5 Clever Features That Make The Mazda 3 More Premium Than You Think

Although some of these might seem minor, these features speak to Mazda’s obsessive attention to detail, as well as the company’s strife to go against the grain.

March 30, 2026 - 11:04AM EDT
By: Dimitar Angelov

Mazda is an interesting case when it comes to Japanese carmakers. The car company is relatively small compared to its peers, but it stands out on more than a few fronts. Mazda is currently the safest new-car manufacturer, according to Consumer Reports, and I think the Kodo design is one of the most exquisite in modern vehicles.

But the main focus today is the Mazda 3. Even amidst the company’s multiple SUV offerings, the small hatchback remains the brand’s fourth best-selling model. Sure, it may not sell as many units as rivals like the Honda Civic, which recently added a punchy hybrid model to its lineup, but there is still plenty to like about it. Having been test-driven and at one point even considered buying a Mazda 3, I found a few interesting features on the car.

Some of these features are minor, while others are a big deal and a true rarity in the industry, let alone the segment. Without further ado, here are the five features I adore about the Mazda 3.

Mazda 3 is the brand's fourth best-selling model

Water jets integrated into the windshield wipers. You may have noticed that there are no water jets on the front hood of the Mazda 3. That’s because they are integrated into the windshield wipers, which makes more efficient use of the water, and you won’t spray onto other vehicles. While I expect to see similar overengineering on German vehicles, Mazda has decided to grace their $25,785 premium-ish hatchback with such a feature.
Light indicator on the windshield wiper stalk. While this may seem minor, it could make a ton of difference. The windshield wiper stalk has so many settings that some drivers can easily be overwhelmed. For this reason, Mazda has decided to put an indicator, which lights up whenever your wipers are in Auto mode, just in case you are not sure if they are.
Remote lock button on the tailgate. Mazda 3 doesn’t offer a power tailgate, but it does come with a lock button, which also serves as central locking. Pressing it locks the trunk and all the doors, making it more convenient, instead of having you walk around the car. If the key is inside the car, it will beep a couple of times, letting you know. In addition, there is an auto-lock function, which can be activated from the settings, and allows the car to automatically lock as you are walking away with the key on you.
The biggest engine in the compact segment. I love that Mazda sticks with the 2.5-liter Skyactiv-G engine while many other carmakers have gone for three-cylinder engines. The engine is so efficient that even Euro-spec models come with it. Better yet, there are two variants of the inline-four unit - normally-aspirated and turbocharged, with power ranging from 192 to 250 horsepower, and 186 to 320 pound-feet of torque. All-wheel drive is optional for the normally aspirated engine and standard for the 2.5 turbo.
The option of a manual transmission. If you upgrade to the Premium trim, you can have the Mazda 3 with a six-speed manual transmission. The only caveat is that this is only available in the normally aspirated engine. The turbo model can only be had with the six-speed torque-converter automatic, which is smooth, but also one of the least sporty transmissions in the segment.

I can go on and on about other Mazda 3 features that I like, like the sharp handling, decent sound insulation compared to rivaling models, and the punchy feel of the 2.5-liter engine (even the non-turbo model). I also like that you don’t have to pay extra for any of the advanced features, such as adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, and so on.

There are a few areas where the Mazda 3 is falling slightly behind, such as the 8.8-inch (or optional 10.3-inch) infotainment screen, which isn’t touch-sensitive and can only be operated by a rotating knob on the center console, but that’s just me nitpicking here.

I am curious to know what you think of Mazda’s charming hatchback. Would you choose that over the Corolla, Civic, or Golf? Perhaps, there is another feature that has caught your attention. Let me know what you think in the comments below.

Image source: 2026 Mazda 3

About the author

Dimitar Angelov has been an automotive journalist since 2014. His passion for cars and motorcycles led him to take up classic car restoration at the Classic Car Museum in Malta. While living there, he also graduated with a Master's in Media and Communications. Aside from Torquenews, his work can also be seen on Topspeed.com, HotCars.com, Motorheads.com, Jalopnik.com, and his own website, Ridereverie.com, where he also includes motorcycle content.

Other relevant experiences in the automotive scene include working at a Toyota dealership, professional driving, and automotive insurance. Dim is happy to get behind the wheel of any car and share his impressions. You can follow Dimitar on X, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.

Experience

2012-2017 and 2025-Present: Insurance Advisor - ANG Univers and Generali Insurance Group
2016-2016: Car salesman at Toyota dealership
2014-Present: Automotive journalist, blogger, vlogger, test driver

Education