I have this car in black and I Love it! Perfect smooth riding, amazing interior and powerful while getting great gas! I highly suggest this car for anyone looking for a compact
yoitsrami Yes, I highly agree! I own a late model Civic and I recently test drove a '14 Mazda 3 i Touring hatch auto and came away EXTREMELY impressed!!! BY FAR the best c-segment car on the planet. I also test drove a 3 s GT and felt the performance really wasn't much different from the 3 i Touring. The 3 i Touring is an absolute bargain for what you get! I plan on selling the Civic and getting a 2015 Mazda 3 i Touring hatchback automatic. Just a brilliant car. A true driver's car!
yoitsrami Sounds about right. I got the s GT for $25k out the door. Never drove the iTouring mainly because I wanted the sunroof/leather seats which only the GT's have, I think.
I purchased a Soul Red 3 i Sport in February. I love the seats, love the manual transmission, love the engine, love the styling. I couldn't believe how much Mazda stepped up its game. Now if only we could convince more people to step out of their econoboxes and shop around...
I am taking your advice Panther and stepping out of the Civic as soon as I am able and plan on getting a 2015 Mazda 3 i Touring hatchback auto. Just an absolutely FANTASTIC automobile! I just can't get over how awesome this car is.
patwickgriff I'm so happy to hear that! Most people look at me like I have a second head when I tell them how great Mazda is now. One, I would recommend the Tech package if you can swing it. I heard the Bose system once and it alone seems worth the upgrade. Two, you gotta get a stick!
PantherP74 Also the 2.0 Skyactiv-G felt really great to me. I also test drove a 3 s with the 2.5 and for some reason I didn't really feel that significant of a difference in performance between the two. I've heard that from others as well. Seems like the 2.0 Skyactiv-G is the way to go plus you get the improved fuel economy. I also want the Soul Red Metallic when the time comes. Panther, is your's a sedan or hatchback?
the entry hatches series helped me immensely during my car shopping. I knew to not even give the impreza a chance (hard to do coming from an 05 outback). I couldn't find a 6 speed focus in my area so i went for a mazda 3. The test drive was okay, but i felt a stick in a 2.5 would have been far superior. I ended up test driving a 15 Golf (launch edition to keep the price down) and even though the guys haven't reviewed the new Golf, from watching EverydayDriver reviews in the past, i felt informed enough to make a decision on my own. Knowing what to look for (and avoid) from these reviews was perhaps the most important factor in my recent car purchase. Thank you for teaching a relative laymen what to look for during a test drive. ps - review the new golf in some form or fashion. i was impressed. thanks guys.
Thanks Ross! It's really great of you to share this, and we're thrilled to have been helpful to you. Glad you found a car you like (we've driven a few versions of the new Golf and it is an excellent all-around car). You might also enjoy our "Everyday Driver Car Debate" weekly audio podcast - as we discuss people's car buying decisions. Thanks again for watching, commenting, and enjoying what we do!
I'm not surprised I test drove a Impreza and I was driving a 99 Legacy Wagon 2.2 so i had less power than you and felt my 2.2 was more powerful. tho i bought a 2008 2.5 impreza in the end i like my awd.
Thank you guys so much for making this video. I was going to buy a new Impreza after coming out of a 2002 Outback H6 for my first new car, but your video made me think otherwise. I drive Focuses everyday at work (I work for a rental car company) and didn't find any good deals on the Mazda 3, so I ended up buying a Volkswagen Golf instead. I would love to see you guys do a comparo between the Mazda 3 versus the Golf, I swear you'll be surprised how great the base Golf is!
Dang guys! Very good series! Can't believe I missed it until now. I think the most important factor to doing these is that it sets the bar for comparison with the hot models. There can be no hot models without the basic models, so because of that, these are very important.
I dont mean to be so offtopic but does any of you know of a method to log back into an instagram account? I somehow lost the login password. I would love any tips you can offer me.
@Leroy Amir Thanks for your reply. I got to the site through google and im waiting for the hacking stuff now. I see it takes a while so I will get back to you later with my results.
It's 29k because it's the bigger engine Grand Touring with the GT Tech Package which adds the i-ELOOP capacitor, radar cruise, lane departure warning. If you go for the Grand Touring without the tech package you're somewhere around 26k. And if you go for the S Touring you're around 25k.
Mazda has definitely priced their new 3 rather aggressively. I hope they make some price adjustments in the coming year to become more competitive, seeing as they are trying to increase their slice of the automotive pie. With that being said it is clearly the best option here. I imagine even the base 2.0 with a stick would have topped the offerings by Ford and Subaru. I believe the manual is making it's way to the 2.5 later this year, should increase it's desirability. In a year or 2 from now a 2.5 mazda 3 hatch for around 20 grand would be a great deal.
Great review as always. I for the past two years I had been holding out to buy a new Mazdaspeed3 for my daily commuter. Now that I've heard it's not coming till 2018, which made me really sad, my next choice is a Focus ST. Anyways, thanks for the commitment to excellence in your vids. Keep 'em coming.
+Eric Leippe what's funny is that you don't hear about the Mazda 3's 2.0 that much in reviews. It's almost always about the 2.5. However, as the owner of a 3i Touring Hatch, I can very confidently say that the 2.0 is a fantastic engine in the Mazda 3. No doubt the 2.5 is better, but the 2.0 is still a great little engine.
+Mad Pistol Do you have the 6 speed manual? I would like to get my hands on a 2014 3 maybe with 6 speed manual cuz it's cheaper and more fun. How is the reliability and road noise so far?
Tien Ha no unfortunately. I've got the automatic. I have only had the car for 3 months, so I can't comment on reliability, but road noise is well maintained. It's definitely less than the '08 altima I had before this car.
I have the Focus with the upgraded visual package (Group 201A, not the ST). I would have liked to have seen what these guys thought of the seats in it. Stitched leather, took me from Wisconsin to Alabama and back without any ache. I have the DCT. Wife can't drive a manual, couldn't go for that. The select shift is nice, but not 100%. I think my next ride will be a Fiesta ST.
I just bought a mazda 3 sp25 6 speed manual with tints and dipped black wheels for 29k in australia. Great car very fun to drive and my first brand new car!!
The Mazda 3 is a really nice car. The only thing I dislike about this review is that they are test driving a fully loaded 30 thousand plus compact car. How about reviewing compacts that are on the lower 20 thousand dollar models.
***** The iTouring 2.0L can be had for $21K. That's the one to get. Combined with their excellent stick shift, it'll still be "peppy" just not exactly fast. As a plus the lower trim actually has a smoother quieter ride, due to the smaller, meatier tires.
+Matthew Paris Yep. I have the i Touring Hatch, and boy do I love that car. You get blindspot monitoring, a backup camera, HD radio, an awesome infotainment system, and rear cross-traffic alert in a car for $21k. Is there any other car on the market that has all that stuff for that price?
I agree with Paul on this one; the Mazda 3 is a genuine class leader in the small segment. The Skyactiv engines are incredibly efficient yet provide good grunt, and suspension & chassis is typically Mazda "zoom-zoom" set which means body control is top class. The gearbox on the 3 is a standard 6spd auto, but it's better than the dry-clutch DCT used in the Focus because it's simply smoother & more responsive; who cares if it shifts 0.1 seconds slower especially in this class segment? Best of all, the stupid "smiley face" is gone and the overall design is striking & modern. The Interior is also much better than the Focus: I really don't like the curvy button design on the Focus in the entertainment console. The Price though for the 3 is a mistake; I think the standard 2.0 motor in mid-spec ~$24k form would be the best bargain.
***** What did you heard that from? Mazda has never employed anything that's not a stick-shift MT or a conventional automatic. Get past the "Skyactiv" marketing rubbish, and it's just a conventional automatic with a lockup torque converter, like every other car in the world. The only manufacturer that does what your description says is Honda (in limited fashion) in the new TLX 4cylinder.
Nice review! I am planning on getting new Mazda 3 2017, only thing stopping me is that in north -east europe(where i am from) the most powerful engine that is offered is 2.0l petrol 120 hp
Paul was a bit too biased on the interior considering the price difference between the Focus and the Mazda3. If the Focus was the Titanium trim with the handling pack and MyFord Touch, I think the Focus would have been the definitive winner here on both interior and driving dynamics. Otherwise great review guys. It's nice to see great competition between two once-related companies. I also can't wait to see how the Mazda3 stacks up against the new 2015 Focus.
I just bought a red 2012 sedan earlier today, with the older 2.0L and 5 speed. Despite having the weakest engine, it felt plenty powerful, (I also drove a 2.5 and it was definitely stronger, but the difference was honestly way less than I expected.) For the price, I'm not sure you can get something that's as practical and fun. It's no Ferrari, but it's miles more athletic than my brother's 2012 Hyundai Accent, (which is a decent ride, just not that much fun.)
In my experience Mazda tends to tune a bit of understeer into their cars (like most manufacturers), my first gen MS3 had basically no rotation when it was stock. I bet a RSB and some summer tires would make up the difference in handling between the two cars. The Mazda3 does have better suspension geometry though, I think it has like 6.5 degrees of caster compared to about 4 on the Focus. If they decide to make another Mazdaspeed3 that should really help the front end grip.
You guys should now do a "pocket rocket" test: for example, most notably the Fiesta ST, Mini Cooper S, Hyundai Veloster Turbo, uhh...fiat 500 abarth i guess?
If the better car is a few more grand expensive, I'm ok with that, this proves their point. You would just not want to pay more for the wrong car. Nice review, go Mazda.
I don't have to test the focus. I'll immediately discard any Ford I come across. They're really bad quality cars and will die in less than 6 years. Also, I'm thinking on buying the sedan version of the Mazda3, it's better looking than the hatchback.
Really? My 1998 Ford Contour V-6 is still running great after 17 years and 17 winters with normal expected parts replacement. It has never left me stranded and I will drive it to the junkyard. I've ordered the 2014 Focus SE with sport package and 5-speed manual and it is the best bang for the buck. My previous Mustang GT was still running great after 10 years. No such thing as bad cars these days; just bad maintenance. The hatchbacks of both Mazda 3 and Focus are way better looking than the sedans and more practical.
gwwayner I agree with you on the Contour. I have a 95 and it has been a good car. The Focus however has gotten bad reliability reviews. I think there are bad cars out there. Why all the recalls if there are no bad cars? Bad reports make me take pause and think twice about choosing a particular model after all I want the car to spend more time in my garage not the auto repair shop. The Ford Fiesta for example has had many transmission issues. Again, being this is happening on newer cars not so sure it is maintenance but rather bad build quality. Just saying : )
Statimtek My 98 Contour had some recalls too but nothing major. I also like to buy a model that is near the end of its run cos most of the bugs have been addressed. A lot of 'reliability' problems are just minor stuff easily addressed by warranty. Some people like the dual clutch automatic tranny in the Focus, some don't. Again Ford has addressed this with refined software for the transmission and new electric assist power steering. But I like the bullet-proof manual 5-speed anyway. My parents' 2010 Focus has been flawless for the last 5 years. I dunno, people are awfully picky these days about minor items. In the old days a car was junk after 5 years with a smoking engine and rust holed body. Cars in general these days are excellent for the price. Most people are just too cheap or stupid to keep a car properly maintained, and blame the car when something goes wrong.
I have owned a Ford Focus Titanium with the Titanium Handling Package and I have test driven the Mazda 3s Grand Touring. Even with the hiked up price of the Mazda it beats the Focus in pretty much every aspect so I am rather surprised that there was a split opinion on this review. The Mazda is the drivers car, the transmission shifts better, the handling is sharp and you get more Horsepower with basically the same fuel economy. The only thing that would benefit the Mazda is if it was equipped with Summer Performance Tires which the Focus Titanium has.
Yea im surprised they didnt mention the tire difference. Makes a huge difference in the "lack of steering feel" in the mazda. Personally i would take a mazda6 touring for mid 20's money. Bigger, more room, 6spd with the bigger engine, and only a 2-3mpg drop off.
I bought a new Mazda3 S Touring after extensively researching the competition. The Focus has so many reliability complaints from its users that I was actually scared to buy one. I got my Mazda at $25k out of the door, and at that price I couldn't find anything even close to it in features and refinement. I also agree that tire difference is what really separates the two in handling; the Mazda feels every bit sharp and compliant on a turn as the Focus. With such a huge engine power lead (and fuel consumption numbers, too), it really doesn't make sense to get a Focus Titanium. You're better off buying a Focus ST, which actually costs about the same.
I'm going to be a bit bias because my daily driver is a 12 Focus SEL, and I'm here to tell you that the way this car rotates in a corner is a blast. It actually feels like it's over steering, but because it's front wheel drive, it's control is always in check. It's the real drivers car here. I'll give the Mazda 3 an honorable mention.
How hard is it to understand that you can get a Mazda 3 for $17k if you wanted to? All people seem to complain about is the price. Goodness people are so dense these days.
Cyz Walker I understand that. But people always make it seem like the Mazda 3 will fail because a fully loaded one costs 30k as if it starts at that price. If you don't want to spend 30k then look at the i Touring for 21k, or the i SV for 17k for that matter. All i'm saying is that it makes no sense for people to complain about a fully loaded model of any car. Obviously it's gonna cost a ridiculous amount of money more than a lower trim.
Base Price maybe. But for 30k I can get what? A Golf GTD, GTI, a Focus ST, a Genesis, a BRZ, a new Mustang ecoboost, a new Camaro, a Challenger, or even a Charger. Sure its a great car, but at that price point it's stepping into territory where it's competing with cars that can give me a lot more power and fun. And as far as fuel economy is concerned, the GTD and GTI are more than a match, especially considering each have Audi level trims and plenty more power.
The 30k tag is for the highest trim and all the packages ticked off. I am looking to buy an S touring which has the larger engine and a LOT of comfort and technology options for a little more than $24k. For that price its worth it.
wonderwall135 I know I love the Mazda3 and I would totally get the lower end models if I wanted a practical efficient fun car but I'm just saying when the trims start going 10k above base price its stepping into a price range where I can get much more bang for the buck.
Aerophyle u won't beat the Mazda3 for bang for the buck. For 30K, you can get Blind spot, radar cruise control, city brake support, Nav, USB/ bluetooth/ app support with Bose speaker, Lather heated seat, sun roof, HID headlight that turns with steering, head up display, 18 inch alloy, LED DRL, I-Eloop system and so on. it's for sure not performance oriented for the price, but that is the mazdaspeed3's job which starts at $23,000
blind spot, nav, usb, bluetooth, app support, bose speakers, heated seats, hid headlights, heads up display, 18innch alloy, led drl, are all available on the s touring model, which is only about $24k. the sgt is overpriced. the ie loop, turning lights, city brake support, and all that is gimmicky shit that nobody needs unless they are retarded.
+djkenny - As mentioned here and elsewhere, we get most of our cars from manufacturer press fleets. Generally, base cars aren't available to the press as the car makers want the best versions of their cars to be reviewed and leave the best impression. We'd love to be able and spec every car to our perfect price and features, but it sadly isn't possible. Thanks for watching can commenting!
Hey guys, thanks for this review it is very useful. I'm thinking about purchasing a Mazda 3. It is a very practical car. The problem of course is that I LOVE cars and it breaks my heart to get something that isn't super sporty. However, I think it's a reasonable compromise and your opinions have helped solidify that. So thank you! I do disagree with you though... the look of the car is hideous! Oh. They did so well with the Mazda 6... what were they thinking with the Mazda 3. But hey, if you are driving it you don't have to look at it. And the interior is nice. Thanks again
If they are talking about a 'driver's car' then they should test all 3 cars with a manual transmission and the same price point. IMO the Focus wins by better seats and handling response. Also 160 hp with a manual transmission in a small car should be pretty lively. Keep in mind these are not sports cars, but cars you can drive in winter that get decent fuel mileage.
I agree - I think the Subaru would have been rated significantly higher if they did only manual transmissions. Seems to me all the problems they had with the Subaru (except external appearance and steering) were directly related to the transmission.
at 29k, I bet you some people would prefer to buy a basic, no frills CLA or A3 than the Mazda :/ I'm sure if there was a kidney grill, bmw badge, and higher price on the mazda, they wouldn't be able to keep up with the demand for them; same goes for the handsome new Mazda 6.
Honestly the Mazda with the 2.5 engine is great and for just street driving its probably the better choice. If you ever are going to drive in snow or dirt then get the Impreza. Also, the Subaru really isn't as bad as these guys make it out to be. I throw mine around all the time and I can't even get the stability control to kick in. Maybe the tires just aren't as quiet as they like. I'm going to replace the Yokohama rubber with Continentals as soon as I can.
I just got a quote from a dealer for $19,200 for a Mazda3 i Sport Hatchback with a few extras (not much mind you, but...). This car would have been a much more fair comparison here. At 29k this car must have had every option available!
Yup - as we said in the review, this is a car from the Press-fleet, and the cars for Press always have every possible option. The 3 makes much more sense with fewer things on it and a lower price. Thanks for watching and commenting!
Graeck The front end is longer due to the fact they needed to put a 421 header on the back side of the engine to help get the astronomical compression ratio. I rather like that it is longer. Makes it look like it was designed in Italy.
here's hoping you guys happen to see this and are able to respond. so I currently have an 07 acura tsx manual tech package. I love it. however it is burning oil and time to get rid of it. sad but true. I'm looking for something fun to drive, sporty, manual, and I don't mind a few bells and whistles. I like the look of the ILX, test driven it a few times (feels like my car) I like the inside of the accord coupe but I'm not in love. and after your review I'm agreeing with you. I keep looking at the mazda 3 and I wouldn't do a hatchback, but the sedan is a possibility. help! I need to make a decision. I didn't like the vw's I drove. meh. and I keep finding cars that might be an option but don't come in manual. I liked the 2 series but that's rear wheel. blah. suggestions??? :) thanks in advance :)
michelle linden - Thanks for wanting our thoughts here, and we'd be happy to talk this through on our Podcast "Everyday Driver Car Debate" - that's what we do every week with requests like yours! Send us a bit more detail, including budget, location and a bit about your driving needs to: EverydayDriverTV@gmail.com, or through our Facebook page. We'll talk it over on the Podcast. Thanks for asking!
I'm having a very hard time choosing between the focus titanium and the 2.5L mazda 3. They have really similar numbers, but the mazda's around 3K more. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
If you got it, spend the extra. I bought a 3s GT 3 months ago. It's not even in the same class. As others have said, it is very close to entry level lux compacts, but more reliable. Or just go with the 3i. Still a great car. When I was comparing the 3i to the focus, It was close but still leaning to the Mazda. Then I drove the 3s and knew I wanted that car.
$30,000 dollar Mazda 3! OUCH! Not really a fair comparison. You can get a Focus ST for that money and it would be the end for the Mazda. I believe Mazda and Ford have the best compact vehicles on the road today.
i love how people bash the nav screen.... then you see BIG luxury car manufacturers do the same damn thing for 70k+ . but if its in a cheaper car its an issue?!
Andrew Kyser We hope you noticed that the tacked on nav screen was mentioned as similar to what Mercedes is doing now, and we called them out on it in our recent CLA review. It looks cheap in any car. Luckily, the Mazda 3 is a cheap car and an excellent one. By the way, you've watched and commented on a few of our videos recently. We're glad you found us, and thanks a lot for watching and commenting!
I agree that it looks cheap and added on. At least your being consistent about it too! Ive had some friends bash on it and not even realize that major luxury brands are doing the same thing and getting away with it. I currently have a 2014 Mazda 6 and its sexy as hell and has a real nav screen haha
Difficult choice! I'm like Paul, totally a Ford guy but the Mazda 3 is absolutely stunning both inside and out. Although Ford owns a negligible amount of Mazda shares today, they are strategic partners and both know how to make absolutely terrific enthusiast cars.
Ford doesn't own Mazda since 2010... and since then, Mazda has proven that they can do better without Ford, check out their 2014-2015 Mazda6, Mazda CX-5, Mazda CX-9.. Mazda3... and its just the beginning!
Double check your facts. I said negligible but they do own a few percent. I've been inside a Ford manufacturing plant which Mazda shares with Ford. They have a bigger alliance then it appears on the surface.
Problem is, in tougher terrain and snowy weather, I'd pick the Subaru without remorse. My family's safety in returning home in unideal conditions is more important.
It's like this, the Mazda 3 was clearly the better car out of the three, but at near 30k in price it's to expensive. You might as well by a Focus ST or a WRX.
Funny enough, I would probably be most likely to buy a manual impreza out of those cars. The mazda is very expensive, even at parity, and it and the focus sound like they don't have much back-seat room. If I wanted an enthusiast car, I'd commit to that notion and go for something more appropriate.
Long time fan here. I'm sorry guys, your constant focus on which one is sportiest is silly. These are economy, everyday cars. Your channel is called everyday driver. Reviews of these kind of cars should be what you do best, reviewing the car as a whole for intended function. But the past few reviews seemed to have turned you guys into some wannabe sports car channel. I don't like it.
We appreciate your perspective, and greatly appreciate you being a long time fan. From the beginning we've looked at cars to judge their fun-to-drive perspective. Industry-wide most every car is good at the mundane, commuting, run-errands tasks. If someone wants an appliance there are tons of fine choices. So we've always tried to help identify the cars that stand out from that, and can offer joy in the driving experience. We believe that is relevant to these cars, and any car. If you've watched our show for a while, you'll see that approach throughout. We want people to find cars that can be loved and enjoyed "Everyday". We hope that clarifies our approach further. Thanks for watching and taking the time to share your thoughts!
That guys comment is one of the reason why i stopped watching and maybe why you dont really grow. It's called being too one dimensional. We get info about how sporty normal cars are from other channels but also other stuff. You only talk about engine, seat, and driving dynamics. Not to mention production values aren't really good even compared to the function over form approach of alex on autos. I'm here cause my i'm helping my cousin buy a Mazda 3. All opinions carry over to more recent videos.
These guys should but be car reviewers. Out of the three I bought the Subaru because it is way better. I have the 2012 sport limited and I love it. My friend had the Mazda and I don't like it. The subaru is the way to go. You see more of them on the road btw and also would be picked over these other two. The other cars are trying to be cars that they aren't such as the Mazda trying to be a speed and the ford trying to be the st. For 30000 just get the sti or wrx why waste money go with subaru the only way
RickyJnum1FAN im sorry but nobody knows the spec of new ms3 and by the time they actually come out with new speed, 3rd gen mazda 3 will be out soon too.....
Adil Baig well to tell you the truth im love my genesis coupe its a decent car for the money, but mazda has something the genesis doesn't have and yes you're right its handling/road feel. The chassis is just superb. Maybe the 3rd gen genesis coupe will have most of that figured out.
For these cheap cars, I think that most car buyers don't care about the styling, it would be better to focus more on the functionality. Hatchback, I don't care about handling, give me function.
Well you're in the minority. Compact car buyers want more than just a box for getting from A to B. They want a refined vehicle that is both comfortable, has good mileage, technology, and of course good driving. You are wrong.
The young techie idiots only care about the media hub, there are some who buy cars just for looks i mainly think women for this category. others buy cars like a pack of gum i swear... they go to the dealer a block from their home do no research and go hey i want this it must be a good car since I see 800 of them everyday. I personally like something with a good solid name that isn't the headline of every news article about recalls, that every other person and his dog are driving. I drive an 08 impreza sedan, there are days i regret trading in my 99' legacy wagon.
The fully loaded Mazda 3 doesn't compete at the same level as a regular compact car. Instead it should be compared to low-end luxury vehicles like the new Audi 3 or Acura ILX. It has a crazy amount of features and feels at least as premium as those vehicles by the time you get to 29k. You can still buy an entry level Mazda 3 for half of that price.
Agreed completely. For $29K you buy a focus ST and the whole argument is over. From an enthusiast standpoint, it's a no-brainer. Even from a "normal driver" standpoint, the focus ST with the ST3 package is going to have nearly all the creature comforts they liked about the Mazda 3.
You can knock off $2600 for the tech package, that's what throws it to the $30k range. I got the sGT hatch for just over $26k and it has all the features I need :D
lowincash the base model focus St rings in at $25k, and dealers have them frequently below that. It's still decently equipped at that level too. I'm sure a Mazda 3 at that price would be slightly better equipped, from an enthusiast's perspective, I don't see why anyone would decide the Mazda is a better buy. Mazda really needs to knock off $3k from most trim levels before the 3 starts to make sense.
Winter is Coming There are many :) www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp?tracktype=newcc&csDlId=&csDgId=&listingId=600676740&listingRecNum=0&criteria=feedSegId%3D28705%26rpp%3D50%26yrMx%3D2015%26isDealerGrouping%3Dfalse%26sf2Nm%3Dlocation%26requestorTrackingInfo%3DRTB_SEARCH%26sf1Nm%3Dprice%26sf2Dir%3DASC%26stkTypId%3D28880%26PMmt%3D0-1-0%26rn%3D0%26zc%3D90053%26rd%3D100000%26crSrtFlds%3DstkTypId-feedSegId-bsId-mkId-mdId-pseudoYear-kw-transTypeId%26mdId%3D52909%26stkTyp%3DN%26sf1Dir%3DASC&aff=national&listType=1
brain96969 Unfortunately here in Canada the CLA starts at $33 900. I just did a province wide search (Ontario) and the cheapest CLA here is going for $39 800, topping over 47 grand, for non AMG models..
I have this car in black and I Love it! Perfect smooth riding, amazing interior and powerful while getting great gas! I highly suggest this car for anyone looking for a compact
which trim level did you get it at?
Touring with the tech package, very worth it!
i touring and it was 23,000 out the door
yoitsrami Yes, I highly agree! I own a late model Civic and I recently test drove a '14 Mazda 3 i Touring hatch auto and came away EXTREMELY impressed!!! BY FAR the best c-segment car on the planet. I also test drove a 3 s GT and felt the performance really wasn't much different from the 3 i Touring. The 3 i Touring is an absolute bargain for what you get! I plan on selling the Civic and getting a 2015 Mazda 3 i Touring hatchback automatic. Just a brilliant car. A true driver's car!
yoitsrami Sounds about right. I got the s GT for $25k out the door. Never drove the iTouring mainly because I wanted the sunroof/leather seats which only the GT's have, I think.
I purchased a Soul Red 3 i Sport in February. I love the seats, love the manual transmission, love the engine, love the styling. I couldn't believe how much Mazda stepped up its game.
Now if only we could convince more people to step out of their econoboxes and shop around...
How's your mpg been so far? They say up to 40mpg but from what I've read so far, no one is getting close that.
I see average in mixed driving about 34, 34.5 mpg. I've seen 41 on a 60-mile jaunt.
I am taking your advice Panther and stepping out of the Civic as soon as I am able and plan on getting a 2015 Mazda 3 i Touring hatchback auto. Just an absolutely FANTASTIC automobile! I just can't get over how awesome this car is.
patwickgriff I'm so happy to hear that! Most people look at me like I have a second head when I tell them how great Mazda is now.
One, I would recommend the Tech package if you can swing it. I heard the Bose system once and it alone seems worth the upgrade.
Two, you gotta get a stick!
PantherP74 Also the 2.0 Skyactiv-G felt really great to me. I also test drove a 3 s with the 2.5 and for some reason I didn't really feel that significant of a difference in performance between the two. I've heard that from others as well. Seems like the 2.0 Skyactiv-G is the way to go plus you get the improved fuel economy. I also want the Soul Red Metallic when the time comes. Panther, is your's a sedan or hatchback?
the entry hatches series helped me immensely during my car shopping. I knew to not even give the impreza a chance (hard to do coming from an 05 outback). I couldn't find a 6 speed focus in my area so i went for a mazda 3. The test drive was okay, but i felt a stick in a 2.5 would have been far superior. I ended up test driving a 15 Golf (launch edition to keep the price down) and even though the guys haven't reviewed the new Golf, from watching EverydayDriver reviews in the past, i felt informed enough to make a decision on my own. Knowing what to look for (and avoid) from these reviews was perhaps the most important factor in my recent car purchase. Thank you for teaching a relative laymen what to look for during a test drive.
ps - review the new golf in some form or fashion. i was impressed.
thanks guys.
Thanks Ross! It's really great of you to share this, and we're thrilled to have been helpful to you. Glad you found a car you like (we've driven a few versions of the new Golf and it is an excellent all-around car). You might also enjoy our "Everyday Driver Car Debate" weekly audio podcast - as we discuss people's car buying decisions. Thanks again for watching, commenting, and enjoying what we do!
I'm not surprised I test drove a Impreza and I was driving a 99 Legacy Wagon 2.2 so i had less power than you and felt my 2.2 was more powerful. tho i bought a 2008 2.5 impreza in the end i like my awd.
So did you end up with the Mazda3 or Golf? and yea, the review was great!
Thank you guys so much for making this video. I was going to buy a new Impreza after coming out of a 2002 Outback H6 for my first new car, but your video made me think otherwise. I drive Focuses everyday at work (I work for a rental car company) and didn't find any good deals on the Mazda 3, so I ended up buying a Volkswagen Golf instead. I would love to see you guys do a comparo between the Mazda 3 versus the Golf, I swear you'll be surprised how great the base Golf is!
Dang guys! Very good series! Can't believe I missed it until now. I think the most important factor to doing these is that it sets the bar for comparison with the hot models. There can be no hot models without the basic models, so because of that, these are very important.
I dont mean to be so offtopic but does any of you know of a method to log back into an instagram account?
I somehow lost the login password. I would love any tips you can offer me.
@Samson Axl Instablaster ;)
@Leroy Amir Thanks for your reply. I got to the site through google and im waiting for the hacking stuff now.
I see it takes a while so I will get back to you later with my results.
@Leroy Amir It did the trick and I now got access to my account again. I'm so happy:D
Thank you so much, you saved my ass !
@Samson Axl glad I could help :D
I love your show ! I think it would be great that if you guys did a comparison of used sporty cars that would be good for enthusiasts' first car.
It's 29k because it's the bigger engine Grand Touring with the GT Tech Package which adds the i-ELOOP capacitor, radar cruise, lane departure warning. If you go for the Grand Touring without the tech package you're somewhere around 26k. And if you go for the S Touring you're around 25k.
The gear you get on the top of the line Mazda3 is a level of tech you can’t get elsewhere for less than $40k. It’s a great car and not overpriced.
Mazda has definitely priced their new 3 rather aggressively. I hope they make some price adjustments in the coming year to become more competitive, seeing as they are trying to increase their slice of the automotive pie. With that being said it is clearly the best option here. I imagine even the base 2.0 with a stick would have topped the offerings by Ford and Subaru. I believe the manual is making it's way to the 2.5 later this year, should increase it's desirability. In a year or 2 from now a 2.5 mazda 3 hatch for around 20 grand would be a great deal.
These guys are awesome. I can watch their reviews as a tv substitute. Very detailed and entertaining points of view.
Should have found a base Mazda3 to compare.. since the materials are different in different trim levels, including hard/soft plastic at times.
Great review as always. I for the past two years I had been holding out to buy a new Mazdaspeed3 for my daily commuter. Now that I've heard it's not coming till 2018, which made me really sad, my next choice is a Focus ST. Anyways, thanks for the commitment to excellence in your vids. Keep 'em coming.
It's coming as a 2016 model
Too bad you weren't able to test the 3 with the 2.0 motor, I was surprised and wouldn't spring for the upgrade. The 3 really does like to dance!
+Eric Leippe what's funny is that you don't hear about the Mazda 3's 2.0 that much in reviews. It's almost always about the 2.5.
However, as the owner of a 3i Touring Hatch, I can very confidently say that the 2.0 is a fantastic engine in the Mazda 3. No doubt the 2.5 is better, but the 2.0 is still a great little engine.
Mad Pistol I thought the 3 was more fun to drive than the Focus, but I guess I haven't driven the new Focus for very long.
+Mad Pistol Do you have the 6 speed manual? I would like to get my hands on a 2014 3 maybe with 6 speed manual cuz it's cheaper and more fun.
How is the reliability and road noise so far?
Tien Ha no unfortunately. I've got the automatic. I have only had the car for 3 months, so I can't comment on reliability, but road noise is well maintained. It's definitely less than the '08 altima I had before this car.
I have the Focus with the upgraded visual package (Group 201A, not the ST). I would have liked to have seen what these guys thought of the seats in it. Stitched leather, took me from Wisconsin to Alabama and back without any ache.
I have the DCT. Wife can't drive a manual, couldn't go for that. The select shift is nice, but not 100%. I think my next ride will be a Fiesta ST.
I just bought a mazda 3 sp25 6 speed manual with tints and dipped black wheels for 29k in australia. Great car very fun to drive and my first brand new car!!
The Mazda 3 is a really nice car. The only thing I dislike about this review is that they are test driving a fully loaded 30 thousand plus compact car. How about reviewing compacts that are on the lower 20 thousand dollar models.
***** The iTouring 2.0L can be had for $21K. That's the one to get. Combined with their excellent stick shift, it'll still be "peppy" just not exactly fast. As a plus the lower trim actually has a smoother quieter ride, due to the smaller, meatier tires.
+Matthew Paris Yep. I have the i Touring Hatch, and boy do I love that car. You get blindspot monitoring, a backup camera, HD radio, an awesome infotainment system, and rear cross-traffic alert in a car for $21k. Is there any other car on the market that has all that stuff for that price?
I agree with Paul on this one; the Mazda 3 is a genuine class leader in the small segment.
The Skyactiv engines are incredibly efficient yet provide good grunt, and suspension & chassis is typically Mazda "zoom-zoom" set which means body control is top class.
The gearbox on the 3 is a standard 6spd auto, but it's better than the dry-clutch DCT used in the Focus because it's simply smoother & more responsive; who cares if it shifts 0.1 seconds slower especially in this class segment?
Best of all, the stupid "smiley face" is gone and the overall design is striking & modern. The Interior is also much better than the Focus: I really don't like the curvy button design on the Focus in the entertainment console.
The Price though for the 3 is a mistake; I think the standard 2.0 motor in mid-spec ~$24k form would be the best bargain.
*****
What did you heard that from? Mazda has never employed anything that's not a stick-shift MT or a conventional automatic. Get past the "Skyactiv" marketing rubbish, and it's just a conventional automatic with a lockup torque converter, like every other car in the world.
The only manufacturer that does what your description says is Honda (in limited fashion) in the new TLX 4cylinder.
Nice review! I am planning on getting new Mazda 3 2017, only thing stopping me is that in north -east europe(where i am from) the most powerful engine that is offered is 2.0l petrol 120 hp
Paul was a bit too biased on the interior considering the price difference between the Focus and the Mazda3. If the Focus was the Titanium trim with the handling pack and MyFord Touch, I think the Focus would have been the definitive winner here on both interior and driving dynamics. Otherwise great review guys. It's nice to see great competition between two once-related companies. I also can't wait to see how the Mazda3 stacks up against the new 2015 Focus.
I love mazda
Like always, great review guys. Keep it up.
I just bought a red 2012 sedan earlier today, with the older 2.0L and 5 speed. Despite having the weakest engine, it felt plenty powerful, (I also drove a 2.5 and it was definitely stronger, but the difference was honestly way less than I expected.) For the price, I'm not sure you can get something that's as practical and fun. It's no Ferrari, but it's miles more athletic than my brother's 2012 Hyundai Accent, (which is a decent ride, just not that much fun.)
In my experience Mazda tends to tune a bit of understeer into their cars (like most manufacturers), my first gen MS3 had basically no rotation when it was stock. I bet a RSB and some summer tires would make up the difference in handling between the two cars. The Mazda3 does have better suspension geometry though, I think it has like 6.5 degrees of caster compared to about 4 on the Focus. If they decide to make another Mazdaspeed3 that should really help the front end grip.
You guys should now do a "pocket rocket" test: for example, most notably the Fiesta ST, Mini Cooper S, Hyundai Veloster Turbo, uhh...fiat 500 abarth i guess?
If the better car is a few more grand expensive, I'm ok with that, this proves their point. You would just not want to pay more for the wrong car. Nice review, go Mazda.
"Its doesn't hold a line"
cut to footage of it holding a line
**Facepalm**
If the car is sliding around the corner, it's not holding the line.
*Double Facepalm*
I don't have to test the focus. I'll immediately discard any Ford I come across. They're really bad quality cars and will die in less than 6 years.
Also, I'm thinking on buying the sedan version of the Mazda3, it's better looking than the hatchback.
Really? My 1998 Ford Contour V-6 is still running great after 17 years and 17 winters with normal expected parts replacement. It has never left me stranded and I will drive it to the junkyard. I've ordered the 2014 Focus SE with sport package and 5-speed manual and it is the best bang for the buck. My previous Mustang GT was still running great after 10 years. No such thing as bad cars these days; just bad maintenance. The hatchbacks of both Mazda 3 and Focus are way better looking than the sedans and more practical.
gwwayner I agree with you on the Contour. I have a 95 and it has been a good car. The Focus however has gotten bad reliability reviews. I think there are bad cars out there. Why all the recalls if there are no bad cars? Bad reports make me take pause and think twice about choosing a particular model after all I want the car to spend more time in my garage not the auto repair shop. The Ford Fiesta for example has had many transmission issues. Again, being this is happening on newer cars not so sure it is maintenance but rather bad build quality. Just saying : )
Statimtek My 98 Contour had some recalls too but nothing major. I also like to buy a model that is near the end of its run cos most of the bugs have been addressed. A lot of 'reliability' problems are just minor stuff easily addressed by warranty. Some people like the dual clutch automatic tranny in the Focus, some don't. Again Ford has addressed this with refined software for the transmission and new electric assist power steering. But I like the bullet-proof manual 5-speed anyway. My parents' 2010 Focus has been flawless for the last 5 years. I dunno, people are awfully picky these days about minor items. In the old days a car was junk after 5 years with a smoking engine and rust holed body. Cars in general these days are excellent for the price. Most people are just too cheap or stupid to keep a car properly maintained, and blame the car when something goes wrong.
@Luis X Luis: Generalize much? My Ford is nearly 20 years old and she ain't dead yet.
agree. i dont like hatchbacks at all.
I have owned a Ford Focus Titanium with the Titanium Handling Package and I have test driven the Mazda 3s Grand Touring. Even with the hiked up price of the Mazda it beats the Focus in pretty much every aspect so I am rather surprised that there was a split opinion on this review. The Mazda is the drivers car, the transmission shifts better, the handling is sharp and you get more Horsepower with basically the same fuel economy. The only thing that would benefit the Mazda is if it was equipped with Summer Performance Tires which the Focus Titanium has.
Yea im surprised they didnt mention the tire difference. Makes a huge difference in the "lack of steering feel" in the mazda. Personally i would take a mazda6 touring for mid 20's money. Bigger, more room, 6spd with the bigger engine, and only a 2-3mpg drop off.
I bought a new Mazda3 S Touring after extensively researching the competition. The Focus has so many reliability complaints from its users that I was actually scared to buy one. I got my Mazda at $25k out of the door, and at that price I couldn't find anything even close to it in features and refinement. I also agree that tire difference is what really separates the two in handling; the Mazda feels every bit sharp and compliant on a turn as the Focus. With such a huge engine power lead (and fuel consumption numbers, too), it really doesn't make sense to get a Focus Titanium. You're better off buying a Focus ST, which actually costs about the same.
Hello - any thoughts on the Hyundai hatchback? I thought that was similar to these other "lukewarm" hatches.
The new design theme of Mazda raises my level of expectation for All New Mazda MX5 Roadster
I'm going to be a bit bias because my daily driver is a 12 Focus SEL, and I'm here to tell you that the way this car rotates in a corner is a blast. It actually feels like it's over steering, but because it's front wheel drive, it's control is always in check. It's the real drivers car here. I'll give the Mazda 3 an honorable mention.
Check out where the front license plate goes on the Mazda 3 killed it for me was about to buy one...
How hard is it to understand that you can get a Mazda 3 for $17k if you wanted to? All people seem to complain about is the price. Goodness people are so dense these days.
we're talking about the s grand touring yo.
Cyz Walker I understand that. But people always make it seem like the Mazda 3 will fail because a fully loaded one costs 30k as if it starts at that price. If you don't want to spend 30k then look at the i Touring for 21k, or the i SV for 17k for that matter. All i'm saying is that it makes no sense for people to complain about a fully loaded model of any car. Obviously it's gonna cost a ridiculous amount of money more than a lower trim.
blane237 right. i think i might get s grand touring. 26k start.
Base Price maybe. But for 30k I can get what? A Golf GTD, GTI, a Focus ST, a Genesis, a BRZ, a new Mustang ecoboost, a new Camaro, a Challenger, or even a Charger. Sure its a great car, but at that price point it's stepping into territory where it's competing with cars that can give me a lot more power and fun. And as far as fuel economy is concerned, the GTD and GTI are more than a match, especially considering each have Audi level trims and plenty more power.
And how could I forget the wrx STI or scion tc...
The 30k tag is for the highest trim and all the packages ticked off. I am looking to buy an S touring which has the larger engine and a LOT of comfort and technology options for a little more than $24k. For that price its worth it.
wonderwall135 I know I love the Mazda3 and I would totally get the lower end models if I wanted a practical efficient fun car but I'm just saying when the trims start going 10k above base price its stepping into a price range where I can get much more bang for the buck.
Aerophyle
u won't beat the Mazda3 for bang for the buck. For 30K, you can get Blind spot, radar cruise control, city brake support, Nav, USB/ bluetooth/ app support with Bose speaker, Lather heated seat, sun roof, HID headlight that turns with steering, head up display, 18 inch alloy, LED DRL, I-Eloop system and so on. it's for sure not performance oriented for the price, but that is the mazdaspeed3's job which starts at $23,000
blind spot, nav, usb, bluetooth, app support, bose speakers, heated seats, hid headlights, heads up display, 18innch alloy, led drl, are all available on the s touring model, which is only about $24k. the sgt is overpriced.
the ie loop, turning lights, city brake support, and all that is gimmicky shit that nobody needs unless they are retarded.
I couldn't stop laughing at 4:27 😂😂😂 "this car dances"
Good review! 👍
Why don't you test ones without all the options? go Base? These are full of extras, upgraded motor form base, etc.
+djkenny - As mentioned here and elsewhere, we get most of our cars from manufacturer press fleets. Generally, base cars aren't available to the press as the car makers want the best versions of their cars to be reviewed and leave the best impression. We'd love to be able and spec every car to our perfect price and features, but it sadly isn't possible. Thanks for watching can commenting!
Great review! But I think it should've been priced at 25k or lower. Like someone stated, for 30k, you can get a decent hot hatch.
Hey guys, thanks for this review it is very useful. I'm thinking about purchasing a Mazda 3. It is a very practical car. The problem of course is that I LOVE cars and it breaks my heart to get something that isn't super sporty. However, I think it's a reasonable compromise and your opinions have helped solidify that. So thank you!
I do disagree with you though... the look of the car is hideous! Oh. They did so well with the Mazda 6... what were they thinking with the Mazda 3.
But hey, if you are driving it you don't have to look at it. And the interior is nice.
Thanks again
If they are talking about a 'driver's car' then they should test all 3 cars with a manual transmission and the same price point. IMO the Focus wins by better seats and handling response. Also 160 hp with a manual transmission in a small car should be pretty lively. Keep in mind these are not sports cars, but cars you can drive in winter that get decent fuel mileage.
I agree - I think the Subaru would have been rated significantly higher if they did only manual transmissions. Seems to me all the problems they had with the Subaru (except external appearance and steering) were directly related to the transmission.
at 29k, I bet you some people would prefer to buy a basic, no frills CLA or A3 than the Mazda :/
I'm sure if there was a kidney grill, bmw badge, and higher price on the mazda, they wouldn't be able to keep up with the demand for them; same goes for the handsome new Mazda 6.
Great review guys. Keep doing what you're doing! If you ever need a tuned speed3 to throw around in a comparison or something drop me a line!
How would you compare the Honda CR-Z to these cars? Love your work.
What about the 2014 KIA Forte SX-5Door ?
More options and less money.
But it feels like a great engine was installed on a radio flyer wagon.
I have the exact same car even the color. 2.5S grand touring. I'm inlove. It's a joy to drive. It's a $30k car but it's all worth it.
eh, i own the subaru hatch in that model. i love it especially in our Canadian weather.
Can you guys somehow review the Orochi from Mitsuoka?
Hey guys can you help me? Which one is good. A mazda3 hatch or subaru impreza hatch? Thanks
Honestly the Mazda with the 2.5 engine is great and for just street driving its probably the better choice. If you ever are going to drive in snow or dirt then get the Impreza. Also, the Subaru really isn't as bad as these guys make it out to be. I throw mine around all the time and I can't even get the stability control to kick in. Maybe the tires just aren't as quiet as they like. I'm going to replace the Yokohama rubber with Continentals as soon as I can.
Can you guys please do an Acura legend
I just got a quote from a dealer for $19,200 for a Mazda3 i Sport Hatchback with a few extras (not much mind you, but...). This car would have been a much more fair comparison here. At 29k this car must have had every option available!
Just wish the hood/front end wasn't so long on the new 3. Looks out of proportion to me.
Yup - as we said in the review, this is a car from the Press-fleet, and the cars for Press always have every possible option. The 3 makes much more sense with fewer things on it and a lower price. Thanks for watching and commenting!
Graeck The front end is longer due to the fact they needed to put a 421 header on the back side of the engine to help get the astronomical compression ratio. I rather like that it is longer. Makes it look like it was designed in Italy.
here's hoping you guys happen to see this and are able to respond. so I currently have an 07 acura tsx manual tech package. I love it. however it is burning oil and time to get rid of it. sad but true. I'm looking for something fun to drive, sporty, manual, and I don't mind a few bells and whistles. I like the look of the ILX, test driven it a few times (feels like my car) I like the inside of the accord coupe but I'm not in love. and after your review I'm agreeing with you. I keep looking at the mazda 3 and I wouldn't do a hatchback, but the sedan is a possibility. help! I need to make a decision. I didn't like the vw's I drove. meh. and I keep finding cars that might be an option but don't come in manual. I liked the 2 series but that's rear wheel. blah. suggestions??? :) thanks in advance :)
michelle linden - Thanks for wanting our thoughts here, and we'd be happy to talk this through on our Podcast "Everyday Driver Car Debate" - that's what we do every week with requests like yours! Send us a bit more detail, including budget, location and a bit about your driving needs to: EverydayDriverTV@gmail.com, or through our Facebook page. We'll talk it over on the Podcast. Thanks for asking!
thank you! eeeee! I'm excited. you are priority on my prep period tomorrow:) I'll email you around noon est. thanks so much!
I grand touring is amazing!!!
I'm having a very hard time choosing between the focus titanium and the 2.5L mazda 3. They have really similar numbers, but the mazda's around 3K more. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Just drive them both back to back and your decision will be pretty obvious.
blane237 I went with the 2.5L hatch mazda 3 and yes, the decision was a no-brainer. This car is simply fantastic
get the mazda, you wont regret that 3k
If you got it, spend the extra. I bought a 3s GT 3 months ago. It's not even in the same class. As others have said, it is very close to entry level lux compacts, but more reliable. Or just go with the 3i. Still a great car. When I was comparing the 3i to the focus, It was close but still leaning to the Mazda. Then I drove the 3s and knew I wanted that car.
I want another Exotic Driver!!!!
$30,000 dollar Mazda 3! OUCH! Not really a fair comparison. You can get a Focus ST for that money and it would be the end for the Mazda. I believe Mazda and Ford have the best compact vehicles on the road today.
A buddy of mine is about to get a 2014 3. Best choice in my opinion.
What YEAR is the Mazda3???? This is not helpful unless I know what year it is 😞
I'm still getting the Subaru
The dash in the Mazda makes me think of BMW when it comes to that screen and climate control...
i love how people bash the nav screen.... then you see BIG luxury car manufacturers do the same damn thing for 70k+ . but if its in a cheaper car its an issue?!
Andrew Kyser We hope you noticed that the tacked on nav screen was mentioned as similar to what Mercedes is doing now, and we called them out on it in our recent CLA review. It looks cheap in any car. Luckily, the Mazda 3 is a cheap car and an excellent one.
By the way, you've watched and commented on a few of our videos recently. We're glad you found us, and thanks a lot for watching and commenting!
I agree that it looks cheap and added on. At least your being consistent about it too! Ive had some friends bash on it and not even realize that major luxury brands are doing the same thing and getting away with it.
I currently have a 2014 Mazda 6 and its sexy as hell and has a real nav screen haha
Andrew Kyser I have a 2014 CX 5 but that I like a lot but that 6 is really looking good to me
The wheels on the mazda look pretty small given that they're actually 18". They should change its design.
I agree these small cars are getting wayyyyy to expensive and reaching the midsized car territory
The Ford Focus titanium should have been the car to go against that Mazda. The interior would have been very different and better looking
Mazda3s any day one of best car styling is awesome interior is super nice steering feel is one of the best right along with Miata 👍👍👍
the 2015 Focus should be very competetive.. better NVH than the mazda with new dash and suspension tuning.
Difficult choice! I'm like Paul, totally a Ford guy but the Mazda 3 is absolutely stunning both inside and out. Although Ford owns a negligible amount of Mazda shares today, they are strategic partners and both know how to make absolutely terrific enthusiast cars.
Ford doesn't own Mazda since 2010... and since then, Mazda has proven that they can do better without Ford, check out their 2014-2015 Mazda6, Mazda CX-5, Mazda CX-9.. Mazda3... and its just the beginning!
Double check your facts. I said negligible but they do own a few percent. I've been inside a Ford manufacturing plant which Mazda shares with Ford. They have a bigger alliance then it appears on the surface.
The Speed 3 doesn't even cost $30k. If they make it with this chassis, I wonder if it will...
Veloster Turbo should also be introduced
I like the Mazda3 ,feels like great car.
I like the Mazda for quality and reliability of the three
yeah $30k for the mazda3 is too much, I would get a base model WRX or Speed3 instead.
You'd have to go to the dealership drunk in order to spec out a 30,000 Mazda3 and actually buy it.
Ford never makes a nice interior for their Focuses. Get the new Mazda 3.
Even in latest models, fords make the most repulsive interiors going. Mazda offers comfort and entertainment and does it with class.
Problem is, in tougher terrain and snowy weather, I'd pick the Subaru without remorse. My family's safety in returning home in unideal conditions is more important.
I love this car
It's like this, the Mazda 3 was clearly the better car out of the three, but at near 30k in price it's to expensive. You might as well by a Focus ST or a WRX.
Funny enough, I would probably be most likely to buy a manual impreza out of those cars. The mazda is very expensive, even at parity, and it and the focus sound like they don't have much back-seat room. If I wanted an enthusiast car, I'd commit to that notion and go for something more appropriate.
I wish Mazda produced a proper 4 seater grand touring convertible.
for 30 grand why buy a luke warm hatch when you can buy a hot one?
I'd pick the subaru cuz awd in Vermont trumps all
lol at the guy who said veloster turbo
Long time fan here. I'm sorry guys, your constant focus on which one is sportiest is silly. These are economy, everyday cars. Your channel is called everyday driver. Reviews of these kind of cars should be what you do best, reviewing the car as a whole for intended function. But the past few reviews seemed to have turned you guys into some wannabe sports car channel. I don't like it.
We appreciate your perspective, and greatly appreciate you being a long time fan.
From the beginning we've looked at cars to judge their fun-to-drive perspective. Industry-wide most every car is good at the mundane, commuting, run-errands tasks. If someone wants an appliance there are tons of fine choices. So we've always tried to help identify the cars that stand out from that, and can offer joy in the driving experience. We believe that is relevant to these cars, and any car.
If you've watched our show for a while, you'll see that approach throughout. We want people to find cars that can be loved and enjoyed "Everyday". We hope that clarifies our approach further. Thanks for watching and taking the time to share your thoughts!
That guys comment is one of the reason why i stopped watching and maybe why you dont really grow. It's called being too one dimensional. We get info about how sporty normal cars are from other channels but also other stuff. You only talk about engine, seat, and driving dynamics. Not to mention production values aren't really good even compared to the function over form approach of alex on autos. I'm here cause my i'm helping my cousin buy a Mazda 3. All opinions carry over to more recent videos.
They've had tremendous growth. They have a show on Velocity now.
Sam Huppert I like how people with 0 clue on how to grow a TH-cam channel is critiquing and providing directions on how to grow a TH-cam channel.
$30,000 is WAYYYYYYY to much money to pay for a compact economy car!!!!
how about a golf
Almost 30k, that's new WRX money, helooo
Im gonna take the opinion of the Porsche owner over the lotus owner
These guys should but be car reviewers. Out of the three I bought the Subaru because it is way better. I have the 2012 sport limited and I love it. My friend had the Mazda and I don't like it. The subaru is the way to go. You see more of them on the road btw and also would be picked over these other two. The other cars are trying to be cars that they aren't such as the Mazda trying to be a speed and the ford trying to be the st. For 30000 just get the sti or wrx why waste money go with subaru the only way
mike ike sounds like you’re trying to justify your purchase with no real arguments
Mazda rules !
hmmm feel like i shoulve bought this instead of speed 3 haha
but speed 3 was almost 10k cheaper :/
The new speed 3 is going to be insane 300hp awd....
RickyJnum1FAN im sorry but nobody knows the spec of new ms3 and by the time they actually come out with new speed, 3rd gen mazda 3 will be out soon too.....
I love Mazda to death, but if your looking to spend 29k for a new 3, your better off purchasing a Speed 3.
I bought the Subaru just simply because it has a lot more space and I’m tall.
best car
ENTRY LEVEL HATCH SHOULD HAVE THE ENTRY LEVEL ENGINE!!!!!
Oh
I dont care if it has 100 hp less. Im gonna trade my genesis coupe for this
genesis. an honest attempt from hyundia.. I appreciate it for that.. but sorry.. they've just not sorted out the physics of "handling and corners"
Adil Baig well to tell you the truth im love my genesis coupe its a decent car for the money, but mazda has something the genesis doesn't have and yes you're right its handling/road feel. The chassis is just superb. Maybe the 3rd gen genesis coupe will have most of that figured out.
My tiburon handles like a go kart. Even when you push it past the limits it still grip
For 30k I'd just buy a base Speed3 and call it a day
For these cheap cars, I think that most car buyers don't care about the styling, it would be better to focus more on the functionality. Hatchback, I don't care about handling, give me function.
Well you're in the minority. Compact car buyers want more than just a box for getting from A to B. They want a refined vehicle that is both comfortable, has good mileage, technology, and of course good driving. You are wrong.
The young techie idiots only care about the media hub, there are some who buy cars just for looks i mainly think women for this category. others buy cars like a pack of gum i swear... they go to the dealer a block from their home do no research and go hey i want this it must be a good car since I see 800 of them everyday. I personally like something with a good solid name that isn't the headline of every news article about recalls, that every other person and his dog are driving. I drive an 08 impreza sedan, there are days i regret trading in my 99' legacy wagon.
I would have the Mazda3 in this comparison, but 29k?! That's Focus ST money.
The fully loaded Mazda 3 doesn't compete at the same level as a regular compact car. Instead it should be compared to low-end luxury vehicles like the new Audi 3 or Acura ILX. It has a crazy amount of features and feels at least as premium as those vehicles by the time you get to 29k. You can still buy an entry level Mazda 3 for half of that price.
Agreed completely. For $29K you buy a focus ST and the whole argument is over. From an enthusiast standpoint, it's a no-brainer. Even from a "normal driver" standpoint, the focus ST with the ST3 package is going to have nearly all the creature comforts they liked about the Mazda 3.
You can knock off $2600 for the tech package, that's what throws it to the $30k range. I got the sGT hatch for just over $26k and it has all the features I need :D
lowincash Problem is, the Focus ST can be bought for 29k, WITH the options in the tech package. Without it, it would also be even cheaper.
lowincash the base model focus St rings in at $25k, and dealers have them frequently below that. It's still decently equipped at that level too. I'm sure a Mazda 3 at that price would be slightly better equipped, from an enthusiast's perspective, I don't see why anyone would decide the Mazda is a better buy. Mazda really needs to knock off $3k from most trim levels before the 3 starts to make sense.
Mazda more reliable too
for 30k you can get a fully loaded focus ST
Mazda 3 design. Just wait for the Mazda speed version....
For 30K, I can get the Mercedes CLA
good luck finding one. But I get your point.
Winter is Coming There are many :)
www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp?tracktype=newcc&csDlId=&csDgId=&listingId=600676740&listingRecNum=0&criteria=feedSegId%3D28705%26rpp%3D50%26yrMx%3D2015%26isDealerGrouping%3Dfalse%26sf2Nm%3Dlocation%26requestorTrackingInfo%3DRTB_SEARCH%26sf1Nm%3Dprice%26sf2Dir%3DASC%26stkTypId%3D28880%26PMmt%3D0-1-0%26rn%3D0%26zc%3D90053%26rd%3D100000%26crSrtFlds%3DstkTypId-feedSegId-bsId-mkId-mdId-pseudoYear-kw-transTypeId%26mdId%3D52909%26stkTyp%3DN%26sf1Dir%3DASC&aff=national&listType=1
The only way the CLA is better than the Mazda 3 is the three pointed star on the front and rear. The CLA is borderline garbage otherwise.
brain96969 Unfortunately here in Canada the CLA starts at $33 900. I just did a province wide search (Ontario) and the cheapest CLA here is going for $39 800, topping over 47 grand, for non AMG models..
Winter is Coming Why is it so expensive in Canada?