Styling & Performance: How the Mazda 3 Sedan Matches Luxury Competitors

The Mazda 3 Sedan is one of the few compact sedans in Saudi Arabia that stands out with its premium interior, offering a driver-centric cabin and luxury level experience. It comes at a price between SAR 72,220 and 88,320, which adds more fun and makes it rival many entry-level luxury cars. 

Apart from the luxury and the interior, the power also feels more fun with the 2.0L Skyactiv-G petrol engine delivering 153 hp and 200 Nm of torque. 

Key Rivals of Mazda 3 Sedan

The Mazda 3 Sedan rivals sedans from Budget-Friendly Chinese Cars as well as other established compact sedans. The key rivals are as follows: 

• GAC Empow
• Hongqi H6
• Chery Arrizo 6 Pro
• Honda City
• Toyota Corolla

Most of these modes, including the 3 Sedan, fall between the pricing of 55,000 and 100,000. At first glance mazda tries to offer a near-luxury and premium-looking car without charging a premium for it. 

Design and Styling Comparison

The 3 Sedan features Mazda’s signature Kodo: Soul of Motion design philosophy. It looks very sophisticated with slim LED headlights, a bold grille in the front, and the side looks sleek with flowing lines. The cabin is made with high-quality materials, soft-touch surfaces, and little to no use of cheap plastic, making it look stylish and premium. It stands as a good option upgrade if you are looking to upgrade from other mainstream models. 

GAC Empow: Empow is another option in KSA with a sporty and youthful design. But it looks sporty instead of a luxury appearance in the 3 sedan.  

Hongqi H6: Even though the Hongqi H6 looks luxurious, it costs significantly higher than the Mazda 3 sedan.

Chery Arrizo 6 Pro: It comes in almost the same price point, but it looks like an economy sedan. 

Honda City: Even though the City features a very practical design, it does not stand a chance when compared to the Mazda 3 sedan's looks and road presence. 

Toyota Corolla: Corolla is one of the few cars that retain Timeless styling. It prioritizes reliability over emotional and premium design.

Mazda 3 sedan Rival Performance Comparison

Car Model	Engine & Powertrain	Power / Torque	Transmission	Key Performance Highlights
Mazda 3 Sedan	2.0L naturally aspirated petrol	155 hp / 200 Nm	6-speed Automatic	Excellent steering precision, balanced ride & handling
GAC EMPOW	1.5L turbo or 2.0L turbo options	170 hp (1.5T) up to 265 hp (2.0T)	Automatic	Strongest on-paper acceleration; punchy low-end pull
Hongqi H6	Larger displacement turbo petrol (luxury-oriented)	Higher output (strong performance)	Automatic	Potent straight-line performance
Chery Arrizo 6 Pro	1.5L petrol	144–156 hp / up to 230 Nm	CVT	Efficient and smooth daily performance
Honda City	1.5L petrol	~120 hp range	CVT / Automatic	Lightweight and fuel-efficient
Toyota Corolla	1.5L–2.0L petrol or hybrid options	119–169 hp (non-hybrid)	CVT / Automatic	Reliable, comfortable, and efficient

Interior Quality

This is where the Mazda 3 sedan wins over competitors with a large margin, and the 3 sedan Feels Like a Luxury Car Inside. It has a clear edge with: 

• Driver-focused cockpit layout
• Soft-touch dashboard materials
• Clean minimal button layout
• Excellent noise insulation

Mazda focuses on the driver-centric interior instead of filling it with large screens and flashy design. 

Rival Interior Comparison

• Toyota Corolla: Highly practical but less premium when compared to the 3 sedan
• Honda City: Spacious but more focused towards economic approach and the use of cheap materials
• Chery Arrizo 6 Pro: Feature-rich but not as refined as the Mazda 3 sedan
• GAC Empow: Sporty ambience
• Hongqi H6: Premium, but costs significantly more than the Mazda.

Final Verdict

The Mazda 3 Sedan stands as a clear winner in Saudi Arabia’s compact sedan market, making it worth every Riyal you spend in KSA. It does so by not focusing on a single spec but ensuring an all-round experience. It offers: 

• Premium exterior design
• Refined driving dynamics
• Quiet, upscale cabin
• Balanced performance

Also Read: Mazda 3 Showdown: Sedan vs. Hatchback – Which One is Right for You?