The 2021 Mazda3 has gone turbo and now the company has revealed pricing will start at $29,900 – excluding a destination charge of at least $945. That’s $1,305 more than the 228hp VW Golf GTI ($28,595) in the States.

It’s also nearly $10,000 more than the standard Mazda3, but the high-performance variant features a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 250 hp (186 kW / 253 PS) and 320 lb-ft (433 Nm) of torque on premium fuel. With regular gasoline, those numbers drop to 227 hp (169 kW / 230 PS) and 310 lb-ft (420 Nm).

The engine is connected to a six-speed automatic transmission which sends power to a standard all-wheel drive system. Unfortunately, Mazda was tight-lipped about additional specifications so there’s no word on fuel economy ratings or a 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) time.

Also Read: 2021 Mazda3 2.5 Turbo Is Here With 250 HP And 320 Lb-Ft, Standard AWD

While the Mazda3 2.5 Turbo is pretty expensive, it features a sportier exterior with a gloss black grille, gloss black mirrors and 18-inch alloy wheels with a black finish. The model also has LED daytime running lights, rain-sensing wipers and larger tailpipes than the standard model.

Moving into the cabin, drivers will find heated leatherette front seats, a power moonroof and a heated leather steering wheel with paddle shifters. The car also has a dual-zone climate control system, exclusive chrome accents and an 8.8-inch infotainment system with Android Auto / Apple CarPlay compatibility. Other niceties include a head-up display, a Wi-Fi hot spot, a frameless auto-dimming rearview mirror and a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system.

There are also a host of driver assistance systems including Mazda radar cruise control with stop and go, smart brake support, blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and lane departure warning with lane-keep assist. There’s also an adaptive front-lighting system with high beam control and driver attention alert.

Buyers looking for more luxury can opt for the Mazda3 2.5 Turbo with the Premium Plus package. It costs $32,450 for the sedan and $33,750 for the hatchback.

The range-topper has leather seats, GPS navigation, a gloss black rear spoiler and HomeLink connectivity. There’s also additional safety systems including rear smart city brake support with rear cross-traffic braking, a 360° view monitor with front and rear parking sensors, and a traffic jam assist system which works with the adaptive cruise control system to drive the vehicle at speeds under 40 mph (64 km/h).

Besides the standard equipment, the turbocharged hatchback can be equipped with an optional Aero Kit that costs $1,075 or $1,900. It adds a rear diffuser, extended side skirts, a front air dam and a rear spoiler.

All Mazda3s can also be equipped with 18-inch BBS forged alloy wheels that feature a gloss black finish. A set of four will cost a little over $3,675.