Mazda3 – Front
Plusses: The 184 hp, SKYACTIV-G 2.5L 4-cylinder engine (and its SKYACTIV-Drive 6-speed automatic transmission) is perfectly mated to the Mazda3; power comes on smoothly and efficiently. It feels just right (and so do the disc brakes). The exterior styling looks good; the interior is comfortable (the materials, including the leather seats are very nice), the controls/gauges are well laid out (Consumer and Car Exam especially likes the head-up display), great interior room, great fuel economy (27 city/37 highway mpg), and oodles of safety features are included.
Mazda3 – front seats
Mazda3 – rear seats
Minuses: Other than the obligatory rear, over-the-shoulder blind spot that most hatchbacks have these days, there isn’t much to complain about the Mazda3 5-door.
Mazda3
Final Grade: a strong “A+” from The Car Exam. The 2015 Mazda3 5-Door is a home run–there is a lot to like about this offering from Mazda, and it’s one of the best cars The Car Exam has tested. Great job, Mazda!
Mazda3
The Car Exam 