WHAT ARE MY MAZDA3 OPTIONS?

If you’re in the market for a luxury compact car with a high safety rating, you may want to consider a Mazda3. Not only did it receive the highest marks in all six crash test categories, but it also received a superior rating for its standard front crash prevention systems. In a Mazda3, you will feel safe and in control on the road—and you’ll save a bundle in the long run on gas money too with a higher-than-average fuel-efficiency rate.

Whether you’re looking for a Mazda that is new or new to you, you will want a vehicle that matches your lifestyle, looks great, and has excellent and luxurious features. The Mazda3 comes in both sedan and hatchback styles. Let’s take a look at the similarities and differences between the two.

SIMILARITIES

Mazda3 hatchbacks and sedans are both considered mid-sized vehicles. They both have four doors and are referred to as passenger vehicles. Typically, both styles can seat up to five people comfortably.

Their features tend to be similar—for instance, they both have keyless ignition systems, rear-view cameras, automatic high beams, and emergency brake assist. Other mechanical similarities include a strut front suspension with a coil spring, which supports the weight and stability of the vehicle. Coupled with the gas-pressurized shock absorber, you’ll experience a smooth and quiet ride that will dampen vibrations from irregularities in the pavement. You’ll be able to hold conversations and listen to music or podcasts without straining to hear what’s happening.

DIFFERENCES

SEDAN

This is a better choice for you if you tend to travel without a lot of luggage or cargo. Sometimes, a sedan is referred to as operating on a three-box system, where there are three separate partitions for the engine, passengers, and cargo storage space. Because of this separation, sedans tend to have better road noise dampening since the trunk is separate from the passenger area—there’s less space for the noise to bounce around in. Your passengers will have more legroom, too, because of this separation. The space gained by not having the hatchback’s larger cargo area tends to translate into more room for passengers in a sedan.

If you find yourself driving on the highway more often than in the city or around town, a sedan might be a better choice for you because a sedan usually offers more engine power. This means it will be more stable when driving at a high speed on highways.

However, there are some drawbacks to sedans. Because of these features—the quiet, smooth ride, the engine power, and the luxurious comfort for your passengers—sedans tend to be more expensive than hatchback cars. They also use more fuel, so they are less fuel efficient than hatchbacks. (Keep in mind, though, that the Mazda3 sedan’s fuel efficiency rates are still higher than average at 28 mpg in the city and at 37 mpg on the highway.)

Sedans, while not big cars, will still be longer than hatchback cars, so you may have a little more difficulty parking a sedan than parking a hatchback vehicle that is comparable in every other way.

HATCHBACK

A hatchback car comes with four doors and a hatch in the back instead of a trunk. The hatch often flips open vertically at the rear, though models have in the past opened to one side or the other.

If you tend to do more city driving than highway driving, and if you want a car that’s a little easier to park, a hatchback might be more your style. Further advantages include it being a practical car to learn to drive on—there is less nose in the front and less trunk in the back, so it’s easier for a student driver to learn to drive and park a car. Hatchbacks tend to have better gas mileage and fuel efficiency than sedans too, which is helpful when you do a lot of driving.

Visibility in a hatchback tends to be a little better when looking through the back windows as well. However, this also means that the back window will often have a wiper, which is another moving part that could need repair or replacement. It will also require refilling the windshield wiper fluid when it comes around to your maintenance checks.

If you often find yourself transporting a lot of cargo or luggage, a hatchback is prime for this. The upward-opening rear door of a hatchback is only part of these helpful features as some hatchback models also allow you to fold down the back row of seats to make more space.

There are a few drawbacks to driving a hatchback vehicle instead of a sedan. For one, a hatchback might have less engine power, making it a little more difficult to get up to speed on the highway. A hatchback also may not have the same level of security a sedan might have. This is due to being able to look right into a hatchback, whereas a casual observer won’t be able to look directly into a closed and locked sedan trunk. There is a workaround for this, though. Some hatchback models have a cover you can install so that a thief won’t be tempted by the sight of things in the back of your car.

TEST DRIVE BOTH

After reading the above descriptions, you might know exactly which Mazda3 model is right for your lifestyle and driving. If you’re still on the fence, however, we recommend taking both the sedan and the hatchback for a drive. See how they handle on the highway and in the city. Open the hatch and the trunk and think about how you’ll use the available space. Sit in the backseat to gauge whether there’s enough legroom for whoever travels with you. With a little bit of hands-on research, you’ll be able to find the exact right vehicle for you. Ingram Park Mazda has been around for almost 50 years, and in that time, we’ve perfected our sales and service, giving you the best deals, not just on leases and purchases but also on parts and finance too. Worried about buying a pre-owned vehicle? We accept only the best-maintained late-model vehicles that must pass a rigorous 160-point inspection to make the cut. Whether you’re looking for a new Mazda, a pre-owned one, or a lease, you’ll find something special that matches your lifestyle at our Mazda Service, Finance, & Leasing Center. Visit us today!