2022 MAZDA 3 TURBO - GTI Lite

The Mazda 3 Hatchback…this time with a turbo, 250hp and 320 lbft of torque
Which draws comparisons to things like GTIs, Kona Ns, and so on
So, let’s see if this Mazda stands up to the company
This thing is a little weird in terms of who and what it competes against
It’s got more power than a GTI, but less than a Golf R
It’s the same story with the Si and the Type R
And it’s a hatchback so it’s not like it goes against the GLI or the Elantra N
The Hyundai N cars are probably the closest things in terms of power, but then again this thing packs 320 lbft of torque which is way more than anything I just said…
So let’s just go over what’s going on here and try to figure out the competition at the end
Let’s start where we always do, under the hood
What we have here will sound familiar; it’s Mazda’s 2.5L 4 cylinder, but with a big ass turbo on it.
Matt was just in the CX-5, using the same engine making the same power, but there’s a big difference here
This is a smaller, lighter, and has a lower center of gravity
This is 3,383 lbs which is a good 500 lbs lighter than the CX5, and tht’s good
However, it’s still 200 lbs more than a GTI
But it’s got a bunch mor power thna the GTI, actually it’s a very similar weight to the Kona N
This is all a long-winded way of saying that the power to weight is pretty good you can feel that behind the wheel
Power is one thing, but you need to be able to use it
Your power goes through a 6-speed automatic transmission and it definitely lacks the sophistication and drama of the other, more performance oriented cars we mentioned before
It’s ok, it gets the job done, but it doesn’t have the same immediacy that the Hyundai N cars have with the DCT or VW would have with their DSG
And then finally, the power goes to all 4 wheels through Mazda’s I-vectoring AWD with torque vectoring
And the system seems to work really well, it doesn’t burn up the inside wheel, and it doesn’t seem to bog down under load or through a corner
Now, there’s another enthusiast spec that you can get here. You can get this with a manual, but for that you can’t get the turbo
However, I quite like this spec here..
It’s got great power, it turns in sharp, holds up in a corner, and looks the part
Polymetal Gray Metallic
Black accents everywhere
Looks spectacular
Big grille
LED running lights
18 inch black wheels (Turanza tires)
Slick profile
MASSIVE C piller
Black wing
LED rear lights
Back emblem has trunk release
Dual exhaust
Beautiful interior, very simple
Materials are pretty good
3 level heated seats, heated steering wheel
Dual zone climate
Physical buttons
HUD
New infotainment screen 8.8in
Touch and iDrive wheel
Bose speakers
360 camera
Wired car play
Sunroof
Rain sensing wipers…unlike the $110k Grand Wagoneer
Small back seat
small(ish) trunk
[talk driver assist systems]
-
This is a turbo AWD premium plus so it’s the most expensive you can get ($35,810 delivered)
250hp and 320 lbft
GTI: $38,300 for autobahn trim
241hp 273lbft
Acura Integra: way less power for [probably] similar money
Kona N: $35k
276hp 289 lbft

[@FungusUSMC]

I agree with you guys, I think the people in the market for a Mazda 3 aren't looking for an ultra hot-hatch performance vehicle, they're likely looking for a daily driver that's comfortable, but can be fun when you want it to be and has more luxury pieces. Personally for this price point I was hoping for air conditioned seats and touchscreen infotainment, but they aren't dealbreakers at all.

[@blue_lancer_es]

I don't think kona N and this mazda customers cross shop. Imo they are totally different beasts.

[@hitmanhart6275]

Agree , the GTI can compete with both the 3 Turbo and the Kona N , but the strech with the 3 Turbo and the Kona N is so wide.