 Turbo | $30,550 | $31,550 |
| Mazda3 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus | $33,100 | $34,400 |
Class of 2022: All the New and Redesigned Cars, Trucks, and SUVs
