2021 Mazda3 2.5 Turbo Debuts In The US With Up To 250 Horsepower

Mazda Mexico inexplicably revealed the Mazda3 Turbo on Monday even though the US division had a teaser video up, announcing a July 8 premiere. The US-spec model is officially making its debut, complete with a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine making 227 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque (420 Newton-meters) of torque. While that's the same as the Mexican variant, these output numbers are available on 87 octane fuel.

Upgrade to premium 93 octane fuel and the SkyActiv-G 2.5T will unlock an extra 23 hp and 10 lb-ft (14 Nm) for a grand total of 250 hp and 320 lb-ft (434 Nm). Much like its Mexican cousin, the US-spec variant comes exclusively with all-wheel drive. Don't hold your breath for a three-pedal setup as the beefier Mazda3 will be an auto-only affair.

Available in hatchback and sedan flavors, the 2021 Mazda3 2.5 Turbo as it's known by its official name comes generously equipped as standard with 18-inch black alloys, a power moonroof, 8.8-inch infotainment, paddle shifters, and a 12-speaker Bose sound system.

You also get a wide variety of other goodies, including a head-up display, dual-zone climate control, heated front seats and mirrors, LED headlights and DRLs, along with automatic wipers and support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. On the safety front, there's everything from radar cruise control (with stop & go) and blind-spot monitoring to lane-keep assist and adaptive headlights.

Step up to the Premium Plus Package and Mazda will throw in a trunk lid spoiler for the sedan and a roof-mounted rear spoiler for the hatchback, with both finished in glossy black. Customers are also rewarded with an extended array of safety and driver assistance systems, including an advanced radar cruise control that can steer the car at speeds of under 40 mph (64 km/h). There's also automatic braking when the vehicle is reversing and is about to hit something, along with an upgraded version of the 360-degree View Monitor system with front and rear sensors.

The Mazda3 2.5 Turbo will hit dealers across the US by the end of this year, with pricing to be announced closer to the launch date. You won't have to wait until then for the naturally aspirated models as cars with the SkyActiv-G 2.0 and 2.5 engines will be arriving in showrooms next month.