(July 9, 2020) Mazda said Wednesday its 2021 Mazda3 compact sedan and hatchback that begin arriving in showrooms next month will sport two new engine options. A naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 155 hp will be the car's new base engine. The current 2.5-liter four cylinder carries over unchanged. The third engine is a new turbocharged version of the 2.5-liter four that can deliver as much as 250 hp — 64 more than the current 2.5-liter installed in 2020 models.

The horsepower rating of the 2.5-liter turbo engine — the Skyactive-G 2.5T — varies based on the grade of fuel. When the engine is filled with 87 octane regular, horsepower is rated at 227. When 93 octane premium fuel is used, horsepower climbs to 250.  All-wheel drive is optional on both versions of the 2.5-liter engine.

The turbocharged model comes with a full menu of infotainment and safety equipment. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Wi-Fi hotspot, 8.8-inch screen and Bluetooth are standard, while radar cruise control, blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning and adaptive front lighting highlight the standard safety features.

There is no word yet on pricing. Mazda dealers will receive the 2021 versions of the 2.0 and 2.5 non-turbo models next month and the 2.5 turbo by the end of the year.