Our Thoughts Exactly: 2025 Mazda3

Let’s ask the question again: Mazda?

Before we talk about the 2025 Mazda3 2.5 S Carbon Edition sedan, we want to thank our YouTube viewers for making the 2025 Mazda CX-5 video our third most watched video we ever made. Not only that, it also earned over 10,000 views. 

These numbers pale in comparison to our other colleagues creating automotive video content. As an automotive media outlet, we would rather concentrate on delivering quality over quantity. To inform and tell stories than miss something completely or skew any context on the subject matter. 

We’re proud of what we’re accomplishing. That yields a workflow – that includes working with Mazda’s latest vehicles. And, owning one as our team car. 

So…the answer is Mazda. 

With that out of the way, the 2025 Mazda3 2.5 S Carbon Edition is the only way you can get the non-turbocharged Skyactiv-G engine with all-wheel drive. You can get this in either the sedan or hatchback. Nonetheless, this driveline promises the balance of traction and grip with efficiency. 

Quite the value proposition. Rather, a different Mazda3 than we usually work with. We lost count on how many turbocharged Mazda3s – both sedan and hatchback – we received towards publishing our thoughts exactly. 

Better still, we are reminded that this is almost the same driveline that powers our V&R Machine. 

Almost? We better explain. 

The difference is in the packaging. While the components appear to be the same, we are talking about a compact car – specifically, the sedan – and not an SUV. On the other hand, one could take these components and think they would work practically the same way as in a CX-5 or any Mazda SUV with this configuration. 

Another difference is in the power numbers. In the Mazda3, the naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder Skyactiv-G is uprated to 191 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. While the torque numbers match, the horsepower is raised by three ponies. 

The six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive systems are practically the same. They should yield the same results, despite the Mazda3 being lower to the ground. Specifying the 2.5 S Carbon Edition is a result of using this sedan as primarily a year-round vehicle for commuting, road trips, taking on all “scenic routes”…you name it. 

We’ll get into how it performed in a bit. 

This current generation is in its sixth model year and is still looking very contemporary. Not to mention, far from boring. There are no design tricks from this KODO – Soul of Motion style. The familiar shield grille, LED projector lamps, sloping roofline and rear deck are harmonious in design. The sedan just looks so cool. 

The Carbon Edition falls into line of the dark-finished aesthetic that is part and parcel of the automotive business these days. The only thing Mazda does not do is keep the chrome where it should be. Nothing else is “blacked out,” which gives the Mazda3 a nice upmarket look. The 18-inch alloy wheels are metallic black finished, by the way. 

Another telltale sign of the 2.5 S Carbon Edition model are the red leather seats and trimmings inside. The front seats offer plenty of support, even though there is some firmness. You can adjust for lumbar support, as well as for head and leg room. As long as you clear the moonroof, you’re good. Rear seat room is better for children and average sized adults. 

Yet, the Mazda3 is more of a driver’s car. The focus is really on the driver with a cockpit that engages and informs. Especially the instrument cluster, with its digital center dial area. You expect the rest of the controls to work logically, as they should on every Mazda. 

There are a couple of quibbles about the Mazda3. One, I wished the steering wheel was smaller in diameter with a thicker rim. The biggest one is the MazdaConnect infotainment screen and system. The screen itself is too far for competent use, and it’s not entirely touch capacitive. You have to use the large knob on the center console to scroll through the menus. There are other associated buttons and a volume/power knob at ready, as well. 

The trunk is very useful – and deep. With 13.2 cubic feet of space, it can swallow the rollator nicely with room to spare. You can also flip down the rear seatbacks for longer items. 

Performance-wise, it would be easier to tout the performance of the turbocharged engine. With fuel prices going which way but loose, your wallet may have a bigger voice than your heart. The non-turbo engine uses regular fuel and will turn better fuel economy. 

SIDE NOTE: We know the turbo Skyactiv-G engine can take regular fuel, as well as the recommended premium grade. We’ve had this argument before. Remember, we’re talking the non-turbo Skyactiv-G here for this Mazda3. Moving onward…

One thing is clear: Mazda makes sprightly engines. That also means sprightly drivelines. In the lighter Mazda3, it is very sprightly. You can feel it on passing maneuvers and going onto freeways. It is also felt on city streets. Six speeds are what you need from the automatic transmission. The company might not be using the advertising slogan “Zoom-Zoom” anymore, but that essence is still there. 

We talked about the Mazda3’s promise of efficiency. This driveline yielded a fuel economy average of 32.3 MPG with all-wheel drive. That’s fine with us. 

Every Mazda has a fun-to-drive nature that has been engineered to deliver. That not only is felt in the Mazda3’s chassis, but it how it presents itself. The body style is an invitation to have some fun. You look at it and it wants to play. Not a lot of vehicles can say that these days.

With that said, the ride quality was firm, but solid. It has great dampers managing plenty of road surfaces. None of which threaten to ruin the environment inside. Take it through the curves, and it does quite well. Mazda’s calling card is its handling and how well it takes what the universe will throw at it. 

Part of it comes from a good steering rack on the Mazda3. Even though the steering wheel is larger than it really should be, it does a fine job transmitting inputs down the wheels. The result is a tight turning radius. On-center feel was fine. The brakes felt good, as it turned in solid stops in normal and panic situations. Pedal feel was just right. 

The 2025 Mazda3 is offered in both the sedan and hatchback. In all, there are thirteen models to choose from. The 2.5 S Carbon Edition can be had in either body style. Pricing for the entire Mazda3 lineup starts from $24,150. Our 2.5 S Carbon Edition sedan tester came with a sticker price of $31,095.

It brings up a question: Sedan or hatchback? Of course, people wanting more practicality will get the hatchback. The Mazda3 hatchback has always been the bigger attraction. What if we told you that the sedan is more aesthetically pleasing?

In our humble opinion, the sedan is the better looking of the two. You lose the extra cargo space, but what if you do not need all of that space? Instead, you get a sweet looking sedan that is not aging a bit.

If you want a compact car and is an enthusiast, it is worth repeating that the Mazda3 is as good a choice to go with. From there, it is a matter drilling down which body style and trim to get. You are indeed spoiled for choice. 

Mazda? Mazda. 

DISCLAIMER: Vehicle provided by Mazda North American Operations – our opinions of our own

All photos by Randy Stern