It can be difficult to narrow down your search during the car buying process when you’re looking for a new sedan. With so many makes and models to choose from, beginning the search can feel overwhelming. To help narrow it down, Consumer Reports put together a list of the 10 best options, and the 2024 Mazda3 sedan was named the best small car of the year. This list is based on vehicle safety features, driver satisfaction, road-rest performance, and predicted reliability.
The Mazda sedan is affordably priced, performs smoothly, and provides a comfortable ride for drivers and passengers. Consumer Reports notes that “the overall feel, especially on higher trims, is more premium than the price suggests, making the Mazda3 seem a half-class above its mainstream competitors”.
“We picked the best models in a variety of price points and categories to provide smart choices for car shoppers,” said Jake Fisher, senior director of Consumer Reports’ Auto Test Center.
The 2024 Mazda3 sedan starts at $24,170 MSRP. It’s available in six trim levels: 2.5 S, 2.5 S Select Sport, 2.5 S Preferred, 2.5 S Carbon Edition, 2.5 Carbon Turbo, and 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus.
This four-door Mazda car seats up to five passengers. Everyone is sure to ride comfortably on cloth-trimmed, leatherette-trimmed, or leather-trimmed sport seats. Higher trims offer the luxury of heated seats, and the highest trim also features a heated steering wheel. There’s 13.2 cubic feet of cargo space in the trunk, and the rear seats have a standard 60/40 split for additional storage for larger items.
Enjoy entertainment with the six- or eight-speaker audio system with Mazda Harmonic Acoustics or the Bose® 12-speaker premium audio system with Centerpoint® and AudioPilot that comes with the top 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus trim. All trims have Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ integration and an 8.8-inch or 10.25-inch full-color center display.
This Mazda sedan is a 2023 Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) top safety pick+ and received a 5-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). With the i-Activsense® safety technology suite, it’s easy to see why the Mazda3 is a safe vehicle to drive and this year’s best small car.
It includes standard and available vehicle safety features that help keep you alert and in your lane. They monitor traffic conditions, improve viability, and increase your awareness on the road. Some of the standard safety features include:
With the MyMazda app and Mazda Connected Services, you can start your engine from your smartphone, check to see if your vehicle needs maintenance, and find your car if you don’t remember where you parked. Enjoy complimentary Mazda Connected Services for 3 years or up to 2 GB when you purchase a new Mazda3 sedan. This Mazda car also offers a remote keyless entry system – the Mazda Advanced Keyless Entry System – as well as a convenient push button start.
When it comes to fuel-efficient cars, this Mazda car is high on the list. The Mazda3 gas mileage helps save time and money since you won’t need to stop for gas as frequently. The Mazda sedan has a 13.2-gallon or 12.7-gallon fuel capacity.
With front-wheel drive (FWD), this small car gets an EPA-estimated 27/city, 37/highway, and 31/combined. With i-ACTIV AWD® (all-wheel drive), it’s an EPA-estimated 26/city, 35/highway, and 30/combined or 23/city, 32/highway, and 27/combined depending on the trim level.
The Mazda3 gas mileage and fuel capacity make it a great commuter car, whether you need to drop kids off at school and sports, or need to drive to and from work each day. Because you get good miles per gallon on the highway, this Mazda sedan makes an excellent road trip vehicle as well!
The Mazda3 is powered by a 191-horsepower SKYACTIV®-G 2.5-liter DOHC 4-cylinder engine with VVT and cylinder deactivation or a 250-horsepower SKYACTIV®-G 2.5-liter dynamic pressure turbo engine.
It’s easy to see why this Mazda sedan was named the best small car for 2024 by Consumer Reports! Drivers from Richmond and Ashland, to Petersburg, Charlottesville, and Fredericksburg, Virginia, who want to learn more about the Mazda3 features and experience this compact sedan in person on a test drive, can visit Whitten Brothers Mazda. Our Sales Advocates can provide you with more information on the Mazda3 trim levels, specs, and features, and help you find the right fit for your needs and budget. We can even help you secure financing through our dealership! Contact us to get started.