Is Mazda a Luxury Car?
Although Mazda isn’t considered a luxury brand, they offer high-end trims and optional upgrades that come close.
Written by Amber Reed
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
Although Mazda isn’t officially a luxury car brand, their upscale, performance-focused vehicles give high-end brands like BMW and Audi a run for their money.
Mazda is known for its lineup of stylish, sporty, reliable vehicles. But in recent years, the Japanese automaker has been amping up the luxury features on their higher trim levels. Today, almost any Mazda vehicle can be had with upscale options like leather upholstery, a performance-focused turbo engine, advanced driver-assistance technology, a premium sound system, and more.
Want to know more about Mazda’s most luxurious vehicles? Just ask
Jerry
, the trustworthy super app that saves you money on your car insurance
. In this guide, we’ll go over which Mazda models have the best features and which trims lean higher end.And if you want to lower your
Mazda car insurance costs
(or insurance for any other vehicle), Jerry’s got you covered there, too!Is Mazda a luxury car?
No. Mazda isn’t considered a luxury automaker by expert standards. However, Mazda’s upscale trims, premium packages, and sport-tuned engine options offer a lot of the same features you’d find with a high-end brand like BMW.
If you’re looking for a car that’s both luxurious and affordable, Mazda is a great choice.
What makes a luxury car?
While there’s no official definition of a luxury car, almost all high-end vehicles share some characteristics that make them look—and feel—different from your run-of-the-mill daily driver. Here are some standout features to look for if you’re in the market for a luxury car.
- Power and performance: Upgraded engine options or sport-tuned suspensions
- Cabin comforts: Real leather upholstery, heated seats, or a sunroof
- Cutting-edge tech: Smartphone integration, driver assistance, or a high-end sound system
- Enhanced style options: Adjustable lighting, unique trims, and interior embellishments
Of course, even the most budget-friendly commuter car can usually get you from one place to another without a hitch, but luxe interior features, state-of-the-art tech, and powerful engines are what separate a luxury vehicle from the rest.
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Is Mazda a good luxury brand?
If you’re looking for top-of-the-line style and a fully-loaded cabin, you might not find it with Mazda. Even the brand’s top-tier trims and premium packages don’t quite stand up to the opulence of
Mercedes-Benz
, Lexus
, or Porsche
. But for drivers who want a budget-friendly vehicle that can be upgraded to include an abundance of aesthetic and tech customizations, Mazda is one of the best options out there.
Not only do Mazda vehicles look trendy and stylish, but opting for a high trim level adds things like cushy leather upholstery, a sunroof, advanced safety tech, and more. Plus, Mazda offers a variety of high-powered engines for drivers who want to add a little fun to their ride.
The best Mazda luxury cars
In Mazda’s 2022 lineup, two models are as close as it comes to luxury classification when properly equipped: the four-door
Mazda 3
and the Mazda Miata
roadster.Mazda 3
The Mazda 3’s starting cost of $22,215 gets you features like an 8-inch infotainment display, remote vehicle monitoring via the Mazda app, rain-sensing wipers, and a good amount of driver-assistance tech. But if you’re looking to add a little luxury to this compact car, you’ll need to step up to the Turbo or Turbo Premium Plus trim.
Here’s what you’ll get with the Mazda 3 Turbo:
- 250-horsepower turbocharged engine
- Smartphone integration
- Dual-zone climate control
- Keyless entry and ignition
- Power-adjustable driver’s seat with memory settings
- Heated front seats
- Sunroof
- Blind spot monitoring w/ rear cross-traffic alert
- Adaptive headlights
- Premium Bose sound system
If those features aren’t enough for you, the Mazda 3 Turbo Premium Plus adds the following:
- Leather upholstery
- Built-in navigation
- Parking sensors
- Surround-view camera
- Rear spoiler
- Traffic jam assist
- Universal garage door opener
In addition to those features, both the Turbo and Turbo Premium Plus can be further enhanced with optional add-ons such as a wireless charging pad, black exterior accents, and illuminated trim plates.
Key specs | 2022 Mazda 3 Turbo |
|---|---|
Engine | 250-hp turbocharged 2.5L four-cylinder |
Transmission | 6-speed automatic |
Drivetrain | All-wheel drive |
0 to 60 | 5.6 seconds |
EPA fuel economy (mpg) | 25 city / 33 highway / 28 combined |
Mazda Miata
If you want to combine luxury features with power and performance, the Mazda Miata has you covered. This two-door convertible starts at $28,715 and includes a 7-inch digital display, keyless entry, smartphone integration, and driver-assistance tech. Or, you can turn your Miata into a luxury car lookalike with the Grand Touring trim.
The Mazda Miata Grand Touring includes:
- Sport-tuned suspension w/ Bilstein shock absorbers
- Limited-slip differential
- Leather upholstery
- Built-in navigation
- Heated seats
- Premium Bose sound system
- 17-inch alloy wheels with a unique dark gray finish
- Automatic headlights
- Automatic rain-sensing wipers
- Heated side mirrors
- Automatic climate control
Plus, optional upgrades such as a rear spoiler, door sill trim plates, and customizable ambient lighting are also available for an additional cost.
Key specs | 2022 Mazda Miata Grand Touring |
|---|---|
Engine | 181-hp 2.0L four-cylinder |
Transmission | 6-speed manual |
Drivetrain | Rear-wheel drive |
0 to 60 | 5.7 seconds |
EPA fuel economy (mpg) | 26 city / 34 highway / 29 combined |
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Mazda luxury SUVs
Sedans and sports cars might be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a luxury vehicle, but Mazda’s sport utility vehicles are almost more luxurious than its smaller cars. The Mazda
CX-30
, CX-5
, and CX-9
are just three of the automaker's highly rated SUVs, and they can all be upgraded with luxury features and upscale trims.If you’re looking for a small SUV, both the Mazda CX-30 and the Mazda CX-5 start at under $30,000 and feature the attractive body style and upscale cabin typical of the brand. Smartphone integration, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist come standard, while higher trims are enhanced with a turbocharged engine, leather upholstery, a premium sound system, and advanced driver aids.
For drivers with large families, the Mazda CX-9 might be an appealing option. This three-row SUV starts at $40,025 and features powerful engine options, quick acceleration, and a classy cabin.
Even the base model comes with luxuries like a power-adjustable driver’s seat, rain-sensing wipers, and smartphone integration, but upper trims like the Grand Touring or Signature include features like a head-up display and surround-view camera, heated and ventilated seats, wireless charging, leather upholstery, and real wood trim.
How to save on Mazda insurance with Jerry
Mazda isn’t a luxury car brand, but with sport-tuned engine options and a variety of classy cabin features, they may as well be. Whether you’re looking at the affordable Mazda 3, the sporty Miata, or an SUV like the CX-5, don’t forget to protect it with great
car insurance
. If you’re having trouble finding affordable coverage, download the Jerry
app.Here’s how it works. First, answer a few quick questions about yourself and your vehicle. Then, sit back and wait while Jerry collects all of your information from your existing insurer. In less than 45 seconds, you’ll get a customized list of competitive quotes from name-brand insurance companies. Tap your preferred policy, and Jerry takes care of the rest—securing your new plan and helping you cancel your old one upon request.
“It never occurred to me to look for more insurance quotes, but I’m so happy I sawJerry. After using the app, I am saving $2,000+ a year through my new Progressive plan. It blew my mind!” —Jarod M.
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Is Mazda a luxury brand?
No, Mazda isn’t a luxury brand. But it is a premium brand that offers high-tech convenience and safety features, upscale cabins, and high-performance engines.
Are Mazda cars expensive?
No. With a wide selection of vehicles for under $30,000, Mazda is a budget-friendly car brand. It also gets high reliability and safety ratings across the board, making it one of the car brands with the lowest ownership costs.
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