27 Jan 4th–Jan 10th, 2024 phoenixnewtimes.com PHOENIX NEW TIMES | NEWS | FEATURE | FOOD & DRINK | ARTS & CULTURE | MUSIC | CONCERTS | CANNABIS | Questions? Feedback? Email me at [email protected] • Follow me on RATING (out of 5 McFly’s) THE FULL PACKAGE: 2024 MAZDA3 PREMIUM PLUS HATCHBACK 2024 MAZDA3 PREMIUM PLUS HATCHBACK M azda’s marketing team azda’s marketing team could use a refresh or could use a refresh or a little extra budget to a little extra budget to help elevate the brand from help elevate the brand from forgettable to feasible. In the forgettable to feasible. In the decades since Clutch began decades since Clutch began driving, there have been few driving, there have been few Mazda fans that have entered Mazda fans that have entered my orbit. Now we all know the my orbit. Now we all know the Miata club fans and there are Miata club fans and there are definitely some racing fanatics definitely some racing fanatics that love Mazda but for the that love Mazda but for the everyday schmoe like Clutch, everyday schmoe like Clutch, Mazda isn’t even on our Mazda isn’t even on our radar. Well, unjam the radar radar. Well, unjam the radar Spaceballs cuz the Mazda3 Spaceballs cuz the Mazda3 Premium Plus Hatchback has Premium Plus Hatchback has entered the atmosphere. entered the atmosphere. Let’s start with the exterior. Let’s start with the exterior. The sides and doors are The sides and doors are smooth with a tough and sporty smooth with a tough and sporty looking front end and its gloss looking front end and its gloss black front grill with air dam and black front grill with air dam and air guides to help performance. air guides to help performance. The 18” black alloy wheels, The 18” black alloy wheels, black hatch spoiler along with black hatch spoiler along with the Machine Grey Metallic paint the Machine Grey Metallic paint really help give the Mazda3 really help give the Mazda3 Hatchback a street sport style Hatchback a street sport style while also elevating the look for while also elevating the look for quality. quality. There is ample cargo There is ample cargo room with the hatch plus you room with the hatch plus you can easily fold down the rear can easily fold down the rear seats to give you as much seats to give you as much hauling volume as a small hauling volume as a small SUV. The red leather interior, SUV. The red leather interior, plush leather heated seats plush leather heated seats and overall material quality and overall material quality make you feel like you entered make you feel like you entered a luxury sedan. There are a luxury sedan. There are incredible safety features, air incredible safety features, air bags galore, blindspot and bags galore, blindspot and driver assist along with iActive driver assist along with iActive all wheel drive to keep the all wheel drive to keep the wheels which distributes power wheels which distributes power to the wheels with the most to the wheels with the most grip to help with traction in all grip to help with traction in all weather conditions. weather conditions. The turbocharged 2.5-liter The turbocharged 2.5-liter engine delivers a solid 227 engine delivers a solid 227 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque which, given the smaller torque which, given the smaller size of the Mazda3 is ample size of the Mazda3 is ample power to whip around. The power to whip around. The 23/31 MPG is solid and you 23/31 MPG is solid and you can always opt for a lower can always opt for a lower trim without the turbocharge trim without the turbocharge to improve those numbers. If to improve those numbers. If you’re scoping out the well you’re scoping out the well rounded Mazda3, you may rounded Mazda3, you may also be checking out the also be checking out the Volkswagen GTI, Veloster or Volkswagen GTI, Veloster or Civic Type R. With the Mazda3 Civic Type R. With the Mazda3 Premium Plus Hatchback Premium Plus Hatchback coming in priced at $38,410, coming in priced at $38,410, you’ll be hard pressed to find you’ll be hard pressed to find better overall value, style, better overall value, style, performance and safety all performance and safety all wrapped into one. wrapped into one. Comfort: Value: Fuel Economy: Looks: The Drive: Safety & Security: Overall: Sound System: Bells & Whistles:
