"The 2018 Mazda3 might have the nicest cabin of any compact car. It looks stylish without feeling busy. The materials quality is excellent, and that extends to the user-friendly infotainment system." - cars.usnews
2018 Mazda3 Seating and Comfort
The Mazda 3 boasts a thoughtfully designed interior with a driver-centric layout. Most of the buyers enjoy being inside the 3's cabin, thanks to its spacious front row. There is plenty of legroom, headroom, and shoulder room even for over 6-foot tall adults. The rear legroom however feels cramped if the driver is tall. Though, the driver can find an excellent driving position, thanks to the wide range of seat and steering wheel adjustments.
Overall, the Mazda3 has one of the nicest interiors in its class, especially its smart design. The cost-cutting techniques are well-appreciated as all the hard plastic is textured and does not feel cheap. The dashboard is trimmed with soft-touch plastics and elegant metal accents. The base Mazda3 Sport also has a few padded surfaces and remains quiet. Everything feels solidly built as well, with no creaks.
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Model
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2018 Mazda Mazda3
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2018 Kia Forte
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2018 Toyota Corolla
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2018 Hyundai Elantra
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|
Passenger capacity
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5
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5
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5
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5
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Passenger Volume(ft cube) w/ sunroof
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96.3
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95
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97.1
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95.8
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Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg)(In.)
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38.6/57.2/42.2
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39.1/56.1/42.2
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38.0/54.8/42.3
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38.8/56.2/42.2
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|
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg)(In.)
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37.6/54.4/35.8
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37.3/54.9/35.9
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37.1/54.8/41.4
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37.3/55.3/35.7
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Going with the Mazda3 will deliver an Audi-like experience as the interiors look way better than the price point. Else, look for Toyota Corolla's practical interiors which looks dated by scores high on utility. Kia Forte's interior comprises premium materials and the latest tech, which is somewhat similar to the Hyundai Elantra.
Interior Features
- Auto-dimming rearview mirror
- Digital speedometer
- Six-way power seats and heated front seats.
- leather upholstery
- 7” Infotainment touch screen
2018 Mazda3 Infotainment System
The Mazda3 comes standard with a 7-inch touch screen MazdaConnect infotainment system. The display offers clear graphics and is within easy access of the driver. There is a BMW-style iDrive controller at your disposal while the layout is simple. There are physical buttons and knobs on the center console as redundant controlling options. Though we don't like the screen's ack of response which is limited to touch inputs while the vehicle is stopped or parked.
Mazda does not offer Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, otherwise common in many other compact cars. The Mazda 3 offers an extensive list of technology upgrades as well including a 9 speaker surround system for the best music quality.
2018 Mazda3 Cargo Capacity
At 12.4 cubic feet, the trunk of the Mazda3 sedan is a bit small for a compact car. Folding the rear seats expands the space and opens up flat cargo space and it's easy to load and unload items. However, we recommend the Mazda3 hatchback for those looking for more practicality.
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Model
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2018 Mazda Mazda3
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2018 Kia Forte
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2018 Toyota Corolla
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2018 Hyundai Elantra
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Volume (ft cube)
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12.4
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14.9
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13.0
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14.4
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A few other compact cars offer more cargo room, such as the 2018 Kia Forte and 2018 Subaru Hyundai Elantra. As for the small storage, the MAzda3 offers deep door pockets, a cellphone tray, and good-sized cupholders. It could have been better as some of the rivals integrate storage space in a much better way.
