Hot on the heels of Mazda Mexico’s early unveiling of the 2021 Mazda3 2.5 Turbo, we can now bring you official information from Mazda North America. While the automaker refrained from slapping the Mazdaspeed / MPS badge on this car, the 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine produces up to 250 horsepower and 433 Nm)of torque when fed premium 93 octane fuel.

That’s more than many hot hatches, including the latest VW Golf GTI which makes 242 HP and 370 Nm of torque in standard guise. On regular 87 octane fuel, the Skyactiv-G 2.5T engine will still deliver a solid 227 horsepower and 420 Nm of torque. Mazda says the engine is “specifically calibrated to the Mazda3 so as to deliver the unique driving dynamics expected by our most passionate drivers.” However, there’s no manual transmission on offer, with the only choice being a six-speed automatic hooked to a standard i-Activ all-wheel drive system.


Unfortunately, Mazda does not reveal performance specs, but given the mighty engine and AWD system, the Mazda3 2.5 Turbo should be able to give many proper hot hatches a good run for their money. It will also give fast sedan owners something to think about as the carmaker will offer the turbocharged powertrain in the Mazda3 sedan as well.

You’ll recognize the 2021 Mazda3 2.5 Turbo thanks to exterior upgrades like the larger tailpipes, 18-inch black aluminum wheels, gloss black mirror caps, ‘Turbo’ badge on the trunk and engine cover, a shark fin antenna, and automatic LED headlights with LED DRLs. The Mazda3 2.5 Turbo sedan adds a gloss black front grille and sleek lower front bumper decoration.

Inside, the turbocharged Mazda3 offers a heated leather wrapped steering wheel with paddle shifters, frameless auto-dim rearview mirror, as well as chrome finishes around the push button start and glove box. The list of standard tech is extensive and includes an 8.8-inch large center display with Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Mazda Connected Services with three-year trial and in-car Wi-Fi hot spot with six-months or 2GB trial, Active Driving Display head-up unit, rearview camera, and rain-sensing wipers.


Customers also get two front USB inputs, Mazda Advanced Keyless Entry, power moonroof, dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, leatherette seating, leather wrapped shift knob and aluminum speaker grilles. On the safety front, the Mazda3 2.5 Turbo comes with the standard i-Activsense safety suite including Mazda Radar Cruise Control with stop and go function, Smart Brake Support, Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Lane Departure Warning with Lane-Keep Assist, Driver Attention Alert, Adaptive Front-lighting system and High Beam Control.

Those who want more styling and features can opt for the Premium Plus Package which adds a gloss black rear lip spoiler for the sedan and a gloss black rear roof spoiler and front air dam for the hatch. The pack also adds Rear Smart City Brake Support with Rear Cross-Traffic Braking, 360° View Monitor, and Traffic Jam Assist. Finally, the Premium Plus package adds leather seats, navigation and HomeLink to the frameless auto-dimming rearview mirror. The 2021 Mazda3 2.5 Turbo is expected to arrive in U.S. dealerships by the end of this year.