Mazda Goes Against the Grain Once Again

Which car these days comes with a 2.5-liter engine as standard? Porsche? Nope! It’s the Mazda 3. In an era when most automakers are downsizing engines, adding turbochargers, and pushing electrification, Mazda has taken a bold, unexpected step in the opposite direction. The latest base model of the Mazda 3, which previously came with a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter engine producing 90 kW, now boasts something truly unique: a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated engine as standard.

This engine powers both the hatchback and sedan versions of the Mazda 3, delivering 140 horsepower and 238 Nm of torque. Such a combination is rare on today’s market, especially in the compact car segment. Most competitors offering naturally aspirated engines today opt for smaller, three-cylinder 1.0-liter engines (like those in the Škoda Fabia, Hyundai i10, i20, and i30).

Stick with the manual transmission, and you’ll get a real “driver’s car,” one that not only impresses with its powerful engine but also with its driving dynamics and character. Mazda has once again chosen to swim against the tide by offering something that will appeal to purists who love the feel of a classic naturally aspirated engine. The question remains: how many of these drivers are left?

As Mazda shows, it’s still possible to sell cars with traditional engines in today’s market. But even this has its casualties, as seen with the discontinuation of the 2.0-liter engine in the Mazda MX-5.