Mazda has several excellent models in its lineup, and the Mazda3 hatchback is one of the automaker’s best. This compact car comes in seven trim levels, making it tough to decide which Mazda3 hatchback trim is the best. Here’s an overview of the latest Mazda3, including the trims that experts recommend.

The 2023 Mazda3 comes in 7 trims

The 2023 Mazda3 base trim is the 2.5 S, starting at about $25,000. After that is the Select trim, starting at just over $26,000. It gets minor upgrades over the base trim, such as a dual-zone climate control system. Then there’s the Preferred, starting at about $28,000. It adds a few more luxury features, including heated front seats.

The Carbon Edition comes after that. Starting at just over $29,000, this trim mainly changes the car’s looks but also adds a 12-speaker Bose sound system. Then there’s the Premium trim, starting at around $30,000. It adds more upscale and high-tech features, including traffic sign recognition. 

The second-most-expensive 2023 Mazda3 trim is the 2.5 Turbo. It costs about $34,000, and as its name implies, it has a turbocharged engine. It produces up to 250 hp with high-octane fuel, according to Edmunds. Finally, there’s the 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus. It starts at about $36,500 and packs the same turbocharged engine but adds more features. For instance, it has a 360-degree camera system. 

Furthermore, the top four Mazda3 trims provide all-wheel drive as standard equipment or as an available option. They are the Carbon Edition, Premium, Turbo, and Turbo Premium Plus.

Experts disagree on which 2023 Mazda3 trim is the best

Because there are so many 2023 Mazda3 trim options, it’s not surprising that car critics and consumers disagree about which one is the best. According to Edmunds, the most popular trim is the Premium. That indicates most car shoppers aren’t interested in upgrading the Mazda3’s engine. The automotive experts at Edmunds have a similar logic, recommending the Select trim. 

The main reason why Edmunds chose that trim was because of its value. The standard Mazda3 is good in most areas, and the Select makes it better by adding attractive features such as synthetic leather upholstery and keyless entry. It also upgrades the car’s safety features, adding blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert systems. 

Other critics, such as the folks at Car and Driver, had a different view. They picked the Preferred trim because it has more standard features, including heated front seats. However, they weren’t fans of the Mazda3’s hatchback body style, saying its “bulbous backside compromises visibility.” So it also recommended the Mazda3 sedan instead of the hatchback. 

A general overview of the Mazda3

Regardless of the trim, the 2023 Mazda3 hatchback is a capable car that offers an attractive mix of features and specs on every trim. The standard engine is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder making 191 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque. All Mazda3 trims also come with the same infotainment system. It has an 8.8-inch screen with physical controls instead of a touchscreen.

On top of that, the 2023 Mazda3 has many safety features as standard equipment. They include forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. This hatchback also boasts a zippy ride, decent gas mileage of 29 mpg combined, and 20.1 cubic feet of cargo space.