Mate, you've got it all wrong. SkyActiv isn't just Mazda's marketing word for fuel injection, it's more to do with them pushing the compression ratio really high and still being able to run on standard pump fuel. Obviously direct injection is a big part of this, as well as the extra tricks that lets you do with the valvetrain and the injection timing, but they also had to do give the piston heads a unique shape that keeps the fuel density high enough at low throttle so the engine doesn't start self-igniting or detonating. Each piston has a little cup in the head that the injector sprays into and then the spark plug dips directly into to light the small amounts of fuel, it's a really clever design. You say Mazda is just catching up with Audi, but Audi never got this efficiency out of their petrol motors! FSI = Fuel Stratified Injection btw
And would you tell that this technology can lead to lower reliability in time after 50000k miles for example? We all know that when a vehicle is new all it’s gizmos are working properly but after a few years and some mileage on it and small problems start to occur.
@@joroBGsf So far these engines have proven to be incredibly reliable. All direct injection engines have carbon build up on the intake ports and the backs of the valves but it won’t prevent the engine from running, in high mileage engines it may slightly reduce power and fuel efficiency but most engines lose power with age already. Overall the skyactiv engine series is very solid and certainly better than what you’d get in most modern cars
@@joroBGsf These engines have proven to be incredibly realiable. They are mutliple skyactiv cars above 2 to 300k miles. Thats why Mazda has been offering unlimited range warranties for years
Skyactive is not Mazdatalk for direct injection. Its a engineering philosophy that has a number of features. Such as extremely high compression gasoline engines. Direct injection. Lightweight and strong chassis etc.
Love your YT channel. Great review. I've got a 2015 Mazda6 GT and absolutely love it! It's the best-kept secret in its class. I researched and drove 90% of all the cars in this segment and the Mazda6 was the clear winner. If I lived near you, I'd gladly let you take it out for a spin and do a review.
I have owned 2012 mazda 3 Skyactiv with 6sp manual transmission. (I bought it as a new car). Now, ODO is 110000km. I have no problem and no issue. So far so good. I just change engine oil every 8000km. (or 4 months) Fuel economy is fantastic.
+Matthew Sharpe It is true that the US Corolla is a totally down market compared to the NZ spec one. I agree the Golf MT is a disappointment, should have been a 6 speed
C'mon Nick, tell the truth... You didn't really care about reviewing this "non-expensive" car, you just wanted to do some "business" with the lady next door :D
I have this same car except mine is the 6 speed manual, great car to drive. I have modified my car some with the Corksport short shift plate, SRI intake, Racing beat axleback exhaust,new floor mats and a shelf in the back hatch area. I love to make cars my own. I would like to see some more affordable cars reviewed.
You've nailed it on Toyota. I step into any new Toyota and I feel a general sense of dated-ness. At least here in the U.S., their cars need a massive boost in modernization. On Mitsubishi, it's a such a shame that they very well be gone in a few years. I don't think they know what they're doing.
Sure Nick's nailed it on Corolla. Corolla has been a cash cow for Toyota for so long that Toyota forgot to give a f about it. Toyota must upgrade the Corolla.
I for one didn't find this to be a long review at all - very watchable, and the Corolla truth-telling made a nice payoff, too. Best review of the latest gen 3 out there - by a bright guy who's knowledgeable and fun to listen to. (Though his companion seemed a little glum, IMO). I just got a '17 3 hatch and find your review spot on. The interior refinements and tech freshments have made this model even more competitive since your neighbor picked one up, btw. Keep up the great work, Nick!
When the shifter is put in manual mode it has rev matching with the capability of redlining. It's an excellent feature matching all the usable power from the base engine. I was impressed driving a 2015 specified just like this car and the same color also. The other consideration was testing a manual version, yet there wasn't one in stock. I found the automatic to be the best I've driven in that class of cars as well as a few others. The engine impressed me the most, the 3's drivetrain is on a whole other level than the competition. The 13.0:1 compression ratio working can be felt as much of this car's responses are instantaneous. There's more cross-shopping to do but it's first on my list as most possible to buy.
Nick, I work at a high volume Mitsubishi dealer. The Lancer is way Outdated but Mitsubishi is investing money and has many new products coming out. If you review a 2015 Outlander Sport you will see the newer designed vehicles are much better. Also all the current Mitsubishi vehicles are very reliable. Love your reviews as always.
MrNuggetface Interesting, they must be focusing on the models that make the money. I wonder if not having a full range will impact the sales on the other models.
I've always been a fan of the Toyota Corolla. I have owned two in my lifetime. I currently own a Corolla from the mid 2000s and it has been rock solid. I'm slightly disappointed to see that they have been waning in recent years. For my part, aside from any of the quality aspects, the styling of the new Corollas looks terrible. I am no brand loyalist and have become very interested in the Mazda 3. Thanks for this review. I am currently looking at a 2015 Mazda 3 and this review has been very helpful. The 2018s are finally getting Android auto and Apple carplay, but I don't feel like paying the premium for a new car. I'm very happy to see that the trend of good Mazdas isn't just a recent thing.
Hi Nick, You are absolutly right about toyota corolla as I had one was 2015 Toyota Auris 1.5L CVT (Japan) for 8 months and I found it as a crap idea to have one of that car and sold it in just few months and choose 2016 Mazda axela 1.5L 6 speed automatic transmission and What a car man! It just gives a boost on up hill drive. It is an amazing car. Your review about thsese toyota and Mazda is relevent to what people expact to hear.. cheers👍
Don't know if US and Euro versions are different but Skyactive doesn't stand just for DI .Whole Skyactive concept is about lightweight construction , high compression petrol 14:1 , and low compression diesel engines (audi is just now looking into that :) ). Besides that, there's i-eloop system. Fancy way of saying it has regenerative braking which it collects in separate capacitor, and when it collects enough energy, it disconnects alternator to save some fuel ,and powers the rest of car by it. .. Loved the review !
Loved the review as always; definitely in my top three of the class with the Focus and the Dart. Also it's fantastic to finally hear someone rant about Toyota with the same points that I make.
Gosh I am sold Nick. That was a great review of the Mazda3 Grand Touring. I came here for the Mazda but have found out that I like the Golf/Sportwagen as well! I really liked the fact that you compared the Mazda3 with the true competitors (sporty hatchback) such as the Ford Focus and the VW Golf. And good pointing out that the Corolla is the one of the worst choices in this segment. You know Corolla used to be a true economy car, but Toyota just cut corners after generation and generation. Again, good job Nick and please keep up the good work.
Great review, actually just recommended the 3 to a friend of mine who isn't a car girl, and just wants something affordable to get around town. May work well for her.
You should review the Focus! I think it's right up there with the Golf competing for the best in this class. It's just so much fun to drive (once you figure out which of the 162849834 buttons actually starts the engine).
Nick, to be precise, there were companies like Mercedes and Mitsubishi (GDI engines) that included direct injections engines long time before FSI Audi engines.
This may be a late comment on which is quite an old review but just had to point out that the criticism of Toyota still using a drum rear brake on the Corolla was a little unfair when at that time one of the class leaders the Ford Focus was also fitted with a rear drum brake! It wasn't until 2018 with the Mk4 Focus they changed it to a disc brake!
I've driven long-distance in a Mazda 3 and the seats become very uncomfortable, very quickly. Painfully so. I also found the back seats have very little leg room, and I'm only 5'10. It wasn't a pleasant trip. I wanted so badly to love the Mazda 3, too. When looking into cars to buy, the Mazda had been at the top of my list. After getting to put it to the road-trip test, I was bitterly disappointed. On the other hand, driving in a 2012 Toyota Yaris is a dream. I'd recommend the Yaris over the Mazda 3 any day of the week.
+Sonja Burnett Had a rental Mazda3 2015 for a month and drove ~600 km in the Rockies in Canada in one go. I personally had a lovely drive and think that this car's seats and driving position are the best in class. I am 194 cm tall. By the way, Yaris is a smaller car and should be compared to Mazda2 (Demio).
Great review. Everyone that I've known who's owned a relatively new or new Mazda liked it a lot. "Selling on reputation alone" - that says it all and I think Toyota has been doing that for a decade. Maybe 2. They used to inject (if you will) quality up and down their line, even on the most spartan model. VW overtook them in the 90's in that regard and it's stayed that way. As you note, the newer VW's are better than ever and a great value. My wife and I have collectively owned 5 since 1995 (6 if you count my A4) - though we both have BMW's now.. People who own Toyotas, keep buying them, and people STILL think you get a lot for the money who are new owners - without doing research. 30 years ago, a 5 speed manual Corolla was a pretty fun little car - I had a friend with one and it was the perfect small car for a 19/20 year old.
Thanks Nick for reviewing the Mazda 3 and giving insight on other cars by the way corolla here in the Philippines are called altis and all of them have disc brakes, maybe they realize having 4 disc brakes are better, but still lacks the entertainment system (options if you want to upgrade) compare to Mazda or Ford that offers more. Yes, please review other cars your opinion is deeply appreciated!
Nice review as always. SkyActiv refers to a bit more than just the direct injection. It's a bit like BMW's EfficientDynamics as it's a holistic approach to fuel efficiency. It includes higher compression ratios, drastic weight loss (also part of the Jinba-ittai principle), better automatic transmissions with lockup range of more than 80%, lighter and smaller manual transmissions, and reduction in weight of unsprung components for better handling. Mazda is my favourite non-premium brand :-)
Mazda's are great cars and have been for decades. I had an '86 626 after owning an '85 Chevette (don't laugh- it was remarkably robust, even though it was crap), and the engineering differences in *every* *single* *area* was ridiculous. GM was *horrible* in the 80's. Mazda just made ergonomic, well-built, zippy cars. I'm glad to see they've kept it up, Nick. Nice review, as ever! Cheers!
Thank you so much for this review.I am really impressed by the new Mazda3 and will possibly consider a 2.5L hatch. Im surprised at 6 ft you fit well in the back, other reviews have complained pretty consistently but you do look comfy back there, that has been one of my biggest concerns as I currently drive a sub-compact and want at least BETTER space back there than I do now. Will definitely check them out one day.
You're welcome to review my super suave 2003 Mazda 6 Luxury Sport as a follow up. It comes complete with a cactus garden planted in the centre cup holder.
You're missing the point on the Toyota Corolla. Speed and handling are not its prowess and you're making your judgement solely on performance. I agree that the Mazda 3 and the Golf both have great driving dynamics (and are indeed my favorites in this segment as well), but that's not the goal of the Corolla. Instead, you should acknowledge the excellent reliability, low cost maintenance (which is certainly not the case for German cars), excellent comfort, large back seats, great craftsmanship, excellent fuel economy, and longevity of the Corolla, something that a lot of cars in this segment lack. These facts justify why the Corolla is a great selling car.
Great review Nick. Thank You for such a insightful review. Interesting stuff on Toyota and Mitsubishi. A girl friend of mine had a VW Golf. I just loved that car. Looked kind of small on the outside. But we sure could fit so much stuff in the inside. Great gas mileage too. Thanks again.
Hi Nick, I really enjoyed this video because I have heard some good stuff about the Mazda 3 and there is not Mazda in my country, but I still prefer the Golf. Please continue with some affordable cars reviews from time to time! I love Porches, BMWs and Mercedes but where I live we have a big "car tax problem" and a VW Golf 1.4TSI is about 35.000 to 45.000 US Dollars and a CLA AMG is 170.000 US Dollars (an SLS AMG is 710.000 US Dollars), so sadly we must keep with the "cheap stuff" (I love the Golf GTI, but own a Jetta because I need the big trunk)
Mazda has been killing it! When nick was reviewing the Macan I couldn't help thinking about the Mazda CX-5 which is about half the price, completely loaded, especially the 2016 model. Yea, the Macan will go faster, but that's about it for another $30k.
No Comment saw the second deer in this film at 8:40, however, at 8:38 a deer crossed the road right in front of the car ;) I Agree with Nick, the Mazda 3 leads the base segment. GTI then rules the next price point above.
Hey Nick cool vid especially like the new angle (under car view) I hate the corollas as well! I do however really like the tacomas, but I prefer the older body styles to the new ones. On that note It would be cool to see you do some more SUV/TRUCK reviews! I really enjoyed the Macan review you did back in NZ.
Smokin with Chris yes lots of people ask me to do SUV and truck review and I have access to many of them, I just don't enjoy driving them so I think they will remain a once in a while sort of deal
Hey Nick, great review as always. I was wondering if you were going to review the mk7 golf anytime soon(preferable the R) and if you were thinking of upgrading your own golf?
Kevin Liu bought the car as a new one in feb. 2014. no problems so far ! everything works fine and the interior is solid, nothing there that can break easily. the best part is the Bluetooth system, connects automatically to my android phone and starts the music
+Kevin Liu I have owned 2012 mazda 3 Skyactiv with 6sp manual transmission. (I bought it as a new car). Now, ODO is 110000km. I have no problem and no issue. So far so good. I just change engine oil every 8000km. (or 4 months) Fuel economy is fantastic.
I got a 10th gen Corolla hatch for the "reliability" of the Toyota brand..... Lucky it had a good warranty, as it needed the gearbox fixed after 50000km and had rust come up on the roof in a 2 year old car. Same underpowered old engine as the 11th gen, but at least in nz it has disc brakes all round..... Just sold it and got a focus, couldn't be happier!
Nick Murray . :( ..Hey buddy ..what is your opinion about CLA 45 AMG? Also Nick I am very confused about what car/SUV should I buy (under $60,000). your Porsche Macan video was impressive and filled with information no one ever mentioned. what would be ur preferred SUV under $60,000? I am moving from Australia and you know how expensive cars are in ANZ. when I was in the USA i felt like a kid in candy shop. :) as you also consider yourself a 19 year old kid.. lol . FYI I have Infiniti Q50S, so my taste is sports vehicle with Luxury features. I hope I am able to express what I am looking for.
Nick Murray: Pardon me if I am wrong :) but the car you are driving has leather seats and a sunroof. Sunroof is only available as an upgrade for the SP25GT or standard with the Astina, aren't both those models 2.5L? :) My apologies, I am in Australia and you are USA.... differences :)
Nick, is paint on this car in America good? Here in Croatia many people complain already because of bad paint, specially front side of a car? So much little dents in paint on hood and front mask..
Michael Walker No parts are shared in this new generation. It's a ground up design all by Mazda. And yes, it is a thousands times better than your Focus!
I'd love to hear an opinion on if the upgraded engine available on the mazda3 is worth the extra cash and if you think it would fit between the base golf and the gti in level of preference. Love the videos. Keep it up.
Some feature on the mazda might disappear over time, like the Navigation in Active Driving Display no more works on North America cars. Other feature may also have same fate.I have a mazda 3 2014 Touring, dont buy looking at the features else you will have my experience.
Thanks for the review! I'm choosing between a 2.5L MT Mazda3 hatch and the Golf wagon - test driving this weekend (I'd like a deeper trunk than the GTI/Golf hatch offers). I have a Miata so I'm biased towards Mazda's approach to steering and shifting feel, but we'll see. Any chance you'll be reviewing the new Miata? Reviews of cheaper cars can be more interesting, because of all the required compromises. As for this review, if you could go into more detail about what in particular makes a car feel sporty and/or easy to drive (or what doesn't), that'd be great to hear.
I ended up with a 2016 Mazda3 2.5L 6MT hatchback. I'm happy with it, with some caveats below. The Golf wagon (gasoline) was also in the running, but you could only get a stickshift on the base model and I preferred the Mazda3's steering, handling, and infotainment system. Even the GTI's handling didn't impress me - it felt slow to settle into a turn. However, the Mazda3 is a lot louder on rough surfaces (possibly improved with the 2017 refresh), and the pedals are oddly loud, too. The backseat is tighter. Throttle response is lazy and the power is only okay. I will be addressing the last two with an OrangeVirus tune in the next few months. The Civic hatchback might be more similar to the Golf if you want a straight swap (more refined but less fun than the Mazda - just look out for the audio controls). It wasn't out yet when I was shopping. They all have their strengths. Good luck!
Carlos Sempere awesome, thanks! I like the Civic Hatch on paper (even test drove one) but honestly can't get over the styling (ex: the fake air intakes and dual rear spoilers). Much prefer the look of the Mazda. I will miss my Golf wagon's space but not the crazy high maintenance/repair costs. Also like the handling of the Mazda but so far have only tested a 2016 2.0L so looking forward to test a 2.5 with the updates for 2017 (i.e. sound deadening improvements, G-Force vectoring, etc).
***** BMW is not rock bottom. however, the price quality ratio is very poor. Countless customer satisfaction surveys confirm this view. BMW is nice to drive and if you can afford to buy new and sell it after 2 years it is a good choice. Not so much if you intend to keep it longer. Mazda 3 is a great car.
Nice review. Somehow the exterior of the latest 3 (and 6) just don't do anything for me. The interior looks great, however. Cool to see a deer standing there at 8:41!
Mazda 10x more reliable than Audi and get way more batter gas milage , awesome interior and exterior 👍 plus it's a fun car to drive just like zoom zoom
I loved this review and that you bashed Corolla so hard. They have zero of any feel (steering, braking, acceleration, clutch etc) and come with crappy brakes and tires, are super slow and look boring as hell. I just can't understand how people overlook these parameters and buy it for the sake of reliability or something. Golf, Mazda 3, Focus, Opel Astra, Skoda Octavia, Seat Leon and even the French equivalents are MILES ahead of Corolla.
kr0pp In the US we only have the first three you listed and the Golf and Focus both have reliability issues. VW in general is known to have electrical issues and be expensive to repair and the Focus, at least the automatic trans, has loads of bad reviews from people from it being sluggish to people saying their transmission failed at 5k miles or less!
TheCobruhAlienat0r Well, I have the late 2012 Golf mk6 that I bought new, one of the last of that generation to roll of the line. I've since put 50k km on it and I am happy to report, that I've only had one minor issue (AUX input cable was not functioning, was covered under warranty). And I drive my Golf under pretty tough conditions. 90% city driving, where it drops to as low 30 degrees below zero in the winter. Most of the year is humid and cold. I think my VW has done rather well given these conditions. But I know there are some who get quality issues. However these are fixed under warranty. I don't think VWs have so many reliability problems that you simply can't own or buy one because of it. Either way, I'd prefer a car with slight reliability issues, that is fun to drive, to something that is bomb-proof, but is the most boring appliance ever.
kr0pp Since I assume you're European, I assume you know that the main Toyota hatchack sold here isn't the Corolla, but the Auris. Funny thing I just looked up is that the Auris actually has pretty good brake values, it brakes faster than a comparable VW Golf and a comparable BMW 1 series.
kr0pp The commercials for the Corrolla make them seem fun and hip but I still see older people driving them. The Mazda is light years ahead of that go cart.
Someone says Mazda is a Japanese BMW, I think it should be rephrase as "Mazda is a Japanese Maserati". Look at the side of the Mazda 6, it looks superb!
timramizzu They mean that when it comes to driving dynamics, Mazda has always taken an interest in driving pleasure and I really respect them for that.
Actually - having drum brakes (in the rear I suppose) does not really matter on brake distance. Drum brakes are low maintanence compared to disc brakes. Especially on a small city car that won't be using the rear brakes much. Then it might have crappy brakes anyway, but it's not because of the drums. :P
matt damon doing car reviews now? :D Nick thanks for the review. I first saw your BMW m4 video. Back to reality.. which one would you recommend between audi a3 sedan and m3 sedan? +SUB
+Turbo4Life1217 I thought the same but I've heard that in Japan Mazda is known as a cheap car maker. I own a Mazda 3 2005 that refuses to die. Only thing about Mazdas now that I have more experience with one is that rust is an issue.I've been to the dealer and they've assured me that the newer generations do not share this problem.
Valter Vilar nice, mechanically my 323f 2001 also refuses to die, but man, there is rust everywhere, also in the floor, so last year has started. Looking for a 3 gtm from 2014!!
I almost bought a previous generation mazda 3 mps (think its called mazdaspeed 3 in the US?). It was really good to drive and look at but sadly couldn't afford it so ended up with a secondhand lexus, which is an awesome car itself but would've loved to own a rare hot hatch. And you are right about mitsubishi making crap cars these days. I've seen, touched and experienced the mitsubishi mirage... *vomit*
I love my Mazda3 heaps more reliable then a VW Golf. Corolla's have a CVT transmissions which is garbage. Audi trailed them for a while and dumped them because of major problems.
Mate, you've got it all wrong. SkyActiv isn't just Mazda's marketing word for fuel injection, it's more to do with them pushing the compression ratio really high and still being able to run on standard pump fuel. Obviously direct injection is a big part of this, as well as the extra tricks that lets you do with the valvetrain and the injection timing, but they also had to do give the piston heads a unique shape that keeps the fuel density high enough at low throttle so the engine doesn't start self-igniting or detonating. Each piston has a little cup in the head that the injector sprays into and then the spark plug dips directly into to light the small amounts of fuel, it's a really clever design. You say Mazda is just catching up with Audi, but Audi never got this efficiency out of their petrol motors!
FSI = Fuel Stratified Injection btw
Thank you for correcting the SkyActive technology. The viewers could learn some inaccurate information.
And would you tell that this technology can lead to lower reliability in time after 50000k miles for example? We all know that when a vehicle is new all it’s gizmos are working properly but after a few years and some mileage on it and small problems start to occur.
@@joroBGsf So far these engines have proven to be incredibly reliable. All direct injection engines have carbon build up on the intake ports and the backs of the valves but it won’t prevent the engine from running, in high mileage engines it may slightly reduce power and fuel efficiency but most engines lose power with age already.
Overall the skyactiv engine series is very solid and certainly better than what you’d get in most modern cars
@@joroBGsf These engines have proven to be incredibly realiable. They are mutliple skyactiv cars above 2 to 300k miles. Thats why Mazda has been offering unlimited range warranties for years
No it's not Mazda catching up to Audi of 15 years ago, because the Mazda engine has a lot better fuel economy.
Skyactive is not Mazdatalk for direct injection. Its a engineering philosophy that has a number of features. Such as extremely high compression gasoline engines. Direct injection. Lightweight and strong chassis etc.
I'm actually going to buy one of these next week and this is the most helpful review I've found on the car. Cheers!
How is it today?
I'd definitely like more affordable car reviews from you as well, the luxury car reviews are great eye candy, but few of us are actually buying those.
Right. I love his 911 reviews but such affordable sporty car reviews are more than welcomed.
Finally , somebody reviews the 2.0 model .
Finally Nick, you are back to reviewing cars !
Shame he was crap at it. This is an appalling review from 9 years ago.
Blown away but how much better quality your videos have gotten since the days of the Porsche. Keep it up!
Love your YT channel. Great review. I've got a 2015 Mazda6 GT and absolutely love it! It's the best-kept secret in its class. I researched and drove 90% of all the cars in this segment and the Mazda6 was the clear winner. If I lived near you, I'd gladly let you take it out for a spin and do a review.
"Aand the first thing you notice about the Mazda 3 is that my pants are falling down ".
That cracked me up XDD
I have owned 2012 mazda 3 Skyactiv with 6sp manual transmission. (I bought it as a new car).
Now, ODO is 110000km. I have no problem and no issue. So far so good.
I just change engine oil every 8000km. (or 4 months)
Fuel economy is fantastic.
I own a 2015 Mazda 3, it is the 3rd one we have owned (and I have owned a 911) and it is a fantastic model.
+Locutus D'Borg Are they worth it? I want one but it seems too long compared to the older gen
GamingWithEnvy They are worth it.
+Locutus D'Borg question is... are they reliable?
Kevin Liu Very reliable.
+Matthew Sharpe It is true that the US Corolla is a totally down market compared to the NZ spec one. I agree the Golf MT is a disappointment, should have been a 6 speed
C'mon Nick, tell the truth... You didn't really care about reviewing this "non-expensive" car, you just wanted to do some "business" with the lady next door :D
Jonny Oliveira Yes, a very astute analysis. You may be correct. :)
Jonny Oliveira Lol!
Thought Nick was married! lol
I have this same car except mine is the 6 speed manual, great car to drive. I have modified my car some with the Corksport short shift plate, SRI intake, Racing beat axleback exhaust,new floor mats and a shelf in the back hatch area. I love to make cars my own. I would like to see some more affordable cars reviewed.
Were those mods worth it? And have you done any more? I know it's been 5 years lol
You've nailed it on Toyota. I step into any new Toyota and I feel a general sense of dated-ness. At least here in the U.S., their cars need a massive boost in modernization. On Mitsubishi, it's a such a shame that they very well be gone in a few years. I don't think they know what they're doing.
Sure Nick's nailed it on Corolla. Corolla has been a cash cow for Toyota for so long that Toyota forgot to give a f about it. Toyota must upgrade the Corolla.
Happy to see you reviewing more affordable, regular cars.
I remember why Drum brakes are named so. It's because of the noise cars made every time they crashed into something they were trying to avoid.
I for one didn't find this to be a long review at all - very watchable, and the Corolla truth-telling made a nice payoff, too. Best review of the latest gen 3 out there - by a bright guy who's knowledgeable and fun to listen to. (Though his companion seemed a little glum, IMO). I just got a '17 3 hatch and find your review spot on. The interior refinements and tech freshments have made this model even more competitive since your neighbor picked one up, btw. Keep up the great work, Nick!
When the shifter is put in manual mode it has rev matching with the capability of redlining. It's an excellent feature matching all the usable power from the base engine. I was impressed driving a 2015 specified just like this car and the same color also. The other consideration was testing a manual version, yet there wasn't one in stock. I found the automatic to be the best I've driven in that class of cars as well as a few others. The engine impressed me the most, the 3's drivetrain is on a whole other level than the competition. The 13.0:1 compression ratio working can be felt as much of this car's responses are instantaneous. There's more cross-shopping to do but it's first on my list as most possible to buy.
Nick, I work at a high volume Mitsubishi dealer. The Lancer is way Outdated but Mitsubishi is investing money and has many new products coming out. If you review a 2015 Outlander Sport you will see the newer designed vehicles are much better. Also all the current Mitsubishi vehicles are very reliable. Love your reviews as always.
MrNuggetface Interesting, they must be focusing on the models that make the money. I wonder if not having a full range will impact the sales on the other models.
Thanks for the response always appreciated. Please take a look at a 2016 Outlander PHEV. Its worth a look and will be sold in the U.S..
I've always been a fan of the Toyota Corolla. I have owned two in my lifetime. I currently own a Corolla from the mid 2000s and it has been rock solid. I'm slightly disappointed to see that they have been waning in recent years. For my part, aside from any of the quality aspects, the styling of the new Corollas looks terrible.
I am no brand loyalist and have become very interested in the Mazda 3. Thanks for this review. I am currently looking at a 2015 Mazda 3 and this review has been very helpful. The 2018s are finally getting Android auto and Apple carplay, but I don't feel like paying the premium for a new car. I'm very happy to see that the trend of good Mazdas isn't just a recent thing.
Did your brother get Corolla just to piss you off?
lebacco Pretty much : )
Could not agree more. Another spot on review. "Friends don't let friends toy their ota!"
Hi Nick, You are absolutly right about toyota corolla as I had one was 2015 Toyota Auris 1.5L CVT (Japan) for 8 months and I found it as a crap idea to have one of that car and sold it in just few months and choose 2016 Mazda axela 1.5L 6 speed automatic transmission and What a car man! It just gives a boost on up hill drive. It is an amazing car. Your review about thsese toyota and Mazda is relevent to what people expact to hear.. cheers👍
Don't know if US and Euro versions are different but Skyactive doesn't stand just for DI .Whole Skyactive concept is about lightweight construction , high compression petrol 14:1 , and low compression diesel engines (audi is just now looking into that :) ). Besides that, there's i-eloop system. Fancy way of saying it has regenerative braking which it collects in separate capacitor, and when it collects enough energy, it disconnects alternator to save some fuel ,and powers the rest of car by it. .. Loved the review !
Loved the review as always; definitely in my top three of the class with the Focus and the Dart.
Also it's fantastic to finally hear someone rant about Toyota with the same points that I make.
Gosh I am sold Nick. That was a great review of the Mazda3 Grand Touring.
I came here for the Mazda but have found out that I like the Golf/Sportwagen as well! I really liked the fact that you compared the Mazda3 with the true competitors (sporty hatchback) such as the Ford Focus and the VW Golf.
And good pointing out that the Corolla is the one of the worst choices in this segment. You know Corolla used to be a true economy car, but Toyota just cut corners after generation and generation.
Again, good job Nick and please keep up the good work.
Great review, actually just recommended the 3 to a friend of mine who isn't a car girl, and just wants something affordable to get around town. May work well for her.
You should review the Focus! I think it's right up there with the Golf competing for the best in this class. It's just so much fun to drive (once you figure out which of the 162849834 buttons actually starts the engine).
Nice review Nick! I particulary like the comparisson part with other market rivals! Would be great to have in every video! Keep up the good work!
I rented one for a week in maui and was very impressed with this car too.
That's been a pretty cool review. Would be pleased to see more in that price range.
Nick, to be precise, there were companies like Mercedes and Mitsubishi (GDI engines) that included direct injections engines long time before FSI Audi engines.
What about the Honda Civic?
This may be a late comment on which is quite an old review but just had to point out that the criticism of Toyota still using a drum rear brake on the Corolla was a little unfair when at that time one of the class leaders the Ford Focus was also fitted with a rear drum brake! It wasn't until 2018 with the Mk4 Focus they changed it to a disc brake!
I've driven long-distance in a Mazda 3 and the seats become very uncomfortable, very quickly. Painfully so. I also found the back seats have very little leg room, and I'm only 5'10. It wasn't a pleasant trip.
I wanted so badly to love the Mazda 3, too. When looking into cars to buy, the Mazda had been at the top of my list. After getting to put it to the road-trip test, I was bitterly disappointed.
On the other hand, driving in a 2012 Toyota Yaris is a dream. I'd recommend the Yaris over the Mazda 3 any day of the week.
+Sonja Burnett Had a rental Mazda3 2015 for a month and drove ~600 km in the Rockies in Canada in one go. I personally had a lovely drive and think that this car's seats and driving position are the best in class. I am 194 cm tall.
By the way, Yaris is a smaller car and should be compared to Mazda2 (Demio).
Great review. Everyone that I've known who's owned a relatively new or new Mazda liked it a lot.
"Selling on reputation alone" - that says it all and I think Toyota has been doing that for a decade. Maybe 2. They used to inject (if you will) quality up and down their line, even on the most spartan model. VW overtook them in the 90's in that regard and it's stayed that way. As you note, the newer VW's are better than ever and a great value. My wife and I have collectively owned 5 since 1995 (6 if you count my A4) - though we both have BMW's now..
People who own Toyotas, keep buying them, and people STILL think you get a lot for the money who are new owners - without doing research. 30 years ago, a 5 speed manual Corolla was a pretty fun little car - I had a friend with one and it was the perfect small car for a 19/20 year old.
Thanks Nick for reviewing the Mazda 3 and giving insight on other cars by the way corolla here in the Philippines are called altis and all of them have disc brakes, maybe they realize having 4 disc brakes are better, but still lacks the entertainment system (options if you want to upgrade) compare to Mazda or Ford that offers more.
Yes, please review other cars your opinion is deeply appreciated!
Nice review as always.
SkyActiv refers to a bit more than just the direct injection. It's a bit like BMW's EfficientDynamics as it's a holistic approach to fuel efficiency.
It includes higher compression ratios, drastic weight loss (also part of the Jinba-ittai principle), better automatic transmissions with lockup range of more than 80%, lighter and smaller manual transmissions, and reduction in weight of unsprung components for better handling.
Mazda is my favourite non-premium brand :-)
Andrew Coom Mazda are doing a great job with their cars
Mazda's are great cars and have been for decades. I had an '86 626 after owning an '85 Chevette (don't laugh- it was remarkably robust, even though it was crap), and the engineering differences in *every* *single* *area* was ridiculous. GM was *horrible* in the 80's. Mazda just made ergonomic, well-built, zippy cars.
I'm glad to see they've kept it up, Nick.
Nice review, as ever! Cheers!
Great review. I also happen to agree with your closing statements on the competition offering.
Thank you so much for this review.I am really impressed by the new Mazda3 and will possibly consider a 2.5L hatch. Im surprised at 6 ft you fit well in the back, other reviews have complained pretty consistently but you do look comfy back there, that has been one of my biggest concerns as I currently drive a sub-compact and want at least BETTER space back there than I do now. Will definitely check them out one day.
You're welcome to review my super suave 2003 Mazda 6 Luxury Sport as a follow up. It comes complete with a cactus garden planted in the centre cup holder.
Jon Churchill Nice touch with the cactus.
You're missing the point on the Toyota Corolla. Speed and handling are not its prowess and you're making your judgement solely on performance. I agree that the Mazda 3 and the Golf both have great driving dynamics (and are indeed my favorites in this segment as well), but that's not the goal of the Corolla. Instead, you should acknowledge the excellent reliability, low cost maintenance (which is certainly not the case for German cars), excellent comfort, large back seats, great craftsmanship, excellent fuel economy, and longevity of the Corolla, something that a lot of cars in this segment lack. These facts justify why the Corolla is a great selling car.
Great review Nick. Thank You for such a insightful review. Interesting stuff on Toyota and Mitsubishi. A girl friend of mine had a VW Golf. I just loved that car. Looked kind of small on the outside. But we sure could fit so much stuff in the inside. Great gas mileage too. Thanks again.
Hi Nick, I really enjoyed this video because I have heard some good stuff about the Mazda 3 and there is not Mazda in my country, but I still prefer the Golf. Please continue with some affordable cars reviews from time to time! I love Porches, BMWs and Mercedes but where I live we have a big "car tax problem" and a VW Golf 1.4TSI is about 35.000 to 45.000 US Dollars and a CLA AMG is 170.000 US Dollars (an SLS AMG is 710.000 US Dollars), so sadly we must keep with the "cheap stuff" (I love the Golf GTI, but own a Jetta because I need the big trunk)
great review as always， and i agree with william，mazda3 in sedan form does look quite good too despite of the small size
Best explanation of direct injection I've ever heard.
Nick, big fan, but the wheel size won't affect how much arch is taken up, the rolling radius will remain the same / very close - have a good one
Mazda has been killing it! When nick was reviewing the Macan I couldn't help thinking about the Mazda CX-5 which is about half the price, completely loaded, especially the 2016 model. Yea, the Macan will go faster, but that's about it for another $30k.
The two buttons under the left spoke of the steering wheel doesn't have a symmetrical counterpart on the right side. It's driving me crazy
I notice you are in the USA as a Brit. Where is this you are driving?
No Comment saw the second deer in this film at 8:40, however, at 8:38 a deer crossed the road right in front of the car ;)
I Agree with Nick, the Mazda 3 leads the base segment. GTI then rules the next price point above.
Hey Nick cool vid especially like the new angle (under car view) I hate the corollas as well! I do however really like the tacomas, but I prefer the older body styles to the new ones. On that note It would be cool to see you do some more SUV/TRUCK reviews! I really enjoyed the Macan review you did back in NZ.
Smokin with Chris yes lots of people ask me to do SUV and truck review and I have access to many of them, I just don't enjoy driving them so I think they will remain a once in a while sort of deal
Okay Nick Murray That was the biggest ANYHO' we've seen so far @4:10
Hey Nick, great review as always.
I was wondering if you were going to review the mk7 golf anytime soon(preferable the R) and if you were thinking of upgrading your own golf?
Strange that the Toyota Corolla does not have rear disc brakes, even my Prius has that.
PHOTOTRISTAN Some models do.
PHOTOTRISTAN I think he's just referring to if you get the base Corolla.
i own the 2014 mazda 3, love the car
+Odra for how long? are they reliable?
Kevin Liu bought the car as a new one in feb. 2014. no problems so far ! everything works fine and the interior is solid, nothing there that can break easily. the best part is the Bluetooth system, connects automatically to my android phone and starts the music
+Kevin Liu i've had mine for a year and a half. Have had ZERO problems.
+Kevin Liu
I have owned 2012 mazda 3 Skyactiv with 6sp manual transmission. (I bought it as a new car).
Now, ODO is 110000km. I have no problem and no issue. So far so good.
I just change engine oil every 8000km. (or 4 months)
Fuel economy is fantastic.
what's your thought on honda civic, another popular car in this segment?
I got a 10th gen Corolla hatch for the "reliability" of the Toyota brand..... Lucky it had a good warranty, as it needed the gearbox fixed after 50000km and had rust come up on the roof in a 2 year old car. Same underpowered old engine as the 11th gen, but at least in nz it has disc brakes all round.....
Just sold it and got a focus, couldn't be happier!
Hi Nick, any plans to review CLA 45AMG? desperately waiting !!!!
Atul basera Sorry buddy, no plans to review the CLA 45AMG.
Nick Murray . :( ..Hey buddy ..what is your opinion about CLA 45 AMG? Also Nick I am very confused about what car/SUV should I buy (under $60,000). your Porsche Macan video was impressive and filled with information no one ever mentioned. what would be ur preferred SUV under $60,000? I am moving from Australia and you know how expensive cars are in ANZ. when I was in the USA i felt like a kid in candy shop. :) as you also consider yourself a 19 year old kid.. lol . FYI I have Infiniti Q50S, so my taste is sports vehicle with Luxury features. I hope I am able to express what I am looking for.
Thanks for the review. I am now confused as to which one to get the mazda three or of the Mazda six
The Corolla thing depends where you live. In Finland we can get the new Corolla with 1.33 liter engine and even that model has rear discs.
Hey nick I haven't watched your videos in a while. When did you get rid of the porsche for the M4?
Nick, I know hatchbacks aren't popular where you live, but please try to get your hands on a mk7 GTI, would love to see/hear your opinion on it!
You should get a shirt made with that saying, I quote:
"Real friends don't let friends drive Toyota Corollas"
Hashim Khan This is going to happen. Stay tuned.
Sounds good Nick! I'm in Tasmania btw, would be proud to wear it down here
hi nick nice video! but when u will review the kia sportage 2015.because i want to buy it.i already book this car.
Hey Nick, would love to see reviews on the 2015 Subaru Liberty and Chevrolet SS if possible.
Nick Murray: Pardon me if I am wrong :) but the car you are driving has leather seats and a sunroof. Sunroof is only available as an upgrade for the SP25GT or standard with the Astina, aren't both those models 2.5L? :) My apologies, I am in Australia and you are USA.... differences :)
Yes US / Aust differences
Nick, is paint on this car in America good? Here in Croatia many people complain already because of bad paint, specially front side of a car? So much little dents in paint on hood and front mask..
***** I did not look closely at the paint sorry.
Assuming this still shares a lot of parts with the Focus, this seems a lot better than my 09 Focus, especially the engine and trans.
Michael Walker No parts are shared in this new generation. It's a ground up design all by Mazda. And yes, it is a thousands times better than your Focus!
Does it come with a cd player?
Is that a real deer at 8:40 ?:)
+No Comment Yes
I'd love to hear an opinion on if the upgraded engine available on the mazda3 is worth the extra cash and if you think it would fit between the base golf and the gti in level of preference. Love the videos. Keep it up.
Some feature on the mazda might disappear over time, like the Navigation in Active Driving Display no more works on North America cars. Other feature may also have same fate.I have a mazda 3 2014 Touring, dont buy looking at the features else you will have my experience.
Thanks for the review! I'm choosing between a 2.5L MT Mazda3 hatch and the Golf wagon - test driving this weekend (I'd like a deeper trunk than the GTI/Golf hatch offers). I have a Miata so I'm biased towards Mazda's approach to steering and shifting feel, but we'll see.
Any chance you'll be reviewing the new Miata? Reviews of cheaper cars can be more interesting, because of all the required compromises. As for this review, if you could go into more detail about what in particular makes a car feel sporty and/or easy to drive (or what doesn't), that'd be great to hear.
+Carlos Sempere I will review the Miata before the end of summer.
Carlos Sempere what did you end up buying? I have a Golf Wagon TDI but VW will be buying it back and I'm looking at getting a Mazda3 2.5L hatchback.
I ended up with a 2016 Mazda3 2.5L 6MT hatchback. I'm happy with it, with some caveats below.
The Golf wagon (gasoline) was also in the running, but you could only get a stickshift on the base model and I preferred the Mazda3's steering, handling, and infotainment system. Even the GTI's handling didn't impress me - it felt slow to settle into a turn.
However, the Mazda3 is a lot louder on rough surfaces (possibly improved with the 2017 refresh), and the pedals are oddly loud, too. The backseat is tighter. Throttle response is lazy and the power is only okay. I will be addressing the last two with an OrangeVirus tune in the next few months.
The Civic hatchback might be more similar to the Golf if you want a straight swap (more refined but less fun than the Mazda - just look out for the audio controls). It wasn't out yet when I was shopping. They all have their strengths. Good luck!
Carlos Sempere awesome, thanks! I like the Civic Hatch on paper (even test drove one) but honestly can't get over the styling (ex: the fake air intakes and dual rear spoilers). Much prefer the look of the Mazda. I will miss my Golf wagon's space but not the crazy high maintenance/repair costs. Also like the handling of the Mazda but so far have only tested a 2016 2.0L so looking forward to test a 2.5 with the updates for 2017 (i.e. sound deadening improvements, G-Force vectoring, etc).
The only advantage the Corolla has over the 3 is a lot of rear seat leg room. Our three is kinda cramped in back.
Great vid as always! If you can get your hands on a bmw x5 I would be very happy to see a review on that :)
Awesome review! Could you do a review of the Ford focus se or higher?
Can you do a review of the 2016 Civic?
I still love my 2008 3.
I have a Toyota Corolla Please do a review ;)
+Peter Martin What for? It's a fuckin crap! For me personally, I avoid all Toyota cars like a plague.
MRsjovealek Why would I become jealous of a cheap car like a scrap metal? LMAO!
***** It is better than expensive junk like BMW.
***** BMW is not rock bottom. however, the price quality ratio is very poor. Countless customer satisfaction surveys confirm this view. BMW is nice to drive and if you can afford to buy new and sell it after 2 years it is a good choice. Not so much if you intend to keep it longer.
Mazda 3 is a great car.
Nice review. Somehow the exterior of the latest 3 (and 6) just don't do anything for me. The interior looks great, however. Cool to see a deer standing there at 8:41!
Will you please do a review on a e39 M5 sometime?
Mazda 10x more reliable than Audi and get way more batter gas milage , awesome interior and exterior 👍 plus it's a fun car to drive just like zoom zoom
Are the seats good for long drives
Could you please review more cars that are affordable for everyone.
Could you review a Mazda 6 Grand Touring?
Here in Portugal, the best cars of this segment are Opel/ Vauxhall Astra, Renault Mégane, VW Golf, Ford Focus and VW Golf.
I loved this review and that you bashed Corolla so hard. They have zero of any feel (steering, braking, acceleration, clutch etc) and come with crappy brakes and tires, are super slow and look boring as hell. I just can't understand how people overlook these parameters and buy it for the sake of reliability or something. Golf, Mazda 3, Focus, Opel Astra, Skoda Octavia, Seat Leon and even the French equivalents are MILES ahead of Corolla.
kr0pp In the US we only have the first three you listed and the Golf and Focus both have reliability issues. VW in general is known to have electrical issues and be expensive to repair and the Focus, at least the automatic trans, has loads of bad reviews from people from it being sluggish to people saying their transmission failed at 5k miles or less!
TheCobruhAlienat0r Well, I have the late 2012 Golf mk6 that I bought new, one of the last of that generation to roll of the line. I've since put 50k km on it and I am happy to report, that I've only had one minor issue (AUX input cable was not functioning, was covered under warranty). And I drive my Golf under pretty tough conditions. 90% city driving, where it drops to as low 30 degrees below zero in the winter. Most of the year is humid and cold. I think my VW has done rather well given these conditions. But I know there are some who get quality issues. However these are fixed under warranty. I don't think VWs have so many reliability problems that you simply can't own or buy one because of it. Either way, I'd prefer a car with slight reliability issues, that is fun to drive, to something that is bomb-proof, but is the most boring appliance ever.
kr0pp
Well what VW manufactures for Europe is different than what they give people in the US.
kr0pp Since I assume you're European, I assume you know that the main Toyota hatchack sold here isn't the Corolla, but the Auris. Funny thing I just looked up is that the Auris actually has pretty good brake values, it brakes faster than a comparable VW Golf and a comparable BMW 1 series.
kr0pp The commercials for the Corrolla make them seem fun and hip but I still see older people driving them. The Mazda is light years ahead of that go cart.
I have the Mazda SP 25 and it is brilliant
Someone says Mazda is a Japanese BMW, I think it should be rephrase as "Mazda is a Japanese Maserati". Look at the side of the Mazda 6, it looks superb!
timramizzu They mean that when it comes to driving dynamics, Mazda has always taken an interest in driving pleasure and I really respect them for that.
Please review the new Corolla! I can't get enough of people hating that shit.
Actually - having drum brakes (in the rear I suppose) does not really matter on brake distance. Drum brakes are low maintanence compared to disc brakes. Especially on a small city car that won't be using the rear brakes much.
Then it might have crappy brakes anyway, but it's not because of the drums. :P
wrong about drum brakes. I have drums on the rear of my Mazda 2 and it stops on a dime. Weight comes into play.
matt damon doing car reviews now? :D Nick thanks for the review. I first saw your BMW m4 video. Back to reality.. which one would you recommend between audi a3 sedan and m3 sedan? +SUB
Thought Mazda would fall apart when losing Ford? I laughed at that. I think Ford was weighing them down!
+Turbo4Life1217 I thought the same but I've heard that in Japan Mazda is known as a cheap car maker. I own a Mazda 3 2005 that refuses to die. Only thing about Mazdas now that I have more experience with one is that rust is an issue.I've been to the dealer and they've assured me that the newer generations do not share this problem.
Valter Vilar nice, mechanically my 323f 2001 also refuses to die, but man, there is rust everywhere, also in the floor, so last year has started. Looking for a 3 gtm from 2014!!
strange, the engine has a different power and torque to thai spec - US regs?
I almost bought a previous generation mazda 3 mps (think its called mazdaspeed 3 in the US?). It was really good to drive and look at but sadly couldn't afford it so ended up with a secondhand lexus, which is an awesome car itself but would've loved to own a rare hot hatch.
And you are right about mitsubishi making crap cars these days. I've seen, touched and experienced the mitsubishi mirage... *vomit*
I love my Mazda3 heaps more reliable then a VW Golf. Corolla's have a CVT transmissions which is garbage. Audi trailed them for a while and dumped them because of major problems.