I'm surprised you don't like the looks. I feel the Mazda front ends are some of the nicest on the road. The squared off grill looks great from profile.
I think the Mazdas have a less fussy styling vs some competitors, like the Civic, yet not boring like the Corolla. I agree the 124 looks better than the MX5 and I have an MX5!
I bought a Mazda3 in 2014 new gen. It was the best in class at the time before current gen Civic and Elantra were released. The overall steering and dynamics of the mazda3 are still good but they abandoned their plans with the infotainment after they switched developers. It was supposed to yo get apps, wifi connectivity etc. Never happened. Their refresh helped but they screwed up interior ergonomics to make more console space. The Mazda3 has the better chassis and much more interior shoulder and hip space over the Mazda2/CX3. Still good cars but down on power and showing age now.
savagegeese hey.... Nice to see an expert opinion.... 😀 love both these channels... Btw, android auto can be installed by tweaking the software (just in case you haven't noticed) th-cam.com/video/ocOvY6Q7NNo/w-d-xo.html
Ikr! I miss the hand rest on my BM mazda3 whenever I drive other cars, can't believe they got rid of it for more centre console storage space in the BN model definitely a mistake!
As Savagegeese mentioned in his Mazda6 review the center console was a compromise. The 6 had that design prior to the three but honestly after living with my 6 for 3 years Ive grown to like the center console. It is kind of a PITA when I have bottles there, but I find myself using the paddles 90% of the time now (it's the best way to drive this car with this engine), so my elbow rests comfortably on the padding that flanks the cup holders. As far as the infotainment goes, i will concede that it takes a little getting used to, but now I find myself annoyed by every touchscreen system out there. The iDrive-ish interface is actually quite easy and the system gives you multiple choice on how to execute functions. I've grown to love my 6, so much so I'm already sold on the 2018 with turbo. Hope Savagegeese or Straightpipes reviews it soon. BTW I've driven both the three and cx3 for extended test drives and i do agree with most of Juri and Jakob's observations, except the point about Mazdas handling. IMO Still think Mazda has the edge when it comes to overall chassis balance. Hyundai steering still feels numb to me.
Thanks to your reviews I bought my 2017 3 HB and I absolutely love it. I have it for over a year now and the only complain I have is the lack of Car Play (I hope one day we'll finally get it...). Fun fact - we get 2.0 120Hp version here in Europe, which is electronically blocked and you can easily tune it up to around 180 Hp :)
2017 Mazda 3 owner here (it's actually my wife's, but I drive it often enough. I drive a 2018 Hyundai Elantra Sport). We both love the 3, and I would have bought another one instead of the Elantra if they offered a Mazda 3speed. I love the styling on the 3 - it's sleek and consistent, with nice athletic lines without being overtly sporty. The interior beats my Elantra Sport hands down - the seats are more comfortable, the steering wheel is nicer, the visual design of it is better and feels more upscale (it's not a sea of black plastic). That commander knob or whatever they call it is my absolute favourite way to control an infotainment system - I never use the touchscreen in the 3 because that knob is just so easy and fast. I actually like their infotainment system in general and find it a lot easier to use than the Hyundai system (which I just leave on one station and rarely touch, though rewinding satellite IS gaming-changing). But now for the real reason, and I think all Mazda people, love the 3 - the drive. Compared to the Elantra (we also cross-shopped against the Golf, Corolla, and Civic), the way the 3 behaves on the road - it feels like an extension of yourself more than any of those other cars (especially the Corolla). In the Elantra Sport, while much faster than the 3, it feels more like I'm controlling a car rather than being the car. That sounded a lot more New Age-y than I meant it to, but it's how it feels to me. Mazda talks in their marketing about "Rider and Horse as one", and I think they totally nail that. I'm disappointed that Mazda didn't speak to you guys, but I still adore your videos and watch every single one the day you release them. Keep up the great work!
I bought a Mazda3 GT 2.5 hatchback, with 6 speed auto, in April 2016. I love the car. Mine is in Blue Reflex Mica, with black leather interior (I don't care for the easily stained white interior). I agree with you about liking the infotainment system. I use the control knob instinctively, and never have to look at it to see what I'm doing. I like the volume knob where it's located too, since my right hand usually rests in that area anyway, since there's a useful center armrest on the 2016 model. I also use the steering wheel controls for volume and selection, and see no benefit whatsoever to having a volume knob on the dash. I guess infotainment systems have evolved since the time I bought my car, two years ago, but at the time, everyone who reviewed Mazda 3's infotainment system called it the best, easiest to use, and most intuitive system on the market. I also agree with you about the looks. I've always liked the looks of Mazda hatchbacks, except for the years when they had that awful, smiley, clown face grill. The current exterior design of all Mazdas beats all of their competitors, as far as I'm concerned. My Mazda with the 2.5 engine is peppy enough, and gets great gas mileage, but I wish they would put the turbo charged version of that engine in the 3, like they're doing with the 6 this year. If they did that, I'd trade up. Otherwise, I'll probably keep my vehicle for a few more years, as I have no real complaints about it.
I don’t understand your complaints. The Mazda infotainment is one of the best I’ve ever used. You can feel the knob easily and you can stare at the screen all day and still see the road because of the screen position. The nav is the most intuitive I’ve used. The only thing you can legitimately complain is the absence of android auto and apple carplay.
To answer your questions, it really comes down to personal preferences. The following is the reason why I, and I alone, don't think there's much to complain about Mazda's infotainment system design (We are a mult-car family so we have experiences with other infotainment systems as well): Rewind? You don't need to rewind live radio (Our family has a car that does that and we never need to use it). Tuning? Once you've programmed your favorite stations, you barely ever need to use the tuning knob. On the occasions that you need it, it's two scrolls and one click away (again, your eyes are never "off" the road when looking at the screen. Volume? Volume knob next to the shifter/armrest is actually so much easier to reach than the traditional position on the dash on the radio itself. Touch screen? I actually don't even want to touch the screen when I'm driving because the rotary knob is much easier to reach and operate. When the car is in motion, it is really difficult to use a touch screen because of the movement and bumps. Yes, it bugs me that I cannot input address into the Nav while driving, but almost every car disables entering new destinations while car is in motion.
I agree with many of the points you make, notably the ones about tuning, screen placement, and the volume knob. You are also absolutely on point about the fact that many manufacturers disable some navigation functions once the car is moving. I know for a fact that Subaru does, at least on some models, and Lexus does, too. I can't say it's the best, as I don't get to drive as many cars as car reviewers do, but it's certainly not terrible. But my greatest concern is this: What exactly do people do with their cars' infotainment systems when they are behind the wheel? I wonder how much that has to do with the level of distraction I see on the road every day.
I couldn't agree more with you - I had a 2015 Mazda 3 and a 2017 MX-5 and both had MZD. I find it to be one of the most intuitive, easy to use and least distracting infotainment systems on the market. I really wish that it had CarPlay, but it was one of the most reliable systems I've ever used (and I experience new cars on a weekly basis with my line of work). I've now got a 2017 Golf with the same 8-inch touchscreen unit as the Canadian models (I live in Australia) and whilst I love that it has CarPlay and the screen resolution is much better, I wish that it was mounted higher up as it can be distracting to use whilst driving - a rotary wheel controller like MZD or iDrive would be a great idea. MZD definitely needs an update with CarPlay/Android Auto, a new layout and better graphics, but the basic concept is excellent.
I have a Mazda 3 (it's my wife's daily). We chose it over the Civic because the new Civic's steering is way overboosted and numb. It was almost disconcerting not having that feeling of connection between the steering wheel and the road. My wife doesn't like the look of the Elantra, and while we both enjoyed the Hyundais we had (Genesis Coupe and Veloster R-Spec), they make too many compromises on driving feel for the 100,000 mile warranty (like not getting full boost until the car is completely warm). And of course, the manual transmission in the Mazda 3 is fantastic. "Row, row, row your own, gently down the road"
You guys are just the best. Simple, straight to the point, no bullshit , well informed, straight up first class auto journalists. Please keep the great content coming.
Surprisingly no mention about the steering feel? Personally that was what impressed me the most with the Mazda. I've driven the Hyundai Elantra ... and the steering doesn't compare and is a dealbreaker.
CX-3’s 2.0L puts out less power than other Mazdas with that engine, because the engine bay is much smaller in CX-3, so the exhaust headers are completely different. Oh, and G-Vectoring Control is not torque vectoring at all. GVC reduces engine torque during cornering to shift weight forward, thus improving steering feel and making the car handle more naturally And AWD CX-3 gets multi link rear suspension. Only the FWD CX-3 gets torsion beam rear
Yes i agree i own cx3 for almost 4 year now i really like how fun it is to drive yea the header are way to small but if u can improve the headers it could be a gigity to drive 👍
I have watched plenty of reviews on Mazda's infotainment system and everyone had positive things to say about it. I've used one personally and it takes 10 minutes to get used to it. Don't know why both of you hammered it so hard. A few updates here and there, such as Android Auto and Apple Car Play would make it perfect. But using the system itself is quite simple and intuitive.
It literally takes forever to sort your presets. Compared to a Kia Hyundai it’s awful. Also the first time we tried a Mazda we couldn’t zoom out on the map, not very intuitive. -yuri
Funny, well edited and Canadian to boot... I find myself watching The Straight Pipes even when I have zero interest in the cars they're reviewing. Keep up the great work guys!
Thanks for another creative video. In a YT world full of GENERIC videos, this is THE PLACE TO BE. Glad to be a subscriber and Patreon member. I hope Mazda watches your video and gives you early access to the new 2019 Mazda 3. All the best.
I've had my Mazda a week now and I agree that the infotainment is out of date...but I didn't buy it for the infotainment. This is the first car I've had with Nav and I see that the maps aren't that great, especially when you zoom in & out. I guess I am used to looking at the maps on my phone. I give Mazda credit for keeping the manual on the upper trim levels and with the larger engine choice instead of just limiting it to the base model.
Just install a couple of infotainment mods and it'll fix most of the problems in the video (no touchscreen, Android Auto, no startup screen, etc) mazdatweaks.com/
The infotainment doesn't really doesn't bother me too much since the rest of the car is so great and the top goes down. Now that I have my favorite stations programmed I mostly use the steering wheel controls to change them and the volume. It would be nice if it showed a little bit of radio info on the screen while it is on the NAV screen.
United States customer here. I bought a 2014 manual Mazda2 Touring new. It handled flawlessly. But everything else was quite suboptimal. I unfortunately wrecked it via hydroplaning, which is apparently very easy with such a light car. I replaced it with a manual used 2012 Ford Focus SE. Right away I was impressed with everything that that Focus did that was better than the 2. Which was everything, except handling. Prior to the 2, I owned a 2006 Scion tC manual, which lasted forever. Before buying the tC, I was seriously shopping the then current Mazda3. Mazda has always been in my radar. My Focus didn't last very long, so I needed to replace it. I bought a 2018 Mazda3 manual with the base 2.0 liter. I finally feel like I have a car that I don't compromise with. First off, I need a stick. Driving feels wrong without one. Second, it has all the cargo room I need without feeling like I am driving a van or truck. Third, it has all the head room I need. 6'1" with an abnormally long torso:leg ratio, and of all my cars, this one has given me the most room. Scion tC? Yeah, I needed to have the sunroof visor permanently open or my hair would constantly rub on it. Fourth, it gets better gas mileage than all precious cars I have owned, including the little 2. Fifth, the 0-60 time is nearly identical to the tC and Focus. It isn't a Lamborghini, but I don't want a Lamborghini. Sixth, it can't carve like the 2 can, HOWEVER, the car has a natural rotation to it that lends itself to feeling less like a plodding front wheel drive and more like a rear wheel drive sports sedan. I am not saying it is objectively better or worse in the twisties, but it definitely FEELS the better when encountering them. Lastly, and I know I am biased, I am a huge fan of the recent Mazda styling. Other cars that I test drove before deciding on the Mazda3: Hyudai Veloster (too cramped and not enough head room) Ford Fiesta (less cramped than Veloster, bad taste in mouth from Focus, was biased unfairly against) Mazda CX3... Oh wait, I only sat in one. Why didn't I drive it? NO STICK SHIFT FOR THE U.S.! Chevy Sonic turbo (good contender, but driver feel felt better in the 3) I tend to dislike mainstream, so many cars weren't even on my list. Golf, Civic, etc... My 2 cents
My grandma bought a cx3 And now me and my dad drive it. It’s the nicest fastest car I’ve ever driven and it’s pretty peppy and fun for a daily driver not to mention commmfy
I just bought my 2018 Mazda 3 hatchback On January 31st. I traded in my 2011 mazda 3 hatchback. I really have to disagree with your statements on the infotainment system. The only thing that the system needs to add is Apple car play and android auto. But for handling. Mazda 3 has the best handling in its class. Mazda Is the Japanese BMW. And the sound system is one of the best in class it has Bose. I’m sure the next Gee Mazda will blow the competition again.
We pronounce Mazda the way Canadian commercials say it. Like here at 23 seconds th-cam.com/video/AJ71Td5OyTM/w-d-xo.html Also thanks to our early video access Patreon supporters Michael H, Quin S, Jack A, Sean R, Mitchell N, Amin F, Nathan W, Oliver U, twiglet, Arthur E, David C, Israel C, Madison K, Vinay B, Luke M, De Kun L, Bruce B, James M, Paul B, Julian M, Graeme P, Ethan L, Charles E, Pavo B, Harper C, S K, LeaseCosts Canada, Ryan D, Stephen Y, Aviral K! Yes, we finally started a Patreon, check out the cool rewards at www.patreon.com/thestraightpipes
TheStraightPipes I don't buy a car without the armrest or a useful one, so no to both! But in Malaysia, mazda 3 sound system is way better than the one on Civic or Elantra. Also mazdas are well put together than honda and no rattling and annoying body gaps. Although I normally agree with your reviews but not on this one; you should be comparing mazda 3 to civic hatchback or elantra 2.0 than elantra sport! I went for civic sedan at the end mainly because it was a lot more spacious plus bec it had Android auto support. Hyundai has a very very low resale value in here and hence it was out of my list.
I got the 2015 Mazda 3! The armrest looks much better in mine than the new one. I bought it because I fell in love with the way it drove and was the only car in my price range with a HUD. Although the newer HUD looks much more advanced. Not the biggest fan of the infotainment because Bluetooth takes forever to connect every time I turn the car on so I end up just listening to the radio
Neither! Driven both of these cars and even the manual 3 is tooooo effing slow for GTA commuting Old 5 cylinder jetta felt like a rocket in contrast....
The reason why the CX-3's 2.0L isn't as powerful as a Mazda3's 2.0L engine is because the CX3's engine bay was too small to fit the complicated exhaust manifold, so they had to fit a more restrictive and smaller manifold for it to fit properly, thus lowering hp and torque by 9
I've heard that too. Mazda uses a pretty convuluted engine bay exhaust system route for their SkyActive engines in order to get the best performance, so cramped engine bay space could definitely play a role.
This is exactly why I love your reviews. If i go to US News, KBB, car and driver etc, they're all going to just say Mazda is the best brand for driving. You guys make great reviews, from hands on driving to comparisons, to fun challenges, and you guys have a great balance of humor and factual statistics. And at the end of the day, it's all about how you feel, and you guys are straightforward about how you feel about cars. I also love it when you disagree with each other, it's just so honest, and proves that everyone might have different opinions. Keep it up! I'm a loyal fan for sure
Bought a 2018 Mazda 3 GT last December, cross shopped with 2018 Elantra GT. I found the Elantra interior very cheap looking and the drive not very smooth, lacks the power I thought. While Mazda 3 is not the best but it definitely is smooth, probably the smoothest car to drive in its segment (according to me).
I went with '18 Mazda 3 Touring (got it for $19k), after driving the Elantra GT Sport. Hated the exterior of the GT Sport, interior was okay, it was a good bit faster. Don't care about infotainment, only ever listen to podcasts/music on phone, and try to ignore phone while driving otherwise. Thought the 3 has better steering feel, more connection to the car in drivers seat. Handling is great, fun to toss into corners, and won't be getting myself into trouble with a daily driver. Also drove a Civic LX, and Si. The Si seats were terrible for me (I'm 6'1, 250). I only liked the new Civic styling on the coupes, after seeing them in person.
Bryan H So true Bryan, cornering is better than most cars I have driven (in it's price range) and the driver gets much better feel of the road while on the Mazda 3 steering. Elantra felt very disconnected and electronic.
I have a 2018 Mazda 3 Sports GS with all the safety features and LEDs and as a first car it is absolute fun to drive and recommended as a first car 🤙🏻🤙🏻
Power is lower in the CX-3 than the MX-5 with the same base engine because Mazda probably used the engine management to make the torque curve peaks in a lower rpm in the CX-3 (146lbft@2800rpm) when compared to the MX-5 (148lbft@4600rpm). Customer from CX-3 will value more the lower rpm torque thereafter power at lower rpms (power=torque x rpm) while MX-5 customer tends to value more maximum power, where in natually aspirated engines managed to generate max peak torque ordinarily reaches out it's peak torque at higher rpms.
Pete Nahn actually automakers publish engine power, so drivetrain losses shouldn’t affect the number they publish, but that’s in fact another reason to prioritize lower rpm peak torque curves in cx-3.
I have a 2014 3 2.5 GT and I love it. I still thing it looks great. I like how it drives. Modified the infotainment to still work as a touchscreen while in motion. Build quality is good. Complaints include above average road noise. Also sat in a 2017 mazda 3 and those seats are way more comfortable.
I've had a 2016 cx5 for a while now. Amazing experience so far. I cross shopped with CRV and rav4 and out of all them the Mazda felt much more alive and responsive and stayed much flatter through the corners. I have to say I partially disagree with both Jakub and Yuri on the infotainment. You really do get used to it and the central knob is a much better way to control things when on the move. The no touch while driving does suck sometimes as I've had passengers complain that they feel they can't operate it. Also ya I agree no android auto is unacceptable.
I work at a US Mazda dealership, and last year bought a Deep Crystal Blue CX3 GT AWD, just like your tester but with black interior. The HP/TQ ratings are lower in the CX3 because it has a smaller exhaust manifold than the 3 or MX5. I loved driving it, but seriously missed driving stick shift. So I just traded in the CX3 on a 2018 Machine Grey 3 hatch GT manual, just like your tester, but again with black interior. LOVE it much more than the CX3, handles way better, and the power from the 2.5 is plenty enough for me. It was just so weird to see your video pop up with my 2 cars in it, same colors and everything! Love your channel, keep up the good work!
The CX-3 is in the small, subcompact SUV class. It competes with other small crossovers like the Honda HR-V and Toyota C-HR. The CX-5 is Mazda's mid size SUV competitor to the CR-V and RAV4.
Angela R Bradford it’s also super dangerous, i used to do that but the more i think about it. if the airbag ever goes off you’ll have a sharp metal plate go through your head
i recently bought a 2016 cx3 simply because i fell in love with the look of them when they first came out. everyone in my family has a cx5, i personally have a first gen miata and an rx8. for the price point and the features and quality of interior on these cars it was an easy choice for me. cant wait to throw some lowering springs and some wheels on it, cheers!
Nice review! Informative and opinionated. I have a mazda6 GT and I love it. But I also understand everyone has differing opinions. People talk lot about specs like HP and torque. But for some reason, after test driving the sub compact and midsize sedans, I enjoyed the Mazda handling best, power is fine. I liked the Hyundai sonata and Elantra..but part of enjoying my car is looks. And the 6 Mazdas are beautiful and elegant looking to me. Exteriors and interiors.. (My gripes would super thin paint but that's another story) My experience with infotainment is limited but after a week with the system, it's great. (My mom's Lexus infotainment system took me longer to get used to) Just my two cents, keep up the good work!
Am I the only one that finds the infotainment is good? Bought a month ago my Mazda 3 sport, this is my first car. I don't have complains at all, love this baby.
TheStraightPipes The M3 is my first car. Use to drive my sister's Subaru Legacy (2009) with a basic infotainment, so the one in the Mazda is great to me.
Family has a 2016 Mazda 3 and it’s fully loaded and we think it’s great. I don’t see really any problems with the car and neither does anyone who drives with us soooo. We coped it for under 20k so we got what we payed for and more.
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Our family car is the Mazda CX-5 (soon the CX-8). We owned a Mazda 3 as our second car. I changed then to the CX-3, because it is more practical in Thailand. I very liked the Mazda 3, but it is too low for our roads. The CX-3 is smaller, indeed. But the passengers sit higher. My son prefers the higher seat position in the CX-3. Both cars are fun to drive and have enough real life power (don't look at the brochure figures).
I've been torn between these 2 cars for a very long time! This will be my first car and I'm gonna lease one of them with the intentions of getting that new SEXY mazda 6 in the near future..... saying I have to Disagree with you guys, I think mazda is KILLING it with design and have heavy hitters in almost every car segment. After watching this I'm still torn lol. I do agree with you guys saying the cx3 is for comfort and 3 is for back roads. Ugh this is such a hard decision! #youguysareawesome
I am going tru the same dilema,but after this video i think i am geting the cx 3,it looks cooler and is higuer,the space is just enought for me and its just beautiful,these dudes are crazy.
amorska11 I've been leaning towards the cx3 too, I live in NY so the AWD would defenetly be useful in the winter. But I also love to drive so that's why the 3 is desirable to me. Good to know I'm not the only one lol.
Never_nerve you will not be disappointed with the CX3 AWD. I’ve had mine for almost 2years now and I find it comfortable, and AWD does help in winter weather. I’m still loving mine and get lots of attention as not a lot of people have it in California.
2016 mazda sgt owner here .. the infotainment system is not that hard to get used to, but screw nav, I use my phone instead. Before the hyundai elentra GT came out, this car made the most sense for cheap repairs & interior space (unlike the Golf), an auto transmission (unlike the honda's CVT), and still good gas mileage while still being somewhat fun to drive((insert alternative sportier cars here). I'll upgrade to a new mazda or change cars if/when mazda integrates android auto and autonomous driving features improve and get cheaper.
I have the 18 Mazda3 as tested in this video. The same colour, trim, everything. I cross shopped it against the Civic hatch and Elantra GT. I picked the Mazda for a couple reasons. Firstly it had the best warranty of the three. In comparison to the Civic hatchback, I preferred the driving dynamic of the Mazda. Specifically I didn’t like the CVT transmission in the Honda. Versus the Hyundai, I thought the Mazda had a much more premium interior. Specifically, the display in the Elantra GT was obnoxious. Although preference with respect to looks is largely subjective, the Elantra GT and Civic Hatch were subpar compared with the Mazda3 GT with the premium package. I will concede the infotainment in the Mazda is subpar compared to the rest, but that wasn’t a dealbreaker for me. Also, although not terrible in the Mazda, I suspect it sips more fuel than the Honda and the Hyundai.
The cx3 may have lower horsepower rating due to the AWD system. In my country the FWD and AWD options are offered with the same engine. The FWD version has a higher hp rating than the AWD version but peak torque is available early for the AWD version. I was considering the cx3 but I still went for the Mazda 3 and I'm very happy.
Again, another great video! We have the CX-3 and really dig it. As a hatch, it's a little compromised by its small size, and yes, lack of Apple CarPlay is just flat out dumb... supposed to be offered by Mazda soon. But this thing is fun and just sporty enough. Kinda reminds me of mid 90's Hondas. Nice design, simple, and just works.
Great honest review and spot on with the entertainment system...I never understood why Mazda kept that unit in their cars. I hope you guys get your hands on a new Mazda6 when it's released...looking forward to that review.
My mother owns a 2011 Mazda 3 2.0L with 162,000 km on it and she loves it we have never had any issues with it I actually really enjoy the fact that Mazda is sticking to naturally aspirated engines because they just seem to be more reliable and I find that the sound system is actually pretty good on them but you guys are great keep up the good work.
i dont understand you guys complain about the mzd.. you dont need to look at the controller and volume knob.. its just like a computer mouse.. you never look at it and you dont put it next the screen..
I do own a mazda cx-3. I really like it... i have now over 40000km on it and had no problem with it so far. I love the fact that it's so economic on gaz and it's fun to drive. I live in New Brunswick and i did a couples of trips to Montreal and Quebec and did find it comfortable enough for does trips. But where is really shine, is definitely on does little back roads. :)
In my opinion, the Mazda 6 is far more attractive than the SUVs. That is an incredibly attractive sedan. Those swooping front fenders are just absolutely gorgeous. And you can turn traction control off fully. Stability control does not turn off though. So it’ll spin the tires in a straight line all day(did it in a 2017 Mazda 6 Sport, manual) but as soon as you turn the wheel or kick it sideways the electronics kick in. Either way, great review. Love both these cars, Mazda builds some great cars.
i have a 2017 Mazda 3 in snowflake white pearl mica and i love it!!! i have to say that i do like the center console because when you close the cupholder compartment the armrest is quite long, and it is easy to shift while resting your arm in it. Also, the shifter is good, steering is sporty and i just love the looks
I have the 2018 mazda3 GT with premium package and the infotainment is lacking. slow loading navigation on start up. but the premium bose sound system is good. I like the heated steering wheel and front seats. the adaptive front headlights are cool. it is very sporty to drive even though it is not fast. it's somehow very pleasing to push the mazda 3 around corners as the suspension has a nice balance of a smooth ride during normal driving, yet firm enough under hard cornering. I have the automatic with paddle shifters. I pretty much leave it in auto mode since the shifts has a delay when you use the paddle shifters. but it is nice when you can set up cornering and lane changes where you can down shift and set it up before hand. I get an average 35 MPG. it has a sport mode which really livens up the car by shifting later and holding on to higher revs. it also makes the car more punchier from going from a stand still by making the throttle more responsive. the normal mode is sluggish but it does so to keep fuel mileage high. the car is very quiet under normal city street driving but the cabin does get louder as you go in the highway. the engine sound is almost not there in normal mode but under sport mode you really hear the engine (which has a nice tone) as it revs up higher and keeps it up there too to make the engine more responsive.
sparkymike83 did you ever cross shop against the civic hatch sport touring? I am and have a hard time picking between the two. I love how both drive because both drive pretty similar. The Civic however has more space then the mazda but the mazda has more features like a heated steering wheel and blind spot monitoring. I'm just thinking should I give up those features in favor or more space and a turbo in the civic?
i used to have 2014 2-liter iGrand touring Mazda3 and i loved it! the info system wasn't perfect, no apple car and android auto but it was fine for the time and so easy to get used to. i never used the touchscreen and didn't have any trouble with the joystick controller, in fact now i find the cars that u have to have to do everything on the touchscreen uncomfortable and unsafe. i don't like some of restyled changes though: the e-brake, armrest area and what they did with headlights/grill trim connection.
As soon as Yuri pointed out the license plate placement on the Mazada3, I noticed it whenever i see one on the road lol...and it's definitely annoying.
I bought a 2015 mazda3 on the last week of 2017. I bought it because I wanted to learn to drive manual and the Mazda got hella good reviews on their manual transmissions. The infotainment sucks, but there's an easy android auto hack. The seats aren't great for a tall driver. It's fun to drive and it holds a lot of stuff. Keep making great videos!
soul red is the standard iconic mazda colour just like blue is subarus. soul red is also the most expensive colour, and its the most popular aswell but because red mazdas are pretty much the only mazdas you see its also boring, if you want to stand out red is not it, titanium flash is much cooler.
I ended up with a black one (jet black mica) simply because I was replacing a car that had been written off and it was the only manual sport GT with technology package they had in stock within the next couple of weeks. Would've much rather had the soul red, but couldn't have gone without the car.
Love the honesty and opinions you guys have in your reviews. Agree on all your points and happy to hear there is no pandering to a brand just because a car was provided by the manufacturer. Thank you guy!
I switch to mazda3 2018 for a week (minor change just released last month)as a result of not having cx3 (minor change to be released soon)delivered to me after waiting for several weeks. Anyway, I am happy with it, both interior design and driving experience.
I test drove a cx5 last year. Found the interior to be really nice, but the fun to drive factor exaggerated by reviewers. In the end, got a forester xt for almost the same price with a much better awd, 50% more power and it's just silly fun in snowstorms 👌🏻
Long-time subscriber here. I really appreciate how much work you guys do in all of these videos. I recently was cross shopping the 2018 Subaru Impreza and Crosstrek, and I think it would be an interesting pairing with this video. The Subarus are about the same price/power, but they really put their engineering budget in different places than the Mazdas. Plus you could try the offroad mode in the Crosstrek. Thanks for all you do!
I'm in a weird spot. My next car purchase will be for a daily and I still don't know if I'll go fun hatch with a manual or just say "screw it, traffic here is terrible enough" and go for a nice, squishy cruiser. That's actually the reason why I stopped daily driving my RX8. And the whole 11mpg in town thing. Which is why I found this channel. You seem to be the only ones going in depth with _normal_ cars. I'm sure I'm not the only one that really appreciates that.
I like the looks of the mazda 3 sedan and cx-3 over the mazda 3 hatch. I don't like the long hood or sloping roofline on the hatch, but really like the long hood and curves on the sedan which stands out from other compact sedans. Cx-3 is just really cute and you have to see it in person to get a feel for that. Like you guys said, Mazdas are mature looking cars which is something I prefer. In addition, the Mazda badge just looks good compared to a lot of the competition, and FWIW is something I notice more than headlights and taillights (sorry Yuri). For the mazda 3 infotainment, I actually like the positioning and use of the dial and volume knob. I could hack the system to allow to use the screen while driving, but I wouldn't use that anyway. I haven't tuned radio stations since I programmed 7 of them to the favorites button and I mostly don't even need that (just press skip on steering wheel which lets me skip between my favorites). I don't use satellite radio so that's not a problem; I use spotify premium through my phone instead. Carplay doesn't have Spotify or Google Maps integration yet, so Apple Carplay being available, it still wouldn't work exactly how I want it to. Everything else (texting/phone/nav/podcasts) works well enough with a combination of the car's infotainment and Siri through bluetooth/usb. About the zooming on the nav, I prefer to have it set on the advanced 2D setting which auto zooms in and out, and 90% of the time I don't have to use the zoom function, but even then it's just one extra click and you can use a wheel to zoom which is much better than trying to pinch with your fingers on a screen. Interior wise, I do think the major daily annoyance/possible deal breaker part of the Mazda 3 is the cupholder. That is something you never not notice, and is never not a problem. As for the armrest, I mostly have both hands on the wheel at all times, sometimes rest my arm on my thigh, but even arm on the armrest isn't uncomfortable to the point of noticing it. Otherwise, I really like the interior. Given my budget, the mid-level trim Mazda 3 was the car I found most attractive, with the most features, without too many compromises that would make me regret the car.
Yall are unique and entertaining! This vid caught my attention because I recently purchased a mazda3 touring hatchback. Despite the fact that I was pissed when they came out with the refreshed GORGEOUS 2019s, I still am in love with this car. Ive owned mid-sized to full sized trucks, s.u.vs, crossovers, muscle cars and a couple of compact cars from both import and domestic brands. Im 41 years old now and with all of my experiences with the automotive industry, I can confidently say that the most impressive, reliable and most fun vehicles ive had were my 2009 mazda cx9 and my current 2018 mazda3. Buuuuuuuuut...........mazda needs to bring back the mazdaspeed ASAP before the become known as mazdaslow. Great vidz yall!!
I bought a 2018 Mazda 3 Sport GS three months ago in Deep Crystal Blue Mica. While I agree that the infotainment is dated, I still enjoy the rest of the car has to offer. even without Apple Carplay/Android Auto (Mazda said it's coming soon). 👌
I bought a 2016 Mazda 3 GT, 2.5, auto, hatchback two years ago, in Blue Reflex Mica, with black leather interior. I love the car. The infotainment was rated at the time by reviewers across the board to be one of the easiest to use, most intuitive infotainment systems on the market. It took very little time for me to get acquainted with it, and I still have no complaints with it's function and usability, even though it seems that infotainment systems are evolving on almost a daily basis. I know that some people are concerned about lack of Apple/Android compatability, but in all honesty, I couldn't care less about that interface. The Nav works fine, the satellite radio works fine, I have over 2k songs loaded on a USB stick in the USB port, and there's literally nothing that bothers me about the infotainment system. I do a lot of driving in the city and didn't want a manual transmission, and I can't stand CVTs, and the auto in the Mazda is a very slick and responsive transmission. I drove most of the competitors at the time for comparison, and the Mazda was the clear choice for me.
Does Mazda say that Apple Carplay and android auto is coming for 2018 and 2019 model mazda's? I'm thinking about getting a Cx-3 and would love to have an update for apple carplay.
Last year I have tested 5 different cars in Mazda 3 category and Mazda was the only car I felt instantly connected with. It has its drawbacks like the armrest, slow infotainment (but I use only Spotify over BT so I don't care much), it's louder in high speeds and the outlook could be better. But man, it's so much fun to drive and to look at. Also the interior feels great, shifting is a breeze and I enjoy every corner of the road. I drive a lot more expensive company cars but I still enjoy my Mazda the most and wouldn't change it for different brand,only for Mazda 6 😀
Enjoyed your review, guys. Have a 2010 Mazda3 GT sedan & though I've never loved the exterior, I LOVE the way the car handles. It's a super fun car to drive, sticks the curves, & has plenty of zoom for the average driver. Am now looking into getting a certified 2018 M3GT hatchback. Not a huge fan of the long front-end & grill (prefer snub-nose look), but the bang for the buck & having a fun & peppy drive is what keeps me loyal. Was glad to read a comment somewhere in here that the white paint was really thin...good to know before I sign any paperwork.
TheStraightPipes the sound editing in the first 22 seconds, and the way you are looking at each other while each driving solo, and giving the dog the deciding vote of which model to enter first. Also noticed silent anticipation of the Weathertech style floor mats.
I totally agree with the infotainment being unpractical, its so frustrating to use and why the no apple car play and android auto. and Finally someone agrees that the Mazdas don't look nice. The drive and handling is good though but for some reason it throws you around a little more.
I leased a new 2015 Mazda 3 (sedan) and liked it, it drove like a much more premium car. I traded that car in for a BMW 3 series, which was totoled. So I looked at going cheaper since we had our first child on the way. I purchased a new Mazda 6 this past year and have almost no complaints. Manual transmissions are the way to go and thankfully Mazda still offers them on at least the touring trim in the States. Some of the best looking interior and exteriors amongst cars above their class. Driving dynamics to compliment the looks!
Regarding infotainment....not to mention that Mazda got into a dispute with the US traffic vendor around 2 years ago and all their new non Tom Tom based navigation systems have not had traffic data since. We’ve owned 2 CX-5’s since, including a 2017. Out of our 3 cars, I use my phone all the time since the system is garbage for living in the New York City area. My other cars I’ll leave the map zoomed out with traffic displayed. They basically mimicked an iDrive system and took every bad thing about it and nothing good. Ironically you can now touch the screen on the iDrive ALL THE TIME. That’s my other pet peeve on this system. Try inputting anything stopped at a light. Once you start moving, you can’t type anything. You move up 10 feet, and the system will lock out the screen. You stop again and it disappears and you have to start over. Last, when you finally do input something it asks you 10 times if that is what you want then you get a 10 second count down which you can override. I’m not changing course on the space shuttle, I don’t need a million confirmations. My other vehicles will just simply change or start a route. It’s okay Mazda, I won’t drive into a lake if I start up the wrong destination, but what I will do is miss my first turn or not no where to go while I’m asked 10 times for confirmation and wait for a 10 second countdown.
I have a 10 year old car and never gave the infotainment alot of attention compared to other features. But now thanks to Yuri its something I now think about.
Not too sure what the point of that would be. One is a crossover, the other is a sedan. They use pretty much identical drive trains, so it would basically be a comparison of a same brand crossover to a sedan. When the new Mazda6 turbo comes out, sometime soon, I'd like to see it compared to the turbo Accord and V6 Camry.
I have an '05 Mazda 3s 5-door (hatchback) purchased new. I cross shopped the '05 Civic Si (3-door hatch: too small for passengers or cargo) and the '05 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart (4-door: didn't feel as peppy, didn't have the cargo capacity of the Mazda 3). The 5-speed manual in my Mazda makes it fun to drive, but it definitely would benefit from a true highway cruising gear as I often find myself at 3800+ RPMs and don't get very good mileage. Otherwise, no major complaints in 12+ years of ownership.
I love the new mazdas! We own a cx5 2016 and my wife and all my friends always telling us they love how it looks both inside and outside. Plus it handles great and fuel economy is ok. We love it doesn't have cvt sputid transmission that you forgot to mention on your video. Before we bought it we were looking for a compact suv and we saw all of them from kia, hyundai, Ford, chevy, Toyota, jeep and at the end we prefer our cx5 over the rest.
Im from Portugal and i am a Straight Pipes subscriber. I have a 2016 cx3...but with diesel engine 1.5D and frontwheel drive...i love the car. Very beautiful car, great design and excelent mecahnics. Best regards. Vitor
I have the predecessor of the Mazda 3 (2009 - 2013). I really like it. It is not the most premium car but it is really reliable and it has many features for a relativly low price.
My brother purchased his 2016 Mazda 3 2.0L in 2015. It's a fantastic car, especially with respect to the inputs. Throttle and brake pedal are not overly-sensitive and very progressive. Steering is sharp and not artificially heavy. The infotainment is okay, but it hasn't really been an issue for him. At the time, there was nothing better for the price. Corolla, Civic and Elantra were all meh. Plus, he's very tall and it's the only car he could get comfortable in. Now that the competition has caught up, it does feel a generation behind. I hope their next Mazda 3 lives up to my expectations.
Great job guys, amazing!! Always making good reviews and comparison between good rivals. I honestly like the Mazda3, it´s better, looks bigger and the important is that costs less money. Keep doing those videos guys!!!
The center console of the new Mazda3/6 is totally fine by me. It looks awesome, very high-end (IMO) and I have no problem using the sides that along the cupholder area to rest my arm. It's the exterior looks of the 3 that are long in the tooth at this point.The CX-3 on the other hand still looks great. While the optional CX-3 arm rest (which used to be standard up until 2018) ends up blocking the cup holders when in use, it's still worth every penny, and should have been kept as standard equipment.
You guys complain about how distracting the infotainment is, but also complain that it doesn’t have a super distracting thing like apple carplay and android auto? Be more serious and impartial about your reviews. As a two and a half year owner of a 2016 CX5, if you use RIGHT the system, is not distracting.
As a proud owner of a CX5, you don't sound like you're being very impartial. This infotainment is distracting to us. We've tested/reviewed hundreds of different cars. Apple CarPlay and Android auto make things significantly less distracting because of their consistency between systems.
That’s the thing guys, I’m not a reviewer, so I don’t have to be impartial. I recommend that you see, if you haven’t already, Tom Vaulk from Driven and Alex on Autos for some very impartial reviews . I’ve talk to some people at Mazda and seen a lot of interviews as to why they don’t put AA or AC, and it’s because it distracts people from driving. Besides all this, I actually enjoyed the video and I’m gonna follow you from now on
Great comparison. I've just got the Cx3, UK version. Great little car. Small annoying things, no central arm rest, no front parking sensor or sun roof in sport spec.
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I'm surprised you don't like the looks. I feel the Mazda front ends are some of the nicest on the road. The squared off grill looks great from profile.
lessdeth69 it’s just not for me. 124 over Mx-5 as well for me
I think the Mazdas have a less fussy styling vs some competitors, like the Civic, yet not boring like the Corolla. I agree the 124 looks better than the MX5 and I have an MX5!
Actually I thought the 2014/15 version is way better looking than present one. I own a Mazda 3_2015 version.
Well said!! They just get better and better every year. They are the best looking in their class, hands down!
I stopped watching when they started calling Mazdas ugly.
I agree with you porter
They are computer nerds. They probably think the new civic looks pretty
They say Mazda weird lol
lol peeps are so triggered
@@markooska call it Canadian flair
I bought a Mazda3 in 2014 new gen. It was the best in class at the time before current gen Civic and Elantra were released. The overall steering and dynamics of the mazda3 are still good but they abandoned their plans with the infotainment after they switched developers. It was supposed to yo get apps, wifi connectivity etc. Never happened. Their refresh helped but they screwed up interior ergonomics to make more console space. The Mazda3 has the better chassis and much more interior shoulder and hip space over the Mazda2/CX3. Still good cars but down on power and showing age now.
savagegeese hey.... Nice to see an expert opinion.... 😀 love both these channels... Btw, android auto can be installed by tweaking the software (just in case you haven't noticed) th-cam.com/video/ocOvY6Q7NNo/w-d-xo.html
Neo correct, only if you don't have a firmware version too high. They disabled easy usb modding in 2017+ models. Otherwise some hacking is required.
Ikr! I miss the hand rest on my BM mazda3 whenever I drive other cars, can't believe they got rid of it for more centre console storage space in the BN model definitely a mistake!
As Savagegeese mentioned in his Mazda6 review the center console was a compromise. The 6 had that design prior to the three but honestly after living with my 6 for 3 years Ive grown to like the center console. It is kind of a PITA when I have bottles there, but I find myself using the paddles 90% of the time now (it's the best way to drive this car with this engine), so my elbow rests comfortably on the padding that flanks the cup holders. As far as the infotainment goes, i will concede that it takes a little getting used to, but now I find myself annoyed by every touchscreen system out there. The iDrive-ish interface is actually quite easy and the system gives you multiple choice on how to execute functions. I've grown to love my 6, so much so I'm already sold on the 2018 with turbo. Hope Savagegeese or Straightpipes reviews it soon.
BTW I've driven both the three and cx3 for extended test drives and i do agree with most of Juri and Jakob's observations, except the point about Mazdas handling. IMO Still think Mazda has the edge when it comes to overall chassis balance. Hyundai steering still feels numb to me.
Thanks to your reviews I bought my 2017 3 HB and I absolutely love it. I have it for over a year now and the only complain I have is the lack of Car Play (I hope one day we'll finally get it...).
Fun fact - we get 2.0 120Hp version here in Europe, which is electronically blocked and you can easily tune it up to around 180 Hp :)
2017 Mazda 3 owner here (it's actually my wife's, but I drive it often enough. I drive a 2018 Hyundai Elantra Sport). We both love the 3, and I would have bought another one instead of the Elantra if they offered a Mazda 3speed. I love the styling on the 3 - it's sleek and consistent, with nice athletic lines without being overtly sporty. The interior beats my Elantra Sport hands down - the seats are more comfortable, the steering wheel is nicer, the visual design of it is better and feels more upscale (it's not a sea of black plastic). That commander knob or whatever they call it is my absolute favourite way to control an infotainment system - I never use the touchscreen in the 3 because that knob is just so easy and fast. I actually like their infotainment system in general and find it a lot easier to use than the Hyundai system (which I just leave on one station and rarely touch, though rewinding satellite IS gaming-changing).
But now for the real reason, and I think all Mazda people, love the 3 - the drive. Compared to the Elantra (we also cross-shopped against the Golf, Corolla, and Civic), the way the 3 behaves on the road - it feels like an extension of yourself more than any of those other cars (especially the Corolla). In the Elantra Sport, while much faster than the 3, it feels more like I'm controlling a car rather than being the car. That sounded a lot more New Age-y than I meant it to, but it's how it feels to me. Mazda talks in their marketing about "Rider and Horse as one", and I think they totally nail that.
I'm disappointed that Mazda didn't speak to you guys, but I still adore your videos and watch every single one the day you release them. Keep up the great work!
Thanks for being reasonable
Thanks for making some of the best car reviews.
I bought a Mazda3 GT 2.5 hatchback, with 6 speed auto, in April 2016. I love the car. Mine is in Blue Reflex Mica, with black leather interior (I don't care for the easily stained white interior). I agree with you about liking the infotainment system. I use the control knob instinctively, and never have to look at it to see what I'm doing. I like the volume knob where it's located too, since my right hand usually rests in that area anyway, since there's a useful center armrest on the 2016 model. I also use the steering wheel controls for volume and selection, and see no benefit whatsoever to having a volume knob on the dash. I guess infotainment systems have evolved since the time I bought my car, two years ago, but at the time, everyone who reviewed Mazda 3's infotainment system called it the best, easiest to use, and most intuitive system on the market.
I also agree with you about the looks. I've always liked the looks of Mazda hatchbacks, except for the years when they had that awful, smiley, clown face grill. The current exterior design of all Mazdas beats all of their competitors, as far as I'm concerned. My Mazda with the 2.5 engine is peppy enough, and gets great gas mileage, but I wish they would put the turbo charged version of that engine in the 3, like they're doing with the 6 this year. If they did that, I'd trade up. Otherwise, I'll probably keep my vehicle for a few more years, as I have no real complaints about it.
Shawn actually nailed it.
Agree with Shawn. We have a Mazda 2 (2016) GT-M and we love it. Indeed very responsive steering and gas control. This makes you part of the car!
they are totally overreacting about the infotainment
Millennials....
Yup its really easy to use
They are computer nerds, not drivers
I agree. I love the infotainment system. Much easier to handle as opposed to anything GM or Ford has come out with.
@@domzbu What? It's boomers who have trouble and complain with even the simplest of devices like iphones.
I don’t understand your complaints. The Mazda infotainment is one of the best I’ve ever used. You can feel the knob easily and you can stare at the screen all day and still see the road because of the screen position. The nav is the most intuitive I’ve used. The only thing you can legitimately complain is the absence of android auto and apple carplay.
rainystorm88 can it rewind satellite radio? Does it have a tuning knob? Does it have a volume knob(on the dash)? Can you touch it while driving?
To answer your questions, it really comes down to personal preferences. The following is the reason why I, and I alone, don't think there's much to complain about Mazda's infotainment system design (We are a mult-car family so we have experiences with other infotainment systems as well):
Rewind? You don't need to rewind live radio (Our family has a car that does that and we never need to use it).
Tuning? Once you've programmed your favorite stations, you barely ever need to use the tuning knob. On the occasions that you need it, it's two scrolls and one click away (again, your eyes are never "off" the road when looking at the screen.
Volume? Volume knob next to the shifter/armrest is actually so much easier to reach than the traditional position on the dash on the radio itself.
Touch screen? I actually don't even want to touch the screen when I'm driving because the rotary knob is much easier to reach and operate. When the car is in motion, it is really difficult to use a touch screen because of the movement and bumps. Yes, it bugs me that I cannot input address into the Nav while driving, but almost every car disables entering new destinations while car is in motion.
I agree with many of the points you make, notably the ones about tuning, screen placement, and the volume knob. You are also absolutely on point about the fact that many manufacturers disable some navigation functions once the car is moving. I know for a fact that Subaru does, at least on some models, and Lexus does, too. I can't say it's the best, as I don't get to drive as many cars as car reviewers do, but it's certainly not terrible. But my greatest concern is this: What exactly do people do with their cars' infotainment systems when they are behind the wheel? I wonder how much that has to do with the level of distraction I see on the road every day.
Bill ya I dunno. But I rewind satellite radios while driving. 🤷🏻♂️
I couldn't agree more with you - I had a 2015 Mazda 3 and a 2017 MX-5 and both had MZD. I find it to be one of the most intuitive, easy to use and least distracting infotainment systems on the market. I really wish that it had CarPlay, but it was one of the most reliable systems I've ever used (and I experience new cars on a weekly basis with my line of work). I've now got a 2017 Golf with the same 8-inch touchscreen unit as the Canadian models (I live in Australia) and whilst I love that it has CarPlay and the screen resolution is much better, I wish that it was mounted higher up as it can be distracting to use whilst driving - a rotary wheel controller like MZD or iDrive would be a great idea. MZD definitely needs an update with CarPlay/Android Auto, a new layout and better graphics, but the basic concept is excellent.
I have a Mazda 3 (it's my wife's daily). We chose it over the Civic because the new Civic's steering is way overboosted and numb. It was almost disconcerting not having that feeling of connection between the steering wheel and the road. My wife doesn't like the look of the Elantra, and while we both enjoyed the Hyundais we had (Genesis Coupe and Veloster R-Spec), they make too many compromises on driving feel for the 100,000 mile warranty (like not getting full boost until the car is completely warm). And of course, the manual transmission in the Mazda 3 is fantastic. "Row, row, row your own, gently down the road"
Muffin Racing Exactly..... This is a girls Car!
Thanks for making me realize it.
I have to say you guys are quickly becoming my favorite channel on TH-cam
You guys are just the best. Simple, straight to the point, no bullshit , well informed, straight up first class auto journalists. Please keep the great content coming.
PayPal money sent. Would do business with again. 10/10
Surprisingly no mention about the steering feel? Personally that was what impressed me the most with the Mazda. I've driven the Hyundai Elantra ... and the steering doesn't compare and is a dealbreaker.
My wife and I bought a CX3 after comparing between it and the Hyundai Kona. I didn’t even consider the Toyota or the Honda.
CX-3’s 2.0L puts out less power than other Mazdas with that engine, because the engine bay is much smaller in CX-3, so the exhaust headers are completely different.
Oh, and G-Vectoring Control is not torque vectoring at all. GVC reduces engine torque during cornering to shift weight forward, thus improving steering feel and making the car handle more naturally
And AWD CX-3 gets multi link rear suspension. Only the FWD CX-3 gets torsion beam rear
The CX-3 is torsion beam whether or not it's AWD. Mazda USA, Mazda Canada, and Car & Driver all list Torsion Beam for the FWD and AWD models.
Yes i agree i own cx3 for almost 4 year now i really like how fun it is to drive yea the header are way to small but if u can improve the headers it could be a gigity to drive 👍
I have watched plenty of reviews on Mazda's infotainment system and everyone had positive things to say about it. I've used one personally and it takes 10 minutes to get used to it. Don't know why both of you hammered it so hard. A few updates here and there, such as Android Auto and Apple Car Play would make it perfect. But using the system itself is quite simple and intuitive.
It literally takes forever to sort your presets. Compared to a Kia Hyundai it’s awful. Also the first time we tried a Mazda we couldn’t zoom out on the map, not very intuitive. -yuri
Funny, well edited and Canadian to boot... I find myself watching The Straight Pipes even when I have zero interest in the cars they're reviewing. Keep up the great work guys!
Awesome thanks!
Best car channel on TH-cam
Thanks for another creative video. In a YT world full of GENERIC videos, this is THE PLACE TO BE. Glad to be a subscriber and Patreon member. I hope Mazda watches your video and gives you early access to the new 2019 Mazda 3. All the best.
Anthony C Brown daaaaaaaaamn thanks man
I've had my Mazda a week now and I agree that the infotainment is out of date...but I didn't buy it for the infotainment. This is the first car I've had with Nav and I see that the maps aren't that great, especially when you zoom in & out. I guess I am used to looking at the maps on my phone. I give Mazda credit for keeping the manual on the upper trim levels and with the larger engine choice instead of just limiting it to the base model.
Just install a couple of infotainment mods and it'll fix most of the problems in the video (no touchscreen, Android Auto, no startup screen, etc) mazdatweaks.com/
It's out of date, but still quite a simple and intuitive system to use
The infotainment doesn't really doesn't bother me too much since the rest of the car is so great and the top goes down. Now that I have my favorite stations programmed I mostly use the steering wheel controls to change them and the volume. It would be nice if it showed a little bit of radio info on the screen while it is on the NAV screen.
harrismi7 Mazdas are awesome cars indeed!
I think they gave this a negative slant because these are two cars that are pretty much universally liked
Car and Driver is good for the numbers, YOU GUYS ARE GOOD FOR THE CARS
Phnog my favourite comment
Thanks, my dude!
United States customer here. I bought a 2014 manual Mazda2 Touring new. It handled flawlessly. But everything else was quite suboptimal. I unfortunately wrecked it via hydroplaning, which is apparently very easy with such a light car.
I replaced it with a manual used 2012 Ford Focus SE. Right away I was impressed with everything that that Focus did that was better than the 2. Which was everything, except handling.
Prior to the 2, I owned a 2006 Scion tC manual, which lasted forever. Before buying the tC, I was seriously shopping the then current Mazda3. Mazda has always been in my radar.
My Focus didn't last very long, so I needed to replace it. I bought a 2018 Mazda3 manual with the base 2.0 liter. I finally feel like I have a car that I don't compromise with.
First off, I need a stick. Driving feels wrong without one.
Second, it has all the cargo room I need without feeling like I am driving a van or truck.
Third, it has all the head room I need. 6'1" with an abnormally long torso:leg ratio, and of all my cars, this one has given me the most room. Scion tC? Yeah, I needed to have the sunroof visor permanently open or my hair would constantly rub on it.
Fourth, it gets better gas mileage than all precious cars I have owned, including the little 2.
Fifth, the 0-60 time is nearly identical to the tC and Focus. It isn't a Lamborghini, but I don't want a Lamborghini.
Sixth, it can't carve like the 2 can, HOWEVER, the car has a natural rotation to it that lends itself to feeling less like a plodding front wheel drive and more like a rear wheel drive sports sedan. I am not saying it is objectively better or worse in the twisties, but it definitely FEELS the better when encountering them.
Lastly, and I know I am biased, I am a huge fan of the recent Mazda styling.
Other cars that I test drove before deciding on the Mazda3:
Hyudai Veloster (too cramped and not enough head room)
Ford Fiesta (less cramped than Veloster, bad taste in mouth from Focus, was biased unfairly against)
Mazda CX3... Oh wait, I only sat in one. Why didn't I drive it? NO STICK SHIFT FOR THE U.S.!
Chevy Sonic turbo (good contender, but driver feel felt better in the 3)
I tend to dislike mainstream, so many cars weren't even on my list. Golf, Civic, etc...
My 2 cents
I tried the Mazda 2, and the '14 Fiest whipped it in every way.
My grandma bought a cx3
And now me and my dad drive it. It’s the nicest fastest car I’ve ever driven and it’s pretty peppy and fun for a daily driver not to mention commmfy
I just bought my 2018 Mazda 3 hatchback On January 31st. I traded in my 2011 mazda 3 hatchback. I really have to disagree with your statements on the infotainment system. The only thing that the system needs to add is Apple car play and android auto. But for handling. Mazda 3 has the best handling in its class. Mazda Is the Japanese BMW. And the sound system is one of the best in class it has Bose. I’m sure the next Gee Mazda will blow the competition again.
We pronounce Mazda the way Canadian commercials say it. Like here at 23 seconds th-cam.com/video/AJ71Td5OyTM/w-d-xo.html
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TheStraightPipes I don't buy a car without the armrest or a useful one, so no to both! But in Malaysia, mazda 3 sound system is way better than the one on Civic or Elantra. Also mazdas are well put together than honda and no rattling and annoying body gaps. Although I normally agree with your reviews but not on this one; you should be comparing mazda 3 to civic hatchback or elantra 2.0 than elantra sport! I went for civic sedan at the end mainly because it was a lot more spacious plus bec it had Android auto support. Hyundai has a very very low resale value in here and hence it was out of my list.
Savagegeese is watching you 😁
I got the 2015 Mazda 3! The armrest looks much better in mine than the new one. I bought it because I fell in love with the way it drove and was the only car in my price range with a HUD. Although the newer HUD looks much more advanced. Not the biggest fan of the infotainment because Bluetooth takes forever to connect every time I turn the car on so I end up just listening to the radio
Shane Nelson you should check out this video. Android auto on mazda th-cam.com/video/ocOvY6Q7NNo/w-d-xo.html
Neither!
Driven both of these cars and even the manual 3 is tooooo effing slow for GTA commuting
Old 5 cylinder jetta felt like a rocket in contrast....
You guys seem like anti Mazda boys.
We're not anti anything
The reason why the CX-3's 2.0L isn't as powerful as a Mazda3's 2.0L engine is because the CX3's engine bay was too small to fit the complicated exhaust manifold, so they had to fit a more restrictive and smaller manifold for it to fit properly, thus lowering hp and torque by 9
Thank you very much. Do you know this for a fact?
isnt't 184hp output by a 2.5L ?
That's not what this discussion is about
I've heard that too. Mazda uses a pretty convuluted engine bay exhaust system route for their SkyActive engines in order to get the best performance, so cramped engine bay space could definitely play a role.
This is exactly why I love your reviews. If i go to US News, KBB, car and driver etc, they're all going to just say Mazda is the best brand for driving. You guys make great reviews, from hands on driving to comparisons, to fun challenges, and you guys have a great balance of humor and factual statistics. And at the end of the day, it's all about how you feel, and you guys are straightforward about how you feel about cars. I also love it when you disagree with each other, it's just so honest, and proves that everyone might have different opinions. Keep it up! I'm a loyal fan for sure
Thanks very much!
Bought a 2018 Mazda 3 GT last December, cross shopped with 2018 Elantra GT. I found the Elantra interior very cheap looking and the drive not very smooth, lacks the power I thought. While Mazda 3 is not the best but it definitely is smooth, probably the smoothest car to drive in its segment (according to me).
Try an Elantra GT Sport
I went with '18 Mazda 3 Touring (got it for $19k), after driving the Elantra GT Sport. Hated the exterior of the GT Sport, interior was okay, it was a good bit faster. Don't care about infotainment, only ever listen to podcasts/music on phone, and try to ignore phone while driving otherwise. Thought the 3 has better steering feel, more connection to the car in drivers seat.
Handling is great, fun to toss into corners, and won't be getting myself into trouble with a daily driver.
Also drove a Civic LX, and Si. The Si seats were terrible for me (I'm 6'1, 250). I only liked the new Civic styling on the coupes, after seeing them in person.
Bryan H So true Bryan, cornering is better than most cars I have driven (in it's price range) and the driver gets much better feel of the road while on the Mazda 3 steering. Elantra felt very disconnected and electronic.
I should add that Elantra GT sport had much better steering feel than the standard Elantra GT. But it still felt cheap IMO.
Bryan H I think that's what they meant when they said I should try a 'sport GT'. Anyway, bought one already, maybe next time I will.
Mazda 3 hands down! Purchased a 2018 184 hp last month. Besides not having car play, it’s an AWESOME car!
I have a 2018 Mazda 3 Sports GS with all the safety features and LEDs and as a first car it is absolute fun to drive and recommended as a first car 🤙🏻🤙🏻
Power is lower in the CX-3 than the MX-5 with the same base engine because Mazda probably used the engine management to make the torque curve peaks in a lower rpm in the CX-3 (146lbft@2800rpm) when compared to the MX-5 (148lbft@4600rpm). Customer from CX-3 will value more the lower rpm torque thereafter power at lower rpms (power=torque x rpm) while MX-5 customer tends to value more maximum power, where in natually aspirated engines managed to generate max peak torque ordinarily reaches out it's peak torque at higher rpms.
Ricardo Koslowsky I believe something like this to be the case. Thank you
Also, with a longitudinally oriented engine (Miata) the exhaust routing is less restrictive than with the transverse oriented engine in the CX-3.
not to mention the power loss through the awd system
Pete Nahn actually automakers publish engine power, so drivetrain losses shouldn’t affect the number they publish, but that’s in fact another reason to prioritize lower rpm peak torque curves in cx-3.
I have a 2014 3 2.5 GT and I love it. I still thing it looks great. I like how it drives. Modified the infotainment to still work as a touchscreen while in motion. Build quality is good. Complaints include above average road noise. Also sat in a 2017 mazda 3 and those seats are way more comfortable.
I've had a 2016 cx5 for a while now. Amazing experience so far. I cross shopped with CRV and rav4 and out of all them the Mazda felt much more alive and responsive and stayed much flatter through the corners. I have to say I partially disagree with both Jakub and Yuri on the infotainment. You really do get used to it and the central knob is a much better way to control things when on the move. The no touch while driving does suck sometimes as I've had passengers complain that they feel they can't operate it. Also ya I agree no android auto is unacceptable.
I work at a US Mazda dealership, and last year bought a Deep Crystal Blue CX3 GT AWD, just like your tester but with black interior. The HP/TQ ratings are lower in the CX3 because it has a smaller exhaust manifold than the 3 or MX5. I loved driving it, but seriously missed driving stick shift. So I just traded in the CX3 on a 2018 Machine Grey 3 hatch GT manual, just like your tester, but again with black interior. LOVE it much more than the CX3, handles way better, and the power from the 2.5 is plenty enough for me. It was just so weird to see your video pop up with my 2 cars in it, same colors and everything! Love your channel, keep up the good work!
Haha that's awesome
The dramatization of the lack of arm rest on the CX-3 really got me laughing. thank you for that well done guys
Henry Rios what dramatization. That was real. Not scripted ;-)
Nathan Scharf i fogot about the mini, I think I was ok with that one because I was shifting the whole time.
Have to admit that the CX-3 gets my vote in this comparison. Really think that it has pushed ahead of the CR-V and RAV4
The CX-3 is in the small, subcompact SUV class. It competes with other small crossovers like the Honda HR-V and Toyota C-HR. The CX-5 is Mazda's mid size SUV competitor to the CR-V and RAV4.
I really apreciate the video edit on the license so i don't have to image it
Oh yeah get that license plate under the grill
Or live in a state that doesn't require front license plates. Like Florida.
Angela R Bradford it’s also super dangerous, i used to do that but the more i think about it. if the airbag ever goes off you’ll have a sharp metal plate go through your head
i recently bought a 2016 cx3 simply because i fell in love with the look of them when they first came out. everyone in my family has a cx5, i personally have a first gen miata and an rx8. for the price point and the features and quality of interior on these cars it was an easy choice for me. cant wait to throw some lowering springs and some wheels on it, cheers!
Nice review!
Informative and opinionated.
I have a mazda6 GT and I love it. But I also understand everyone has differing opinions.
People talk lot about specs like HP and torque. But for some reason, after test driving the sub compact and midsize sedans, I enjoyed the Mazda handling best, power is fine.
I liked the Hyundai sonata and Elantra..but part of enjoying my car is looks. And the 6 Mazdas are beautiful and elegant looking to me. Exteriors and interiors..
(My gripes would super thin paint but that's another story)
My experience with infotainment is limited but after a week with the system, it's great. (My mom's Lexus infotainment system took me longer to get used to)
Just my two cents, keep up the good work!
For anyone who owns a Mazda, you can edit the infotainment system to make it touch while driving and changing the wallpaper and colors.
You can also add android auto!
Am I the only one that finds the infotainment is good? Bought a month ago my Mazda 3 sport, this is my first car. I don't have complains at all, love this baby.
What was your other car with infotainment
TheStraightPipes The M3 is my first car. Use to drive my sister's Subaru Legacy (2009) with a basic infotainment, so the one in the Mazda is great to me.
Family has a 2016 Mazda 3 and it’s fully loaded and we think it’s great. I don’t see really any problems with the car and neither does anyone who drives with us soooo. We coped it for under 20k so we got what we payed for and more.
Our family car is the Mazda CX-5 (soon the CX-8). We owned a Mazda 3 as our second car. I changed then to the CX-3, because it is more practical in Thailand. I very liked the Mazda 3, but it is too low for our roads. The CX-3 is smaller, indeed. But the passengers sit higher. My son prefers the higher seat position in the CX-3. Both cars are fun to drive and have enough real life power (don't look at the brochure figures).
but cx3 and 3 has same clearance around 150mm,why 3 is low?
I've been torn between these 2 cars for a very long time! This will be my first car and I'm gonna lease one of them with the intentions of getting that new SEXY mazda 6 in the near future..... saying I have to Disagree with you guys, I think mazda is KILLING it with design and have heavy hitters in almost every car segment. After watching this I'm still torn lol. I do agree with you guys saying the cx3 is for comfort and 3 is for back roads. Ugh this is such a hard decision! #youguysareawesome
I am going tru the same dilema,but after this video i think i am geting the cx 3,it looks cooler and is higuer,the space is just enought for me and its just beautiful,these dudes are crazy.
amorska11 I've been leaning towards the cx3 too, I live in NY so the AWD would defenetly be useful in the winter. But I also love to drive so that's why the 3 is desirable to me. Good to know I'm not the only one lol.
Never_nerve you will not be disappointed with the CX3 AWD. I’ve had mine for almost 2years now and I find it comfortable, and AWD does help in winter weather. I’m still loving mine and get lots of attention as not a lot of people have it in California.
2016 mazda sgt owner here .. the infotainment system is not that hard to get used to, but screw nav, I use my phone instead. Before the hyundai elentra GT came out, this car made the most sense for cheap repairs & interior space (unlike the Golf), an auto transmission (unlike the honda's CVT), and still good gas mileage while still being somewhat fun to drive((insert alternative sportier cars here). I'll upgrade to a new mazda or change cars if/when mazda integrates android auto and autonomous driving features improve and get cheaper.
Currently drive a base 2017 Mazda 3 2.0 with the 6mt. I actually really enjoy it, it’s pretty engaging and feels great to chuck into corners.
I have the 18 Mazda3 as tested in this video. The same colour, trim, everything. I cross shopped it against the Civic hatch and Elantra GT. I picked the Mazda for a couple reasons. Firstly it had the best warranty of the three. In comparison to the Civic hatchback, I preferred the driving dynamic of the Mazda. Specifically I didn’t like the CVT transmission in the Honda. Versus the Hyundai, I thought the Mazda had a much more premium interior. Specifically, the display in the Elantra GT was obnoxious. Although preference with respect to looks is largely subjective, the Elantra GT and Civic Hatch were subpar compared with the Mazda3 GT with the premium package. I will concede the infotainment in the Mazda is subpar compared to the rest, but that wasn’t a dealbreaker for me. Also, although not terrible in the Mazda, I suspect it sips more fuel than the Honda and the Hyundai.
The cx3 may have lower horsepower rating due to the AWD system. In my country the FWD and AWD options are offered with the same engine. The FWD version has a higher hp rating than the AWD version but peak torque is available early for the AWD version. I was considering the cx3 but I still went for the Mazda 3 and I'm very happy.
Again, another great video! We have the CX-3 and really dig it. As a hatch, it's a little compromised by its small size, and yes, lack of Apple CarPlay is just flat out dumb... supposed to be offered by Mazda soon. But this thing is fun and just sporty enough. Kinda reminds me of mid 90's Hondas. Nice design, simple, and just works.
ScottE5 how is the pickup? Is it slow getting on the highway?
It's never gonna pin you back in your seat, but it's satisfactory for on ramp and passing duty when applying full throttle.
Mazda 3 pre 2019 facelift, has timeless design. such a beautiful design. I prefer it over the new facelift
WHY ISNT STRAIGHTPIPES THE MOST SUBSCRIBED CAR CHANNEL YET
Abdullah Husain keep those numbers low!!!
Abdullah Husain because they’re so uncool with their comments.
It’s true, my mom is in love with her Mazda and just bought me the cx3. Great job on the review guys!!
Great honest review and spot on with the entertainment system...I never understood why Mazda kept that unit in their cars. I hope you guys get your hands on a new Mazda6 when it's released...looking forward to that review.
My mother owns a 2011 Mazda 3 2.0L with 162,000 km on it and she loves it we have never had any issues with it I actually really enjoy the fact that Mazda is sticking to naturally aspirated engines because they just seem to be more reliable and I find that the sound system is actually pretty good on them but you guys are great keep up the good work.
i dont understand you guys complain about the mzd.. you dont need to look at the controller and volume knob.. its just like a computer mouse.. you never look at it and you dont put it next the screen..
Other systems are better, even with the knob
I do own a mazda cx-3. I really like it... i have now over 40000km on it and had no problem with it so far. I love the fact that it's so economic on gaz and it's fun to drive. I live in New Brunswick and i did a couples of trips to Montreal and Quebec and did find it comfortable enough for does trips. But where is really shine, is definitely on does little back roads. :)
In my opinion, the Mazda 6 is far more attractive than the SUVs. That is an incredibly attractive sedan. Those swooping front fenders are just absolutely gorgeous.
And you can turn traction control off fully. Stability control does not turn off though. So it’ll spin the tires in a straight line all day(did it in a 2017 Mazda 6 Sport, manual) but as soon as you turn the wheel or kick it sideways the electronics kick in. Either way, great review. Love both these cars, Mazda builds some great cars.
i have a 2017 Mazda 3 in snowflake white pearl mica and i love it!!! i have to say that i do like the center console because when you close the cupholder compartment the armrest is quite long, and it is easy to shift while resting your arm in it. Also, the shifter is good, steering is sporty and i just love the looks
I have the 2018 mazda3 GT with premium package and the infotainment is lacking. slow loading navigation on start up. but the premium bose sound system is good. I like the heated steering wheel and front seats. the adaptive front headlights are cool. it is very sporty to drive even though it is not fast. it's somehow very pleasing to push the mazda 3 around corners as the suspension has a nice balance of a smooth ride during normal driving, yet firm enough under hard cornering. I have the automatic with paddle shifters. I pretty much leave it in auto mode since the shifts has a delay when you use the paddle shifters. but it is nice when you can set up cornering and lane changes where you can down shift and set it up before hand. I get an average 35 MPG. it has a sport mode which really livens up the car by shifting later and holding on to higher revs. it also makes the car more punchier from going from a stand still by making the throttle more responsive. the normal mode is sluggish but it does so to keep fuel mileage high. the car is very quiet under normal city street driving but the cabin does get louder as you go in the highway. the engine sound is almost not there in normal mode but under sport mode you really hear the engine (which has a nice tone) as it revs up higher and keeps it up there too to make the engine more responsive.
sparkymike83 did you ever cross shop against the civic hatch sport touring? I am and have a hard time picking between the two. I love how both drive because both drive pretty similar. The Civic however has more space then the mazda but the mazda has more features like a heated steering wheel and blind spot monitoring. I'm just thinking should I give up those features in favor or more space and a turbo in the civic?
i used to have 2014 2-liter iGrand touring Mazda3 and i loved it! the info system wasn't perfect, no apple car and android auto but it was fine for the time and so easy to get used to. i never used the touchscreen and didn't have any trouble with the joystick controller, in fact now i find the cars that u have to have to do everything on the touchscreen uncomfortable and unsafe.
i don't like some of restyled changes though: the e-brake, armrest area and what they did with headlights/grill trim connection.
As soon as Yuri pointed out the license plate placement on the Mazada3, I noticed it whenever i see one on the road lol...and it's definitely annoying.
Totally. That’s why every modded new Mazda 3 has a side plate and looks better
If I end up getting one, I''ll definitely move it to the side or lower it, if that's possible.
I bought a 2015 mazda3 on the last week of 2017. I bought it because I wanted to learn to drive manual and the Mazda got hella good reviews on their manual transmissions. The infotainment sucks, but there's an easy android auto hack. The seats aren't great for a tall driver. It's fun to drive and it holds a lot of stuff. Keep making great videos!
What's the point of getting a Mazda if it doesn't have a soul red colour!?
Funny enough the soul red actually looks a lot worse in person
Adam K
I got mine in liquid metal silver. To me it looks baddass. Red calls a little too much attention
soul red is the standard iconic mazda colour just like blue is subarus.
soul red is also the most expensive colour, and its the most popular aswell but because red mazdas are pretty much the only mazdas you see its also boring, if you want to stand out red is not it, titanium flash is much cooler.
i got my Mazda 3 in snowflake white pearl mica and i love it! (the paint is annoyingly thin tho)
I ended up with a black one (jet black mica) simply because I was replacing a car that had been written off and it was the only manual sport GT with technology package they had in stock within the next couple of weeks. Would've much rather had the soul red, but couldn't have gone without the car.
Love the honesty and opinions you guys have in your reviews. Agree on all your points and happy to hear there is no pandering to a brand just because a car was provided by the manufacturer. Thank you guy!
Thanks!
Blake swan mazda hater .😂😂
The Cx-9 with that sweet sweet 2.5 Turbo is the best Mazda outside of the Miata
Infotainment just kills the deal for me...I'll have to go elsewhere...
I switch to mazda3 2018 for a week (minor change just released last month)as a result of not having cx3 (minor change to be released soon)delivered to me after waiting for several weeks. Anyway, I am happy with it, both interior design and driving experience.
I've been waiting on a comparison for a VARY long time.
I test drove a cx5 last year. Found the interior to be really nice, but the fun to drive factor exaggerated by reviewers. In the end, got a forester xt for almost the same price with a much better awd, 50% more power and it's just silly fun in snowstorms 👌🏻
I've become in love with Mazdas recently, There's just something that attracts me to it.
Long-time subscriber here. I really appreciate how much work you guys do in all of these videos. I recently was cross shopping the 2018 Subaru Impreza and Crosstrek, and I think it would be an interesting pairing with this video. The Subarus are about the same price/power, but they really put their engineering budget in different places than the Mazdas. Plus you could try the offroad mode in the Crosstrek. Thanks for all you do!
I have 2014 3 stick before they removed the armrest. Not having one would almost be a deal breaker...
I'm in a weird spot. My next car purchase will be for a daily and I still don't know if I'll go fun hatch with a manual or just say "screw it, traffic here is terrible enough" and go for a nice, squishy cruiser.
That's actually the reason why I stopped daily driving my RX8. And the whole 11mpg in town thing.
Which is why I found this channel. You seem to be the only ones going in depth with _normal_ cars. I'm sure I'm not the only one that really appreciates that.
I like the looks of the mazda 3 sedan and cx-3 over the mazda 3 hatch. I don't like the long hood or sloping roofline on the hatch, but really like the long hood and curves on the sedan which stands out from other compact sedans. Cx-3 is just really cute and you have to see it in person to get a feel for that. Like you guys said, Mazdas are mature looking cars which is something I prefer. In addition, the Mazda badge just looks good compared to a lot of the competition, and FWIW is something I notice more than headlights and taillights (sorry Yuri).
For the mazda 3 infotainment, I actually like the positioning and use of the dial and volume knob. I could hack the system to allow to use the screen while driving, but I wouldn't use that anyway. I haven't tuned radio stations since I programmed 7 of them to the favorites button and I mostly don't even need that (just press skip on steering wheel which lets me skip between my favorites). I don't use satellite radio so that's not a problem; I use spotify premium through my phone instead. Carplay doesn't have Spotify or Google Maps integration yet, so Apple Carplay being available, it still wouldn't work exactly how I want it to. Everything else (texting/phone/nav/podcasts) works well enough with a combination of the car's infotainment and Siri through bluetooth/usb. About the zooming on the nav, I prefer to have it set on the advanced 2D setting which auto zooms in and out, and 90% of the time I don't have to use the zoom function, but even then it's just one extra click and you can use a wheel to zoom which is much better than trying to pinch with your fingers on a screen.
Interior wise, I do think the major daily annoyance/possible deal breaker part of the Mazda 3 is the cupholder. That is something you never not notice, and is never not a problem. As for the armrest, I mostly have both hands on the wheel at all times, sometimes rest my arm on my thigh, but even arm on the armrest isn't uncomfortable to the point of noticing it. Otherwise, I really like the interior.
Given my budget, the mid-level trim Mazda 3 was the car I found most attractive, with the most features, without too many compromises that would make me regret the car.
lawfence11 👍🏻
Yall are unique and entertaining! This vid caught my attention because I recently purchased a mazda3 touring hatchback. Despite the fact that I was pissed when they came out with the refreshed GORGEOUS 2019s, I still am in love with this car. Ive owned mid-sized to full sized trucks, s.u.vs, crossovers, muscle cars and a couple of compact cars from both import and domestic brands. Im 41 years old now and with all of my experiences with the automotive industry, I can confidently say that the most impressive, reliable and most fun vehicles ive had were my 2009 mazda cx9 and my current 2018 mazda3. Buuuuuuuuut...........mazda needs to bring back the mazdaspeed ASAP before the become known as mazdaslow. Great vidz yall!!
I bought a 2018 Mazda 3 Sport GS three months ago in Deep Crystal Blue Mica. While I agree that the infotainment is dated, I still enjoy the rest of the car has to offer. even without Apple Carplay/Android Auto (Mazda said it's coming soon). 👌
Raphael Cuyugan thats awful in 2018
I bought a 2016 Mazda 3 GT, 2.5, auto, hatchback two years ago, in Blue Reflex Mica, with black leather interior. I love the car. The infotainment was rated at the time by reviewers across the board to be one of the easiest to use, most intuitive infotainment systems on the market. It took very little time for me to get acquainted with it, and I still have no complaints with it's function and usability, even though it seems that infotainment systems are evolving on almost a daily basis. I know that some people are concerned about lack of Apple/Android compatability, but in all honesty, I couldn't care less about that interface. The Nav works fine, the satellite radio works fine, I have over 2k songs loaded on a USB stick in the USB port, and there's literally nothing that bothers me about the infotainment system. I do a lot of driving in the city and didn't want a manual transmission, and I can't stand CVTs, and the auto in the Mazda is a very slick and responsive transmission. I drove most of the competitors at the time for comparison, and the Mazda was the clear choice for me.
Does Mazda say that Apple Carplay and android auto is coming for 2018 and 2019 model mazda's? I'm thinking about getting a Cx-3 and would love to have an update for apple carplay.
Last year I have tested 5 different cars in Mazda 3 category and Mazda was the only car I felt instantly connected with. It has its drawbacks like the armrest, slow infotainment (but I use only Spotify over BT so I don't care much), it's louder in high speeds and the outlook could be better. But man, it's so much fun to drive and to look at. Also the interior feels great, shifting is a breeze and I enjoy every corner of the road. I drive a lot more expensive company cars but I still enjoy my Mazda the most and wouldn't change it for different brand,only for Mazda 6 😀
Also you can add Android Auto support trough MZD AIO tweaks app. I got it working with no issues but I don't use it anyway.
Mazda 3 better bang for your buck, but CX-3 looks cooler
Enjoyed your review, guys. Have a 2010 Mazda3 GT sedan & though I've never loved the exterior, I LOVE the way the car handles. It's a super fun car to drive, sticks the curves, & has plenty of zoom for the average driver. Am now looking into getting a certified 2018 M3GT hatchback. Not a huge fan of the long front-end & grill (prefer snub-nose look), but the bang for the buck & having a fun & peppy drive is what keeps me loyal. Was glad to read a comment somewhere in here that the white paint was really thin...good to know before I sign any paperwork.
I gave it a thumbs up after watching for four minutes.
What did you like the most in those 4 minutes
TheStraightPipes the sound editing in the first 22 seconds, and the way you are looking at each other while each driving solo, and giving the dog the deciding vote of which model to enter first. Also noticed silent anticipation of the Weathertech style floor mats.
Haha awesome!
I was on the point of giving it a thumbs down after a minute, and it didn't really improve. Irritating presenters.
i subscribed after 30 seconds. these guys gonna blow up in subs soon, great quality content.
I totally agree with the infotainment being unpractical, its so frustrating to use and why the no apple car play and android auto. and Finally someone agrees that the Mazdas don't look nice. The drive and handling is good though but for some reason it throws you around a little more.
First time in 30 some years of life that I've heard someone say mazda that way. That's crazy.
Jeramy Gordy I think most Canadians pronounce Mazda the same way
I leased a new 2015 Mazda 3 (sedan) and liked it, it drove like a much more premium car. I traded that car in for a BMW 3 series, which was totoled. So I looked at going cheaper since we had our first child on the way. I purchased a new Mazda 6 this past year and have almost no complaints. Manual transmissions are the way to go and thankfully Mazda still offers them on at least the touring trim in the States. Some of the best looking interior and exteriors amongst cars above their class. Driving dynamics to compliment the looks!
Regarding infotainment....not to mention that Mazda got into a dispute with the US traffic vendor around 2 years ago and all their new non Tom Tom based navigation systems have not had traffic data since. We’ve owned 2 CX-5’s since, including a 2017. Out of our 3 cars, I use my phone all the time since the system is garbage for living in the New York City area. My other cars I’ll leave the map zoomed out with traffic displayed. They basically mimicked an iDrive system and took every bad thing about it and nothing good. Ironically you can now touch the screen on the iDrive ALL THE TIME. That’s my other pet peeve on this system. Try inputting anything stopped at a light. Once you start moving, you can’t type anything. You move up 10 feet, and the system will lock out the screen. You stop again and it disappears and you have to start over. Last, when you finally do input something it asks you 10 times if that is what you want then you get a 10 second count down which you can override. I’m not changing course on the space shuttle, I don’t need a million confirmations. My other vehicles will just simply change or start a route. It’s okay Mazda, I won’t drive into a lake if I start up the wrong destination, but what I will do is miss my first turn or not no where to go while I’m asked 10 times for confirmation and wait for a 10 second countdown.
I have a 10 year old car and never gave the infotainment alot of attention compared to other features.
But now thanks to Yuri its something I now think about.
Mazda 6 vs CX-5 please!
Not too sure what the point of that would be. One is a crossover, the other is a sedan. They use pretty much identical drive trains, so it would basically be a comparison of a same brand crossover to a sedan. When the new Mazda6 turbo comes out, sometime soon, I'd like to see it compared to the turbo Accord and V6 Camry.
Cx3 has less power due to constricted space in the engine bay. In turn, it has a more restrictive flowing exhaust manifold.
This guy's don't know how to use the infotainment system.
Denver Cayle Ong we know. We just don’t like it.
I have an '05 Mazda 3s 5-door (hatchback) purchased new. I cross shopped the '05 Civic Si (3-door hatch: too small for passengers or cargo) and the '05 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart (4-door: didn't feel as peppy, didn't have the cargo capacity of the Mazda 3). The 5-speed manual in my Mazda makes it fun to drive, but it definitely would benefit from a true highway cruising gear as I often find myself at 3800+ RPMs and don't get very good mileage. Otherwise, no major complaints in 12+ years of ownership.
Mazda 3 grand touring owner here
Android Auto can be added
I love the new mazdas! We own a cx5 2016 and my wife and all my friends always telling us they love how it looks both inside and outside. Plus it handles great and fuel economy is ok. We love it doesn't have cvt sputid transmission that you forgot to mention on your video. Before we bought it we were looking for a compact suv and we saw all of them from kia, hyundai, Ford, chevy, Toyota, jeep and at the end we prefer our cx5 over the rest.
Rex should start his own channel
urangostang the Rex and Willy show? That's my cat. They like to play
Fantastic a thorough review. Im actually buying a Mazda 3 SP25 GT BN now even more confident after this video. Well done guys
What you guys think about CX-9? I love mine, the 2.5T is an awesome engine
2018 cx9 gt. We love it other than the fact that I own about 100 cds and there is no disc player.
Im from Portugal and i am a Straight Pipes subscriber. I have a 2016 cx3...but with diesel engine 1.5D and frontwheel drive...i love the car. Very beautiful car, great design and excelent mecahnics.
Best regards. Vitor
Awesome. Hello from Canada
Review the CX-5 too
I have the predecessor of the Mazda 3 (2009 - 2013). I really like it. It is not the most premium car but it is really reliable and it has many features for a relativly low price.
MAHZDA
Small Town Loner They just kept saying it...raping my ears.
We say it the way Mazda Canada commercials say it. Like here at 23 seconds th-cam.com/video/AJ71Td5OyTM/w-d-xo.html
Apparently the japanese way of pronouncing it is ma-zu-da th-cam.com/video/3l8xFCLB1m8/w-d-xo.html
I listened to that clip a couple times and she does say maz-da, just with a bit of inflection past the zed.
yea the mazda's owner name is matsuda and apparently thats how its pronounced
My brother purchased his 2016 Mazda 3 2.0L in 2015. It's a fantastic car, especially with respect to the inputs. Throttle and brake pedal are not overly-sensitive and very progressive. Steering is sharp and not artificially heavy. The infotainment is okay, but it hasn't really been an issue for him.
At the time, there was nothing better for the price. Corolla, Civic and Elantra were all meh. Plus, he's very tall and it's the only car he could get comfortable in. Now that the competition has caught up, it does feel a generation behind. I hope their next Mazda 3 lives up to my expectations.
Great job guys, amazing!! Always making good reviews and comparison between good rivals. I honestly like the Mazda3, it´s better, looks bigger and the important is that costs less money. Keep doing those videos guys!!!
The center console of the new Mazda3/6 is totally fine by me. It looks awesome, very high-end (IMO) and I have no problem using the sides that along the cupholder area to rest my arm. It's the exterior looks of the 3 that are long in the tooth at this point.The CX-3 on the other hand still looks great. While the optional CX-3 arm rest (which used to be standard up until 2018) ends up blocking the cup holders when in use, it's still worth every penny, and should have been kept as standard equipment.
You guys complain about how distracting the infotainment is, but also complain that it doesn’t have a super distracting thing like apple carplay and android auto? Be more serious and impartial about your reviews. As a two and a half year owner of a 2016 CX5, if you use RIGHT the system, is not distracting.
As a proud owner of a CX5, you don't sound like you're being very impartial. This infotainment is distracting to us. We've tested/reviewed hundreds of different cars. Apple CarPlay and Android auto make things significantly less distracting because of their consistency between systems.
That’s the thing guys, I’m not a reviewer, so I don’t have to be impartial. I recommend that you see, if you haven’t already, Tom Vaulk from Driven and Alex on Autos for some very impartial reviews . I’ve talk to some people at Mazda and seen a lot of interviews as to why they don’t put AA or AC, and it’s because it distracts people from driving. Besides all this, I actually enjoyed the video and I’m gonna follow you from now on
Great comparison. I've just got the Cx3, UK version. Great little car. Small annoying things, no central arm rest, no front parking sensor or sun roof in sport spec.