2021 Mazda3 Turbo pricing starts at around $30k

"KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time" (kngt)
08/04/2020 at 10:06 • Filed to: Mazda, Mazda3, mazda mazda 3, mazda 3 turbo, mazda3 turbo

Standard with all-wheel-drive, an automatic transmission and the turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder that makes 250 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque on premium fuel.

Mazda3 2.5 Turbo Sedan: $30,845 Hatchback: $31,845

Mazda3 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus Sedan: $33,395 Hatchback: $34,695

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DISCUSSION (30)

mazda616 > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
08/04/2020 at 10:12

They’re rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic.

They priced themselves out of the already dying small car market with this “premium” push they’re going for. It’s a failure all around. Just like in the ‘90s when they tried it with that “Amati” brand that became the Millenia.

And I say that as a Mazda fan (I love my 2016 6).

Tripper > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
08/04/2020 at 10:13

Who ya got, this or the new GTI? It also starts around 30. Right now I kinda like the looks of the Mazda better. I need a year or 3 for a new design to “sink in” before I can like it.

CompactLuxuryFan > Tripper
08/04/2020 at 10:18

Some way somehow this will be way slower than a GTI or even A3 2.0T quattro. Mazda is probably praying it gets lined up against the A3, A-class, and 2-series and seen as a bargain version of that because otherwise it’s toast against the hot hatches.

Sovande > Tripper
08/04/2020 at 10:18

The Mazda all the way. But I am die hard anti-VW guy .

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > mazda616
08/04/2020 at 10:19

Unless they have at least $2000 offMSRP it’s not going to sell . They’re currently offering $1750 off on the 3 sedan

Kinja'd!!!

I still think Mazda is one of those few mainstream manufacturers who can genuinely push for premium. But them trying and the market responding is 2 different things. I’m afraid in this segment, someone will choose an A3 or A-Class just because of the badge up front.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > mazda616
08/04/2020 at 10:22

Yeah, this needed to be a full-on hot hatch to compete at this price, not a fast little near-luxury car.

Regardless, I hope it’s good, and I hope it sells well (but I doubt it will ).

The buyers this is targeting will buy a CX-5 instead (or go elsewhere).

The Ghost of Oppo > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
08/04/2020 at 10:23

This is a half measure, they should have upgraded the suspension and given it different front clip to make it a full on enthusiast’ s car.

Milky > mazda616
08/04/2020 at 10:23

Yea they’re going after the A/2/a 3, which fine. F ully loaded I’ m sure its $10k cheaper and not missing much content. But doesn’ t mean you cant give us a base model with a turbo too.

dogisbadob > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
08/04/2020 at 10:24

WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI > Tripper
08/04/2020 at 10:28

Well my lease is up in March of next year, so I guess I’ll let you know.... I love my GTI, and with the mild tune I have, I’m around those hp and tq numbers, but I’m not a homer for any brand.

Should be interesting to see when these hit lots!

wafflesnfalafel > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
08/04/2020 at 10:29

T hat could be a good deal if you are cross shopping it against an Audi or new Benz maybe? But I bet they sell lots more of the non-turbo CX-30 things for the same price...

WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI > CompactLuxuryFan
08/04/2020 at 10:29

I feel like most A3's have the same powertrain as the GTI, so shouldn’t they be the same?

WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI > The Ghost of Oppo
08/04/2020 at 10:30

Given Mazda’s track record of creating spor tiness in their models, maybe they don’t need to go full Honda aggro with their quick models?

Tripper > WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI
08/04/2020 at 10:32

Tuned your lease huh? Expecting any push- back when you go to turn it in or do you have a friendly dealer ?

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > wafflesnfalafel
08/04/2020 at 10:33

I wouldn’t be surprised if the Cx30 gets the turbo soon. I’m sure it will sell much better even at a higher price than the 3

The Ghost of Oppo > WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI
08/04/2020 at 10:38

I am not sure what you mean by creating sportiness in their models, but both generations of the 3speed had upgraded suspensions and styling cues.

nerd_racing > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
08/04/2020 at 10:46

I would love one in Polymetal gray with dark wheels, red leather interior, and I’d black out that stainless trim piece along the windows.

WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI > The Ghost of Oppo
08/04/2020 at 10:47

From reviews and driving a few, the general consensus is that Mazda (in general) vehicles are more engaging to drive than their competitors. I guess my thought process is: If the 3 is already sportier then a base Golf, the n maybe it doesn’t need as many modifications to get it to a GTI level.

Also, I bet the turbo will have a revised suspension setup compared to the other trim levels.

Now, if they want to go after Golf R, CTR, Focus RS, etc., then yes, they will need to do some pretty major changes.

nerd_racing > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
08/04/2020 at 10:49

Holy crap Mazda WTH

Kinja'd!!!

Price per wheel??

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > nerd_racing
08/04/2020 at 11:01

They know what they have!

The Ghost of Oppo > WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI
08/04/2020 at 11:22

I’ve owned a 2.5L Mazda 3 for 5 years now and while I will definitely say the suspension handles better than most other cars in the segment, it is still no where near the Mk7 GTI which I’ve had a considerable amount of seat time in.

C ar and Driver doesn’t go into specifics but they claim the AWD Turbo has “no notable suspension upgrades”, and neither the Jalopnik article from last month or Mazda press releases mention any suspension upgrades.

King T updated the post with a link to Mazda’s website, so I see now there is an appearance package, but it is still an add-on package and I can’t tell if the BBS wheels come standard on the turbo or if it just gets the black alloys that come on the premium trims for the NA model.

I just think trying to move up market with small car that doesn’t seem to offer much more than just a power increase is not enough.

412GTI > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
08/04/2020 at 11:26

Yeah it’s just too much for me unless they decide to put a decent amount of lease cash on it.. because most entry level luxury buyers lease.

My brother has an A3 and doesn’t necessarily want to lease another next year but there’s no way he’d be interested in a 35k Mazda3.

DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back > nerd_racing
08/04/2020 at 11:30

To be fair , they’ re forged , which are always pricey. A set of BBS LMs starts just a bit above that.

way2blu does a rev update > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
08/04/2020 at 11:48

If Mazda is smart, they’ll advertise this thing’ s biggest selling point by far: 87 Octane.

It’s the only “entry level premium sedan/hatch” that accepts Regular. Audi/BMW/MBZ all need 91.

Cheaper running costs (and reminding people that’s relevant) is the only selling point that comes close to competing with the Germans’ brand equity.

WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI > The Ghost of Oppo
08/04/2020 at 11:51

100% agree.

nerd_racing > DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back
08/04/2020 at 11:59

I could see that being the charge for the set of wheels. But almost 1k per wheel for factory wheel upgrade option on 18's is a bit nuts.

DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back > nerd_racing
08/04/2020 at 12:34

Sorry I meant BBS LMs start at around 1k per per wheel, so a full set starts at around 4k.

Looks like BBS is making the set on the accessories package above, so the pricing isn’ t totally out of line for what you’re getting imo.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
08/04/2020 at 12:37

It needs like 50 more HP and an optional manual, then it would probably pick up the people that bought cars like mine that have nowhere to go except the GTI or Golf R .

longtimelurkingtdiguy > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
08/04/2020 at 12:38

I’m interested in looking at it as an option to replace my golf in the next couple of years, but for the price they are asking it needs to actually feel premium and not just like an economy car with leather and extra gizmos added. I haven’t sat in the current 3 to know if that is even a realistic possibility or not.

fintail > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
08/04/2020 at 13:08

Still a good value in terms of blind spot acreage for the money.