3 Dec 19th-Dec 25th, 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) 2025 MAZDA3 PREMIUM PLUS HATCHBACK: PRACTICALITY IN A TAILORED SUIT 2025 MAZDA3 PREMIUM PLUS HATCHBACK The 2025 Mazda3 The 2025 Mazda3 Premium Plus Hatchback Premium Plus Hatchback is proof that practical cars is proof that practical cars don’t have to look—or feel— don’t have to look—or feel— boring. With its sculpted boring. With its sculpted curves, sharp grille, and curves, sharp grille, and just the right amount of just the right amount of hatchback attitude, it’s like hatchback attitude, it’s like Mazda handed this thing a Mazda handed this thing a tux and told it to have fun. tux and told it to have fun. Under the hood, you’re still Under the hood, you’re still getting the reliable 2.5-liter getting the reliable 2.5-liter engine putting out 191 engine putting out 191 horsepower, which means horsepower, which means it’s quick enough to make it’s quick enough to make errands feel like a mini errands feel like a mini road rally. Whether you’re road rally. Whether you’re zipping through city streets zipping through city streets or hugging curves on a or hugging curves on a backroad, Mazda’s nimble backroad, Mazda’s nimble handling makes the drive handling makes the drive pure joy. pure joy. Step inside, and Mazda’s Step inside, and Mazda’s Premium Plus trim delivers a Premium Plus trim delivers a cabin that feels more luxury cabin that feels more luxury sedan than sporty hatch. sedan than sporty hatch. Leather-trimmed seats, Leather-trimmed seats, a head-up display, and a a head-up display, and a crystal-clear 12-speaker crystal-clear 12-speaker Bose sound system are just Bose sound system are just a few of the perks waiting for a few of the perks waiting for you. The interior is elegant, you. The interior is elegant, quiet, and so well-designed quiet, and so well-designed you’ll start wondering how you’ll start wondering how Mazda managed to pack so Mazda managed to pack so much upscale refinement much upscale refinement into something priced at into something priced at $38,720. Spoiler alert: $38,720. Spoiler alert: they’re just that good. they’re just that good. With the hatchback With the hatchback design, you also get the design, you also get the added bonus of cargo added bonus of cargo space that’s big enough space that’s big enough for road trips, spontaneous for road trips, spontaneous Costco binges, or that one Costco binges, or that one awkwardly large piece of awkwardly large piece of furniture you swore would furniture you swore would fit—and it will. The 2025 fit—and it will. The 2025 Comfort: Value: Fuel Economy: Looks: The Drive: Safety & Security: Overall: Sound System: Bells & Whistles:
