Remember Mazda’s old tagline before it became Driving Matters? You know, Zoom-Zoom? Yeah, that one. It’s catchy and it defined Mazda’s identity without any complication. Although it sounds childish, but it’s not. That tagline resonates with everyone, regardless of age. While Mazda now uses Driving Matters, Zoom-Zoom remains in its DNA because of the way cars like our 2025 Mazda3 drive. With that said, we took our manual hatch up to the famed Angeles Crest Highway to see how it drives.
2025 Mazda3: Refinement Meets Fun
The fourth-generation Mazda3 moved this fun-loving compact towards a more refined direction. Just one drive in it and you immediately realize just how upscale it feels on the road. The suspension provides a supremely compliant ride, gliding serenely through road imperfections. Best of all, the Mazda3 does this with a semi-independent torsion beam rear suspension, proving that masterful calibration trumps complexity any day. Our car also came standard with 18-inch alloy wheels, which you’d think would affect the ride. Nope, they don’t. This little hatchback stays surefooted even through the roughest patches of road.
That confident demeanor remains as the road twists and turns. The Mazda3 gleefully attacked each corner on Angeles Crest Highway, proving that it still has the Zoom-Zoom DNA. Minimal body roll means drivers can seamlessly transition from one corner to another. Additionally, the car’s rear end rotates predictably when lifting off the accelerator, allowing you to remain in control and feel every action. Communicative steering enhances the connection between man and machine, informing you about what the car is doing. Even with modestly sized performance all-season tires, the Mazda3 grips well and will let you know when you’ve reached its limit.
Once it’s time to head down and chill, the Mazda3 also gladly obliges. At freeway speeds, the cabin remains hushed with only a hint of noise entering the cabin. It’s a premium experience through and through, only in a compact size.
Smooth Operator
Mazda continues to show that it’s all about the entire package. The proven 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine pairs nicely with the Mazda3’s chassis, elevating the smooth and sporty drive. At 191 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque, power remains modest, but never feels lacking, thanks to a strong mid-range. Power builds smoothly and evenly, making passing slower traffic easy. In manual-equipped models like our car, one downshift puts you right in the heart of the powerband.
What about the transmission, you ask? It’s a joy to use thanks to a shifter with a nice mechanical quality. Although its throws are slightly long, they’re satisfying, adding a nice layer of connection between you and the car. On the other hand, the clutch feels firm, springy, and easy to modulate. Despite the somewhat high engagement point, it’s easy to find and work with on the daily commute. In typical Mazda fashion, the clutch and shifter function in complete harmony with the rest of the car, meaning it’s easy to rev-match downshifts. Heel-toeing, however, can take some practice due to the pedal spacing
Our only complaint? It’s too quiet. Between the well-insulated cabin and an engine that revs eagerly, you’ll need to listen closely to make sure you don’t hit the rev limiter.
Stay tuned as we continue our ownership journey with the 2025 Mazda3!
