2025 Mazda3 GT Turbo Sedan
Price: $38,650 CAD
Colour: Ceramic Metallic
The Mazda3 is officially an elder statesman in the automotive world. It’s been around for 20 plus years and while it doesn’t sell like it used to, we still like them. We like them so much in fact that Mazda still kindly makes a Mazda3 for everyone. From hatchbacks to sedans or mouth breathers to turbos and front wheel drive or all wheel drive, whatever your fix the 3 can give it to you. You can even get one in a manual. The 2025 Mazda3 GT Turbo Sedan is a fabulous example of the breed as it encompasses all the things we love about the 3 and wraps it all up in a good-looking package that delivers a driving experience like few others.
Power & Performance
Mazda offers the 3 with two power plant choices. They’re both 2.5L 4-cylinders, you simply need to decide if you want a turbo or not. I’m sure for some people there’s a choice here, but for this guy it’s an automatic tick in the turbo box. You get 227 hp and 310 lb/ft of torque with the turbo (or 250 hp and 320 lb/ft of torque if you pop for 93 octane as opposed to 87). Put this power through the AWD system you can also opt for and it’s a supreme driving experience. When you get aggressive with the power pedal the car squats and shimmies before it spools up and launches itself forward. The AWD keeps everything under control as you do this so it’s not only fun but safe even on days of torrential downpour.
Mated to this fun house engine is an old fashioned, simple as soup 6-speed automatic gearbox. No CVT, DCT or other irritating acronym I struggle to remember. It’s just an auto and it’s great. It handles the power well, shifts smooth and will be as reliable as Japanese public transportation. I love that Mazda hasn’t felt the pressure to change what has worked so well for so long. It’s a confident decision.
The specs from the factory say the 3 with a turbo and AWD should deliver 10.1 L/100 kms (23 mpg) in the city and 7.3 L/100 kms (32 mpg) on the highway and combine for 8.8 L/100 kms (27mpg). My experience with this car was quite different. How you drive matters of course and I put the vehicle through its paces for sure (I must after all maintain my journalistic integrity), but I also drove it like my mother would and this never quite delivered these numbers even on long highway stretches composed of hypermiling.
Exterior
This generation Mazda3 has been with us for 6 years. You’d expect the exterior design to feel dated and in need of an update, but you’d be wrong. The 3 remains stunning in both hatch and sedan. The lines are smooth, and they flow from one end of the car to the other with delightful fluidity. This car has muscles and if you concentrate you can see them, but it never makes a big deal about it. All I would add is a small spoiler on the trunk of the sedan. Do this and you’ve found a way to elevate a car that already flies high.
Interior
A couple of years ago I may have said the Mazda3 interior was aged and needed an update. I was wrong. I think I was blinded by all the high-tech tinsel being thrown at a lot of other cars from other manufacturers. Mazda chose class, style and dignity for the interior of the 3 and haven’t changed it since. The materials are all top shelf and feel great to the touch. The design is aging like a fine wine, and I hope when they do finally design a new one they keep the essence of what they have here.
My only criticism of the interior is the piano black on the centre console. It scratches really bad and should be a more durable material. It’s the only blemish on a beautiful face.
Quality
When reviewing a new car judging the quality can be a tough thing to do. It’s a new car after all. Fresh, shiny and smells like new cars smell. I have no idea how it will hold up over time and all I can do is judge what I see. What I see in the Mazda3 is a well-made car built with quality materials.
CQI – 8. Good quality carpet in a good quality car.
Value
At $38,000 CAD and change, the Mazda3 GT Turbo is a top shelf trim. You’re going to struggle to find a competitor that delivers the equipment and options for similar money. The Civic Si comes close but lacks all wheel drive and is only available as a manual and (although I hate to admit it) most people don’t want that. The Corolla will give you the AWD but it’s nowhere near as nice to look at or drive and no spoiler will spice up those looks. The Elantra N Line is a worthy consideration but it doesn’t come with AWD and that really is part of the secret sauce of what makes this trim of the 3 special. All things considered, the Mazda3 ticks almost all the boxes like few others.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 Mazda3 GT Turbo is all cars to all people… well most people I should think. If you don’t like the sedan, check out a hatchback. Comes with all the same equipment options and same thrill of driving but you can put an oversized IKEA box back there no problem. You can drive it all year long and it will not only be reliable and comfortable but fun when you get that special moment on just the right day and you put your foot down. Feel the squat and shimmy and let the fun begin.
