2025 Mazda 3 Hatchback 1.5 L Review

In recent years, the competition in Malaysia's C-Segment hatchback market has been intensifying. Consumers not only demand practicality for daily commuting but also have higher expectations for design quality and driving experience. The upcoming 2025 Mazda 3 Hatchback 1.5L, as a mid-cycle update of the brand's classic compact hatchback, continues the "Kodo" design language while optimizing configuration details. Its core selling points focus on balanced power output, exquisite chassis tuning, and an upscale interior feel, which makes it highly anticipated by many young families and driving enthusiasts. The main objective of this test drive is to evaluate the 1.5L naturally aspirated version's performance in city commuting and weekend short-trip scenarios to see if it can maintain its competitiveness in its class.

From a distance, the overall lines of the 2025 Mazda 3 Hatchback 1.5L remain smooth, with its fastback-style body and short front overhang design maintaining the sporty posture of a compact hatchback. At the front, the iconic shield-shaped grille has been slightly adjusted in size, featuring a blacked-out honeycomb pattern bordered by chrome trim for enhanced recognition. The sharp LED headlamp clusters on both sides incorporate a lens structure, improving brightness and range when lit, and feature an automatic on-off function. On the side, 16-inch multi-spoke aluminum alloy wheels come as standard, with muscular fender lines and an inward-curving waistline stretching from the front to the rear, adding depth to the side profile. At the rear, the design is simple, with smoked taillights that connect with the body's waistline and a concealed single-sided exhaust at the bottom, achieving a look that is understated yet sporty.

Stepping inside, the interior layout and materials adhere to Mazda's consistently minimalist style. The center console is angled slightly towards the driver for easier operation. The top of the center console is covered with soft-touch molded materials, offering a refined feel. The inner side of the door panels is wrapped in leather with metal trim accents, delivering a level of luxury that stands out among its peers. The center display measures 8.8 inches and is positioned at the top of the dashboard. It does not support touch functionality and can only be controlled via the physical knob located behind the gear lever. The system provides smooth operation and supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The instrument panel features traditional mechanical gauges paired with a 4.2-inch LCD screen that displays information such as fuel consumption, speed, and tire pressure. The seats are upholstered in fabric, offering moderate support and wrap-around comfort. The driver's seat is adjustable in six directions manually, while the front passenger seat is adjustable in four directions manually.

In terms of dimensions, the 2025 Mazda 3 Hatchback measures 4460mm in length, 1795mm in width, and 1440mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2725mm. The front-row seating space performs well, providing a 175cm tall passenger with a fist's worth of headroom and ample legroom after adjusting the seating position. In the rear, a passenger of the same height will have approximately four fingers of headroom and one fist and two fingers of legroom. It adequately meets the daily needs of families, though the slightly raised center floor may make prolonged seating in the middle seat somewhat uncomfortable. As for storage space, the front central armrest box offers a moderate capacity, the door storage slots can hold two bottles of water, and the rear row is equipped with a central armrest and cupholders. The standard trunk capacity is 350L, and the rear seats can be folded down in a 4/6 split, expanding the capacity to 1250L, which is sufficient for holding large luggage items. Additionally, the rear row features air conditioning vents and USB charging ports, boosting practicality.

The 2025 Mazda 3 Hatchback 1.5L is equipped with a naturally aspirated engine, delivering a maximum power of 87kW (118PS) and a maximum torque of 153N·m, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. It adopts a front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout. During daily driving, power output is smooth, throttle response is sensitive at the initial stage, and low-end torque is sufficient, making it suitable for congested urban roads. During mid-to-high-speed acceleration, the transmission logic is clear, with proactive upshifts and maintaining revs around 2000rpm. When overtaking with a deep throttle press, the transmission quickly downshifts, providing a noticeable boost in power output, but late-stage acceleration remains limited, making it more suitable for moderate driving. The driving modes include Normal and Sport. In Sport mode, throttle response becomes more sensitive, the transmission delays upshifts, revs stay above 3000rpm, and power delivery feels more dynamic.

In terms of handling, the steering is precise with minimal play, providing a moderate feel. It is light at low speeds and stable at high speeds, aligning well with its family car positioning. The chassis adopts a MacPherson strut independent front suspension combined with a multi-link independent rear suspension, tuned for comfort without sacrificing resilience. When passing over speed bumps or bumpy roads, the suspension effectively filters out vibrations with minimal body roll. During cornering, the suspension provides good support, controlling body lean well and maintaining excellent stability. As for noise control, engine noise becomes noticeable inside the cabin when revs exceed 3000rpm, but it is not overly harsh. Tire noise and wind noise are slightly more noticeable at high speeds, but they remain within an acceptable range.

In terms of fuel economy, testing shows an average fuel consumption of around 6.8L/100km on urban roads, 5.5L/100km on highways, and a combined fuel consumption of approximately 6.2L/100km. Its fuel efficiency is above average among naturally aspirated vehicles in its class. Regarding braking performance, the brake pedal provides moderate travel distance, with sufficient initial braking force. Even after continuous braking, heat fade is minimal, ensuring stable overall braking performance.

In conclusion, the core highlights of the 2025 Mazda 3 Hatchback 1.5L lie in its interior quality, chassis tuning, and fuel economy. Compared to the Toyota Corolla Hatchback in the same class, it features more luxurious interior materials and more agile handling. Compared to the Honda Civic Hatchback, while its power output may be slightly weaker, its price might have a potential edge (specific pricing to be announced). This car is suitable for family users who value well-rounded performance and young individuals who pursue driving quality and a sense of luxury in the interior. It meets the needs for daily commuting and short weekend trips. As a compact hatchback, it strikes a good balance between design, handling, and practicality, making it a worthwhile choice in its segment.