The philosophy is quite Japanese. Appreciation for the fine details, making things work and work well. The interior still looks fantastic and has aged well.
I actually prefer the screen in this car rather than a touch screen. It never gets dirty and the dial is very easy to use once you’ve had it for a few weeks. I’m in love with this car
Agreed. The Mazda3 also has hard buttons to jump between different modes quickly without taking my eyes off the road. When I travel and rent cars, it quickly dawns on me how much better Mazda’s system is. On a bumpy road, trying to change stations or other basic tasks become downright dangerous with a touch screen.
The dial is fine if you’re solely in the Mazda Connect system but having a touch enabled screen makes CarPlay far easier to use. A dial is just painful there, you spend more time looking at it trying to scroll through every single menu option before getting to the one you could’ve just poked at and be done with.
I can't be the only one that doesn't want bigger and it's sad that every hatchback gets knocked points off for being "small". That's kinda the point. I live in an urban area and don't want to maneuver a tank around tight spaces. I'm annoyed that when my Honda Fit dies/gets totaled, I won't have anything comparable or better to replace it with. What I wanted was Acura to make an upscale Fit, instead, Honda killed it in the US entirely.
this is so real tho. I LOVE the size of the MAZDA3, which has essentially remained unchanged since its... 2nd generation? despite the fact that it's very NOT space-efficient. now the Honda Fit is amazing & we really need more cars like THAT on the road, but alas 🥲
Small hatches are the perfect city & college cars but the sales numbers have proven Americans don't agree. Honda would love to keep selling it but the market isn't there. Same with Yaris, Mazda2 and Versa/Note.
Well its a reasonable complaint. if you pay the same money and get less space that is a concern. Any normal person would say why would a get a smaller car for the same money new. The Jetta has thrived on being the biggest sedan in its segment until the civic and elantra grew bigger.
At this point I can't tell if they're seriously trying to train an AI to take over the economy car reviews, or if they're just serious about unsettling us.
I'm personally glad that Mazda doesn't follow many of the trends like other carmakers have done. I've been a fan of their cars since the 80s, and I've always appreciated the fact that they have walked their own path. Sadly, they get overlooked by buyers because of this.
Overlooked - Maybe in the US, but the love for Mazda has been strong for decades in Australia. They’re the second best seller here behind Toyota, much like what Honda is to the US market.
This is a good example of what the US market was missing out on until cars like Mazda 3 turbo showed up. Some buyers want all the technology features without having to buy the larger vehicles. This car accelerates swiftly without making a lot of NVH, has the tech features, and is low maintenance. But most US based reviewers have to talk negatively about its cargo capacity. They genuinely don’t get it.
From my experience in salvage the only reason Americans are so obsessed with cargo capacity is because they have a hard on for stuffing their cars with needless garbage
The 'cons' mentioned in nearly every review are EXACTLY WHY I love this car. Exceeding at what it's good at, i'm obsessed with it. I love the Mazda Philosophy
I find the backseat room okay actually, most people don't have a problem with it unless they're obscenely tall. I appreciate how compact they kept the car though since it's much easier to park it in downtown areas.
I second this! Also at 6ft4 I can actually sit in the back in the sedan (without a sunroof), albeit with the side if the roof very close to my head. Definitely very doable for a journey under an hour!
Can confirm. I put four adults in mine at once regularly, including two who are tall. It's not spacious, but they fit without getting claustrophobic or having to slouch.
Remember that Amerifats consider vehicles such as the BMW X3 "small". If they can't roll around in the cabin, it's tight and you should definitely go for that 3-row SUV instead.
Thank you so much for sharing this! Every review I see for this bashes the rear seat space and I thought maybe for someone 5’10”, it would be supremely uncomfortable. Would someone that height be okay in the back seat?
This all comes down to the most critical factor in fitting into any car that isn't a barge - torso to leg ratio. People who are more balanced or more skewed toward longer legs typically don't have the issue with hitting the roof. I'm 5'11" and have no problem in my IS, the S2000, or a Miata, but that's because I have longer legs and am not cramped vertically in the car.
I like the sensible, personal recommendation for the naturally-aspirated, FWD version with manual transmission, yielding an acceptable amount of power - and fun - for a more-reasonable price, while avoiding the extra complexity of a turbocharger. And, I'm sure, most of us will applaud Mazda's continued use of a torque converter automatic trans over a CVT, which (to me) is worth losing a few mpg.
I don't know if other people corroborate this, but my 2020 2.5L FWD Automatic is averaging something like 36 MPG. My occasional long highway hauls usually average 39-42 MPG.
@@zackmandarino1021 Yep. I also drive economically (65-below 75 most of the time, steady speeds). But my city driving in San Francisco yields very low city mpg, maybe 14mpg, but that’s because of the hills and stop and go
Bought mine in mid-2021, no complaints! Modified it to the gills as well. Its such a looker on the road and a joy to drive. The interior is really where the business is at, as is separates itself from the wide field of competitors in its bracket.
@@mulamulelilumadi4717 No issues with blindspots! I have the premium sedan, so visibility is a bit different than the sportback featured in this video. However, the various driver safety features equipped in the car greatly mitigate the uncertainty when it comes to blindspots while driving. The car will warn you if there is someone in your blindspot via the side-mirror indicators, heads-up display warnings as well as warnings found in the instrument cluster. All those alerts, plus the toggleable 360 camera, help me "see" whats going on all around my car while driving. Without actually changing my seating position, scooting over and back, to get a better view. Super safe in my opinion! Allows me to drive with confidence and have a little fun from time to time. Haha
@@ComeOnPelican91 Yes! I modified the exhaust. We installed custom headers as well as a full custom exhaust system. Its really great, not droney or distasteful sounding in my opinion. Also, we installed a custom cold air intake from K&N. The sound it creates while revving is really good since it creates like a "spooling" sound from a big turbo engine. Mind you, I have the 2.0 liter naturally aspirated engine. I also found an aftermarket throttle booster that makes my gas pedal really sensitive and responsive. All these modifications were done without a custom tune from a dyno thus, no additional HP generated. No CEL also! Some would say its a waste of money doing the mods, but it has made me really happy and there are no issues in terms of reliability and drivability. Overall, it really makes a difference when driving since its louder, more aggressive and responsive.
@@jamesf7871 So you made a slow car louder, but not faster. It's not 2001 anymore. Just swapping breathing mods isn't "modified to the gills". And why would you spend that kinda money to modify when that could've been spent on a factory turbo car that's plain better? To each his own, but damn, that's some questionable choices at best, and killed the resale of the car as well.
For anyone wondering, the MPG does improve past 8k miles. I was getting 26mpg average, now it’s 28. I can hit 32-34 on straight highway travel, but city mpg suffers. I haven’t had a turbo car yet that gets it’s claimed city mileage.
I get 14 MPG in my "downsized" 4.0 twin turbo V8 in my C63S, I thought it was supposed to be more efficient than the 6.2L V8 ;)... I guess it is about 2 mpg better in city.
This pretty much mirrors my experience with my 2021 turbo hatch, but I didnt take my first long road trip until I had over 11k on the clock, which I consider fully broken in. Like any turbo, the more you stay off boost, the closer you get to the gas mileage of the same engine without a turbo. Having said that, I think the gas mileage would be more than respectable if Mazda offered a FWD version of the turbo. Sure it would require wider tires and ideally an LSD to avoid roasting the front tires on launch...but I think ditching the extra weight of the AWD system would offset any efficiency penalty wider stickier tires bring with them. Oh, and if this truly is the last updated Mazda 3 before the company is forced to shift what limited resources they have to EV development, an extensive refresh that adds their new 8 speed transmission along with a new screen that is closer the driver (and touch capable at least when stopped) would be enough (maybe some tweaked bodywork) to keep this thing competitive until it goes away for good...or simply becomes a nameplate that says Mazda 3, yet has batteries and electric motors underneath the skin.
@@jbm0866 I can confirm (I work for Mazda) that a larger 10.3” screen (up form 8.8”) will be part of a 2024 update along with a new exterior color and USB-C. Aside from that, no other major changes.
I have a 2022 Mazda 3 Turbo Hatch Premium Plus - I've recorded the octane, conditions, cost, and MPG of every single fill-up on mine for its whole life (13.5k miles). Summary: - Overall: 27.69 (US) MPG - 13,427mi - Cargo Carrier: 26.27 (US) MPG - 4,805mi - No Cargo Carrier: 28.55 (US) MPG - 8,622mi - 93 AKI Octane: 28.42 (US) MPG - 8,509mi - 87 AKI Octane: 26.27 (US) MPG - 4,918mi Best Full Tank Fill-ups: - 35.66 (US) MPG (190mi trip) - 32.34 (US) MPG (317mi trip) Worst Full Tank Fill-ups: - 21.75 (US) MPG (166mi trip) - 22.59 (US) MPG (221mi trip)
The complaints about the backseat room are hilarious to me. People drive 99% of the time alone. Sure, it's not an S-Class in the rear, but it's fine for most people. This is how we get bigger and bigger cars despite there being larger options already.
Except compared to its competition the space is pathetic. If I’m buying a car I want it to be future proof. Being able to fit future kids in the back seats is a huge selling point to me. The civic beats this Mazda is literally every metric. Price, significantly better mpg, space, handling. Idk what they were thinking.
I tend to agree. Compacts should never be intended to be absolutely comfortable, as there’s always a class a car for that. Every compact name is now a midsize car and every midsize name almost fullsize. A personal vehicle capable of handling more than a bag of effects would be nice to keep on the market
I've had my 2022 mazda 3 hatchback (base trim) and aside from cracking my windshield twice, I've had no issues with it. I wish it were just a little more fuel efficient but a 30mpg mixed it's on par with my previous 2 cars. The interior is still lovely and I make sure to keep that way. It's power has been plenty given its size and weight and throwing into sport mode when I need to pass ppl on the highway is great. The only thing keeping me from buying it out at the end of the lease is that fact that it's not red, but I might just do it anyway because in ten years the market is going to look very different and it would give me time to save up. I'm more than sure this care could last about 12 to 15 years, given I've only driven 7.5k miles in 1 year
@@cynicalseni rented a 2021 mazda cx30 and a rock cracked its windshield while I had it. It was a very small Crack and thankfully I wasn't charged for it but still. I have a 2010 mazda 3 and a 2006 Chrysler sebring and both of them have been hit way harder on the windshield and they have never cracked
I’ve had my 2019 NA Preferred Hatch 2 years as of this past weekend, and I’ve piled on 46k in that time. Can confirm that I appreciate the car more and more the longer I own it.
Do you have a leather interior? I am trying to decide between red or black leather on a Premium hatch with the manual transmission and would like to know which color holds up better with sun fade and overall wear.
I bought a 2021 CX-30 Turbo about 2 years ago and so far Jack's review syncs up very well with my experience. But I will say one thing. If you find the space in the 3 not quite enough the CX-30 might be worth a look. I was originally looking at a 3 hatchback, but I'm 6'4" and my head was literally on the ceiling with the seat all the way down. The CX-30 exhibits a bit more body roll (for obvious reasons) and is a slightly (just slightly) softer ride and I've been really enjoying mine.
There's a reason the CX-30 is the brand's second-best selling vehicle. Surprisingly high build quality for something made south of the border. Definitely better than Honda or Toyota.
Same. Adore my CX-30. Had a Crosstrek and Outback XT before it. This is by far my favorite of the bunch. it just works and its super fun to drive IMO. And 26k for the Select? Way better value than most of the stuff out there at the same price point.
My thoughts are similar - the CX-30 is the more practical hatch the 3 should be. I'd seriously consider it, and get lowering springs to get rid of the needlessly high ride height and some of the softness.
@@rx7racerca There was some guy on the CX-30 subreddit who dropped his and put black steelies on it and it looks so so sick. I'd do the same, but I actually need the clearance.
@@machineslave3 the appearance package is adds a lot of cost. You can get a solid model 3 for 30k, me personally and I’m not a suv fan even though I own one but the cx5 turbo can be had for 36k with under 5k miles to me is a better buy for 36k independent rear suspension larger wheel base
@@machineslave3 That is a extremely hard sale. Idk wym. A compact car should be under 30k not over. I will not be suprised if young people kill the automotive industry because they can't afford this shit.
I've always thought of Mazda as an engineering firm even as they masqueraded as some kind of weird art studio. So their latest lineups have just been Mazda taking off the mask IMO. But nobody would make the mistake of thinking that anyone at Mazda would know anyone who worked on Madison Ave. Mazda struggles as much as you or anyone else to describe their product to the consumer. It could be cheap or it could be expensive and nobody can explain why.
@@mezzb: I'd love to see if your hunch is right 'cuz I've been super curious about who else is driving this car on the daily (like me!). I've come to acknowledge that the 4th gen. MAZDA3, ESPECIALLY the Turbo hatch model trims, only really appeals to a VERY specific type of person that just happens to incl. me & you 👀
they could EASILY go upmarket if they pulled the stick out of their ass and went EV. An ev version of the mazda 3 or the hatch version would fly off the shelves, they are stubborn and unwilling to fucking ditch the fucking gas and they are going to die because of it. I always appreciated mazda for going out of their way to design beautiful shapes and not charge up the ass, but they have to get over the gas market.
@@peterjordansonthe2nd731 keep paying attention to ev sales vs gas car sales over time, tick tock, switch or wither and die in inferior technology. By the end of this decade the majority of cars sold in the US will be evs.
@Uub OK Joe Biden - you're clearly a delusional individual who must listen to alot of NPR. The vast majority of the US does not and won't have the infrastructure to support EVs anywhere close to what you anticipate anytime soon. You don't belong on this channel - this is the place that adults convene to admire the humor and genuine nature of the content provided
I'd like to point something out after having my '21 Turbo with a little over 2 years now. I've averaging 30mpg combined over the course of 2 years. A lot of people seem to have differing results for MPG. I don't drive with a lead foot, but I also don't drive like a grandpa. This car is also perfect for someone like me. I love smaller cars. While it isn't as large as a Civic/Integra, it's significantly more powerful, has a traditional automatic transmission, & has AWD with the Turbo.
I don't want Mazda 3 to get bigger. I like it cuz it's small and really fun and easy to drive on small roads and streets. They have Mazda 6 and CX5 for those who need bigger cars. I really don't understand that American obsession with making everything oversized. You don't need every car to be too big to fit in one parking spot. Most countries are not based entirely on huge motorways, and people don't need to fill their cars with unnecessary rubbish. I'm glad Mazda aren't forgetting that US isn't the entire world and keeping these cars compact, comfy and good looking with a little bit of spirit in the wheels
I picked up a 2022 CX-30 Turbo back in December and bought it for the exact reasons and with the same mentality listed in this series. I wanted a bit more ground clearance and space than the 3 Hatch, and was willing to give up a slightly more sporty drive since I have an NA miata that will always scratch that itch better. The attention to detail on the interior and usability of the cabin is second to none for the money, and compared to my dads '22 TLX , is way more user friendly. Wile not the most economical or space efficient, it's big enough inside for my needs, just premium enough to be a great daily, but not overly so to the point that I'm terrified about ruining it, and just rewarding enough to drive to make me love it and feel more and more connected to it as the miles pile on.
Yep- got a 21 CX30 TPP in February; it's a fantastic car. I don't want a touch screen, I don't want a bunch of different modes, I want a car that drives well and responds well. Less is more in modern Mazda's and it is beautiful thing to drive.
Im on my second mazda 3 hatchback now and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it. Its predictable, inconspicuous but not boring, luxurious but not overstimulating. In an age where everyone is oneupping themselves they’ve been a breath of fresh air. The dealer in my local city is booming over the last couple of years, mostly due to word of mouth (the CXes most popular of course). Maintenance has been affordable and the return value on my last (2nd hand) mazda was insane (i drove over 4 years for under 3500 😮euros)
In the UK here and I've had to take mine back twice for the dealer to try and sort out persistent rattles from the passenger window frame and the dash/cowl. This has been so annoying considering it's not at all a cheap car and everything else about it is brilliant. The rattles are back again and I feel like an absolute idiot having to keep going back to them about such a minor- but unbearable issue.
Sorry to hear. My 2019 manual also developed some rattles in the dashboard area right behind the gauge cluster it sounds. I can’t hear it with the music or podcasts playing, but when it is quiet, it can get a little annoying. One of the reasons I bought the 3 was specifically because it was made in Japan, thinking that I could avoid some of the fitting finishing rattle issues that plague other makes.
I agree the manual NA is the right price for this vehicle. Note that the manual only comes in the top trim available. Which is actually pretty nice. I still managed to get one for $25k, which I think is a fantastic price for this vehicle. Closing on $40k is absolutely not enough to justify awd plus turbo.
Nothing wrong with a torsion beam rear end of it’s done properly. The Renault Megane has one, and the RS models held Nurburgring track records for front drive hatches and are generally regarded as some of the best handling hot hatches ever.
Correct, in savagegeese’s 2019 review of this car when it came out, they specifically mentioned that Mazda was trying to tune the torsion beam the way they want it, and that it makes it easier for them to tune.
Can’t wait for this series to keep going, gf is looking at this car potentially as her new car and it’s great to have the updates to make a better informed decision!
@@Angryeddie14 Completely agree. Test drove the Civic and liked it and it's a really good car, but I didn't really like the look of it like I loved the look of the 3. Also, the non touch screen is not a drawback to me. I love using the toggle switch to get around. To me it's very intuitive.
Unless Mazda is working on the next gen 3 as we speak and has it ready to launch by say...late 2025 as a '26 model, I wouldnt expect such a relatively small car company to have the resources and engineering to give us a totally all new 3 with so many unrealistic mandates from western governments coming due so soon. That doesnt mean Mazda will drop the 3 nameplate, (I wish they would go back to names personally, but I digress) but also doesnt mean there will be a true successor that follows the same form as the current model. Having said that, I could see Mazda doing an extensive refresh..maybe adding their new 8 speed auto for better performance and efficiency, and hopefully a new center screen mounted closer to the driver that is at least touch capable when stopped at 0 mph if safety is the real concern. I've gotten used to the knob and Mazda's interface, but when using Carplay there are times a tap on the screen would be quicker and easier.
@@joshwilliams565 I know, right? I have a 2021 turbo hatch, and while reviewers arent being overly picky when they mention the stiff ride (it can be annoying at low speeds on really bad streets) it's never jarring to the point I wince thinking something will shake loose or fall off...and totally worth it once you pick up speed and find a twisty road. Yes the backseats are near useless for normal sized adults and the cargo area isnt large, but neither of those things have been an issue for me so far....and the similarly sized Corolla hatchback is no better in these areas, yet not near as nice inside or fun to drive.
I've had the base turbo since Halloween 2021. I definitely understand where Mark and Jack's been coming from in all the reviews so far; they're right-on about the downsides of the car, but they're generally things I don't care about. I'm a middle-aged man with no kids, I don't haul stuff, I rarely have more than one passenger, and I don't care about a manual on a workhorse car like this. When you get the base instead of the premium, you basically can get a better set of tires with a couple grand to spare and I personally feel it's a good tradeoff. The 360-degree cam isn't really needed as much in what is a pretty small car and I usually actually prefer faux leather because it's just less day-to-day upkeep. The two problems I personally have are incredibly minor. I got used to the torsion beam fairly quickly. But I get annoyed that the base entertainment system only allows playlists of 100 files and fairly small libraries, something I resolved by installing Plexamp to simply stream things from my music server at home. I also initially had a problem of braining myself on the top of the door frame every time I got into the car, something I've remedied by going in at a different angle than I always did with my old Mazda 6 or Subaru. That had the weird side effect of edge of the seat pulling down my pants a bit every time I slid into the car, a rather bizarre issue that I've resolved by basically hiking up my pants like I'm doing an Urkel impression, resulting in the car pulling my pants down to the correct height. Rereading that last sentence, I'm wondering if I'm an actual crazy person. My girlfriend has been less of a fan of it. While she generally likes the car, she won't buy something that doesn't hold more stuff or have a manual.
I had a 2021 base Turbo and Jack is mostly correct. Regardless of what's been said regarding the "tuning" of the torsion beam rear end, it's still crashy and there's no way around it. When you go over potholes/rough road, it does *not* handle them as well as you'd like; this is especially noticeable over smaller speed bumps. Even when going at low speeds in a parking lot (or wherever), the rear end *thuds* when coming down from a bump. As good as the interior is and as well-positioned as it is for the driver, I think the CX-5's interior feels/looks a bit more solid, though its seating position is far more on-top of the vehicle and the seats aren't as comfortable. If the 5 had the 30-style seats, getting a CX-5 would be a no-brainer in my mind since it also has more room. Where I disagree with Jack is with this car's radar cruise control. Even on its closest setting regarding distance to the car in front of you, it's still too far and cars from other lanes will regularly get in front of you because there's so much space, at which point the car brakes too hard/suddenly. Also, if you're veering slightly left/right on the highway and there's someone just ahead of you in the adjacent lane, radar cruise still thinks they're in your lane and will slow down/keep its distance. The system needs to be refined. The best part of this turbo is, indeed, the motor (along with the good seats....I'm 6'3"). While low-revving, the torque feels great and is very smooth. I've also extensively driven the CX-30 and while it might be slightly softer, the rear-end feel is essentially the same. They're both great cars so long as you know what you're getting.
Mazda 3 size is actually its selling point. You completely misunderstood what it is aiming for. This is the reason why I fell in love with 8-9'th gen Civic hatchbacks. Mazda 3 is the new Civic. Get with the times.
i have a 2018 Mazda3 touring with 30k and have been VERY pleased. car handles well, gas mileage has been 30mpg and truck is just enough. i would definitely buy another mazda. thumbs up.
I really had my heart set on a manual Mazda 3, but then the market went insane and used cars were more than new. Still, the latest gen Mazda 3 cost about 30k brand new to get a manual. As much as I wanted that car, 30k was too much to justify for a compact hatchback. Instead, I decided to get a Corolla hatchback for 25k out the door with no markups. There are times I wish I had the Mazda's interior, but I'm overall happy I was able to get a manual for thousands less, and living with the Corolla isn't bad by any means. However, if I was just getting a plain Jane automatic, the Mazda 3 would've been my pick, no doubt.
I don’t even think the Corolla hatchback is offered with a manual now, I didn’t see it when last I checked a couple of weeks ago, unless I’m missing something.
@@RobCamp-rmc_0 yeah, unfortunately it's no longer offered on the regular Corollas. As soon as I found out they weren't coming back in 23, I decided to jump on one at the end of last year. If I had to choose now, it would be between the auto Mazda 3, or a manual Civic. However, I'd probably lean more towards the Civic just because the manual is more obtainable and costs less. Plus it's got a lot more interior and cargo space.
For the next maintenance video on the mazda 3, just a note that certain mazda dealers have opted into a co-op with mazda to make your first two oil services and tire rotations complimentary, even for certified pre owned. The Volvo of Japanese brands😄 I'll take that!
2023 Non Turbo Mazda 3 owner here: Great drive solo or with family. Just completed a long road trip in it with my wife and daughter. For me it was fun to drive, for them there was adequate space, the trunk took a full sized suitcase plus several small bags (it can take up to 2 suitcases without folding seats), and fuel economy was good (12.8 km/l). The Bose Soundsystem was incredible too. The Japanese design philosophy is evident throughout.
Very glad you guys are doing these vids, Mazda deserves a more thorough look at the work they are doing. Such a great little company among a sea of Dolts.
I have a '21 2.5 Turbo with ~25k miles on it and so far I've had zero issues. Aside from regular maintenance and a pothole exploding one of my front tires, I've still managed to avoid the mechanic. I was using this for the better part of a year to drive between LA and SF ad never had any worries.
@@bradhaines3142 You're not wrong, but this particular road in LA had three potholes about a foot and a half wide and 8-10" deep at least. The night my tire exploded there were two other cars already pulled over on the side of the road. When I went back after getting my tire fixed there were two other ones just as big. Of course I reported them and last I saw they weren't fixed. Makes you love paying taxes.
My 2021 AWD preferred hatch just passed 18k miles and im loving it more and more as the days go by. Its been a solid car and I never had any issues with it. Other from the occasional ball buster that thinks its a sports car and revs at me to race them
Another good review, Jack, and your last bit with the "Muscle-Sculpting" Corvette perfectly satirized the excessive gushing in reviews from mags like "Road and Track." Great job!
My 2015 Mazda 3 was an amazing car. Recently traded it in for a 2023 Elantra N, and as awesome as it is, that Mazda will always have a special place in my heart.
I had a 2021 3 Select HB AWD for a couple of months before upgrading to a CX5. I liked alot about it, but especially for the price of $26k. The torsion rear suspension was probably its biggest fault, but for the price it was terrific otherwise. The fuel economy was amazing as well. When I bought mine I think the base turbo was about $32k, but no way I would pay $38k for one.
Hi, I'm in Scotland, have had a Mazda 3, S.L. hatchback 2.0 litre engine. Bought 6 months old and have done 62k miles. Been absolutely brilliant, comfortable, great drive, only had to renew tyres and battery, no other problems. On the motorway can get over 50mpg, around town 46mph, though this goes down to 38mph in winter with the heater on all the time.
I have never been one to chase trends so I personally love the things that people would "hate" about this car. I love the simple yet classy design inside and out. I love the small cabin. If I wanted a larger cabin I would have kept my Altima. I dont have kids so just space for me and my girlfriend is enough. Also, the larger the cabin, the longer it takes to cool down in the summer months. I live in Arizona so a small cabin is more easily cooled than a larger one. I love that it has a 6 speed auto, the tried and true instead of worrying about a CVT exploding. I love that it has physical buttons for a lot of their features. I love the turn wheel for the display and I love that there isn't a single touch screen in the whole car. There's plenty to love about this car.
I think a point missed (or maybe not) with the Mazda 3 Turbo is that you not only get all the goods of an day to day economy car but can keep up with something more hard core like a GTI/Golf R/Type R. Albiet not on the track but be honest.... those of us will never see a track and if you do track, those cars probably wouldn't be on the top of your list anyways. And while manual is nice, there is a huge market for people who wants a sporty car with an automatic tranmission. The only two hatchbacks that comes to mind that can offer that are the GTI and Golf R. If you are not a VW/German fan, then realistically your only option is the Mazda 3 Turbo and that is not a bad choice ot be left with. In the current market, a Mazda 3 Turbo is way more avaliable and reasonably priced compared to the marked up alternatives.
And a sporty car with an automatic transmission...that isn't a CVT. Which is another reason the Mazda3 is such a good value as it's one of the last compact cars on the market with a conventional automatic. I have the 6-speed auto in my Miata (I know, sacrilege) and it is a fantastic unit for a non-DCT auto.
Approaching 20K miles on our 22 Carbon NA sedan, the subject of a long term owner series, and have had no issues. We do have a hardly perceptible power steering hiss which is odd, and the infotainment sound has freaked out a couple times. Seems to be related to Bose center point as turning that off and on solves it. But it is a delight to drive and be in compared to its competition. Backseat has been used sparingly for short trips only. Overall MGPs, are right around 32.
My impression of Mazda after driving many and owning a few is that they're the iPhone of cars: Features that work, and work better than competitors "flashy ones" but some people can't get past it. I think the CX-30 makes this redundant for most people but I appreciate Mazda's philosophy on cars and the fact that theyve become an affordable Volvo with better reliability.
i think the main problem is people simply cannot justify the prices, especially they way their tiers of equipment packages work. Its a good buy as a base model.....but quickly becomes not worth the price when you add a few options. THe interior is nice....its not THAT nice to pay $40,000. that also tend to be underpowered next to their competitors, and no longer have exciting driving dynamics . IF you want a hat hatch, you buy something faster. If you want a Lux car, you buy something more Lux. Mazda falls in a really strange place in the market.
@@KC-lg8qf i think the "turbo" trims are where they start to get a bit absurd pricing wise. If you stick to the NA engines, even higher trims are at very reasonable pricepoints vs mainstream competitors. The turbo adds a few thousand and no matter which Mazda it then puts it "above" the mainstream peers. It could be that this is what they consider the "upmarket" competitor (Lexus fighter trim) and in that regard i'd agree. I wouldn't pay $35k for a turbo CX30 but I also wouldnt pay for a Lexus UX which I think its the closest competitor. But a $32k CX5 is a steal, as is a sub-$30k CX30 or 3
I bought a 2020 AWD Mazda 3 new and I am very happy with it. 34 mpg combined, perfectly reliable, and very nice quality for a ~$25k compact sedan. The NA engine and 6 speed auto are perfect for reliability and simplicity and are just fun enough for the car. The AWD system is fantastic even on the stock tires - it can handle any amount of snow up until ground clearance becomes an issue (Tested the hard way). I must have done dozens of hours of research and it was simply the best value on the market, period.
As a single man who rarely has passengers, the Mazda3 seems great. I don't care about the backseats. But I don't want to go as small as the Miata. I'm reading through the comments and some folks are complaining that this car doesn't have what they need. Ok. Then this isn't the car for them if they're tall, carry lots of cargo or drive their friends around. I opted not to get a Mazda3 because it's too low to the ground for getting into and out of. So, I've had a CX-30 and a CX-5. I'm considering a Mazda3 as a second car. They are so so much fun to drive. And I love the sleek look. I checked out Civics and other similar cars, and for my own personal taste they don't look as nice.
Really impressed with what Mazda has done with the Mazda 3. As a vehicle that should compete in the same segment with Honda Civics and Toyota Corollas, they really outdid themselves and gave it a nice splash of luxurious appointments. From a materials standpoint, these vehicles look like they can compete with an entry level Acuras and Lexus'.
Exactly, they are a breath of fresh air in the segment with the 3. Absolutely love the interior in terms of design and quality of materials. It can absolutely be an entry level Acura in my mind.
Living with the 'relative car' - CX-30 with Skyactiv X engine (MHEV configuration). FWD only, great mpg: 50mpg easily on a motorway (UK gallon, not US). Didn't get for Mazda 3 just because no white interior was available last august, unless I was ready to wait for 6 months. I wasn't. Love it. More i drive it more I love it. So, I get this philosophy of Mazda.
I love the size of this car. Too many big vehicles now a days. I want something small, semi sporty, and comfortable as a daily. That’s why I bought a 3 Turbo. I’ve always loved hatchbacks, but this is the only one in the US that hit my wants just right. Fun to drive, great stereo, nice interior, apple car play. And honestly, the small screen and no touch is really nice IMO. I also like knowing that the 2.5L Turbo engine has been around for quite a while meaning it’s reliability is likely great. It’s a very pleasant car
Word. Auto makers should market them as “micro-crossovers” to snare consumers so more would be made (or, hope beyond hope, legit wagons could come back). I’d even tell people I drive a micro-crossover (with a wink, of course) if it helped.
I have a 2019 fully loaded AWD hatchback. Going tomorrow to test drive the 2023 turbo hatch. Seeing what I'm missing and either upgrading or keeping my hatch now.
@@mezzb in my NA sport mode increases throttle response and holds the gear for much longer. I'm sure the power is more noticeable in the turbo. The NA is still a great time to dive, but my FOMO is hitting hard with the turbo version. I'll find out tomorrow morning!
Actually i am getting Mazda 3 G25 soon. I dont care :) It`s the most special looking in/out car in the segment. Maybe its not so sporty but its N/A, the auto is good and its relatively light for the segment. I think the fwd auto is around - 1350kg`s. I`m living in a country that electronics does not matter a lot and i travel mainly mid distances like from 100 to 200 km in most time thru the year. I`m puting some good tire and intake in order to enjoy that N/A sound and i forgot about it. Sure here (in Europe) we have better small cars like Golf, A3, Skoda Octavia bla bla bla but nothing looks like this. Also nothing will be more reliable as G25 engine except the Toyota`s. And actually in Europe 0-100 8 second car is not slow. Yes its not fast but its like semi-dynamic car. Most competitors achieve the same with 1.5 TFSI engines. The low grade 2.0 TFSI`s are faster by a lot. For example A3 2.0 TFSI 190hp its like 6.5 car from 0-100 but i dont care. The real difference is actually small because Mazda have artificially slower times doe to the auto. It`s more like a 7 second car in real world which is totally fine + you have good noise and linear power. Evrybody said 4 cylinder sounds the same. I dont agree. Mazda G25 engine with intake sounds pretty good and sporty for economy engine. Much better then most and this add`s to semi-special feel. I have the same set in my Mazda 6.
Just bought a used 2021 AWD turbo. All of this touch screen crap is actually dangerous. I prefer the dial and easy to use interface. Another thing that sold me was “made in Japan “ on the side door. They just build things right and add beauty and soul at the same time.
I have a 2023 turbo version, just came back from a road trip. This car is very fun to drive, very fast for what it is and gives me decent gas mileage for a the heavy foot that I have😊...my only gripe is that is doesn't have a light in the glovebox to see in it at night, which is freaking wierd to me
I'm actually looking at a 2023 Mazda 3 at a dealership about 2 hours away that only has 17,000 miles on it and they're wanting just over $20K for it. It's NOT, however, the turbo AWD and I'm trying to avoid that version for the sake it's fuel economy sucks. Has anyone had experience with the newer Mazda 3s and how has your experience been? Any transmission/engine issues, etc. I'm trying to avoid the CVT transmissions that's seem to of proliferated the other make/model sedans.
I always want Mazda to win; I really appreciate what they stand for. But I just got out of a loaded Mazda3 turbo and came away feeling the same. I’ll admit that I feel warmer towards the 3 than I do the CX-30 mainly because the Mazda3 hatch is gorgeous and the CX-30 kinda fails at the thing it’s supposed to be. Either way, I’ll continue to root for Mazda even when they don’t always make decisions that I understand. Great update, looking forward to the next one 👍🏻
I'm on my 3rd mazda3 both send & liftback. We are very pleased with these cars. Very reliable, no defects at all & a very acceptable ride. Highly recommended.
@@JOEM747 Considerably better than the turbo model. On my work commute, I consistently average over 30 MPG with my Golf R, so I'm sure your car would do 35 with ease.
Fun fact, as an owner of this generation Mazda 3 I have actually fit 8 of its tires into it at once. With the seats folded down 4 can go in the backseats and 4 in the trunk. Don't get me wrong, it's a small car but if you're primarily not using it to haul cargo you'd be surprised how much stuff you can pack into it.
Four months / 8K miles is hardly a long-term review. Surprisingly no mention of the easily scuffed plastics in the center console (glossy black scratches if you look at it sideways), on the gauge cluster and the lower door plastics. Oil consumption problem on 2021 turbos, paint chipping on the red models. I turned off lane departure/lane keep in the first week after finding the settings. It was unnerving having the car occasionally fight me to continue straight into a new right turn lane (without signaling) instead of veering left to stay on the main road past the turnoff for my street. On the plus side, blind spot monitoring mitigates the hatchback’s huge C pillars and 360° cameras make parking idiotproof, which is otherwise challenging even though it’s a compact. That’s because of its stylishly high beltline, which looks so cool on the outside but reduces visibility and adds to the interior’s overall claustrophobic aura vs say a VW GTI which feels much less “compact” in the driver’s seat with its bigger greenhouse and longer roofline, but my 07 GTI was an expensive-to-repair car that eventually died at 108K miles and I would never buy another VW again after that.
Had my turbo 3 for about a year and a half, so far flawless in all conditions. Gorgeous interior, plenty of power for the size and price, AWD works wonders in snow, fun when pushed and the torque never feels old. Love the car.
As an owner of a 2022 Mazda 3 hatchback (carbon edition), the only complaints I have of the car are rattling sounds coming from the front/center dash. It's not always there but for the most part it is. Depends greatly on temperature. At some point I hope to get it addressed.
I love how compact the car is. Backseat space is fine. It mostly depends on how far back the front seats are and how tall the rear passengers are. Most people put their front seats too far back
It is a 5yrs old design by now and soon will be updated... despite age it ages better than any other Japanese brand ... by far. What is missing is just a not over the top sport package ,not Mazda Speed but just a sports pack , for 1500usd extra offering bit lower and stiffer springs , bit tighter antiroll/strut bar, bit firmer quicker steering , wheels and tires like 235 40 19s , bit larger brakes , more aggressive intake for 8hp gain to put it just past 200hp on base car . It really does not have to be Mazda speed like craziness...just a legit sports pack that would not cost Mazda much to design into and cost of parts over current stock would not be huge either....than update screens and front with LED DRL as standard and few other tweeks...
I'd pay $1,500 more to put the independent rear suspension from my Mk1 Focus on it. Maybe instead of a 'MazdaSpeed' option, they need a 'Driving Enthusiast' variant that's available across trim levels.
@@MarcDoughty I drive it in the mountains on the switchbacks as is and it did fine , and we had previous gen with IRS and I think new gen without IRS handles better
All Mazdas squeak and rattle when brand new (I owned an RX7 and a Miata). Something about the way they're manufactured that I can't explain, but those noises resolve themselves over time. My cars stopped doing that somewhere between 6000 and 8000 miles.
Can Confirm that I owned a ND Miata from new. My squeak never did resolve it self. It just had periods where it would go away and then came back. Learnt to live with it. Bullet proof otherwise
Can’t relate. My ‘18 Mazda3 never had rattles from purchase & still doesn’t. My ‘20 CX-9 had rattles upon purchase & still does. No new rattles have developed, though. Still love both cars.
About fuel economy, I'm the owner of a 2020 Mazda 3 Sky-X (2.0L 180hrspr); 2 wheel drive, manual transmission and 4 door sedan (it's the most fuel efficient version on gasoline). I am averaging 41mpg (summer/winter mixed). Had it for 2 and a half years and about 20k miles with it.
I own this car and love it. It’s much more fun to drive than savagegeese makes it out to be. With any research on the car I’d heavily suffers from terrible tires and just switching those changes it dramatically
Many people see the infotainment and think it sucks with no touch screen, but trust me. Once you get used to it, you will love it. I hated at first, but now it’s super easy to use. I know how many clicks to spin by feel to get to what I want.
I'm surprised that the squeaks and rattles went away themselves. That's the one thing that's holding me back from getting one of these to replace my 09 IS as a daily driver. My OCD will go through the roof if I hear anything rattling in a brand new car
Thanks a lot for the update. I have a Skyactiv X (in Spain) since 2020, and I love it. It is as you say, simple in terms of configuration options but it feels great to me. I have done 70k with it and no complains so far. Also, fuel consumption is on average 5.7 l per 100 km, so really happy with it. 😊
Love this content especially as I've been thinking about what my future DD car will be. The mazda3 turbo AWD has been at the top of my list along with the GTI. If VW adds buttons back, the GTI might take it, but I'm still trying to decide if I'm going to prioritize fun or comfort when I'm buying. It depends on the balance that the Mazda strikes compared to VW. Looking forward to seeing more from human Jack. Although I will say that AI Jack is a hilarious complement... for now... it appears to be getting stronger and more powerful.
Your point about that 5 minute test drive is everything I hate about modern cars. The stupid 'wow' factor, the shallowness of it all, big annoying screens and convoluted settings and overhyped dynamics. Ugh. And the fact that everything keeps getting bigger and bigger is just absurdly stupid. Thanks CAFE!
Venting my pet peeve here: Why reviewers tend to talk about back seat as a con in small cars? They should know better that if people are looking for backseat space, they aren't looking at this class of vehicles. I just don't think back seat space is a high priority for people looking at small cars.
You got it. They always compare it to the Civic which is a product of a focus group of large Americans. Only people with kids will care about the back seat. This is not a car for parents.
The philosophy is quite Japanese. Appreciation for the fine details, making things work and work well. The interior still looks fantastic and has aged well.
I actually prefer the screen in this car rather than a touch screen. It never gets dirty and the dial is very easy to use once you’ve had it for a few weeks. I’m in love with this car
Same. I like that I only have to wipe the dust off my screen every couple weeks. The dial is super easy to use.
Agreed. The Mazda3 also has hard buttons to jump between different modes quickly without taking my eyes off the road. When I travel and rent cars, it quickly dawns on me how much better Mazda’s system is. On a bumpy road, trying to change stations or other basic tasks become downright dangerous with a touch screen.
@@stevelovescars easy to check things like upcoming navigation turns/distance while splitting apps with say spotify?
The dial is fine if you’re solely in the Mazda Connect system but having a touch enabled screen makes CarPlay far easier to use. A dial is just painful there, you spend more time looking at it trying to scroll through every single menu option before getting to the one you could’ve just poked at and be done with.
100%. The huge touch screen trend is stupid
I can't be the only one that doesn't want bigger and it's sad that every hatchback gets knocked points off for being "small". That's kinda the point. I live in an urban area and don't want to maneuver a tank around tight spaces. I'm annoyed that when my Honda Fit dies/gets totaled, I won't have anything comparable or better to replace it with. What I wanted was Acura to make an upscale Fit, instead, Honda killed it in the US entirely.
this is so real tho. I LOVE the size of the MAZDA3, which has essentially remained unchanged since its... 2nd generation? despite the fact that it's very NOT space-efficient. now the Honda Fit is amazing & we really need more cars like THAT on the road, but alas 🥲
Small hatches are the perfect city & college cars but the sales numbers have proven Americans don't agree. Honda would love to keep selling it but the market isn't there. Same with Yaris, Mazda2 and Versa/Note.
There is Golf/GTI/R though. It's small yet "bigger on the inside". Last gen is a clusterfuck of the UX though. But MK 7.5 was awesome.
Well its a reasonable complaint. if you pay the same money and get less space that is a concern. Any normal person would say why would a get a smaller car for the same money new. The Jetta has thrived on being the biggest sedan in its segment until the civic and elantra grew bigger.
no need to buy a brand new car
At this point I can't tell if they're seriously trying to train an AI to take over the economy car reviews, or if they're just serious about unsettling us.
I think both. Though they'll need to try harder to unsettle me, the Bastion of Balance™.
what do you mean by that
Its at least the best running joke I’ve seen in a while
Yes
I second the running joke theory!
I'm personally glad that Mazda doesn't follow many of the trends like other carmakers have done.
I've been a fan of their cars since the 80s, and I've always appreciated the fact that they have walked their own path. Sadly, they get overlooked by buyers because of this.
Overlooked - Maybe in the US, but the love for Mazda has been strong for decades in Australia. They’re the second best seller here behind Toyota, much like what Honda is to the US market.
This is a good example of what the US market was missing out on until cars like Mazda 3 turbo showed up. Some buyers want all the technology features without having to buy the larger vehicles. This car accelerates swiftly without making a lot of NVH, has the tech features, and is low maintenance. But most US based reviewers have to talk negatively about its cargo capacity. They genuinely don’t get it.
From my experience in salvage the only reason Americans are so obsessed with cargo capacity is because they have a hard on for stuffing their cars with needless garbage
@@syloui😂 this comment is on point!!!!
@@syloui Spot on!
The 'cons' mentioned in nearly every review are EXACTLY WHY I love this car. Exceeding at what it's good at, i'm obsessed with it.
I love the Mazda Philosophy
I find the backseat room okay actually, most people don't have a problem with it unless they're obscenely tall. I appreciate how compact they kept the car though since it's much easier to park it in downtown areas.
I second this! Also at 6ft4 I can actually sit in the back in the sedan (without a sunroof), albeit with the side if the roof very close to my head. Definitely very doable for a journey under an hour!
Can confirm. I put four adults in mine at once regularly, including two who are tall. It's not spacious, but they fit without getting claustrophobic or having to slouch.
Remember that Amerifats consider vehicles such as the BMW X3 "small". If they can't roll around in the cabin, it's tight and you should definitely go for that 3-row SUV instead.
Thank you so much for sharing this! Every review I see for this bashes the rear seat space and I thought maybe for someone 5’10”, it would be supremely uncomfortable. Would someone that height be okay in the back seat?
This all comes down to the most critical factor in fitting into any car that isn't a barge - torso to leg ratio. People who are more balanced or more skewed toward longer legs typically don't have the issue with hitting the roof. I'm 5'11" and have no problem in my IS, the S2000, or a Miata, but that's because I have longer legs and am not cramped vertically in the car.
I like the sensible, personal recommendation for the naturally-aspirated, FWD version with manual transmission, yielding an acceptable amount of power - and fun - for a more-reasonable price, while avoiding the extra complexity of a turbocharger. And, I'm sure, most of us will applaud Mazda's continued use of a torque converter automatic trans over a CVT, which (to me) is worth losing a few mpg.
I don't know if other people corroborate this, but my 2020 2.5L FWD Automatic is averaging something like 36 MPG. My occasional long highway hauls usually average 39-42 MPG.
@@MarcDoughty yes i have the same experience. ~42 highway mpg, which is much higher than the official report, which is awesome!
@@wujolie have you really been getting that high
@@zackmandarino1021 Yep. I also drive economically (65-below 75 most of the time, steady speeds). But my city driving in San Francisco yields very low city mpg, maybe 14mpg, but that’s because of the hills and stop and go
@@zackmandarino1021 my Australian delivered 2.5 N/A auto gets 32 mpg averaged out combining traffic and motorway.
Bought mine in mid-2021, no complaints! Modified it to the gills as well. Its such a looker on the road and a joy to drive. The interior is really where the business is at, as is separates itself from the wide field of competitors in its bracket.
I'm curious if you have difficulties with the blindspots. The car looks good but visibility is traded off for the design.
Did you modify the exhaust? If you did how is it?
@@mulamulelilumadi4717 No issues with blindspots! I have the premium sedan, so visibility is a bit different than the sportback featured in this video. However, the various driver safety features equipped in the car greatly mitigate the uncertainty when it comes to blindspots while driving. The car will warn you if there is someone in your blindspot via the side-mirror indicators, heads-up display warnings as well as warnings found in the instrument cluster. All those alerts, plus the toggleable 360 camera, help me "see" whats going on all around my car while driving. Without actually changing my seating position, scooting over and back, to get a better view. Super safe in my opinion! Allows me to drive with confidence and have a little fun from time to time. Haha
@@ComeOnPelican91 Yes! I modified the exhaust. We installed custom headers as well as a full custom exhaust system. Its really great, not droney or distasteful sounding in my opinion. Also, we installed a custom cold air intake from K&N. The sound it creates while revving is really good since it creates like a "spooling" sound from a big turbo engine. Mind you, I have the 2.0 liter naturally aspirated engine. I also found an aftermarket throttle booster that makes my gas pedal really sensitive and responsive. All these modifications were done without a custom tune from a dyno thus, no additional HP generated. No CEL also! Some would say its a waste of money doing the mods, but it has made me really happy and there are no issues in terms of reliability and drivability. Overall, it really makes a difference when driving since its louder, more aggressive and responsive.
@@jamesf7871 So you made a slow car louder, but not faster. It's not 2001 anymore. Just swapping breathing mods isn't "modified to the gills". And why would you spend that kinda money to modify when that could've been spent on a factory turbo car that's plain better? To each his own, but damn, that's some questionable choices at best, and killed the resale of the car as well.
For anyone wondering, the MPG does improve past 8k miles. I was getting 26mpg average, now it’s 28. I can hit 32-34 on straight highway travel, but city mpg suffers. I haven’t had a turbo car yet that gets it’s claimed city mileage.
I get 14 MPG in my "downsized" 4.0 twin turbo V8 in my C63S, I thought it was supposed to be more efficient than the 6.2L V8 ;)... I guess it is about 2 mpg better in city.
Mini coopers get or exceed their advertised MPG. Every other turbo car I’ve experienced underperforms
This pretty much mirrors my experience with my 2021 turbo hatch, but I didnt take my first long road trip until I had over 11k on the clock, which I consider fully broken in. Like any turbo, the more you stay off boost, the closer you get to the gas mileage of the same engine without a turbo. Having said that, I think the gas mileage would be more than respectable if Mazda offered a FWD version of the turbo. Sure it would require wider tires and ideally an LSD to avoid roasting the front tires on launch...but I think ditching the extra weight of the AWD system would offset any efficiency penalty wider stickier tires bring with them. Oh, and if this truly is the last updated Mazda 3 before the company is forced to shift what limited resources they have to EV development, an extensive refresh that adds their new 8 speed transmission along with a new screen that is closer the driver (and touch capable at least when stopped) would be enough (maybe some tweaked bodywork) to keep this thing competitive until it goes away for good...or simply becomes a nameplate that says Mazda 3, yet has batteries and electric motors underneath the skin.
@@jbm0866 I can confirm (I work for Mazda) that a larger 10.3” screen (up form 8.8”) will be part of a 2024 update along with a new exterior color and USB-C. Aside from that, no other major changes.
I have a 2022 Mazda 3 Turbo Hatch Premium Plus - I've recorded the octane, conditions, cost, and MPG of every single fill-up on mine for its whole life (13.5k miles).
Summary:
- Overall: 27.69 (US) MPG - 13,427mi
- Cargo Carrier: 26.27 (US) MPG - 4,805mi
- No Cargo Carrier: 28.55 (US) MPG - 8,622mi
- 93 AKI Octane: 28.42 (US) MPG - 8,509mi
- 87 AKI Octane: 26.27 (US) MPG - 4,918mi
Best Full Tank Fill-ups:
- 35.66 (US) MPG (190mi trip)
- 32.34 (US) MPG (317mi trip)
Worst Full Tank Fill-ups:
- 21.75 (US) MPG (166mi trip)
- 22.59 (US) MPG (221mi trip)
Just bought a Mazda 3 hatch with the 6 speed, FWD with the audio system, heated seats, and moonroof. Absolutely incredible little putt
I like Mazda's uniqueness. Looking forward to your CX-90 review.
That will be the most interesting Mazda review to date as it concerns the Cx-90.
The complaints about the backseat room are hilarious to me. People drive 99% of the time alone. Sure, it's not an S-Class in the rear, but it's fine for most people. This is how we get bigger and bigger cars despite there being larger options already.
inches matter even if only one or two
Except compared to its competition the space is pathetic.
If I’m buying a car I want it to be future proof. Being able to fit future kids in the back seats is a huge selling point to me.
The civic beats this Mazda is literally every metric. Price, significantly better mpg, space, handling. Idk what they were thinking.
I tend to agree. Compacts should never be intended to be absolutely comfortable, as there’s always a class a car for that. Every compact name is now a midsize car and every midsize name almost fullsize. A personal vehicle capable of handling more than a bag of effects would be nice to keep on the market
@@air-headedaviator1805 except this car doesn’t even excel at what compacts are supposed to do either.
@@areallytallguy if you don't have kids yet they won't get big enough for tight rear seat space to be an issue before you get rid of the car.
I've had my 2022 mazda 3 hatchback (base trim) and aside from cracking my windshield twice, I've had no issues with it. I wish it were just a little more fuel efficient but a 30mpg mixed it's on par with my previous 2 cars. The interior is still lovely and I make sure to keep that way. It's power has been plenty given its size and weight and throwing into sport mode when I need to pass ppl on the highway is great. The only thing keeping me from buying it out at the end of the lease is that fact that it's not red, but I might just do it anyway because in ten years the market is going to look very different and it would give me time to save up. I'm more than sure this care could last about 12 to 15 years, given I've only driven 7.5k miles in 1 year
Same here in my 21- I’ve driving 7741 miles as of 3 hours ago. April 17, 23- it’s my 5 Mazda. 2nd brand new one. My partner has a 21 CX-5.
I assumed that the cracked windscreen was predominantly the jap models but looks like it’s happening in the states also. Mine cracked thrice already 😢
@@cynicalseni rented a 2021 mazda cx30 and a rock cracked its windshield while I had it. It was a very small Crack and thankfully I wasn't charged for it but still. I have a 2010 mazda 3 and a 2006 Chrysler sebring and both of them have been hit way harder on the windshield and they have never cracked
I’ve had my 2019 NA Preferred Hatch 2 years as of this past weekend, and I’ve piled on 46k in that time. Can confirm that I appreciate the car more and more the longer I own it.
Hopefully it gets better than 24 MPG in the winter time. Both my 2019 ND2 and Honda Fit get 39 / 42 highway in the winter time months in IL.
@@njasicko I typically get about 32mpg in all seasons
@@DarrenButzTV Thanks for the info, must more reasonable!
Do you have a leather interior? I am trying to decide between red or black leather on a Premium hatch with the manual transmission and would like to know which color holds up better with sun fade and overall wear.
I bought a 2021 CX-30 Turbo about 2 years ago and so far Jack's review syncs up very well with my experience. But I will say one thing. If you find the space in the 3 not quite enough the CX-30 might be worth a look. I was originally looking at a 3 hatchback, but I'm 6'4" and my head was literally on the ceiling with the seat all the way down. The CX-30 exhibits a bit more body roll (for obvious reasons) and is a slightly (just slightly) softer ride and I've been really enjoying mine.
There's a reason the CX-30 is the brand's second-best selling vehicle. Surprisingly high build quality for something made south of the border. Definitely better than Honda or Toyota.
Same. Adore my CX-30. Had a Crosstrek and Outback XT before it. This is by far my favorite of the bunch. it just works and its super fun to drive IMO. And 26k for the Select? Way better value than most of the stuff out there at the same price point.
I test drove one today and experienced that body roll. A bit unsettling, but par for what it is
My thoughts are similar - the CX-30 is the more practical hatch the 3 should be. I'd seriously consider it, and get lowering springs to get rid of the needlessly high ride height and some of the softness.
@@rx7racerca There was some guy on the CX-30 subreddit who dropped his and put black steelies on it and it looks so so sick. I'd do the same, but I actually need the clearance.
The price at 36000 is crazy steep. But I say that about all cars at this point.
Meanwhile people go nuts over the GR Corolla at over $80K with Dealer Markup
At 30k for the plain turbo model that’s not a bad deal. 36k adds 360 camera, leather, and a body kit.
@@machineslave3 the appearance package is adds a lot of cost. You can get a solid model 3 for 30k, me personally and I’m not a suv fan even though I own one but the cx5 turbo can be had for 36k with under 5k miles to me is a better buy for 36k independent rear suspension larger wheel base
Isn’t the average new car price in the 40’s now? Gone are the days of great (new) cars for 20k.
@@machineslave3 That is a extremely hard sale. Idk wym. A compact car should be under 30k not over.
I will not be suprised if young people kill the automotive industry because they can't afford this shit.
I've always thought of Mazda as an engineering firm even as they masqueraded as some kind of weird art studio. So their latest lineups have just been Mazda taking off the mask IMO.
But nobody would make the mistake of thinking that anyone at Mazda would know anyone who worked on Madison Ave. Mazda struggles as much as you or anyone else to describe their product to the consumer. It could be cheap or it could be expensive and nobody can explain why.
@@mezzb: I'd love to see if your hunch is right 'cuz I've been super curious about who else is driving this car on the daily (like me!). I've come to acknowledge that the 4th gen. MAZDA3, ESPECIALLY the Turbo hatch model trims, only really appeals to a VERY specific type of person that just happens to incl. me & you 👀
they could EASILY go upmarket if they pulled the stick out of their ass and went EV. An ev version of the mazda 3 or the hatch version would fly off the shelves, they are stubborn and unwilling to fucking ditch the fucking gas and they are going to die because of it.
I always appreciated mazda for going out of their way to design beautiful shapes and not charge up the ass, but they have to get over the gas market.
@Uub Yeah because the vast majority of vehicles sold are EVs right?
@@peterjordansonthe2nd731 keep paying attention to ev sales vs gas car sales over time, tick tock, switch or wither and die in inferior technology. By the end of this decade the majority of cars sold in the US will be evs.
@Uub OK Joe Biden - you're clearly a delusional individual who must listen to alot of NPR. The vast majority of the US does not and won't have the infrastructure to support EVs anywhere close to what you anticipate anytime soon. You don't belong on this channel - this is the place that adults convene to admire the humor and genuine nature of the content provided
I'd like to point something out after having my '21 Turbo with a little over 2 years now. I've averaging 30mpg combined over the course of 2 years. A lot of people seem to have differing results for MPG. I don't drive with a lead foot, but I also don't drive like a grandpa.
This car is also perfect for someone like me. I love smaller cars. While it isn't as large as a Civic/Integra, it's significantly more powerful, has a traditional automatic transmission, & has AWD with the Turbo.
I don't want Mazda 3 to get bigger. I like it cuz it's small and really fun and easy to drive on small roads and streets. They have Mazda 6 and CX5 for those who need bigger cars. I really don't understand that American obsession with making everything oversized. You don't need every car to be too big to fit in one parking spot. Most countries are not based entirely on huge motorways, and people don't need to fill their cars with unnecessary rubbish. I'm glad Mazda aren't forgetting that US isn't the entire world and keeping these cars compact, comfy and good looking with a little bit of spirit in the wheels
I picked up a 2022 CX-30 Turbo back in December and bought it for the exact reasons and with the same mentality listed in this series. I wanted a bit more ground clearance and space than the 3 Hatch, and was willing to give up a slightly more sporty drive since I have an NA miata that will always scratch that itch better. The attention to detail on the interior and usability of the cabin is second to none for the money, and compared to my dads '22 TLX , is way more user friendly. Wile not the most economical or space efficient, it's big enough inside for my needs, just premium enough to be a great daily, but not overly so to the point that I'm terrified about ruining it, and just rewarding enough to drive to make me love it and feel more and more connected to it as the miles pile on.
Yep- got a 21 CX30 TPP in February; it's a fantastic car. I don't want a touch screen, I don't want a bunch of different modes, I want a car that drives well and responds well. Less is more in modern Mazda's and it is beautiful thing to drive.
Im on my second mazda 3 hatchback now and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it. Its predictable, inconspicuous but not boring, luxurious but not overstimulating. In an age where everyone is oneupping themselves they’ve been a breath of fresh air.
The dealer in my local city is booming over the last couple of years, mostly due to word of mouth (the CXes most popular of course). Maintenance has been affordable and the return value on my last (2nd hand) mazda was insane (i drove over 4 years for under 3500 😮euros)
"not boring"
That is where you are wrong
@@SoulEraser000 oh man, u really contributed something new !!!!
@@pjotrh truth hurts
In the UK here and I've had to take mine back twice for the dealer to try and sort out persistent rattles from the passenger window frame and the dash/cowl. This has been so annoying considering it's not at all a cheap car and everything else about it is brilliant. The rattles are back again and I feel like an absolute idiot having to keep going back to them about such a minor- but unbearable issue.
Sorry to hear. My 2019 manual also developed some rattles in the dashboard area right behind the gauge cluster it sounds. I can’t hear it with the music or podcasts playing, but when it is quiet, it can get a little annoying. One of the reasons I bought the 3 was specifically because it was made in Japan, thinking that I could avoid some of the fitting finishing rattle issues that plague other makes.
I agree the manual NA is the right price for this vehicle. Note that the manual only comes in the top trim available. Which is actually pretty nice. I still managed to get one for $25k, which I think is a fantastic price for this vehicle. Closing on $40k is absolutely not enough to justify awd plus turbo.
I really dig the 3, such a cool design. If this had a Alfa badge on it, I'd believe it. Very Italian/European styling to these eyes.
Always thought so too. Especially in red!
Nothing wrong with a torsion beam rear end of it’s done properly.
The Renault Megane has one, and the RS models held Nurburgring track records for front drive hatches and are generally regarded as some of the best handling hot hatches ever.
Correct, in savagegeese’s 2019 review of this car when it came out, they specifically mentioned that Mazda was trying to tune the torsion beam the way they want it, and that it makes it easier for them to tune.
@@Maxfli82but for the rear passengers it's better to have independent suspension
It’s sad when I’ve become more excited to hear about Arby’s 3000 Jack than the long term test vehicle.
It never fails, I scroll the comments long enough, eventually I'll see you Colin, lol
Can’t wait for this series to keep going, gf is looking at this car potentially as her new car and it’s great to have the updates to make a better informed decision!
Just bought a turbo 3 this weekend and even with all it's compromises, I just find myself smiling so much as I drive it.
@@joshwilliams565 this usually is a sign that it’s more than a car with compromises, a car that’s fun and draws you in is def something we want!
@@Angryeddie14 Completely agree. Test drove the Civic and liked it and it's a really good car, but I didn't really like the look of it like I loved the look of the 3. Also, the non touch screen is not a drawback to me. I love using the toggle switch to get around. To me it's very intuitive.
Unless Mazda is working on the next gen 3 as we speak and has it ready to launch by say...late 2025 as a '26 model, I wouldnt expect such a relatively small car company to have the resources and engineering to give us a totally all new 3 with so many unrealistic mandates from western governments coming due so soon. That doesnt mean Mazda will drop the 3 nameplate, (I wish they would go back to names personally, but I digress) but also doesnt mean there will be a true successor that follows the same form as the current model. Having said that, I could see Mazda doing an extensive refresh..maybe adding their new 8 speed auto for better performance and efficiency, and hopefully a new center screen mounted closer to the driver that is at least touch capable when stopped at 0 mph if safety is the real concern. I've gotten used to the knob and Mazda's interface, but when using Carplay there are times a tap on the screen would be quicker and easier.
@@joshwilliams565 I know, right? I have a 2021 turbo hatch, and while reviewers arent being overly picky when they mention the stiff ride (it can be annoying at low speeds on really bad streets) it's never jarring to the point I wince thinking something will shake loose or fall off...and totally worth it once you pick up speed and find a twisty road. Yes the backseats are near useless for normal sized adults and the cargo area isnt large, but neither of those things have been an issue for me so far....and the similarly sized Corolla hatchback is no better in these areas, yet not near as nice inside or fun to drive.
I've had the base turbo since Halloween 2021. I definitely understand where Mark and Jack's been coming from in all the reviews so far; they're right-on about the downsides of the car, but they're generally things I don't care about. I'm a middle-aged man with no kids, I don't haul stuff, I rarely have more than one passenger, and I don't care about a manual on a workhorse car like this. When you get the base instead of the premium, you basically can get a better set of tires with a couple grand to spare and I personally feel it's a good tradeoff. The 360-degree cam isn't really needed as much in what is a pretty small car and I usually actually prefer faux leather because it's just less day-to-day upkeep.
The two problems I personally have are incredibly minor. I got used to the torsion beam fairly quickly. But I get annoyed that the base entertainment system only allows playlists of 100 files and fairly small libraries, something I resolved by installing Plexamp to simply stream things from my music server at home. I also initially had a problem of braining myself on the top of the door frame every time I got into the car, something I've remedied by going in at a different angle than I always did with my old Mazda 6 or Subaru. That had the weird side effect of edge of the seat pulling down my pants a bit every time I slid into the car, a rather bizarre issue that I've resolved by basically hiking up my pants like I'm doing an Urkel impression, resulting in the car pulling my pants down to the correct height. Rereading that last sentence, I'm wondering if I'm an actual crazy person.
My girlfriend has been less of a fan of it. While she generally likes the car, she won't buy something that doesn't hold more stuff or have a manual.
Great comments!
I had a 2021 base Turbo and Jack is mostly correct. Regardless of what's been said regarding the "tuning" of the torsion beam rear end, it's still crashy and there's no way around it.
When you go over potholes/rough road, it does *not* handle them as well as you'd like; this is especially noticeable over smaller speed bumps. Even when going at low speeds in a parking lot (or wherever), the rear end *thuds* when coming down from a bump.
As good as the interior is and as well-positioned as it is for the driver, I think the CX-5's interior feels/looks a bit more solid, though its seating position is far more on-top of the vehicle and the seats aren't as comfortable. If the 5 had the 30-style seats, getting a CX-5 would be a no-brainer in my mind since it also has more room.
Where I disagree with Jack is with this car's radar cruise control. Even on its closest setting regarding distance to the car in front of you, it's still too far and cars from other lanes will regularly get in front of you because there's so much space, at which point the car brakes too hard/suddenly.
Also, if you're veering slightly left/right on the highway and there's someone just ahead of you in the adjacent lane, radar cruise still thinks they're in your lane and will slow down/keep its distance. The system needs to be refined.
The best part of this turbo is, indeed, the motor (along with the good seats....I'm 6'3"). While low-revving, the torque feels great and is very smooth. I've also extensively driven the CX-30 and while it might be slightly softer, the rear-end feel is essentially the same. They're both great cars so long as you know what you're getting.
Your points about the suspension and the ACC are spot-on. Too crashy and too cautious, respectively.
Mazda 3 size is actually its selling point. You completely misunderstood what it is aiming for. This is the reason why I fell in love with 8-9'th gen Civic hatchbacks. Mazda 3 is the new Civic. Get with the times.
i have a 2018 Mazda3 touring with 30k and have been VERY pleased. car handles well, gas mileage has been 30mpg and truck is just enough. i would definitely buy another mazda. thumbs up.
30 mpg on a car this tiny is absurdly bad.
@@areallytallguy you're gonna shit bricks when you see the kia soul's mpg
@@mimidotcat why? It’s exactly what I expected.
I really had my heart set on a manual Mazda 3, but then the market went insane and used cars were more than new. Still, the latest gen Mazda 3 cost about 30k brand new to get a manual. As much as I wanted that car, 30k was too much to justify for a compact hatchback. Instead, I decided to get a Corolla hatchback for 25k out the door with no markups. There are times I wish I had the Mazda's interior, but I'm overall happy I was able to get a manual for thousands less, and living with the Corolla isn't bad by any means. However, if I was just getting a plain Jane automatic, the Mazda 3 would've been my pick, no doubt.
I don’t even think the Corolla hatchback is offered with a manual now, I didn’t see it when last I checked a couple of weeks ago, unless I’m missing something.
@@RobCamp-rmc_0 yeah, unfortunately it's no longer offered on the regular Corollas. As soon as I found out they weren't coming back in 23, I decided to jump on one at the end of last year. If I had to choose now, it would be between the auto Mazda 3, or a manual Civic. However, I'd probably lean more towards the Civic just because the manual is more obtainable and costs less. Plus it's got a lot more interior and cargo space.
For the next maintenance video on the mazda 3, just a note that certain mazda dealers have opted into a co-op with mazda to make your first two oil services and tire rotations complimentary, even for certified pre owned. The Volvo of Japanese brands😄 I'll take that!
Is the Japanese BMW
@@dcal4455 🏁😀
This is nothing to write home about. All manufacturers cover first two years of maintenance now.
Acura?
@@dcal4455 Far from it.
2023 Non Turbo Mazda 3 owner here: Great drive solo or with family. Just completed a long road trip in it with my wife and daughter. For me it was fun to drive, for them there was adequate space, the trunk took a full sized suitcase plus several small bags (it can take up to 2 suitcases without folding seats), and fuel economy was good (12.8 km/l). The Bose Soundsystem was incredible too. The Japanese design philosophy is evident throughout.
This is why I opted for a used 488GTB instead
Very glad you guys are doing these vids, Mazda deserves a more thorough look at the work they are doing. Such a great little company among a sea of Dolts.
I have a '21 2.5 Turbo with ~25k miles on it and so far I've had zero issues. Aside from regular maintenance and a pothole exploding one of my front tires, I've still managed to avoid the mechanic. I was using this for the better part of a year to drive between LA and SF ad never had any worries.
smaller wheels and more tire will save you in the pot holes
@@bradhaines3142 You're not wrong, but this particular road in LA had three potholes about a foot and a half wide and 8-10" deep at least. The night my tire exploded there were two other cars already pulled over on the side of the road. When I went back after getting my tire fixed there were two other ones just as big. Of course I reported them and last I saw they weren't fixed. Makes you love paying taxes.
My 2021 AWD preferred hatch just passed 18k miles and im loving it more and more as the days go by. Its been a solid car and I never had any issues with it. Other from the occasional ball buster that thinks its a sports car and revs at me to race them
Another good review, Jack, and your last bit with the "Muscle-Sculpting" Corvette perfectly satirized the excessive gushing in reviews from mags like "Road and Track." Great job!
My 2015 Mazda 3 was an amazing car. Recently traded it in for a 2023 Elantra N, and as awesome as it is, that Mazda will always have a special place in my heart.
I had a 2021 3 Select HB AWD for a couple of months before upgrading to a CX5. I liked alot about it, but especially for the price of $26k. The torsion rear suspension was probably its biggest fault, but for the price it was terrific otherwise. The fuel economy was amazing as well. When I bought mine I think the base turbo was about $32k, but no way I would pay $38k for one.
The normal Turbo trim is only 32k. 36k is for the absolute top turbo trim.
Hi, I'm in Scotland, have had a Mazda 3, S.L. hatchback 2.0 litre engine. Bought 6 months old and have done 62k miles. Been absolutely brilliant, comfortable, great drive, only had to renew tyres and battery, no other problems. On the motorway can get over 50mpg, around town 46mph, though this goes down to 38mph in winter with the heater on all the time.
I have never been one to chase trends so I personally love the things that people would "hate" about this car.
I love the simple yet classy design inside and out.
I love the small cabin. If I wanted a larger cabin I would have kept my Altima. I dont have kids so just space for me and my girlfriend is enough. Also, the larger the cabin, the longer it takes to cool down in the summer months. I live in Arizona so a small cabin is more easily cooled than a larger one.
I love that it has a 6 speed auto, the tried and true instead of worrying about a CVT exploding.
I love that it has physical buttons for a lot of their features.
I love the turn wheel for the display and I love that there isn't a single touch screen in the whole car.
There's plenty to love about this car.
The LT AI review of the corvette was extremely premium. Please don't ever stop making content.
I think a point missed (or maybe not) with the Mazda 3 Turbo is that you not only get all the goods of an day to day economy car but can keep up with something more hard core like a GTI/Golf R/Type R. Albiet not on the track but be honest.... those of us will never see a track and if you do track, those cars probably wouldn't be on the top of your list anyways. And while manual is nice, there is a huge market for people who wants a sporty car with an automatic tranmission. The only two hatchbacks that comes to mind that can offer that are the GTI and Golf R. If you are not a VW/German fan, then realistically your only option is the Mazda 3 Turbo and that is not a bad choice ot be left with.
In the current market, a Mazda 3 Turbo is way more avaliable and reasonably priced compared to the marked up alternatives.
And a sporty car with an automatic transmission...that isn't a CVT. Which is another reason the Mazda3 is such a good value as it's one of the last compact cars on the market with a conventional automatic. I have the 6-speed auto in my Miata (I know, sacrilege) and it is a fantastic unit for a non-DCT auto.
Approaching 20K miles on our 22 Carbon NA sedan, the subject of a long term owner series, and have had no issues. We do have a hardly perceptible power steering hiss which is odd, and the infotainment sound has freaked out a couple times. Seems to be related to Bose center point as turning that off and on solves it. But it is a delight to drive and be in compared to its competition. Backseat has been used sparingly for short trips only. Overall MGPs, are right around 32.
My impression of Mazda after driving many and owning a few is that they're the iPhone of cars: Features that work, and work better than competitors "flashy ones" but some people can't get past it. I think the CX-30 makes this redundant for most people but I appreciate Mazda's philosophy on cars and the fact that theyve become an affordable Volvo with better reliability.
i think the main problem is people simply cannot justify the prices, especially they way their tiers of equipment packages work. Its a good buy as a base model.....but quickly becomes not worth the price when you add a few options. THe interior is nice....its not THAT nice to pay $40,000. that also tend to be underpowered next to their competitors, and no longer have exciting driving dynamics . IF you want a hat hatch, you buy something faster. If you want a Lux car, you buy something more Lux. Mazda falls in a really strange place in the market.
@@KC-lg8qf i think the "turbo" trims are where they start to get a bit absurd pricing wise. If you stick to the NA engines, even higher trims are at very reasonable pricepoints vs mainstream competitors. The turbo adds a few thousand and no matter which Mazda it then puts it "above" the mainstream peers. It could be that this is what they consider the "upmarket" competitor (Lexus fighter trim) and in that regard i'd agree. I wouldn't pay $35k for a turbo CX30 but I also wouldnt pay for a Lexus UX which I think its the closest competitor. But a $32k CX5 is a steal, as is a sub-$30k CX30 or 3
That’s a big thing people need to know. All wheel drive isn’t all wheel stop. Winter tires are a game changer
Technically, it is all wheel stop. But so is FWD and RWD as well. But yes, your point is 100% bang on.
I bought a 2020 AWD Mazda 3 new and I am very happy with it. 34 mpg combined, perfectly reliable, and very nice quality for a ~$25k compact sedan. The NA engine and 6 speed auto are perfect for reliability and simplicity and are just fun enough for the car. The AWD system is fantastic even on the stock tires - it can handle any amount of snow up until ground clearance becomes an issue (Tested the hard way). I must have done dozens of hours of research and it was simply the best value on the market, period.
As a single man who rarely has passengers, the Mazda3 seems great. I don't care about the backseats. But I don't want to go as small as the Miata.
I'm reading through the comments and some folks are complaining that this car doesn't have what they need. Ok. Then this isn't the car for them if they're tall, carry lots of cargo or drive their friends around. I opted not to get a Mazda3 because it's too low to the ground for getting into and out of. So, I've had a CX-30 and a CX-5.
I'm considering a Mazda3 as a second car. They are so so much fun to drive. And I love the sleek look. I checked out Civics and other similar cars, and for my own personal taste they don't look as nice.
Hi i’m considering a mazda cx 30, how has that one been going for you?
Really impressed with what Mazda has done with the Mazda 3. As a vehicle that should compete in the same segment with Honda Civics and Toyota Corollas, they really outdid themselves and gave it a nice splash of luxurious appointments. From a materials standpoint, these vehicles look like they can compete with an entry level Acuras and Lexus'.
I would take either of those options over the Mazda any day and most people would agree, just look at the sales numbers
Exactly, they are a breath of fresh air in the segment with the 3. Absolutely love the interior in terms of design and quality of materials. It can absolutely be an entry level Acura in my mind.
I guess that's great if you shop for cars the way you would shop for a couch. The materials feel nice! Doesn't sound like wise car buying.
very enlightening commentary, grown up, mature, none of that normal car critic rubbish about heel and toe etc. thanks for bring wiser than your years.
It would buy one easily if it came or released in Brazil. It's a very focused car. No frills and concerned with the necessary.
Living with the 'relative car' - CX-30 with Skyactiv X engine (MHEV configuration). FWD only, great mpg: 50mpg easily on a motorway (UK gallon, not US). Didn't get for Mazda 3 just because no white interior was available last august, unless I was ready to wait for 6 months. I wasn't. Love it. More i drive it more I love it. So, I get this philosophy of Mazda.
Same for Mazda 3: got 52 MPG on long motorway run, recently.
I wish we could get the Skyactiv X engine here in the states
I love the size of this car. Too many big vehicles now a days. I want something small, semi sporty, and comfortable as a daily. That’s why I bought a 3 Turbo.
I’ve always loved hatchbacks, but this is the only one in the US that hit my wants just right. Fun to drive, great stereo, nice interior, apple car play. And honestly, the small screen and no touch is really nice IMO. I also like knowing that the 2.5L Turbo engine has been around for quite a while meaning it’s reliability is likely great. It’s a very pleasant car
Word. Auto makers should market them as “micro-crossovers” to snare consumers so more would be made (or, hope beyond hope, legit wagons could come back). I’d even tell people I drive a micro-crossover (with a wink, of course) if it helped.
I have a 2019 fully loaded AWD hatchback. Going tomorrow to test drive the 2023 turbo hatch. Seeing what I'm missing and either upgrading or keeping my hatch now.
@@mezzb in my NA sport mode increases throttle response and holds the gear for much longer. I'm sure the power is more noticeable in the turbo. The NA is still a great time to dive, but my FOMO is hitting hard with the turbo version. I'll find out tomorrow morning!
Actually i am getting Mazda 3 G25 soon. I dont care :) It`s the most special looking in/out car in the segment. Maybe its not so sporty but its N/A, the auto is good and its relatively light for the segment. I think the fwd auto is around - 1350kg`s. I`m living in a country that electronics does not matter a lot and i travel mainly mid distances like from 100 to 200 km in most time thru the year. I`m puting some good tire and intake in order to enjoy that N/A sound and i forgot about it. Sure here (in Europe) we have better small cars like Golf, A3, Skoda Octavia bla bla bla but nothing looks like this. Also nothing will be more reliable as G25 engine except the Toyota`s. And actually in Europe 0-100 8 second car is not slow. Yes its not fast but its like semi-dynamic car. Most competitors achieve the same with 1.5 TFSI engines. The low grade 2.0 TFSI`s are faster by a lot. For example A3 2.0 TFSI 190hp its like 6.5 car from 0-100 but i dont care. The real difference is actually small because Mazda have artificially slower times doe to the auto. It`s more like a 7 second car in real world which is totally fine + you have good noise and linear power. Evrybody said 4 cylinder sounds the same. I dont agree. Mazda G25 engine with intake sounds pretty good and sporty for economy engine. Much better then most and this add`s to semi-special feel. I have the same set in my Mazda 6.
The more you talk about the Mazda 3 the better it gets. Many, many people want simple cars that work. Screw software on wheels.
The AI Schtick at the end of your videos crack me up. Keep up the creativity and content
Be careful what you say, AI is reading the comments section.
Thank you for your feedback. We are monitoring your movements real time.
Hahahahaha, that bit at the end was so ridiculous; I love how random the humor in this channel is - you guys never fail to make me laugh!
It's a shame they aren't at least testing the skyactiv-X as an option in NA.
Just bought a used 2021 AWD turbo. All of this touch screen crap is actually dangerous. I prefer the dial and easy to use interface.
Another thing that sold me was “made in Japan “ on the side door. They just build things right and add beauty and soul at the same time.
I have a 2023 turbo version, just came back from a road trip. This car is very fun to drive, very fast for what it is and gives me decent gas mileage for a the heavy foot that I have😊...my only gripe is that is doesn't have a light in the glovebox to see in it at night, which is freaking wierd to me
How can they do you like that. It's $5 at most for them to put one in there. Then they want 36k....
@Frany overall the car is amazing! Definitely mazdaspeed worthy after an intake and catback exhaust
I'm actually looking at a 2023 Mazda 3 at a dealership about 2 hours away that only has 17,000 miles on it and they're wanting just over $20K for it. It's NOT, however, the turbo AWD and I'm trying to avoid that version for the sake it's fuel economy sucks.
Has anyone had experience with the newer Mazda 3s and how has your experience been? Any transmission/engine issues, etc.
I'm trying to avoid the CVT transmissions that's seem to of proliferated the other make/model sedans.
Great cars the attention to detail is superb
I always want Mazda to win; I really appreciate what they stand for. But I just got out of a loaded Mazda3 turbo and came away feeling the same. I’ll admit that I feel warmer towards the 3 than I do the CX-30 mainly because the Mazda3 hatch is gorgeous and the CX-30 kinda fails at the thing it’s supposed to be. Either way, I’ll continue to root for Mazda even when they don’t always make decisions that I understand. Great update, looking forward to the next one 👍🏻
I'm on my 3rd mazda3 both send & liftback. We are very pleased with these cars. Very reliable, no defects at all & a very acceptable ride. Highly recommended.
I own one. Perfect car. It’s for a specific customer n I was one of em
A FWD manual is the way to go with this car. More fun and fantastic fuel economy.
This
I have a fwd manual. I love it but it does not have fantastic fuel economy. I get 28mpg city and 33ish on the interstate.
@@JOEM747 NA model did 52 MP (UK)G on the motorway recently.
@@EvoraGT430 EU gets a different engine than here in NA.
@@JOEM747 Considerably better than the turbo model. On my work commute, I consistently average over 30 MPG with my Golf R, so I'm sure your car would do 35 with ease.
Fun fact, as an owner of this generation Mazda 3 I have actually fit 8 of its tires into it at once. With the seats folded down 4 can go in the backseats and 4 in the trunk. Don't get me wrong, it's a small car but if you're primarily not using it to haul cargo you'd be surprised how much stuff you can pack into it.
I hope they have a similar video for the Acura MDX, TLX, RDX, & Integra.
Four months / 8K miles is hardly a long-term review. Surprisingly no mention of the easily scuffed plastics in the center console (glossy black scratches if you look at it sideways), on the gauge cluster and the lower door plastics. Oil consumption problem on 2021 turbos, paint chipping on the red models. I turned off lane departure/lane keep in the first week after finding the settings. It was unnerving having the car occasionally fight me to continue straight into a new right turn lane (without signaling) instead of veering left to stay on the main road past the turnoff for my street. On the plus side, blind spot monitoring mitigates the hatchback’s huge C pillars and 360° cameras make parking idiotproof, which is otherwise challenging even though it’s a compact. That’s because of its stylishly high beltline, which looks so cool on the outside but reduces visibility and adds to the interior’s overall claustrophobic aura vs say a VW GTI which feels much less “compact” in the driver’s seat with its bigger greenhouse and longer roofline, but my 07 GTI was an expensive-to-repair car that eventually died at 108K miles and I would never buy another VW again after that.
Had my turbo 3 for about a year and a half, so far flawless in all conditions. Gorgeous interior, plenty of power for the size and price, AWD works wonders in snow, fun when pushed and the torque never feels old. Love the car.
As an owner of a 2022 Mazda 3 hatchback (carbon edition), the only complaints I have of the car are rattling sounds coming from the front/center dash. It's not always there but for the most part it is. Depends greatly on temperature. At some point I hope to get it addressed.
Same here with the rattles. Does it go away with warmer temperatures?
@@Maxfli82 Yup. If it's really cold it's usually not a problem too. Mild temps bring out the rattle.
I love how compact the car is. Backseat space is fine. It mostly depends on how far back the front seats are and how tall the rear passengers are. Most people put their front seats too far back
I appreciate that the mazda hatchback is compact. There are so few options for a nice compact sedan. Vehicles do not need to all be family sized.
It is a 5yrs old design by now and soon will be updated... despite age it ages better than any other Japanese brand ... by far.
What is missing is just a not over the top sport package ,not Mazda Speed but just a sports pack , for 1500usd extra offering bit lower and stiffer springs , bit tighter antiroll/strut bar, bit firmer quicker steering , wheels and tires like 235 40 19s , bit larger brakes , more aggressive intake for 8hp gain to put it just past 200hp on base car .
It really does not have to be Mazda speed like craziness...just a legit sports pack that would not cost Mazda much to design into and cost of parts over current stock would not be huge either....than update screens and front with LED DRL as standard and few other tweeks...
I'd pay $1,500 more to put the independent rear suspension from my Mk1 Focus on it. Maybe instead of a 'MazdaSpeed' option, they need a 'Driving Enthusiast' variant that's available across trim levels.
@@MarcDoughty I drive it in the mountains on the switchbacks as is and it did fine , and we had previous gen with IRS and I think new gen without IRS handles better
I was waiting for this one. Thank you!
24 mpg doesn't seem too bad for a turbo in the winter on snow tires.
Until you own a recent GTI that gets 30. On 87 octane.
@@jondiaz3475 The downside is you own a GTI.
@@shadmiller7282 Still better than a Mazda3
So nice to finally see Jack come out of his shell towards the end 🎉👏
The dream of a stabilized cockpit at 3:28 vs reality of co-pilot head bobble at 4:56.
Literally driving off road 🤣
Mazda is for car nerds who care about a great driving experience and luxury features. The cx-5 is selling really well in the Toronto area recently
AI bit at the end is a great parody of 90% of the car press.
All Mazdas squeak and rattle when brand new (I owned an RX7 and a Miata). Something about the way they're manufactured that I can't explain, but those noises resolve themselves over time. My cars stopped doing that somewhere between 6000 and 8000 miles.
Can Confirm that I owned a ND Miata from new. My squeak never did resolve it self. It just had periods where it would go away and then came back. Learnt to live with it. Bullet proof otherwise
All cars squeak and rattle, there I fixed it.
Probably seasonal. Most of my cars have had squeaks or rattles that go away in the summer only to return the following winter.
Can’t relate. My ‘18 Mazda3 never had rattles from purchase & still doesn’t. My ‘20 CX-9 had rattles upon purchase & still does. No new rattles have developed, though. Still love both cars.
I caught a whiff of something burning on test drive in a manual
I got a 2021 Turbo Premium and honestly it is an amazing car I love it.
Why do people what big toich screens anyway? Like youre going to be messing with that whilw driving? Seriously
About fuel economy, I'm the owner of a 2020 Mazda 3 Sky-X (2.0L 180hrspr); 2 wheel drive, manual transmission and 4 door sedan (it's the most fuel efficient version on gasoline). I am averaging 41mpg (summer/winter mixed). Had it for 2 and a half years and about 20k miles with it.
I own this car and love it. It’s much more fun to drive than savagegeese makes it out to be. With any research on the car I’d heavily suffers from terrible tires and just switching those changes it dramatically
it is actually SO fun to drive like it's unbelievable. the past 2 MAZDA3s I had couldn't hold a candle to this version
I loved the clip of Mark crushing the rear passengers legs with the front seats.
I love mine❤
Many people see the infotainment and think it sucks with no touch screen, but trust me. Once you get used to it, you will love it. I hated at first, but now it’s super easy to use. I know how many clicks to spin by feel to get to what I want.
I'm surprised that the squeaks and rattles went away themselves. That's the one thing that's holding me back from getting one of these to replace my 09 IS as a daily driver. My OCD will go through the roof if I hear anything rattling in a brand new car
all i can say is that i love this car for all the reasons haters hate it, so i bought one
mazda is really underated if they only had a a little bit of toyota money
They feel like the BMW of old, trying to deliver driver centric features and dynamics
Thanks a lot for the update. I have a Skyactiv X (in Spain) since 2020, and I love it. It is as you say, simple in terms of configuration options but it feels great to me. I have done 70k with it and no complains so far. Also, fuel consumption is on average 5.7 l per 100 km, so really happy with it. 😊
Damn that’s not turbo right? I average 9.4 km / 100 L on my turbo lol
Love this content especially as I've been thinking about what my future DD car will be. The mazda3 turbo AWD has been at the top of my list along with the GTI. If VW adds buttons back, the GTI might take it, but I'm still trying to decide if I'm going to prioritize fun or comfort when I'm buying. It depends on the balance that the Mazda strikes compared to VW. Looking forward to seeing more from human Jack. Although I will say that AI Jack is a hilarious complement... for now... it appears to be getting stronger and more powerful.
Reliability wins all day with Mazda. Get the Mazda. And it’s AWD, the GTI is only FWD.
Your point about that 5 minute test drive is everything I hate about modern cars. The stupid 'wow' factor, the shallowness of it all, big annoying screens and convoluted settings and overhyped dynamics. Ugh. And the fact that everything keeps getting bigger and bigger is just absurdly stupid. Thanks CAFE!
Venting my pet peeve here: Why reviewers tend to talk about back seat as a con in small cars? They should know better that if people are looking for backseat space, they aren't looking at this class of vehicles. I just don't think back seat space is a high priority for people looking at small cars.
True. The answer is simple considering nowadays IDIOCRACY.
You got it. They always compare it to the Civic which is a product of a focus group of large Americans. Only people with kids will care about the back seat. This is not a car for parents.