All-wheel drive (AWD) is equally revered by people who commute in inclement weather and those who love performance cars. Audi made a name for itself with its Quattro AWD performance cars. Subaru has a diverse fan base comprised of people who follow rally racing and individuals in the Midwest trying to get home on a Tuesday in March when the forecast calls for warm weather and snow. More and more people seek all-wheel drive cars for these reasons. That’s why it’s not surprising that one of the more frequently asked questions about the 2023 Mazda3 is, does it have all-wheel drive?  

Which 2023 Mazda3 comes with all-wheel drive? 

According to Mazda, all-wheel drive is unavailable on the 2.5 S base model, the 2.5 S Select, and the 2.5 S Preferred. It is available on the following 2023 Mazda3 trims as standard equipment or as an option: 

• Mazda3 2.5 S Carbon Edition
• Mazda3 2.5 S Premium
• Mazda3 2.5 Turbo
• Mazda3 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus

These Mazda3 models offer all-wheel drive and plenty of features

Several Mazda3 models can be had with all-wheel drive. Take, for instance, the Carbon Edition. This package includes optional all-wheel drive and is available for both sedan and hatchback models. It’s also equipped with many sought-after features, including red leather, a Bose 12-speaker premium audio, black finish 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels, and gloss black-heated door mirrors.

And if the Mazda3 Carbon Edition isn’t your style? The Mazd3 2.5 S Premium package comes standard with all-wheel drive. Other features include 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels, LED headlights and taillights, and an optional six-speed manual transmission. Inside, the Premium package is equipped with the Bose 12-speaker stereo, navigation, Mazda’s Active Driving Display, and leather upholstery.  

On the other hand, the Mazda 3 2.5 Turbo is powered by a 2.5-liter turbo four-cylinder engine delivering 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque. It shares the same equipment as the 2.5 S Premium, including standard all-wheel drive. These models also get a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel with paddle shifters and additional paint and trim color options. 

A fully-loaded Mazda3 gets you a car with standard AWD

The top-of-the-line Turbo Premium Plus gets all-wheel drive, along with all of the bells and whistles of the Premium package. It also benefits from additional driver assist and safety features. This includes Mazda’s Rear Direction Base Safety, with both Smart Brake Support-Reverse and Rear Cross-Traffic Braking. 

Other upgrades include Traffic Jam Assist, 360° View Monitor with front and rear parking sensors, Homelink, and Mazda’s Navigation System with Active Driving Display and Traffic Sign Recognition.

Can I get a 2023 Mazda 3 hatchback with all-wheel drive?

The 2023 Mazda 3 hatchback is available with all-wheel drive on every trim package, but the 2.5 S base model, 2.5 S Select, and 2.5 S Preferred. It is standard equipment on all Turbo models, including the 2.5 Turbo and Turbo Premium Plus. 

Is it worth buying an all-wheel drive Mazda 3? 

Car & Driver says, “Mazda’s compact sedan and hatchback look sharp, feel upscale, and are lovely to drive, traits that make the 3 special in the world of small cars.” Kelly Blue Book concurs, adding, “this is one of the most enjoyable cars in its class… That’s not just from a driving perspective, even though the 2023 Mazda3 excels in this respect. Other attributes include a high-quality cabin, superb ergonomics, and attractive designs.”

If you’re looking for a fun, engaging small car with lots of features and all-wheel drive, the Mazda3 is an excellent choice.