Voted for by a panel of experts drawn from the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC), the 2023 recognition marks the third time in the last four years that the Mazda3 has come out on top in its category. The award is based on excellence across the whole package of comfort, performance, quality, fuel economy, and more. Here are the key highlights that have led to the 2023 Mazda3’s latest success.

Eye-Catching Looks

The Mazda3 is available in both sedan and hatchback formats, both offering a road presence far beyond their compact size. Whichever style you choose, the huge honeycomb front grille sets a confident tone from the start, with narrow LED headlights sweeping back into a curved hood that blends smoothly with the sleekly rounded roofline. Mazda says the design is intended to capture the “soul of motion”, and for once, the reality lives up to the marketing slant with an outline that radiates dynamic movement even when the car is at rest.

Power Under the Hood

The Mazda3’s sporty looks are backed up by powerful engineering under the hood. At the base level, a 2.0L gas engine delivers a meaty 155 horsepower and 150lb-ft of torque, passed to front-wheel drive through either a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic. Moving up the trims brings even more power and control, with a 2.5L mill upping the output to 191 horsepower and 186lb-ft, with advanced all-wheel drive available as an option.

However, for drivers looking for the ultimate in compact performance, the available 2.5L turbo engine makes an immense 250 horsepower and 320lb-ft of torque, delivering a genuinely exhilarating experience whether surging forward from a standing start or passing effortlessly on the highway.

Interior and Infotainment

The Mazda3’s interior technology is equally impressive, with all trim levels boasting an 8.8-inch colour touchscreen running the Mazda Connect software, backed up by a 7-inch LCD display for essential driving data. Smartphone integration is standard through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with in-built navigation, satellite radio, and a premium 12-speaker Bose sound system all available as options.

But despite the wealth of tech available, the interior retains a classy, minimalist feel that provides plenty of comfort without getting in the way of the driving experience. Heated front seats are standard across the range, with the regular cloth upholstery upgradeable to luxurious leather on the higher trims.

Cutting-Edge Safety and Driver Assist

The Mazda3 also features a generous range of safety and driver-assist technology, with key standard features including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts, traction control, and hill launch assist. However, the higher trim levels add even more, with options including:
• Forward obstruction warnings with pedestrian detection
• Smart emergency brake support system for both front and rear
• Lane-departure warnings with lane-keep assist
• Radar-based cruise control with stop-and-go functionality
• Driver attention alerts
• Traffic-sign recognition system
• Automatic high-beam control

Experience the 2023 Mazda3

The 2023 Mazda3 is a worthy winner of this latest in a long stream of awards, with every area of the car offering genuine quality. To experience its outstanding blend of features for yourself, please book a test drive by clicking on the button below.