I have always been fond of Mazda’s Kodo design language we first saw back in the early 2010s. The first-generation CX-5 and third-gen Mazda3 were among the first production vehicles to feature this new look, but they gained lots of praise not just for its looks, but driving dynamics and overall quality as well. With Mazda’s push to elevate themselves into the premium space, the 2025 Mazda3 GT Turbo—now in its seventh year of production—still punches above its weight and leaves a formidable impression.
Our week with the Mazda3 GT Turbo demonstrated just how much this volume seller has evolved from that a compact sedan “should” be. From offering solely normally aspirated engines and front-wheel-drive to our tester’s optional 2.5L turbo-four and all-wheel-drive, its come-up is nothing short of impressive considering Mazda is not as big as Honda or Toyota. Adding to the fact that it competes with the Civic and Corolla, the Mazda3 is a night-and-day difference by comparison—their chase for overall refinement in the compact segment really makes the Mazda3 feel much more expensive than it actually is.
That is made even more impressive now that the current-generation Mazda3 heads into its seventh model year—almost twice as long as the previous-generation car. It’s proof that simple and elegant exterior styling withstands the test of time and still looks fresh. Of the two body styles Mazda continues to offer, I’d still say the sedan is arguably more attractive compared to the Mazda3 Sport hatchback and its somewhat bulbous rear end. On this particular GT tester, the black exterior accents contrast nicely against the Ceramic metallic paint, but if I were to nitpick, the chrome upper window trim should’ve been blacked-out to match. Otherwise, the Mazda3 is well-executed and nicely proportioned.
Inside, our tester’s Garnet Red leather interior nicely executed, though there are strings attached—you can only get it on the GT, with the turbo engine, on certain colours. Oddly enough, although the hatchback has a black headliner, this top-trim sedan still has a beige headliner, giving the interior a three-tone look that detracts from the premium feel. Infotainment is Mazda’s familiar, landscape-style 10.25-inch display borrowed from models like the CX-70, with standard wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Though many people have gripes with the display not being a touchscreen while driving, the rotary dial on the centre console falls naturally where you rest your hand, and is very intuitive once you’re used to it.
In terms of comfort, the Mazda3 is smaller inside than the Corolla and Civic. Though front occupants will be able to settle in nicely, the rear is tight compared to the competition, with ingress and egress a slight challenge if you’re on the taller side. With 374 litres of cargo capacity, the Mazda3 has a smaller trunk than the Civic, but it’s about as roomy as the Corolla. Those who want more cargo capacity should consider the Mazda3 hatchback, though the sedan is still comfortable and roomy enough for most couples, small families, and empty-nesters.
Mazda’s holistic approach to building cars is apparent within the first hour of driving this tester. The way the seats support you, the soft detents of the turn signal and wiper stalks, the interaction with the steering wheel—it all makes for a natural driving experience. Although the Civic and Corolla have quicker-ratio steering racks, the deliberately slower steering ratio in the Mazda3 adds to the natural feel and doesn’t feel nervous on-centre. The car goes where you want it and it provides a good amount of feedback through the wheel.
Our tester’s turbocharged 2.5L four-cylinder engine with the six-speed automatic is a sublime pairing, even after all this time. With 227 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque on 87-octane fuel, the Mazda3’s available power from down low means the transmission doesn’t need to constantly downshift upon acceleration. Fill it with 93-octane gas, and those power figures jump to 250 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque. All-wheel-drive is standard with the turbo engine; our tester proved more than adequate and surprisingly playful in the snow, to the point where Subaru and Audi drivers gave this thing a second look and a thumbs-up.
One point of contention with the current Mazda3 is its rear suspension setup. No longer an independent multi-link arrangement, some might think the torsion beam is another sneaky way of cost-cutting. Fair, but as it turns out, a good chunk of third-gen Mazda3 owners complained about road noise, so Mazda concluded that a simpler, well-engineered torsion beam allowed them to achieve lower noise, vibration, and harshness targets, but also funnel some extra development money back into other areas of the car. The reality is, even if you drive a new, fourth-gen Mazda3 back-to-back with an older third-gen car, you will be hard-pressed to notice any meaningful differences. You may feel a difference pushing it on a long sweeper, but at city speeds—where most of these cars spend their time—most buyers will happily trade some of that near-limit composure for less noise and better refinement overall.
Pricing for the Mazda3 starts at $24,900 for the base GX trim. Add almost $10,000 to get into the GT trim, plus another $4,400 for the turbo engine and AWD, $300 for the Ceramic paint, and $250 for the red interior, and the as-tested price soars to $38,650 before any additional fees and taxes. Budget-minded consumers who want a no-frills yet solid-feeling vehicle will be more than happy with the base GX sedan. If AWD is a must-have, the cheapest entry point is the mid-trim GS sedan for a hair over $30,000. This top-level GT is for those who want a brisk drive and a luxurious feel without giving up the core driving engagement the Mazda3 offers.
The 2025 Mazda3 GT Turbo continues to prove that compact sedans can be more than just economical, but also engaging, well-executed, and well-built. It may not offer class-leading space, the most back seat space, the biggest trunk, or show-stopping tech, but the Mazda3 GT is for the person who appreciate thoughtful engineering and luxe touches without levelling up to an entry-level Audi, BMW, or Mercedes. If you want premium car feel without premium car gripes, the Mazda3 is still the one to beat.
