2022 Mazda3 Hatch AWD

What’s new for the 2022 Mazda3 sedan and Hatch? A few things, including the 2.5 S Carbon Edition and the New Platinum Quartz Metallic paint (we say more about that later). Starting price hails around $20,000, a reasonable sum we might add, with the prices of cars today. Our press Mazda3 Hatch came in at $34,705-enough. It appears this is a popular model and the Hatch is coming back among smart choices.

The 2022 Mazda3 Hatch does offer great handling, a quiet, smooth ride and with the Turbo, nice pickup. The interior is a tad boring, but materials are high decent and seating comfortable. Safety equipment is plentiful and the latest in safety and security features is standard. Our test model came with a heated steering wheel, paddle shifters, rear armrest with cupholders and cargo cover.

If you’re looking for a smart little sedan, the FWD sedan comes with a 2.0-liter engine, the base going for $20,000 plus destination. You can add another $950 and opt for the S trim version with the 2.5-liter engine. The hatchback-our tester-starts at $22,750. Still reasonable. If AWD is your cup of tea, and who wasn’t thinking about that with the recent snow levels, you’re looking at an S with Preferred treatment ($24,750). The hatchback models generally go for $1,000 more than the sedan. Aiming for the top of the line puts you into a Mazda3 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus sedan ($33,000), with AWD as standard. Opting for the hatchback version and piling on some options put you closer to $36,000. Still not bad when comparing.

By comparison, the 2022 Honda Civic starts out at $22,000, the Toyota Corolla closer to $20,000 and the Hyundai Elantra close behind. The Kia Forte begins around $19,000, as does the Subaru Impreza (AWD Standard). A favorite among this crowd, the VW Gold GTI Hatchback is closer to $30,000.

It seems at times that the Mazda products get lost in the maze of available vehicles. Perhaps because it has a smaller line of cars in the lineup. They haven’t missed yet with the ever-popular Miata convertible, but their other offerings may not be as well known among the average car buyer. Although, the last several models, several of them SUV offerings from Mazda have done well in the marketplace. By the same token, resale values may not equal Hyundai, Kia, VW, Subaru, Honda or Toyota products. But then, that fact isn’t something that bothers those who have their mind set on a particular vehicle.

The Mazda3 is available in hatchback and its stablemate, the sedan. The hatchback is eight inches shorter than the sedan. Both are a great little car to go anywhere and have been popular options among female drivers. Some may frown on the hatchback design as it can hinder over-the-shoulder spotting of others on the road or in your lane. Blind-spot monitoring is available as standard equipment in all trim levels except the least expensive version. At 14.6 feet long, the hatch is close to 8 inches shorter than the sedan.

Our 2022 Mazda3 Hatchback came in premium Polymetal Gray Matellic, a very popular shade available from several manufacturers, with their version. For those who want to dress up this little hatchback they can opt for other premium paint choices such as Snowflake White Pearl, and Soul Red Crystal Metallic, ranging from $395 to $599. A new paint choice for this year, the Platinum Quartz Metallic is available in all models except the base and new Carbon Edition. The Carbon Edition, however, comes exclusively in Polymetal Gray, teamed with gloss black side mirror and black 18-inch alloy wheels. More and more, the black wheels are calling my name, and look great.

The Mazda3’s most muscular engine is the 2.5-liter turbocharged engine. We would recommend spending a little more to get this extra treat. For a small hatchback, the Mazda3 acts grownup and moves out when needed. Providing a quiet, even ride, the turbo version doesn’t feel cheap. This Hatch is a fun car to drive and will provide more fun than just around town.
You won’t find many compact cars with all-wheel-drive. If you live in one of those high winter areas, you’ll be glad you’ve got the AWD to move this small hatchback out of tight spots.

The three versions available in the 2022 Mazda3 include:

2.0-liter inline-4
155 horsepower @ 5,000 rpm
150 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 28/36 mpg

2.5-liter inline-4
186 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
186 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 24/33 mpg (FWD hatch, manual), 26/35 mpg (FWD sedan, auto), 25/33 mpg (AWD sedan, auto), 26/34 mpg (FWD hatch, auto), 25/31 mpg (AWD hatch, auto)

2.5-liter turbocharged inline-4
227/250 horsepower @ 5,000 rpm (87 octane/93 octane)
310/320 lb-ft of torque @ 2,000/2,500 rpm (87 octane/93 octane)
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 23/32 mpg (sedan), 23/31 mpg (hatch)

The non-turbo engines use 87-octane gasoline.

In today’s auto world, there is no shortage of models or choices. One can find a vehicle to suit their driving pleasure, choose a design that calls their name and with a little know-how work with the dealer on getting a price that won’t break the bank. What is clear, however, is that today there is no “affordable” car. However, even those with a starting price of just around $20,000, buyers are buying an up-to-date, safe vehicle.

Remember the days-some of us do-when one ordered a car of their choice, item by item. It came with just what you ordered, no useless extras. Word has it, some of these old ways of providing a vehicle to the public may be coming back.

Our test 2022 Mazda3 Hatch comes with front air guards, Navigation, traffic sign recognition, Sirius, smart brake support, Rear cross traffic with braking, front airbag and black rear hatch spoiler.

SPECS