What’s the Difference Between the 2021 Mazda3 Sedan and Hatchback?

2021 Mazda3 Hatchback

2021 Mazda3

The 2021 Mazda3 is a great choice if you’re looking for a compact vehicle with a stylish design and interior comfort. But even if you’ve already narrowed your new car search down to the Mazda3, you still need to decide whether a sedan or hatchback model is right for you. Both body designs offer unique benefits you should know about before making your final decision. Keep reading to learn about them.

Cargo Capacity

One of the biggest differences between the Mazda3 sedan and hatchback models is the amount of cargo storage you’ll have. You get 13.2 cubic feet of space behind the second row of seats in the sedan compared to a roomier 20.1 cubic feet in the hatchback. If you plan to carry lots of larger loads, such as luggage for weekend trips away, the hatchback might be the better choice. However, the sedan still provides more than adequate space for day-to-day needs, such as toting grocery bags.

You can fold the rear seats flat in both the sedan and hatchback if you need to fit longer or bigger items into your vehicle.

Fuel Economy and Engine Performance

The sedan performs slightly better than the hatchback when it comes to fuel economy. The Mazda3 sedan’s base 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine manages 28 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway. These numbers drop ever so slightly to 26 mpg on the highway and 34 mpg on city roads in the hatchback.

The hatchback‘s base engine is a better choice if you’re looking for more power. Compared to the sedan’s 155-horsepower base engine, the hatchback has a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that’s good for 186 horsepower. Enjoy better acceleration and sportier handling behind the wheel of the hatchback.

If you want to upgrade to all-wheel drive, it’s available in both the sedan and hatchback models for an additional $1,400. However, it’s not available in the bottom two sedan trims or the base hatchback trim.

Pricing

If you’re purchasing a car on a modest budget, the Mazda3 sedan might be your best choice. Its base trim’s starting price is an extremely competitive $20,650. It includes an 8.8-inch infotainment screen, two USB ports, and an eight-speaker stereo system. The cheapest hatchback is the 2.5S, which starts at $22,500. For the extra cash, you’ll get the more powerful 2.5-liter engine and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility so you can link your smartphone to your car’s entertainment setup.

Moving up through the remaining trims, the sedan version of each is typically about $1,000 cheaper than the hatchback model. For example, the Preferred sedan has a starting price of $24,350, while the hatchback starts at $25,350. The Mazda3 Preferred trim includes heated front seats, a moonroof, and a power adjustable driver’s seat.

Manual vs. Automatic Transmission

All seven sedan trims are equipped with an automatic transmission. If you prefer to drive a manual transmission, opt for the hatchback. In the Premium trim, the hatchback features a six-speed manual transmission paired with the 2.5-liter engine.

Exterior and Interior Dimensions

The sedan is slightly longer than the hatchback, measuring 15.3 feet in length compared to 14.6 feet. So if parking space is at a premium where you live, the shorter hatchback might suit you better.

Inside the cabin, the dimensions for passenger headroom and legroom are virtually identical in the sedan and hatchback. Front seat passengers get about 42 inches of legroom, compared to just over 35 inches in the back row. This makes the front seats ideal for adult passengers, while the rear row is best suited for kids or shorter passengers. Both the sedan and hatchback models also feature two sets of LATCH connectors in the rear row of seating for installing child seats.

Safety and Reliability

Whether you opt for a sedan or a hatchback, you’ll be getting a vehicle that has a strong suite of safety equipment. The Mazda3 features automatic high-beam headlights and driver attention monitoring to help you stay focused during long drives on the highway. Other standard safety features include lane departure warning, lane keep assist, and rain-sensing windshield wipers. You can upgrade to a surround-view parking camera, rear cross traffic alert, front and back parking sensors, traffic jam assist, and traffic sign recognition.

Recognizing the Mazda3’s excellent safety performance, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety selected it as one of its Top Safety Pick+ cars. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration awarded the Mazda3 a safety score of five out of five stars.

Luxury Trims

Both the sedan and hatchback models offer luxury interior upgrades and extra power under the hood for those willing to pay for it. Both the Premium and 2.5 Turbo trims include genuine leather upholstery. The top-of-the-line 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus trim adds perforated leather upholstery. The higher trims also allow you to access extra infotainment features, including a 12-speaker premium stereo, a navigation system, and satellite radio.

Whether you opt for the sedan or the hatchback, their top two trims come equipped with the 2.5-liter turbocharged engine that produces up to 250 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque. This engine gives you plenty of power to accelerate around town or on the highway.

Should You Choose the Sedan or the Hatchback?

Buyers looking for the best fuel efficiency and a lower purchase price are likely to prefer the 2021 Mazda3 sedan. If you need more cargo storage, want more power under the hood without jumping to the top trims, or prefer to drive with a manual transmission, your choice should be the Mazda3 hatchback. Ultimately, whichever Mazda3 you choose, you can drive in confidence knowing you’re getting a great compact vehicle with a wide array of infotainment and safety features.

If you’ve found our comparison between the Mazda3 sedan and hatchback useful, we’d love to hear from you. You can view our Mazda inventory or arrange to test-drive a new Mazda3 by contacting us today. Our team of auto experts is waiting to help you finalize your next vehicle purchase.