Mazda 3 trim comparison
2024 Mazda 3 2.5 S vs 2.5 S Premium
The 3 2.5 S starts at $24,170 while the 2.5 S Premium is $30,350. That $6,180 gap buys 3 meaningful differences.
$6,180 more is ~$108/month. The question is whether the added equipment will matter to you every week.
The 2.5 S is the cleaner stopping point if keeping roughly $108/month in your budget matters. The 2.5 S Premium earns the extra money only if you want the nicer equipment factory-installed and under warranty.
If you are budgeting this move monthly, the jump from the 2.5 S to the 2.5 S Premium is about $108/month on a 60-month loan at 6.5% APR with 10% down. That works out to roughly $6,480 more by the time interest is counted. In this part of the market, that is real money every month, so the upgrade should solve something you will feel in daily use.
Lock one trim, change the other side, and move through exact pair pages without resetting back to the full lineup every time.
Who notices the difference
The higher trim starts to make more sense when you want the nicer equipment factory-installed and under warranty.
When both feel the same
The 2.5 S and 2.5 S Premium are mechanically identical where it counts: the same identical wheelbase and body dimensions.
The upgrade math
You are paying $6,180 for 2 measurable differences, which works out to about $3,090 per change.
Key Differences at a Glance
This is the fast read: price, power, efficiency, and the feature flips most likely to change the answer.
Every Difference, Side by Side
This is the full read behind the quick decision signals above: the complete hardware, comfort, and equipment story. 3 specification differences, 4 shared.
Full Specification Comparison
Specifications reflect available data as of early 2024. Confirm details with an authorized dealer before purchasing.
| Spec | 2.5 S | 2.5 S Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| MSRP | $24,170 | $30,350 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine | 2.5L I4 | 2.5L I4 |
| Horsepower | 191 hp | 191 hp |
| Torque | 186 lb-ft | 186 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 6-speed shiftable automatic | 6-speed manual |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
| Fuel Economy | ||
| City MPG | 27 | 26 |
| Highway MPG | 37 | 36 |
| Combined MPG | 31 | 30 |
| Fuel Tank | 13.2 gal | 13.2 gal |
| Annual Fuel Cost (EPA) | No published data | $1,450/yr |
| Dimensions | ||
| Curb Weight | 3,124 lbs | 3,086 lbs |
| Wheelbase | 107.3" | 107.3" |
| Length | 183.5" | 175.6" |
| Width | 70.7" | 70.7" |
| Height | 56.9" | 56.7" |
| Safety | ||
| IIHS Award | TSP+ | TSP+ |
| Warranty | ||
| Bumper-to-Bumper | 3yr/36k | 3yr/36k |
| Powertrain | 5yr/60k | 5yr/60k |
| Corrosion | 5yr/unlimited | 5yr/unlimited |
| Roadside Assistance | 3yr/36k | 3yr/36k |
Data sources: licensed third-party automotive data, EPA fueleconomy.gov, NHTSA, and official manufacturer materials. Values marked est. are estimated.
2024 Mazda 3 2.5 S vs 2.5 S Premium Questions Shoppers Ask
Use this page for the direct trim answer, then zoom back out to the Mazda 3 lineup, the Mazda brand hub, the Compact Cars, the how to pick a trim guide, or our mid-trim value research when you need the bigger shopping path behind this one matchup.
How much more does the 2024 3 2.5 S Premium cost than the 2.5 S?
The 2.5 S Premium starts at $30,350 compared to $24,170 for the 2.5 S. That is a $6,180 difference, or approximately $108/month more on a 60-month loan.
Do the 2024 Mazda 3 2.5 S and 2.5 S Premium have the same engine?
Yes. Both use the 2.5L I4 producing 191 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque. The engine hardware does not change between these trims, so the real differences are in equipment and feature content.
Do the 2024 3 2.5 S and 2.5 S Premium have the same drivetrain?
Yes. Both come with FWD as standard. The differences between these trims are in features and equipment, not drivetrain.
What warranty does the 2024 Mazda 3 come with?
All 2024 Mazda 3 trims, including both the 2.5 S and 2.5 S Premium, come with Mazda's standard warranty: 3yr/36k bumper-to-bumper and 5yr/60k powertrain coverage. Warranty does not vary by trim level.
Which 2024 Mazda 3 trim gets better fuel economy, the 2.5 S or the 2.5 S Premium?
The 2.5 S is the more efficient of the two at 31 combined MPG, versus 30 for the other trim. That matters most if you are balancing running costs against the extra power, drivetrain, or comfort equipment tied to the pricier trim.
The Full Story Behind This Price Gap
Use the direct answer above for this exact matchup, then use these guides to understand whether you are really looking at a feature step-up, a package shuffle, or the point where the lineup starts changing in a meaningful way.
What $6,180 Gets You
Same engine, drivetrain, $6,180 more. The 3 2.5 S Premium adds minor equipment upgrades over the 2.5 S, but the core driving experience is identical.
Fuel Economy Comparison
The 3 2.5 S gets 1 more combined MPG. At $3.50/gallon and 12,000 miles/year, that saves roughly $45 per year or $225 over five years of ownership.
What Both Trims Share
The 3 2.5 S and 2.5 S Premium share the same engine and drivetrain. The $6,180 difference comes down to 2 feature and equipment changes, not mechanical differences.
Summary
The 3 2.5 S Premium costs $6,180 more than the 2.5 S (about $108/month more on a 60-month loan). That buys 2 meaningful changes at $3,090 per change. Whether that trade-off is worth it depends on which features matter to your daily driving.
Trim-Matched Accessories
These add-ons are split by trim intent so the recommendations follow the actual use case, not just the same repeated product block.
Mazda 3 2.5 S
Value-trim add-onsThese picks fit the 2.5 S best when the goal is covering the daily-use gaps without paying up to the next trim.
Mazda 3 2.5 S Premium
Step-up trim add-onsThese picks suit the 2.5 S Premium when you want the accessories to match the nicer cabin, broader utility, or more premium use case.
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Specifications shown combine licensed third-party automotive data with official manufacturer, EPA, and NHTSA source material for the 2024 model year. Actual pricing, features, and availability may vary by region and dealer. Always confirm details with an authorized dealer before making a purchase decision. TrimAtlas is not affiliated with Mazda or any dealership.
Page updated 2026-03-18. Verify equipment, pricing, and regional availability with the manufacturer or dealer.