In 2003, Mazda unveiled a particular performance variant of its Protegé MP3 and was known as the Mazdaspeed Protegé. As its name, Mazdaspeed was an in-house performance department within Mazda that can trace its roots back to the 1960s with various successful race cars and road cars.
Following the Protegé, the U.S. market eventually got modified versions of the Miata, Mazda6, and Mazda3. However, the last model year for the Mazdaspeed name came out over a decade ago. With that being said, this week's tester, the 2021 Mazda3 Turbo, brings forth a bit of that nostalgia. While it is by no means a Mazdaspeed, the Turbo variant serves up immense power in a comfortable daily-drivable package.
Subtle Additions Make The Mazda3 Turbo Stand Out
Even the most basic trim level of the Mazda3 line manages to distinguish itself amongst a crowd of entry-level sedans. As a result, when Mazda began adding additional components such as a small rear wing, an aggressive diffuser, and even a front lip, it allowed the Turbo model to truly stand ot.
The specific trim I tested was a hatchback model finished in Snowflake White Pearl with a red interior. However, on the outside, all of those elements mentioned above featured gloss black paint. One thing that won't come across in photos or video is how the paint finish shines.
In specific lighting scenarios, the white almost looks pearlescent. When you couple that with the gloss black accents, you get great visual contrast, resulting in a sporty aesthetic.
Between the hatchback and the sedan, the hatch is my pick. Its 18-inch gloss black wheels and rear wing distinguishes it more from a standard Mazda3 than the sedan does. As a result, it feels like a unique model. Even the taillights feature a three-dimensional design and depth that you'd have to pay attention to notice. As a result, the Mazda3 Turbo only gets better the closer you get to it.
GTI Levels Of Performance Without The Agility
When I imagine a fast hatchback, the first thing that comes to mind is the Volkswagen GTI. However, if you look at the VW and the Mazda3 Turbo on paper, the two look pretty similar. For starters, the Turbo features a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine pushing out 227 HP and 310 lb-ft of torque.
My particular tester featured the optional all-wheel-drive system and a standard six-speed automatic transmission. While a non-turbo Mazda3 is available with a manual transmission, the quicker model is not, something I did not find myself missing during my time with the Turbo. However, the transmission is one of the main points that shows the Turbo's true personality.
Given those horsepower figures, there is no denying that the Turbo is quick in a straight line. Even with the all-wheel-drive system, you can feel the surge of low-end torque shove you into higher speeds. However, if you reach for the paddle shifters, you'll be met with a transmission that values smoothness and comfort over outright speed. This is where I would say the Turbo and the GTI begin to differ.
The same feeling continues when you throw the Mazda3 into some sharp corners. While there's more than enough grip, you don't get the agility from the front end you'd expect from a hot hatch. The same goes for the suspension, which prioritizes comfort over outright performance.
The result was that I had to shift my perception midway through my time with the Turbo. The Turbo isn't meant to be a hot-hatch or a revival of the Mazdaspeed. Instead, the Turbo has a far more practical and welcomed purpose, to be a supremely powerful and comfortable daily driver.
A Luxury Interior At An Entry-Level Price
This feeling of comfort hits you immediately as you step into the Mazda3 Turbo. While the seats feature some slight bolstering, they are quite plush and work well with the softer suspension to create an excellent ride. One of the better aspects of the Mazda3 line is that you can get the same interior on a non-turbo model, saving you extra cash if you don't want the outright speed.
In front of the driver, you get a semi-digital instrument cluster right below a high-quality heads-up display. One of my favorite aspects of the instrument cluster is that it'll show you when other cars are getting close to you on the road. Combine that with the blind-spot monitoring system, and it's straightforward to place this car on the road safely.
The dashboard features the same red leather you'll find in the seats, although there is a great amount of contrasting black leather to create a sleek yet luxurious aesthetic. Your infotainment system lives on an 8.8-inch screen at the top of the dash, controlled by a rotary dial in the center.
Mazda's infotainment system has taken a massive leap forward in recent years, especially in layout and design. The previous software found in the CX-5 and Mazda6 was quite cumbersome and challenging to navigate.
Aside from tech and outright materials it is worth mentioning that the Mazda3's sound isolation is probably the best in the segment. On normal roads, the cabin remains whisper-quiet and supremely comfortable.
Is The Mazda3 Turbo A True Hot Hatch?
In short, no, but I'm delighted that it's not. When the Turbo first arrived at my doorstep, I imagined it would be a slight nod to the Mazdaspeed brand or even a competitor to the GTI. However, what I got instead was a supremely comfortable daily driver with enough power to go faster than you would ever need to on your way to work.
However, the most impressive thing was the fact that Mazda didn't stiffen this car up with the purpose of sportiness. As a result, you don't have to sacrifice comfort to have the power. For the $36,290 as-tested price, the Turbo is far from cheap. However, if you don't need the power and want a high-quality daily driver, you can get a non-turbo Premium trim starting at $28,000 and be equally as happy.