2020 Mazda3 Pros vs Cons

The 2020 Mazda3 can be a smart car to buy. It can come in either a sedan or hatchback form, and it checks off a lot of boxes for people looking for compact sedans that feel more expensive than they actually are. The car comes with many high-tech features in addition to having a solid engine with good responsiveness. It can come in either AWD or FWD, depending on whether drivers think they'll be traveling in adverse conditions. There are many reasons to buy the Mazda3 this year, but there are a few drawbacks as well.

What's New for 2020?

For 2020, Mazda has kept things fairly consistent with the previous model year. One of the biggest changes is that all models will now get i-Activsense driver-assist features, which previously were only available on the hatchbacks and higher sedan trims. This means that even the base model will have blind-spot monitoring and other driver-assist features that keep the car in the right position.

Having several standard driver-assist features makes a big difference when comparing the Mazda to other affordable sedans in the market. Many of those other vehicles have base models that only have limited advantages in this regard.

Ten Reasons You May Like the 2020 Mazda3 – The Pros

1. Gets Good Mileage

These days, many people are mindful of their gas consumption because of environmental and/or financial reasons. These consumers are often looking only for vehicles that can get at least 30 miles per gallon. The good news is that the 2020 Mazda3 does well in this field, getting up to an estimated 26/35 (city/highway) miles per gallon. With AWD models, this only drops to 25/33 mpg. The engine that powers everything efficiently is a SKYACTIV-G 2.5L model, which has four cylinders, 16 valves, and variable valve timing.

2. It Handles Itself Like a Sports Car

The Mazda3 comes with SKYACTIV-VEHICLE DYNAMICS technology. This features G-Vecotring Control, a system that gives drivers a smooth ride. The handling is excellent whether the car is zooming down the highway, taking tight corners, or navigating around city streets. The system improves its performance by adjusting power delivery and shifting weight when necessary, and the best thing is that the driver doesn't have to do anything but steer and adjust speed as he or she is accustomed to doing.

3. Lighting Things Up With LEDs

While standard exterior lights can certainly get the job done, there's no question that LED lights are more modern and sleek. They also light up instantly and do a great job of illuminating dark roads. Even the basic model of the Mazda 3 comes with LED headlights, LED daytime running lights, and LED combination taillights. The result is an exterior that looks like it's ready for the future and is on par with the lighting package found on many luxury sedans. When equipped with the Preferred Package, the Mazda3 comes with signature LED headlights and taillights that have a distinct style.

4. Easy and Convenient Entry and Start-Up

Drivers and passengers can advantage of the car's remote keyless entry system. This eliminates the need for fumbling with keys, and it's very handy when the weather isn't so great. Also, all of the Mazda3s come with a push-button start. Keys can stay safely tucked away in a compartment while the driver simply touches a button to start things up. An advanced keyless entry system is included on higher trims, and it lets drivers remotely open up the trunk in addition to unlocking doors.

5. Information Displayed on a Large Center Screen

The center screen on the 2020 Mazda3 measures an impressive 8.8 inches across. It's slightly angled towards the driver to help him or her maintain focus on the road. A knob is used to control the system, and that knob has been strategically placed in the center console so drivers don't have to reach as far as they would with a touchscreen. The result of this configuration is a safe, easy-to-use, and versatile infotainment system that eliminates distractions.

On higher trims, a head-up display is included. This lets the driver easily see information regarding vehicle performance as the car is in motion. The "screen" is actually a portion of the windshield itself, and the information is projected in full color into a position that's directly in front of the steering wheel.

6. Ready for Different Media Platforms

In a 2020 Mazda3, people can listen to their previously downloaded songs or traditional AM/FM radio. They can also listen to Pandora or HD radio. Higher trims come with the ability to play SiriuxSM Satellite Radio. On those higher trims, the audio system is bumped up to a Bose 12-speaker layout with Centerpoint 2 and AudioPilot 2 for an enhanced listening experience.

7. Stay Connected with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

With the exception of the base model, the 2020 Mazda3 comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. So many of today's consumers are driven by technology when making purchasing choices, so this can be seen as a big advantage. It allows for seamless integration and intuitive controls for making phone calls, sending and receiving text messages, and accessing data stored on a smartphone.

8. A Luxurious Cabin

The 2020 Mazda3 feels like a high-end car. On the base model, there are cloth-trimmed sport seats, adjustable head rests, and power locks and windows in addition to various storage compartments. By upgrading just one level, drivers get to have leatherette-trimmed sport seats, a dual-zone climate control system, and leather-wrapped steering wheels. The higher trims come with heated front seats and leather-trimmed sport seats to add to the premium atmosphere.

9. Eyes on the Back

With a standard rearview camera, the 2020 Mazda3 helps drivers stay aware of what's behind them. This is an important feature, especially given that children and animals can run behind a car at any time. The camera automatically turns on when the car is in reverse gear, such as when someone is backing up out of a parking spot.

10. A Suite of Safety Features

All of the 2020 Mazda3 models come with an array of driver-assist features. Driver Attention Alert keeps people focused, and Lane Departure Warning and Lane-Keep Assist work to prevent accidents that could occur from drifting into other lanes. Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Stop & Go is an advanced system that lets the car keep proper distancing with other vehicles, even in busy traffic conditions. The Select Package and higher trims also come with Blind-Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross Traffic Alert.

Reasons You May Not Like the 2020 Mazda3 – The Cons

1. Limited Cargo Room

The car has 13.2 cubic feet of space in the trunk. While this may be enough for daily errands, it might be tight for those who are packing for long road trips. The hatchback version expands the dedicated cargo room to 20.1 cubic feet. In either configuration of the 2020 Mazda3, there's the option to lower one or both sides of the 60/40 rear bench, giving the sedan a maximum cargo area of 20.1 cubic feet and the hatchback a maximum cargo area of 47.1 cubic feet.

2. Cramped Back Seat

Taller riders might not be very comfortable in the 2020 Mazda3. Leg room in the back is 35.1 inches. Second-row headroom is 37.3 inches in the sedan and 37.2 inches in the hatchback. This amount of space is likely fine for children and smaller teens, but over time, an adult rider could start feeling like he or she can't get in a comfortable position.

3. Offering Only One Engine

Several sedans in the market come with at least two engine options. This gives customers a choice of whether to choose the basic version or a more sporty, aggressive model. With this Mazda, there's only one engine offered: a 2.5L. It comes with 186 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque.

4. No All-Wheel Drive on the Basic Trim

If someone is looking for the base model of the 2020 Mazda3 but also wants AWD, this configuration isn't available. AWD is only offered with the Select, Preferred, and Premium Packages.

How It Stacks Up to the Competition:

The Mazda3 feels more sporty and stylish than the base models of the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla. It's also packed with technological features that are are related to both the infotainment and safety systems. It's a car that makes sense for drivers who don't necessarily want to fork over the money for the higher-end trims of the Civic or Corolla but still want all the benefits.

Conclusion

The 2020 Mazda3 is not only a practical car to drive around town, but it's also a vehicle that's fun to ride in. It has dynamic handling and responsiveness with its 2.5L engine, which gets fairly good mileage. Plus, it comes standard with many higher-end features that make it feel like much more than a budget-friendly car. The trim levels and available upgrades aren't unnecessarily complicated like they are with some other brands, giving customers an easy choice of whether they want a base model or something more advanced in terms of comfort, convenience, and technology.