From its 3-row SUV to its 2-seat convertible, Mazda makes some of the most fun-to-drive, most stylish vehicles on the road. Less widely known is that the automaker also produces some of the finest interiors among mainstream brands. Let’s take a look inside the 2023 Mazda3 compact car, which starts at $22,550.
Materials and Design
Mazda has been quietly making some of the nicest mainstream interiors for the last half-decade or so, and the 2023 Mazda3 is no exception. Smart design and layout meet solid materials and fit for an impressive interior in base models, with quality plastics and cloths covering most surfaces. Opt for leather and goodies like a power moonroof, 12-speaker Bose audio, heated front seats, and 8-way power-adjust seating with memory, and the interior upgrades from impressive to nearly premium.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Mazda3 models for sale near you
The cabin’s look is clean and modern, with a simple, intuitive layout. The modestly sized 8.8-inch center display isn’t a touchscreen; instead there’s a rotary controller mounted between the driver and front passenger. This might seem like an odd choice, but the rotary controller is easy to get used to. There’s also a volume knob located close at hand in the center console, one of our favorite little touches.
Passenger Room and Comfort
Even though it’s a sporty, fun-to-drive car, the 2023 Mazda3 is also comfortable, from the suspension setup to the seats, especially in the front row. Both sedan and hatchback models share the same passenger space, with 35.1 inches of rear legroom putting the Mazda3 solidly in the middle of its class, a bit behind the Honda Civic and ahead of the Toyota Corolla, for example.
Cargo Room and Flexibility
If cargo room is a priority for your 2023 Mazda3, you’ll want to pick a hatchback model, which offers 20.1 cubic feet of space for gear behind the rear seats.
That’s a substantial increase over the Mazda3 sedan’s 13.2 cubic feet, even though the sedan’s trunk is about average for the segment. Fold down the rear seats and the hatchback’s 20.1 cubic feet of cargo space expands to 47 cubic feet.
Features and Tech
Every 2023 Mazda3 boasts radar-based adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, lane-keep assist and lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, plus an available in-car Wi-Fi hotspot, remote monitoring ability, and an 8.8-inch center display for the infotainment system with standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Push-button start, keyless entry, two front USB inputs, an 8-speaker audio system, and rain-sensing wipers are also on the standard features list. For as low as $22,550? That’s impressive.
Available upgrades include blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, dual-zone climate control, power moonroof, leather upholstery, heated front seats, 12-speaker Bose audio system, head-up display, and more.
More Mazda3
Build and price your own 2023 Mazda3 to see this week’s Fair Purchase Price, 5-Year Cost to Own, and more, or see Mazda3 models for sale near you.
