The automotive market is full of compact cars of all types. They design most of them for performance and fuel economy. But the 2021 Mazda3 plans to change things up a bit for its class. 

The newer version Mazda is rolling out will offer more than just performance and good fuel economy ratings. As Kelley Blue Book shows, it will also offer more luxuriousness than you’d ever expect with an affordable vehicle like the Mazda3.

What did Kelley Blue Book like about the new 2021 Mazda3?

While there are a few things that caught their eye, the one that made the most impact on their review was the luxuriousness of the cabin. Sporty sedans often have a few luxury items added to the car, but the Mazda3 takes it to a whole new level. 

Even the base model has had some luxury car touches. While you’ll still find cloth interior for the seats, you won’t find cheap materials used. What they installed looks expensive. The same goes for some of the higher trims with their leatherette material. 

Another feature you’ll find is the control button for the display system that’s mounted on the console. This is reminiscent of what BMW uses in its iDrive system. Even Audi uses something similar to it in their luxury car. 

Storage isn’t too bad with 13 cubic feet of space in the trunk unless you get the hatchback, which has 20 cubic feet to work with. You’ll have enough storage for your everyday needs. 

The drawbacks of the Mazda3

Kelley Blue Book only mentions a few problems that they had with the newer version of the Mazda3. The one that disappointed them the most was with the powertrain. If you’re in the market to get one of these sedans with a manual transmission, you’ll only find it with the Premium package for the hatchback version. 

Another issue found with this car is the blind spot you get with the C-pillars in the vehicle’s rear window. A driver’s view is excellent everywhere else in the car, but the pillars limit what you’re able to see when you look toward the back of the car because of their large size. 

Finally, the last issue mentioned has to do with the exterior styling, specifically with the hatchback. They felt the look of the iconic hatchback style was just too polarizing. It didn’t fit well with the rest of the exterior. 

What’s new for the 2021 model year?

Kelley Blue Book hasn’t always been too keen on the Mazda3. In previous years, they’ve voiced their opinions on the fact that there just wasn’t enough power, under the hood, to match any of its rivals. To their surprise, the 2021 model turned all that around for them. 

There’s a new engine option, that’s making all the difference in their opinion of the sedan. Kelley Blue Book is more than impressed with the 2.5-liter four-cylinder motor that’s standard on the Turbo model. This one gets 250 hp using 93 octane fuel. 

Other features include a newer 2.0-liter engine for the base Mazda3. This motor will get 155 hp with 150 lb-ft of torque. Fuel economy estimates aren’t available as of yet, but since the 2.5-liter, the non-turbo engine, can get 35 mpg with front-wheel-drive, the 2.0-liter shouldn’t be too far behind. 

The last thing that’s new for the 2021 model is the reassigning of features to the different trim levels. Some features on a few of them are no longer standard. Others gain items, like a powered sunroof which can now be found on the Preferred trim level. 

The 2021 Mazda3 will be a game-changer for compact cars in its class. Now their rivals will have to step up their game just to compete with the luxuriousness this car exudes.