If you’re interested in the Mazda3 Turbo, there are a few things you need to know. Check out what we learned during or week with the 2022 Mazda3 Turbo sedan. This tiny car is better equipped to tackle city life and countryside adventures than you think. 

Is the 2022 Mazda3 Turbo worth buying? 

Yes, the 2022 Mazda3 Turbo is an excellent option to consider. We had a fantastic week with the Mazda3 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus and enjoyed learning everything about it. As a compact car that’s far from average, it checks off tons of boxes. 

It’s affordable, comfortable, engaging, powerful, and looks great. But not everything is perfect. So, if you’re in the market for a new car, keep the following information in mind. 

1. The Mazda3 has adequate climate controls. 

We’re in that time of year in North Carolina, where it feels like spring in the morning, summer in the afternoon, and winter at night. Seriously, it might be in the 70s tomorrow, or it could snow. Therefore we tested the 2022 Mazda3 Turbo in a variety of conditions. 

When temperatures were warm, the car seemed to take a while to cool off. It has dual-automatic climate control but seemed a little weak. The air from the vents felt moderately cool instead of nice and chilly. 

The Premium Plus model has a heated steering wheel and heated front seats. However, they felt mildly warm. On cold evenings the seat warmers failed to make things nice and toasty. But it was better than not having heated seats. 

2. The 2.5 Turbo is extremely fun 

Upgrading to the turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine is worth every penny. The engine provides a stout acceleration with smooth transmission shifts as you get up to speed. It can be slow to downshift, though. It can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 5.9 seconds. 

The 2022 Mazda3 Turbo has responsive handling and corners well. It feels stable and confident with limited body roll and doesn’t fishtail around curves. The brakes provide ample stopping power without feeling grabby. 

You can kick things up a notch with the optional steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters. They place more control right at your fingertips. Plus, the Sport Mode adjusts the acceleration and power for even more excitement. 

3. The Mazda3 has a premium interior 

One of the standout features of the 2022 Mazda3 Turbo involves the high-quality interior. Multiple people took a look inside only to say, “Wow, that looks really nice.” Leather seats and soft-touch surfaces are reserved for higher trim levels, though. 

Edmunds agrees that the interior has a simple layout design that’s functional and attractive. The controls are easy to reach, and the tech is intuitive. Opting for the sunroof provides more natural light, but the small rear window can limit visibility. 

The 8.0-inch infotainment system is controlled with a rotary dial. Plus, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard. The head-up display provides crucial driving information and has traffic sign recognition. 

4. The fuel economy is pretty good 

The 2022 Mazda3 2.5 Turbo gets an EPA-estimated 23 mpg in the city and up to 32 mpg on the highway. We averaged about 26.8 mpg on flat country roads, curvy mountain inclines, and tight city areas. 

We expected that the standard AWD might hurt its figures due to making the car heavier, but it was fine. Also, primarily having fun in Sport Mode could have reduced the fuel economy a little. It may not have the best fuel economy, but it’s better than expected. 

5. Passenger space is limited 

The 2022 Mazda3 Turbo has a tight backseat. Two adults can fit back there, but they may want a little more legroom. But at least the seats in the rear are plush and supportive. Taller folks should have plenty of headspace. 

Also, the trunk is shockingly massive. It’s wide and deep, with 13.2 cubic feet of cargo space. This amount is slightly behind the class average, though. The hatchback provides up to 20.1 cubic feet of cargo space. 

Overall, the Mazda3 Turbo is a well-rounded, comfortable option that’s convenient and engaging. Stay tuned for our full-length review.