For anyone watching this looking to buy one. Do it! I have a 2015 with 170,000 miles. 1000 miles a week over hard mountain roads. Amazing driving, Zero problems with regular maintenance.
Same dude! My friend has a 2015 he drives in Mexico and beats it up, has 200k miles on it, only thing he has changed are shocks! I fell in love with Mazda 3 I bought one 2 years ago it’s a 2018 beautiful red car drives amazing and super fast! Barely got 28k kilometers on it!
I also like how Mazda's 4 cylinders sound. They sound refined but still have a slight rawness and passion. Especially compared to Hyundais and Nissans which sound completely like vacuum cleaners.
The HUD for me is one of the best features of the interior. If you set it up properly with your driving position it becomes something you almost can't drive without. Coming from a 2015 sGT
I like the HUD a lot. I did a 1600 mile trip and found it very useful. I could always tell what speed I was going, what the cruise was set on and what my next turn was and I never had to look down. I honestly think it's pretty necessary because the digital speedometer is so far down in the gauge cluster.
With how far down you have to look to look at the hud I don’t really find it useful at all, might as well look at the speedometer at that point. I retrofitted CarPlay into my 2015 because I’m not paying to have the built in maps updated, so the next turn doesn’t show up on the HUD. All that shows is the speed and cruise control, and that’s already there.
Gabriel Chavarria how’s the shifter now Gabe? I just bought a brand new 2018 GT sedan and the shifter feel is crap compared to my fiesta ST prior. Thought the 6mt was the bread and butter of Mazda. I say it’s junk.
Just got the same one two months ago! Compared to the shifter on my 2010 2.5L VW Jetta 5 speed, it's a dream to drive. Way smoother. I do feel like the clutch engagement point is a little muddy, lots of "extra" room on the clutch, but now that I've gotten the hang of it I have no complaints and can row through the gears much quicker than my VW. My only previous experience with Mazda was a 1992 Mazda Miata I owned 13-14 years ago, and to this day I still miss that car like crazy. Would love to see the "speed" line make a comeback soon!
You know, here in europe I wish we could even get a 155hp petrol version that is considered "slow" by a lot of americans. All we get here is a 2.0/120hp petrol or 2.2 diesel with 155hp. There's even a 1.5l/110hp..... I just don't get it, it's not really going to be that much more economic by reducing hp down to 120hp on a 2.0l engine. I'm not the kind of person who needs a 2.5l / 184hp but for the love of god, at least give us a "reasonable" 155hp version of the 2.0l version. This is just dumb saving, beyond reasonable in fuel ecomonic savings, you kill a lot of the fun for sake of a very marginal at best saving (I bet it's barely noticeable).
Andreas Cederberg I never understood this either, what's the deal? I assumed that that was based on the buyers habits in the area or something, but every time I see that I feel bad for you guys, although to make you feel better we have to pay sales tax on every car purchase
Just got a low mileage 2018 Mazda 3 GT hatch 6 speed and absolutely love it. After watching your review of the 2019, I really would've liked the AWD and interior improvements, but unsure if I would've given up the 6 speed manual for those benefits. I'm in upstate NYS so the AWD would've been a game changer during the winter months, but I'm typically fine with FWD and keep top quality snow tires on all of my cars.
polaris911 mine is 2006. previous owner got into a serious accident and it has some problems but the engine works perfectly and i always enjoy driving mine. much better than my bros 2006 civic and my dads 2014 civic lol
yes.but in europe we don't really care about petrol engines. It's like a secret myth for us or something out of the greek mythology . We apreciaste diesels here...
hmm well as simon says [pun intended haha] not all of europe. in netherlands most cars i saw were either a hybrid, petrol or electric. People are really into hybrids or electrics because of all the benefits. SO much that you see tesla taxis
I just traded in my 2011 Mz3iT 2.0L 5spd sedan for the 2017 Touring HB 2.5L 6-spd manual. I can't believe how good this car is. Yup...it's a bit shy in rear leg room, not as much total cargo capacity as some, maybe not quite as quiet...But, this thing is QUICK. Unfortunately, I do have that ill-designed speedo/tach, which was MUCH better in my previous 3 cars. I got a terrific end of year deal as well as a loyalty discount. For what I paid, this is a tremendous amount of car for the $. I also own a 2013 Corvette Z06 and I enjoy driving this Mazda nearly as much. In some cases, even more. Especially in very heavy traffic. Plus, I'm getting even better economy than I got with the 2011 2.0L!! This 2017 T has a butter smooth ride, feels very sophisticated and with a super real connection to the road I've felt only in my Z06. Even more so, in some cases. And, the Touring has 90-95% of the GT's features. A bit less leather (I do like the leatherette used-simple cleaning maintenance and it's grippy and comfy to the touch), no LED lights, no i-eloop (TG!!)...No Bose (really, who cares?-Most car audio sucks, anyway)..And, TG, no pop up HUD! My 2017 Mz3THB is just pure driving pleasure. Oh->And the WeatherTech mats I got cover about 50% of the dead pedal. So maybe it'll help with some of that wear mentioned. I soon plan on getting a dedicated winter wheel package (had one with the 2011-Makes a HUGE difference)...And whilst I'm at it, get the OEM rims some REAL tires. Michelins or Continentals or maybe the new Firestone Indys. The Dunlop Sport 5000 Ms it comes with SUCK!!! The only truly cheap thing on this car, imho. Once this car has real tires, this thing is going to handle and brake with the best, I think...Great tires will drop 0-60 time, improve braking distances, transient behavior, reduce FWD understeer, etc. Looking forward to making this great driving car even better...
I just bought a 2018 3 GT and that’s one of the first things I noticed, it’s really fun to drive, has a lot of pep for a smallish 4-cyl engine, and the ability to manual shift the auto transmission with the paddle shifters keeps it fun and works well, is very responsive. Fuel efficiency seems good as well, and compared to the Ram 1500 Classic 5.7L I just got rid of, it’s amazing on gas lol!! My new (to me) Mazda 3 GT has the nice wheels, 2.5L but not the leather and heads up display, I agree that’s kind of cheesy and not a great design, kind of glad my sedan didn’t come with that feature. So far I love this vehicle, and glad I didn’t go with my other option at the time of a Corolla with a tiny 1.8L engine (or what ever is in those things) Will see how it handles in the upcoming winter weather here in Southern Ontario Canada, I’ve already got winter tires and wheels set up and ready to pop onto this car when the time is right. Happy with this car so far.
bought the 2016 model and apart from hand break and minor other differences I'm very very happy about the feeling I get when taking my car to a curvy road
Thanks for all your fantastic real world reviews. Very educational and insightful segments that are immensely underrated. One vehicle that I would enjoy seeing on this channel is the Focus ST. I enjoyed all the constructive criticism on the RS and would appreciate an ST review. Cheers mate
Just traded my 15 GTI for this car for reliability reasons 😔 absolutely love this car... Not as peppy but it has great drive ability and is still pretty damn fun to drive.
Lenny Schorer couldn’t pull the trigger on a GTI. It seems like the check engine light is on from the moment it gets delivered brand new to the dealer. Intake manifolds, fuel pumps, so many liabilities- but obviously a superior daily driving experience if you can keep it on the road. That said, my paid off Honda Fit was totaled, and a ‘17 grand touring S hatch is happening this week. Thanks for solidifying my choice.
@@pretty.noodles3540 Right on. It's an amazing car and I miss it. I don't miss the mechanical and maintenance "anxiety" though. Good luck to you and enjoy 👍
Did you consider anything else? I'm considering used options (manual if possible, decent power/sporty, comfortable) and the 16-17 GLI is maybe less prone to problems than the GTI [but, I know, not a hatch and not the newer MQB platform]. Am attracted to Mazda3 for all the available options, engaging dynamics, and better reliability rep, but haven't driven one yet. [Other maybes: '18 Golf SE 1.8T 5MT, 16-17 A3 (no manual)].
@@evang3943 I ended up not liking the power (lack thereof, really) of the Mazda3 and grabbed a '18 Fiesta ST and holy shit, is it fun to drive. My major gripe is that it's a smaller hatch regarding cargo space, everything else has been exceptional. Performance, handling, fuel economy, PURE FUN. I think it was just under $16k for one with 11k miles. It rips. At least test one out.
I just bought my daughter a 2014 touring 3 for her first car. She has a passion for cars and driving so this was pretty much the only choice on the market in our price range. Thanks for sharing this video and the video on your old Mazda 3.
She loves it. She got spoiled driving my old E90 3 series so she knows a little about driving dynamics and is happy to have something that is more dynamic than my wife's Accord. I am happy she enjoys driving.
I personally like the dry presentation. Even though it's a little dry with turbowski, it just seems real and unscripted. Your production values are fantastic, and your attention to detail is without compare. Subscribed.
This is awesome. Great job describing the vehicle's ability in the snow. That's soemthing all of us in the Mid-West need to know about, and few car presenters offer any insight.
Thank you so much for uploading this!! I've been waiting for this one for a long time! Needed your opinion on it. Excellent review as always. Keep up the great work!
Another great review! My friend just got this car in California. I never knew the weather could be so harsh in the Mid-West. Look at the layer of salt! That really can damage cars!
BrokenKingpin IMHO, the only view of the Mazda3 hatch that doesn't quite work is where the roof goes into the hatchback from a fairly high, looking down, front three quarter view. It looks a bit boxy and just somehow doesn't match the otherwise sleek, sexy lines. The same angle view but a bit lower works, just not that higher view, for me at least. But it didn't stop me buying one.
Crosshead1 would you recommend buying the 3? I had an '04 6S and loved it for 11 years. Now I'm deciding on a 6, a 3 or q Civic hatch. Had a CX-5 but I don't like my dealers service crew and not sure I want to deal with them anymore. Shadiest service advisors I've ever dealt with.
Just purchased 2018 Hatchback GT,2.5 liter great car! Bose system leather, decent power with great gas milage,with a 5 years unlimited milage warranty with winter tires throw in for $ 34,500. @ 72 month 0%. Best car for under $35K Canadian
Excellent in depth review! Thanks, in part, to you I bought a '17 Mazda 3 GT to go with my '14 MX-5 Club. I'm a very lucky man who, for 10 years, owned a '92 Acura NSX in CA. No, the Mazdas don't quite compare to that amazing car but I retired to Honolulu 10 years ago and I knew that I'd never get the NSX out of 2nd gear here - so I sold it before moving here. ... Regrets? I've had a few.
Regardless, sorry for keep repeating myself but I love your format, don't change anything, you'll get subscribers, you'll go viral on jalopnik or something and get the credit you deserve. I don't even care if I like the car in question I'm happy to watch a 30 minute video on it because I'm actually learning something and that's not usually the case. I guess here's where Scott would make fun of me and say I got a SavageGeese tattoo on my back
Here in the U.K. I drive a 2015 2.0l auto & it's great!It turns heads over here because every one lusts after the boring boxy panzer tanks in Europe.On my third Mazda now with no issues on any of them. Stylish & reliable.zoom Zoon!!!
I may be alone in that I like the pre-refresh model better. I like having a real handbrake and I like the red stitching. The carbon fiber and gloss black don't bother me at all, but I'm one of those people that constantly cleans their car anyway.
i love mazda so much, i have two, one for my wife and one for me. I've driven many cars, and its hard to beat mazda when it comes to fun, reliable and cheap. I own a 95 miata and a 14 mazda 5. Too bad the mazda 5 was not succesful here in America. It came with a manual transmission. And the steering feel is amazing. WAYYY better than many "sports" cars like the new current mustang, etc and I grew up in a toyota/bmw family
I agree with you that this is the best compact out there right now, but man i love so many things that you hate. I had a 2014 w the HUD and now a 2016 base. One of the things i miss most is the HUD and how well it worked for displaying speed to keep eyes up as well as Nav turns. And scott just loves to hate Mazda...The body lines are like nothing else. Closest in looks is Infiniti FX line. I quickly bought my 2016 because all the 2017 updates didnt appeal to me. The front grille def took a step back. I like the sharper edges on the 16's and not the new rounded off look. The 2.0 is plenty quick compared to my previous 2.5 and def not gonna complain about my 39avg mpgs. Its the perfect all around daily.
Depends on your priorities. The Mazda 3 will take care of you (the driver) very well, but it falls short on almost everything else compared to competitors. The Impreza offers AWD; which is rare in the segment. The Impreza also offers significantly more space and practicality. Styling aside, the Impreza has one of the best views out of the car. The Mazda 3 is in a way over-designed that visibility is compromised. Mr. Mazda fanboy upstairs will sell you on "fun to drive" blah blah, but you'd need to consider your needs in a car. Again, Mazda leads the competition in driving dynamics, but they lack on-the-road refinement. On the surface they look elegant, but they still feel cramped and their NVH mitigation isn't quite there yet (although efforts have been made to improve said area).
Yes, but the gap between the competition is closer than fanboys suggest. If a Mazda 3's handling is 10/10, then the Civic Sport would be a 8.5 or 9. A Golf would be 9 or 10. A Civic SI or Golf GTI would be 10 or 11. On the other hand, Mazda loses considerably in functionality and refinement for its class. There's more to it in a car than being "fun to drive" nowadays. IMO, the truly fun Mazda 3 to drive is the 2.5L GT. The 2.0L is underwhelming and crass. With relatively high price point of the GT, the winner of the compact segment just isn't that black and white. PS: (No offense) but a lot of drivers who praise the Mazda 3 also came from boring, outdated econo-boxes like previous gen Corolla, Civic, or Cruze or whatnot. Of course the improvement will feel drastic. Don't get me wrong, Mazda 3s are still excellent vehicles, but they aren't the second coming of Jesus in the auto industry.
Dan Marshall I would only get the mazda 6 touring anyways as it's made in Japan which is a big deal for me . In compact I would probably get a Honda Civic. For midsize I would get Accord, Mazda 6, or Subaru legacy
savagegeese, outstanding. Thank you..I'm enamored with the idea of over 500HP, & over 460TQ from a factory stock tiny 2.9 Liter Twin Turbocharged V6 in an AWD platform
Savage, Thank you for this road test and honest unbiased opinion of the Mazda 3, very surprisong from a USA guy. I came accross this on a search for a test as I am considering buying one in Thailand. Unfortunately it looks as though you can only get a 6 speed automatic in Thailand and I will only drive manual because I am from Europe and drive cars.
Is there an update? How has it been since you've bought it? An issues? I love that there's a reviewer in the mid-west so we can get true to life review.
Wow, the amount of road salt you have is crazy. I live in Finland so I get snow and ice too, but mostly they try to minimize the use of salt here. I think only roads with heavy truck traffic or some bad hills are salted whole winter through. Other roads are only salted when it's especially slippery (like when it's been warm and wet and then the temperature drops to freezing).
Agree! A couple of points. First, the auto in the manual mode will upshift and kick-down, thus, overriding the operator's intentions. Second, while Mazda 3 is very attractive in driving dynamics, it is lacking in financial incentives. At least in my experience, I was not able to get anything attractive financially in the car that I wanted with a stick and a specific options' list; neither financing, not leasing. And then there is depreciation. This car seems to be losing more value faster comparing to other better brands. Third, Mazda's dealers are the biggest spoil for the brand. Every time I dealt with one, they made me feel bad about buying the car. Maybe it has to do with the fact that the dealers are also VW or Ford dealers. Maybe. Just my two cents.
Good review and thanks for taking it out in the snow. I live in a very snowy part of Canada and fair weather reviews from the sunny southern US, hell even sunny reviews from Canadian reviewers, don't really give me an idea of how the car might behave in poor conditions. Loved that you include a look at the undercarriage as well.
Weren't there always a few slight differences between the sedan interior and the hatch interior? The sedan interior always seemed like it was modeled after the Mazda 6.
Hunter Dugas I don't think my friend's 5 door Mazda 3 has that part in the center stack that slides back, instead it has exposed cup holders and a parking brake.
Taxen the lower spec models still have the manual handbrake, at least here in Australia. Higher spec get the new, and much improved, interior. I just bought one (SP25GT, like your S Grand Touring). I love it.
Hm it's not the same case over here in Sweden. We have different kind of specs however ranging from Core, Vision, VisionPlus and Optimum whereas all of them have the new interior. It does however sound really weird that the lower trim levels do not get the new interior. That's a huge extra cost for production and manufacturing. Edit: Our lowest trim seems to up par with your Touring trim.
22:16 I don't get something about the center console. If you look at it, you see a vertical divider on the driver's side, preventing driver's knee from finding some extra space. On the passenger's side it's missing, so the passenger gets the benefit of extra knee space, but the driver who needs it, doesn't. This is the exact reverse of BMW 3 series. Why would Mazda do it this way? I am 6-3 btw, and this is a curse in many modern cars. Older compacts have better driving ergonomics for taller drivers that mid-size cars today. It's maddening. Very good review, btw.
+mountainhobo Thank you and yes I notice it, but for large part I forgive it because the last gen Mazda3 drivers right leg area was ao intrusive it was, absurd. Its about on par with other vehicles. But there is more right leg room in Elantra and new Civic for sure. Might be the way they had to design the tunnel on the car.
+savagegeese +mountainhobo - glad you raised this piont. I hope this isn't a deal breaker for me because I'm really sold on this car. The vertical divider concerns me as well for a different reason. I have pretty bad sciatica in my right leg. Currently I drive a 1994 Subaru Legacy where there is a lot of room to move your right leg, notably on the floor. Whenever I fly I alway sit in a "C" aisle set so I can move my right leg. It its constrained (can't stretch it out), it's a problem (have to take Advil or more). The vertical divider on this care doesn't really affect the room on the floor itself to the right of the console, but it is nevertheless constraining. And moving my knee to the right helps. That said, compared to the CX-3 though, there is more room to move your leg to the right towards the console. More floor room. The 1" of extra width on the Mazda 3 may have something to do w/this. re: "Might be the way they had to design the tunnel on the car,", can you elaborate? I guess the CX-3 is even more challenging in this respect, providing even less rightward space next to the console.
I looked at the 2017 Civic. I don't see a lot of difference. Maybe a little at the margins. BTW I just leased a 2017 fully loaded Mazda 3 GT in machine gray. The lack of space to stretch out my right (sciatic) leg bothers me, but I knew that going in. All cars have taken over this area due to the larger console and Infotainment. On my 1994 Subaru which I was driving until yesterday, I could stretch my right leg way into the console area. But adapt we must.
Savage, I think you got the explaining of the G vector control backwards in your video. By reducing torque. the weight gets shifted fwd which increases the turn-in. I think your explanation was backward, but I could be wrong. BTW, huge fan. Keep 'em coming. -retired F16 pilot.
+Ben Dover Hey Ben, thanks. Probably fudged some words in my explanation, but yes you are correct reduction of tq by .05Gs transfers weight on front wheels to improve turn in, grip and supposedly reduce the amount of movement in cabin but its very hard to express and feel it. Its a "feature" Id hate to explain to a customer trying to buy the car.
Not gonna lie, I kinda regret not waiting for the 2017 mid cycle refresh. I ended up buying a 2016 SGT a year and change ago. But this one sounds like a pretty decent upgrade over the 2014-16 versions.
Awesome review as usual! I bought the 2017 Mazda 3 hatch 2.0L and I am very happy with it. I test drove a lot of cars in this class and it was easily the most fun to drive. It was a tough choice between the 2.0L and the 2.5L, but as a daily driver to and from work the 2.0L made more sense (fuck, I must be getting old). I also hated that stupid flip up bit of plastic for the HUD, which is in all 2.5L models in Canada.
Glad to see someone using the Elantra as a comparison. Mostly every reviewer out there forgets about it. Its still a great car and I would choose the Mazda if I didn't choose the Elantra.
Mazda's are know to be rust buckets in the salt belt. I have seen 2013 Mazda's with terrible rust. Though this seems to be an issue with many Japanese and American brands. Nothing can stop the rust in the end but some brands seem to rust faster than others.
Charles Schutz Bring your new Mazda to sunny so California, 50 years from now it will still be rust free! My 58 Cadillac and 68 Mustang both lifelong cars here have no rust. I couldn't live in a place no matter how great, if I knew my cars were slowly being destroyed.
Peder Hansen the 2.5 has the same 6,500 rpm redline as the 2.0, but more torque lower down, so you don't need to rev it as hard. In real world driving, the economy is virtually the same.
I went with the 2.0L after testing driving both multiple times and quite happy with it. The 2.5 certainly feels more peppy, but neither car is fast so meh.
I think Peder was saying that, because the stroke or bore would be bigger in a bigger engine with the same number of cylinders, there's greater inertia in the pistons, meaning that the 2.5 wouldn't rev as quickly as the 2.0. It'd definitely be a small difference between the two, but maybe noticeable if you're really paying attention to it.
So it seems like Mazda is still moving forward with technology that is old, but can still be improved upon when you sit down and milk it for all of its worth. Good on them! Glad I still own a Mazda. NOW IF ONLY THEY WOULD MAKE A SPORT VERSION WITH TURBO FOR THEM
I have the 15 i Touring and wished I went for the S. The car handles like a champ. The only thing I could complain is the road noise, gas pedal on the floor while brake and clutch are hanged, and small trunk space.
I test drove the new 3 and found road noise to be moderate. All the roads near the dealer were glass smooth however, so I couldn't assess suspension damping and stiffness of the body structure. Any word from regular Mazda 3 owners on those? I've heard really great things about the new Civic and how stiff the structure feels and the ride quality.
Which base model would you recommend, civic or mazda3? I'm just looking for a reliable new car without all the extras. I personally like the interior dashboard and exterior of the civic better, but I would trade that for an overall better manufactured car.
How would you compare this to the non-GTI Golf in areas other than reliability? The 2017 Wolfsburg edition has all the same safety kit, a manual, a more practical interior (if a bit drab) and you can get one for $18k pre tax. Are you going to do a golf review sometime?
VW killed 1500 humans just for the country of France just one year ago. Death toll is expected to overshoot the 10'000 victims worldwide. How many people's where obviously killed by Mazda ?
VW,is garbage today. The Passat was a great car once my friend got 2016 nothing but electronic gremlins,lucky it's under warranty he's getting rid of it this year.
Mr. Goose: Hello! My son is coming around the age of getting his license and he's been bugging me nonstop about a whole variety of different cars, from a Phaeton to an '02 Land Cruiser, a Sonata to an XTerra. However, the first car he ever told us about him wanting was a Mazda 3. The one problem is we already have a compact car, the one we bought our daughter in 2013. It's a light blue 2011 Hyundai Elantra limited with all the gadgets. He says he hates the way it looks, but I don't understand. I think it's a fantastic car, especially because of all the features for the price (heated rear seats - in a Hyundai - in a 2011 car?!). The one point he has brought up that I cannot rebut is its safety. Now, the Elantra isn't a dangerous car, not in the least. But it doesn't have front crash prevention, an HUD, or good ratings in all the IIHS tests. The new Elantra, however, does. Being a satisfied Hyundai owner for four years come May, I don't see why I shouldn't go out and get the newest Elantra. This is where my predicament lies. My son wants a Mazda 3, which is comparable safety-wise to the Elantra. But the Elantra has more creature comforts at a lower price (heated rear seats, Apple Car Play, better headlights, etc.) The only advantage is that the 3 has a heated steering wheel, which, in my opinion, is too luxurious for a first car. We moved to Montana last August and just experienced our first winter with snow. I'm worried about him driving in the snow in a small FWD car. Can I ask, seeing as you have tested all three (Elantra, Elantra Sport, 3) which you prefer as a teen driver's car? Watching your review has definitely opened my mind a bit more to the idea of a 3, but I've never had experience with them (reliability, quality, driving feel, upon others). I guess what I'm looking for is an affirmation that the Mazda 3 is better than the Elantra, or vice versa. Selling my daughter's car would mean we take a $9k hit. Should I just tel my son to grow up and deal with it, or is the 3 a viable option? Thanks if you read this. Any helpful comments are greatly appreciated
+Bad Drivers of Montana The straight answer is simple, a boy/guys first car is going to get messed up either mechanically or body wise. Its not a matter of if, its when. So that said don't over spend on any car, the cheaper the better until he proves himself compitent and responsible. No "nice" car is a good idea. My attitude is unless he was in karts as a 3 year old and driving his entire life you get him what you get him, the slower the better. The newer Elantras have good drivers aids including legit crash mitigation but check model year to see if it has it, mazda3 did not have that until I believe 2016. Id say any modern Accord, Camry after 2006 is super safe new Civics also good. Again keep it cheap. I think in some cases kids should be learning to drive without all of the aids, it forces them to look and be aware and not constantly have a safety net. Driving is about learning from mistakes IMO. Winter, just get a set of blizzak tires and fwd will be fine.
My guess is: He wants the 3 because all of his friends have it. I am much much older, but would agree with him re: Elantra. He doesn't need Apple car play, or any other gadget gimmick, nor even the heated seats. What he does need is to learn to drive a manual gear box. On any inexpensive car.
Parent's advice coming from 6 kids.... You don't give him a choice on his first car, you make him earn choices and upgrades. Parents don't have to buy kids cars, it is a gift of appreciation and if he doesn't appreciate it then tell him to buy his own. Worry about him driving in the snow? Unless he is working or going to school, he needs to stay home or not drive as he is inexperienced. DON'T sell the car you already have and lose $9k , give it to him as his first car to drive and teach him to be responsible. He gets a job, pays for his own gas and insurance! That is what you do if you want to teach him about life and how to be responsible. And if or when he wrecks the car, he pays for the repairs. That what a parent is supposed to do with their kids.
Straight up, what are the differences in build quality between Japan vs Mexico? Are the engines (and transmissions) in the Salamanca assembled sedans made in Japan? Am considering getting a 2016 - 2019 Mazda 3 with a manual transmission- any input is appreciated- thank you.
Excellent review. Thorough and comprehensive. This is the first show I've seen that hoists the vehicle to review the underside. I like the fact the car is covered in salt. It gives a sense of realism to the type of environmental and weather conditions the vehicle can be exposed to.
First of all keep up the tremendous work with these videos, I truly look forward to watching them. I have a 2006 Mazda 3 with the 2.3 with almost 215,000 miles. I drive the piss out of it. I'm in the market for a new car. I'm torn between a forester with a manual, an outback, a rx 350 and the Mazda 3. I really want the rx350 but it's too expensive. I want the outback simply because you can fit four American sized adults comfortably. The rx350 can do that too but more leg room with the outback with the driver seat in my position. The forester because manual and the Mazda 3 because I wouldn't mind buying an updated and more powerful version of mine. I jus wish mine had an LSD which going around turns can be a one wheel peel and is so aggravating. Which is why the model you reviewed intrigues me because of the whole GVS. The only thing that has me worried about with the Mazda and the subies are reliability. Subaru recalls have been a little crazy lately and Mazda simply because of all the new electronics. Lexus is Lexus and the rx 350 is the best selling luxury SUV along with Lexus' best selling car, so I doubt much will go wrong. What's your take on my debacle? Thanks and happy new year.
+Jason McConnell thanks a lot for the reply I'm a huge fan of the RX 350 even with the quirky styling it's really a great SUV and I'm not an SUV person at all. The Interior Space is really nice and you get a V6 which is hard to argue. I'm biased I like the Mazda3 and CX-5 over the Subarus well I appreciate their all-wheel-drive and some of the simplicity they're just so far behind in terms of some of the technology and interior design and at least in our area seeing how bad the under bodies look I wouldn't get another one. If you are definitely on a budget I would just go for the Mazda for sure because the RX 350 is expensive No Doubt.
savagegeese Wow! I live in jersey so all wheel drive would be nice. If Subaru leaves that much of a bad taste in your mouth then I shall stay away. Being that they lay down salt when it's simply going to rain in jersey, I'll steer away from the stamped steel on the Subaru. I know tires make a huge difference but it's truly a pain in the ass to switch out tires every season. I tested out the CX9 and it's too small for my American size rear. The center console is Hugh Mungus. I'm a big dude and I've been searching for a new car going on 4 years now simply because car manufacturers just want to be as techy as our phones. That's why I love my Mazda. I'm in control all the time. No abs or traction control and a manual gearbox. If I want to race a civic for a quick light to light and I lost, it's my fault. Cars are not what they used to be and it's sickening. Buying a car is the second largest purchase next to a house and I want to make the right choice, but that right choice is harder then ever in this terrible age of car manufacturing.
FYI, you cannot turn the TCS off without turning the DSC off on this vehicle. On the Mazda3 and Mazda MX-5 Miata (ND), the (fully defeatable) stability control and traction control are simultaneously turned off with one press of the button.
I'll check it on my 2017 Mazda3 Grand Touring MT 5-door in a big open lot and report back. Car and Driver's test sheet for a 2017 Mazda3 Grand Touring MT 5-door says it is fully defeatable. media.caranddriver.com/files/2017-mazda-3-25l-manual-test-review-car-and-drivermazda3sgrandtouringhatchback2017.pdf
For anyone watching this looking to buy one. Do it! I have a 2015 with 170,000 miles. 1000 miles a week over hard mountain roads. Amazing driving, Zero problems with regular maintenance.
I just got a 2017! what have you done preventively besides oil changes?
Same dude! My friend has a 2015 he drives in Mexico and beats it up, has 200k miles on it, only thing he has changed are shocks! I fell in love with Mazda 3 I bought one 2 years ago it’s a 2018 beautiful red car drives amazing and super fast! Barely got 28k kilometers on it!
I also like how Mazda's 4 cylinders sound. They sound refined but still have a slight rawness and passion. Especially compared to Hyundais and Nissans which sound completely like vacuum cleaners.
you haven't driven a veloster yet
Almost at the 50k subs, great honest content, by far the more in-depth car channel around, keep up the good work mate.
People come for the honest reviews and they stay for the awkward sexual tension.
The HUD for me is one of the best features of the interior. If you set it up properly with your driving position it becomes something you almost can't drive without. Coming from a 2015 sGT
I wish the color from HUD was white. It would definitely match the cabin allot better when driving at night.
I like the HUD a lot. I did a 1600 mile trip and found it very useful. I could always tell what speed I was going, what the cruise was set on and what my next turn was and I never had to look down. I honestly think it's pretty necessary because the digital speedometer is so far down in the gauge cluster.
With how far down you have to look to look at the hud I don’t really find it useful at all, might as well look at the speedometer at that point. I retrofitted CarPlay into my 2015 because I’m not paying to have the built in maps updated, so the next turn doesn’t show up on the HUD. All that shows is the speed and cruise control, and that’s already there.
I bought my 2018 Grand Touring Hatchback 6speed manual based on your comprehensive review of the Mazda3, Huge fan of the channel 👍
Gabriel Chavarria how’s the shifter now Gabe? I just bought a brand new 2018 GT sedan and the shifter feel is crap compared to my fiesta ST prior.
Thought the 6mt was the bread and butter of Mazda. I say it’s junk.
I have a 2018 Touring Hatchback 6sp manual and I love the shifter. It shifts like butter and is a pleasure to drive.
Just got the same one two months ago! Compared to the shifter on my 2010 2.5L VW Jetta 5 speed, it's a dream to drive. Way smoother. I do feel like the clutch engagement point is a little muddy, lots of "extra" room on the clutch, but now that I've gotten the hang of it I have no complaints and can row through the gears much quicker than my VW. My only previous experience with Mazda was a 1992 Mazda Miata I owned 13-14 years ago, and to this day I still miss that car like crazy. Would love to see the "speed" line make a comeback soon!
I really appreciate you taking the time to show us the bottom of the car - as a midwesterner Mazdas past rust issues made me uneasy
Way to go Mazda! I wish they'd start making high performance versions in the next generation of 3 and 6.
Underfighter73 yeah definitely, I hope that the Speed3/ Speed6 make a return.
You know, here in europe I wish we could even get a 155hp petrol version that is considered "slow" by a lot of americans. All we get here is a 2.0/120hp petrol or 2.2 diesel with 155hp. There's even a 1.5l/110hp.....
I just don't get it, it's not really going to be that much more economic by reducing hp down to 120hp on a 2.0l engine. I'm not the kind of person who needs a 2.5l / 184hp but for the love of god, at least give us a "reasonable" 155hp version of the 2.0l version. This is just dumb saving, beyond reasonable in fuel ecomonic savings, you kill a lot of the fun for sake of a very marginal at best saving (I bet it's barely noticeable).
Andreas Cederberg I never understood this either, what's the deal? I assumed that that was based on the buyers habits in the area or something, but every time I see that I feel bad for you guys, although to make you feel better we have to pay sales tax on every car purchase
Underfighter73
they are. speed 6 awd turbo later this year.
then speed 3. hopefully soon
I can empathize with you.
This video made us go out and get a Mazda 3 Grand Touring 2.5 hatch and it's an incredible car
My Mazda 3 - S was one of the most fun to drive cars I've ever owned. Moving up to the Mazda 6 and I hope I enjoy it as much as the 3.
Whats the consensus
Update
@@lethalpenguin61 There's no update coming it's been 2 years!
Just got a low mileage 2018 Mazda 3 GT hatch 6 speed and absolutely love it. After watching your review of the 2019, I really would've liked the AWD and interior improvements, but unsure if I would've given up the 6 speed manual for those benefits. I'm in upstate NYS so the AWD would've been a game changer during the winter months, but I'm typically fine with FWD and keep top quality snow tires on all of my cars.
Nice review, thorough. I appreciate not sugar-coating the negatives. I have a 2007 Mazda 3. Been driving it for 10 years, it's been very reliable.
polaris911 mine is 2006. previous owner got into a serious accident and it has some problems but the engine works perfectly and i always enjoy driving mine. much better than my bros 2006 civic and my dads 2014 civic lol
Its a PSA engine. They are indeed very good...
only some of the mazda diesels. Not the gas engines, this a skyactiv, its mazda
yes.but in europe we don't really care about petrol engines. It's like a secret myth for us or something out of the greek mythology . We apreciaste diesels here...
hmm well as simon says [pun intended haha] not all of europe. in netherlands most cars i saw were either a hybrid, petrol or electric. People are really into hybrids or electrics because of all the benefits. SO much that you see tesla taxis
I just traded in my 2011 Mz3iT 2.0L 5spd sedan for the 2017 Touring HB 2.5L 6-spd manual. I can't believe how good this car is. Yup...it's a bit shy in rear leg room, not as much total cargo capacity as some, maybe not quite as quiet...But, this thing is QUICK. Unfortunately, I do have that ill-designed speedo/tach, which was MUCH better in my previous 3 cars. I got a terrific end of year deal as well as a loyalty discount. For what I paid, this is a tremendous amount of car for the $. I also own a 2013 Corvette Z06 and I enjoy driving this Mazda nearly as much. In some cases, even more. Especially in very heavy traffic. Plus, I'm getting even better economy than I got with the 2011 2.0L!! This 2017 T has a butter smooth ride, feels very sophisticated and with a super real connection to the road I've felt only in my Z06. Even more so, in some cases. And, the Touring has 90-95% of the GT's features. A bit less leather (I do like the leatherette used-simple cleaning maintenance and it's grippy and comfy to the touch), no LED lights, no i-eloop (TG!!)...No Bose (really, who cares?-Most car audio sucks, anyway)..And, TG, no pop up HUD! My 2017 Mz3THB is just pure driving pleasure. Oh->And the WeatherTech mats I got cover about 50% of the dead pedal. So maybe it'll help with some of that wear mentioned. I soon plan on getting a dedicated winter wheel package (had one with the 2011-Makes a HUGE difference)...And whilst I'm at it, get the OEM rims some REAL tires. Michelins or Continentals or maybe the new Firestone Indys. The Dunlop Sport 5000 Ms it comes with SUCK!!! The only truly cheap thing on this car, imho. Once this car has real tires, this thing is going to handle and brake with the best, I think...Great tires will drop 0-60 time, improve braking distances, transient behavior, reduce FWD understeer, etc. Looking forward to making this great driving car even better...
If you opt for the hatch, the Mazda 3 is one of the best all around cars you can buy.
i hear the back seat space is a little bit tight
MrWalker1000 late, but I don’t think there is a difference in space except for the trunk.
@@francispham9384 what the point of a hatch
MrWalker1000 bigger trunk space, but don’t want a Suv at the same time.
I got a 2017 Hatchback Grand Touring and love it.
Far and away the best and most honest reviewer on youtube. Now if youtube would stop hiding your uploads from me.
I just bought a 2018 3 GT and that’s one of the first things I noticed, it’s really fun to drive, has a lot of pep for a smallish 4-cyl engine, and the ability to manual shift the auto transmission with the paddle shifters keeps it fun and works well, is very responsive. Fuel efficiency seems good as well, and compared to the Ram 1500 Classic 5.7L I just got rid of, it’s amazing on gas lol!! My new (to me) Mazda 3 GT has the nice wheels, 2.5L but not the leather and heads up display, I agree that’s kind of cheesy and not a great design, kind of glad my sedan didn’t come with that feature. So far I love this vehicle, and glad I didn’t go with my other option at the time of a Corolla with a tiny 1.8L engine (or what ever is in those things) Will see how it handles in the upcoming winter weather here in Southern Ontario Canada, I’ve already got winter tires and wheels set up and ready to pop onto this car when the time is right. Happy with this car so far.
I can't believe I just found this guy. Absolutely the best car reviews.
Your reviews are so detailed. You're like the AvE of car reviews going into materials and build quality and what not.
Nice Review ! Always good to see someone that shows a vehicle in real world conditions and how it performs .
Thanks
Joe
bought the 2016 model and apart from hand break and minor other differences I'm very very happy about the feeling I get when taking my car to a curvy road
i am a simple person i see savagegeese with mazda's i hit that like button!
Thanks for all your fantastic real world reviews. Very educational and insightful segments that are immensely underrated. One vehicle that I would enjoy seeing on this channel is the Focus ST. I enjoyed all the constructive criticism on the RS and would appreciate an ST review. Cheers mate
RIP
Just traded my 15 GTI for this car for reliability reasons 😔 absolutely love this car... Not as peppy but it has great drive ability and is still pretty damn fun to drive.
Lenny Schorer couldn’t pull the trigger on a GTI. It seems like the check engine light is on from the moment it gets delivered brand new to the dealer. Intake manifolds, fuel pumps, so many liabilities- but obviously a superior daily driving experience if you can keep it on the road. That said, my paid off Honda Fit was totaled, and a ‘17 grand touring S hatch is happening this week. Thanks for solidifying my choice.
@@pretty.noodles3540 Right on. It's an amazing car and I miss it. I don't miss the mechanical and maintenance "anxiety" though. Good luck to you and enjoy 👍
Did you consider anything else? I'm considering used options (manual if possible, decent power/sporty, comfortable) and the 16-17 GLI is maybe less prone to problems than the GTI [but, I know, not a hatch and not the newer MQB platform]. Am attracted to Mazda3 for all the available options, engaging dynamics, and better reliability rep, but haven't driven one yet. [Other maybes: '18 Golf SE 1.8T 5MT, 16-17 A3 (no manual)].
@@evang3943 I ended up not liking the power (lack thereof, really) of the Mazda3 and grabbed a '18 Fiesta ST and holy shit, is it fun to drive. My major gripe is that it's a smaller hatch regarding cargo space, everything else has been exceptional. Performance, handling, fuel economy, PURE FUN. I think it was just under $16k for one with 11k miles. It rips. At least test one out.
Would you say the Mazda handles better than the gti when take in to account the power difference
for the love of god get these guys to 10 million subbs!! excellent job as always savage
Best brand ever. I have owned 4 Mazda’s. My brand for life
you put a lot of effort into your content and aren't afraid to state your opinion. Your videos are great! keep it up
I just bought my daughter a 2014 touring 3 for her first car. She has a passion for cars and driving so this was pretty much the only choice on the market in our price range. Thanks for sharing this video and the video on your old Mazda 3.
+T Bone glad you liked it how is she liking it so far
She loves it. She got spoiled driving my old E90 3 series so she knows a little about driving dynamics and is happy to have something that is more dynamic than my wife's Accord. I am happy she enjoys driving.
I personally like the dry presentation. Even though it's a little dry with turbowski, it just seems real and unscripted. Your production values are fantastic, and your attention to detail is without compare. Subscribed.
This is awesome. Great job describing the vehicle's ability in the snow. That's soemthing all of us in the Mid-West need to know about, and few car presenters offer any insight.
I just bought the 2018 Mazda 3 2.0 5 door.
What struck me beside the driving experience is that built quality is outstanding for the pricepoint.
Do you still feel the same about this car? I’m thinking of buying it now as a used/pre owned car .
Thank you so much for uploading this!! I've been waiting for this one for a long time! Needed your opinion on it. Excellent review as always. Keep up the great work!
I recently bought the '17 hatch and I'm loving it. I thought the plastic HUD would be a pain but, to my surprise, I find it useful.
Your videos keep getting better, enjoyed the humor. The Mazda 3 gt is a fantastic car and is easy to own.
Dude, love your reviews. I will go film a goose for 2 seconds for you. Just say the word.
Glad that they finally changed the seats, my 2010 seats are as comfortable as a concrete bench.
They are ok
Excellent review style.. Very objective unlike many other reviewers. Great Work keep it up!! Excellent channel.
Another great review! My friend just got this car in California. I never knew the weather could be so harsh in the Mid-West. Look at the layer of salt! That really can damage cars!
Saw this vid & now I'm going to pick up a 2017 Mazda 3 Touring this Monday. Thanks for the video!
Such a good work filming and editing the videos to make it look great. I wish you had more subs. Keep it up!
Sorry guys, the new Civic hatch is the ugliest thing going this year so far...
I agree, they fucked up big time. Could of easily had one of the best vehicle designs of 2017.
Agreed. There are some lines on the Mazda3 hatch I do not like, but compared to the new Civic hatch it is a work of fucking art.
BrokenKingpin IMHO, the only view of the Mazda3 hatch that doesn't quite work is where the roof goes into the hatchback from a fairly high, looking down, front three quarter view. It looks a bit boxy and just somehow doesn't match the otherwise sleek, sexy lines. The same angle view but a bit lower works, just not that higher view, for me at least. But it didn't stop me buying one.
Didn't stop me either lol.
Crosshead1 would you recommend buying the 3? I had an '04 6S and loved it for 11 years. Now I'm deciding on a 6, a 3 or q Civic hatch.
Had a CX-5 but I don't like my dealers service crew and not sure I want to deal with them anymore. Shadiest service advisors I've ever dealt with.
Just purchased 2018 Hatchback GT,2.5 liter great car! Bose system leather, decent power with great gas milage,with a 5 years unlimited milage warranty with winter tires throw in for $ 34,500. @ 72 month 0%. Best car for under $35K Canadian
Ross how ya liking it? How’s the mpg
Excellent in depth review! Thanks, in part, to you I bought a '17 Mazda 3 GT to go with my '14 MX-5 Club. I'm a very lucky man who, for 10 years, owned a '92 Acura NSX in CA. No, the Mazdas don't quite compare to that amazing car but I retired to Honolulu 10 years ago and I knew that I'd never get the NSX out of 2nd gear here - so I sold it before moving here. ... Regrets? I've had a few.
Regardless, sorry for keep repeating myself but I love your format, don't change anything, you'll get subscribers, you'll go viral on jalopnik or something and get the credit you deserve. I don't even care if I like the car in question I'm happy to watch a 30 minute video on it because I'm actually learning something and that's not usually the case.
I guess here's where Scott would make fun of me and say I got a SavageGeese tattoo on my back
Here in the U.K. I drive a 2015 2.0l auto & it's great!It turns heads over here because every one lusts after the boring boxy panzer tanks in Europe.On my third Mazda now with no issues on any of them. Stylish & reliable.zoom Zoon!!!
You two guys have great garage chemistry
I may be alone in that I like the pre-refresh model better. I like having a real handbrake and I like the red stitching. The carbon fiber and gloss black don't bother me at all, but I'm one of those people that constantly cleans their car anyway.
i love mazda so much, i have two, one for my wife and one for me. I've driven many cars, and its hard to beat mazda when it comes to fun, reliable and cheap.
I own a 95 miata and a 14 mazda 5.
Too bad the mazda 5 was not succesful here in America. It came with a manual transmission. And the steering feel is amazing. WAYYY better than many "sports" cars like the new current mustang, etc
and I grew up in a toyota/bmw family
Wish you'd do one of these on a golf R and compare it to the GTI as a special, love the realness you guys bring.
I love the way you've done for each videos.
Another Great video Savagegeese
I agree with you that this is the best compact out there right now, but man i love so many things that you hate. I had a 2014 w the HUD and now a 2016 base. One of the things i miss most is the HUD and how well it worked for displaying speed to keep eyes up as well as Nav turns. And scott just loves to hate Mazda...The body lines are like nothing else. Closest in looks is Infiniti FX line.
I quickly bought my 2016 because all the 2017 updates didnt appeal to me. The front grille def took a step back. I like the sharper edges on the 16's and not the new rounded off look.
The 2.0 is plenty quick compared to my previous 2.5 and def not gonna complain about my 39avg mpgs. Its the perfect all around daily.
is this bettter than a 2017 subaru impreza?
Depends on your priorities. The Mazda 3 will take care of you (the driver) very well, but it falls short on almost everything else compared to competitors.
The Impreza offers AWD; which is rare in the segment. The Impreza also offers significantly more space and practicality. Styling aside, the Impreza has one of the best views out of the car. The Mazda 3 is in a way over-designed that visibility is compromised.
Mr. Mazda fanboy upstairs will sell you on "fun to drive" blah blah, but you'd need to consider your needs in a car. Again, Mazda leads the competition in driving dynamics, but they lack on-the-road refinement. On the surface they look elegant, but they still feel cramped and their NVH mitigation isn't quite there yet (although efforts have been made to improve said area).
Dan Marshall I always hear that Mazda is without a doubt the best car to drive in it class
Yes, but the gap between the competition is closer than fanboys suggest. If a Mazda 3's handling is 10/10, then the Civic Sport would be a 8.5 or 9. A Golf would be 9 or 10. A Civic SI or Golf GTI would be 10 or 11.
On the other hand, Mazda loses considerably in functionality and refinement for its class.
There's more to it in a car than being "fun to drive" nowadays. IMO, the truly fun Mazda 3 to drive is the 2.5L GT. The 2.0L is underwhelming and crass. With relatively high price point of the GT, the winner of the compact segment just isn't that black and white.
PS: (No offense) but a lot of drivers who praise the Mazda 3 also came from boring, outdated econo-boxes like previous gen Corolla, Civic, or Cruze or whatnot. Of course the improvement will feel drastic. Don't get me wrong, Mazda 3s are still excellent vehicles, but they aren't the second coming of Jesus in the auto industry.
Dan Marshall I would only get the mazda 6 touring anyways as it's made in Japan which is a big deal for me . In compact I would probably get a Honda Civic. For midsize I would get Accord, Mazda 6, or Subaru legacy
Do you know when you'll set your hands on the 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio 2.9 TT ??
Alfa Romeo... the name is Italian
Andres Salazar, thanks
I'll ask about it.
savagegeese, outstanding. Thank you..I'm enamored with the idea of over 500HP, & over 460TQ from a factory stock tiny 2.9 Liter Twin Turbocharged V6 in an AWD platform
The quadrifoglio isn't AWD... Only the lesser trims.
Savage, Thank you for this road test and honest unbiased opinion of the Mazda 3, very surprisong from a USA guy. I came accross this on a search for a test as I am considering buying one in Thailand. Unfortunately it looks as though you can only get a 6 speed automatic in Thailand and I will only drive manual because I am from Europe and drive cars.
neva ever stop reviewing cars...u r the best and mind u am subscribed to 25 other car review channels
+Sandip Borse Thanks, thats a strong ensorsement!!
The intro geese scares me, but stay for the reviews. Carry on mate
+Johnny White Dont worry that intro will never be back again.
i like mazda3 design than civic.. hope mazda price is lower and more durable..
It's more reliable than the Civic, Mazda has great auto trans also going with a turbo engine expect work on that turbo at or before 200Ks
I love your reviews almost as much as I love Mazdas. Both are genuine and not full of fluff.
Is there an update? How has it been since you've bought it? An issues? I love that there's a reviewer in the mid-west so we can get true to life review.
"Monte Carlo body line" I'm dying right now 😂 .. that is so on point about the hatch !!
Wow, the amount of road salt you have is crazy. I live in Finland so I get snow and ice too, but mostly they try to minimize the use of salt here. I think only roads with heavy truck traffic or some bad hills are salted whole winter through. Other roads are only salted when it's especially slippery (like when it's been warm and wet and then the temperature drops to freezing).
True. Not to mention that salt is not good for vegetation.
My 2015 Mazda3i Sport with Nokian Nordman tires is an absolute snowmobile! I think I enjoy driving fast in the snow more than I enjoy autocross!
Agree! A couple of points. First, the auto in the manual mode will upshift and kick-down, thus, overriding the operator's intentions. Second, while Mazda 3 is very attractive in driving dynamics, it is lacking in financial incentives. At least in my experience, I was not able to get anything attractive financially in the car that I wanted with a stick and a specific options' list; neither financing, not leasing. And then there is depreciation. This car seems to be losing more value faster comparing to other better brands. Third, Mazda's dealers are the biggest spoil for the brand. Every time I dealt with one, they made me feel bad about buying the car. Maybe it has to do with the fact that the dealers are also VW or Ford dealers. Maybe. Just my two cents.
Good review and thanks for taking it out in the snow. I live in a very snowy part of Canada and fair weather reviews from the sunny southern US, hell even sunny reviews from Canadian reviewers, don't really give me an idea of how the car might behave in poor conditions. Loved that you include a look at the undercarriage as well.
What do you think about the road noise ? Has it gotten better now?
On with the winter reviews! Nice to see cars in, what is for many of us, their natural filthy salty habitat for a significant portion of the year.
Weren't there always a few slight differences between the sedan interior and the hatch interior? The sedan interior always seemed like it was modeled after the Mazda 6.
matt molloy negative, they're exactly the same lol
Hunter Dugas I don't think my friend's 5 door Mazda 3 has that part in the center stack that slides back, instead it has exposed cup holders and a parking brake.
That is the old Mazda 3 before the 2017 facelift (this one)
Taxen the lower spec models still have the manual handbrake, at least here in Australia. Higher spec get the new, and much improved, interior. I just bought one (SP25GT, like your S Grand Touring). I love it.
Hm it's not the same case over here in Sweden. We have different kind of specs however ranging from Core, Vision, VisionPlus and Optimum whereas all of them have the new interior. It does however sound really weird that the lower trim levels do not get the new interior. That's a huge extra cost for production and manufacturing.
Edit: Our lowest trim seems to up par with your Touring trim.
22:16 I don't get something about the center console. If you look at it, you see a vertical divider on the driver's side, preventing driver's knee from finding some extra space. On the passenger's side it's missing, so the passenger gets the benefit of extra knee space, but the driver who needs it, doesn't. This is the exact reverse of BMW 3 series. Why would Mazda do it this way? I am 6-3 btw, and this is a curse in many modern cars. Older compacts have better driving ergonomics for taller drivers that mid-size cars today. It's maddening.
Very good review, btw.
+mountainhobo Thank you and yes I notice it, but for large part I forgive it because the last gen Mazda3 drivers right leg area was ao intrusive it was, absurd. Its about on par with other vehicles. But there is more right leg room in Elantra and new Civic for sure. Might be the way they had to design the tunnel on the car.
savagegeese
Understood, but it bugs me when so much good could be so easily accomplished with so little.
+savagegeese +mountainhobo - glad you raised this piont. I hope this isn't a deal breaker for me because I'm really sold on this car. The vertical divider concerns me as well for a different reason. I have pretty bad sciatica in my right leg. Currently I drive a 1994 Subaru Legacy where there is a lot of room to move your right leg, notably on the floor. Whenever I fly I alway sit in a "C" aisle set so I can move my right leg. It its constrained (can't stretch it out), it's a problem (have to take Advil or more). The vertical divider on this care doesn't really affect the room on the floor itself to the right of the console, but it is nevertheless constraining. And moving my knee to the right helps. That said, compared to the CX-3 though, there is more room to move your leg to the right towards the console. More floor room. The 1" of extra width on the Mazda 3 may have something to do w/this. re: "Might be the way they had to design the tunnel on the car,", can you elaborate? I guess the CX-3 is even more challenging in this respect, providing even less rightward space next to the console.
I looked at the 2017 Civic. I don't see a lot of difference. Maybe a little at the margins. BTW I just leased a 2017 fully loaded Mazda 3 GT in machine gray. The lack of space to stretch out my right (sciatic) leg bothers me, but I knew that going in. All cars have taken over this area due to the larger console and Infotainment. On my 1994 Subaru which I was driving until yesterday, I could stretch my right leg way into the console area. But adapt we must.
+Richard Barg -- I agree except for this: "But adapt we must". Nope. We need to vote with our pocketbooks. We have to say 'no' to stupid design.
Hello :)
What microphone setup do you have? There is top class audio in ever shot, how'd you achieve it?
Turbo always lighting up the humor :D
Random question: What camera are you shooting the car exterior shots with? Great review!
Firmly believe that this might be the closest competitor to the Honda Civic. Improved tremendously over this last generation update
Any plans to review the '17 impreza? I'd like to see your thoughts on the sport model w/5 speed manual.
Savage, I think you got the explaining of the G vector control backwards in your video. By reducing torque. the weight gets shifted fwd which increases the turn-in. I think your explanation was backward, but I could be wrong. BTW, huge fan. Keep 'em coming. -retired F16 pilot.
+Ben Dover Hey Ben, thanks. Probably fudged some words in my explanation, but yes you are correct reduction of tq by .05Gs transfers weight on front wheels to improve turn in, grip and supposedly reduce the amount of movement in cabin but its very hard to express and feel it. Its a "feature" Id hate to explain to a customer trying to buy the car.
How does the rear quadrant look? I am going on a campaign to get the goose more subscribers, these guys deserve 10x the subscribers.
@savagegeese are you planning to review on 2017 Impreza any time soon?
nice review...
i never get tired driving my mazda3 skyactive .. 23km per liter is simply amazing for a 2.0 liter engine
What camera are you shooting the car exterior shots with? Great review!
Not gonna lie, I kinda regret not waiting for the 2017 mid cycle refresh. I ended up buying a 2016 SGT a year and change ago. But this one sounds like a pretty decent upgrade over the 2014-16 versions.
Awesome review as usual! I bought the 2017 Mazda 3 hatch 2.0L and I am very happy with it. I test drove a lot of cars in this class and it was easily the most fun to drive. It was a tough choice between the 2.0L and the 2.5L, but as a daily driver to and from work the 2.0L made more sense (fuck, I must be getting old). I also hated that stupid flip up bit of plastic for the HUD, which is in all 2.5L models in Canada.
Glad to see someone using the Elantra as a comparison. Mostly every reviewer out there forgets about it. Its still a great car and I would choose the Mazda if I didn't choose the Elantra.
Great until the engine catches fire...WTH are you "thinking"?
Mazda's are know to be rust buckets in the salt belt. I have seen 2013 Mazda's with terrible rust. Though this seems to be an issue with many Japanese and American brands. Nothing can stop the rust in the end but some brands seem to rust faster than others.
Charles Schutz Bring your new Mazda to sunny so California, 50 years from now it will still be rust free! My 58 Cadillac and 68 Mustang both lifelong cars here have no rust. I couldn't live in a place no matter how great, if I knew my cars were slowly being destroyed.
I absolutely don't care about the difference in fuel economies of a 2 liter and a 2.5 liter engine, I'd take the latter no matter what.
Peder Hansen the 2.5 has the same 6,500 rpm redline as the 2.0, but more torque lower down, so you don't need to rev it as hard. In real world driving, the economy is virtually the same.
I went with the 2.0L after testing driving both multiple times and quite happy with it. The 2.5 certainly feels more peppy, but neither car is fast so meh.
I think Peder was saying that, because the stroke or bore would be bigger in a bigger engine with the same number of cylinders, there's greater inertia in the pistons, meaning that the 2.5 wouldn't rev as quickly as the 2.0. It'd definitely be a small difference between the two, but maybe noticeable if you're really paying attention to it.
2.5 is the better choice period 135mph top speed says it all.
omg 145 mph... it's as fast as a Bugatti! Give me a break, this is an economy car.
The 'in the shop with Turbowski' makes these videos. Hilarious every time I watch.
The civic is completely overwrought. The mazda is classy looking.
Yeah I don't think the Civic is going to age well.
Big Irish Yeti classier perhaps classy is different
Guy9998 - The Civic looks leaps and bounds better than the Mazda 3 does. It's time Mazda redid the entire thing.
@@DeadofWinter321 You're literally THE ONLY person I've seen that says that.
I'm looking at both the civic si and Mazda 3 as my next car and I also think the Mazda looks boring.
I heard the brakes aren't that good, and that they were squishy and not firm. Can you comment on the brakes?
So it seems like Mazda is still moving forward with technology that is old, but can still be improved upon when you sit down and milk it for all of its worth. Good on them! Glad I still own a Mazda.
NOW IF ONLY THEY WOULD MAKE A SPORT VERSION WITH TURBO FOR THEM
I have the 15 i Touring and wished I went for the S. The car handles like a champ. The only thing I could complain is the road noise, gas pedal on the floor while brake and clutch are hanged, and small trunk space.
I test drove the new 3 and found road noise to be moderate. All the roads near the dealer were glass smooth however, so I couldn't assess suspension damping and stiffness of the body structure. Any word from regular Mazda 3 owners on those? I've heard really great things about the new Civic and how stiff the structure feels and the ride quality.
Which base model would you recommend, civic or mazda3? I'm just looking for a reliable new car without all the extras. I personally like the interior dashboard and exterior of the civic better, but I would trade that for an overall better manufactured car.
How would you compare this to the non-GTI Golf in areas other than reliability? The 2017 Wolfsburg edition has all the same safety kit, a manual, a more practical interior (if a bit drab) and you can get one for $18k pre tax. Are you going to do a golf review sometime?
VW killed 1500 humans just for the country of France just one year ago. Death toll is expected to overshoot the 10'000 victims worldwide.
How many people's where obviously killed by Mazda ?
VW,is garbage today. The Passat was a great car once my friend got 2016 nothing but electronic gremlins,lucky it's under warranty he's getting rid of it this year.
Mr. Goose: Hello! My son is coming around the age of getting his license and he's been bugging me nonstop about a whole variety of different cars, from a Phaeton to an '02 Land Cruiser, a Sonata to an XTerra. However, the first car he ever told us about him wanting was a Mazda 3. The one problem is we already have a compact car, the one we bought our daughter in 2013. It's a light blue 2011 Hyundai Elantra limited with all the gadgets. He says he hates the way it looks, but I don't understand. I think it's a fantastic car, especially because of all the features for the price (heated rear seats - in a Hyundai - in a 2011 car?!). The one point he has brought up that I cannot rebut is its safety. Now, the Elantra isn't a dangerous car, not in the least. But it doesn't have front crash prevention, an HUD, or good ratings in all the IIHS tests. The new Elantra, however, does. Being a satisfied Hyundai owner for four years come May, I don't see why I shouldn't go out and get the newest Elantra. This is where my predicament lies. My son wants a Mazda 3, which is comparable safety-wise to the Elantra. But the Elantra has more creature comforts at a lower price (heated rear seats, Apple Car Play, better headlights, etc.) The only advantage is that the 3 has a heated steering wheel, which, in my opinion, is too luxurious for a first car. We moved to Montana last August and just experienced our first winter with snow. I'm worried about him driving in the snow in a small FWD car. Can I ask, seeing as you have tested all three (Elantra, Elantra Sport, 3) which you prefer as a teen driver's car? Watching your review has definitely opened my mind a bit more to the idea of a 3, but I've never had experience with them (reliability, quality, driving feel, upon others). I guess what I'm looking for is an affirmation that the Mazda 3 is better than the Elantra, or vice versa. Selling my daughter's car would mean we take a $9k hit. Should I just tel my son to grow up and deal with it, or is the 3 a viable option? Thanks if you read this. Any helpful comments are greatly appreciated
+Bad Drivers of Montana The straight answer is simple, a boy/guys first car is going to get messed up either mechanically or body wise. Its not a matter of if, its when. So that said don't over spend on any car, the cheaper the better until he proves himself compitent and responsible. No "nice" car is a good idea. My attitude is unless he was in karts as a 3 year old and driving his entire life you get him what you get him, the slower the better.
The newer Elantras have good drivers aids including legit crash mitigation but check model year to see if it has it, mazda3 did not have that until I believe 2016. Id say any modern Accord, Camry after 2006 is super safe new Civics also good. Again keep it cheap. I think in some cases kids should be learning to drive without all of the aids, it forces them to look and be aware and not constantly have a safety net. Driving is about learning from mistakes IMO. Winter, just get a set of blizzak tires and fwd will be fine.
My guess is: He wants the 3 because all of his friends have it. I am much much older, but would agree with him re: Elantra. He doesn't need Apple car play, or any other gadget gimmick, nor even the heated seats. What he does need is to learn to drive a manual gear box. On any inexpensive car.
Parent's advice coming from 6 kids.... You don't give him a choice on his first car, you make him earn choices and upgrades. Parents don't have to buy kids cars, it is a gift of appreciation and if he doesn't appreciate it then tell him to buy his own. Worry about him driving in the snow? Unless he is working or going to school, he needs to stay home or not drive as he is inexperienced. DON'T sell the car you already have and lose $9k , give it to him as his first car to drive and teach him to be responsible. He gets a job, pays for his own gas and insurance! That is what you do if you want to teach him about life and how to be responsible. And if or when he wrecks the car, he pays for the repairs. That what a parent is supposed to do with their kids.
Straight up, what are the differences in build quality between Japan vs Mexico?
Are the engines (and transmissions) in the Salamanca assembled sedans made in Japan?
Am considering getting a 2016 - 2019 Mazda 3 with a manual transmission-
any input is appreciated- thank you.
EXCELLENT REVIEW PERIOD
Excellent review. Thorough and comprehensive. This is the first show I've seen that hoists the vehicle to review the underside. I like the fact the car is covered in salt. It gives a sense of realism to the type of environmental and weather conditions the vehicle can be exposed to.
3:32 honestly shocked me for a second lmao
"You can also fit a full chicken dinner" hahaha
That was an amazing video, man.
First of all keep up the tremendous work with these videos, I truly look forward to watching them. I have a 2006 Mazda 3 with the 2.3 with almost 215,000 miles. I drive the piss out of it. I'm in the market for a new car. I'm torn between a forester with a manual, an outback, a rx 350 and the Mazda 3. I really want the rx350 but it's too expensive. I want the outback simply because you can fit four American sized adults comfortably. The rx350 can do that too but more leg room with the outback with the driver seat in my position. The forester because manual and the Mazda 3 because I wouldn't mind buying an updated and more powerful version of mine. I jus wish mine had an LSD which going around turns can be a one wheel peel and is so aggravating. Which is why the model you reviewed intrigues me because of the whole GVS. The only thing that has me worried about with the Mazda and the subies are reliability. Subaru recalls have been a little crazy lately and Mazda simply because of all the new electronics. Lexus is Lexus and the rx 350 is the best selling luxury SUV along with Lexus' best selling car, so I doubt much will go wrong. What's your take on my debacle? Thanks and happy new year.
+Jason McConnell thanks a lot for the reply I'm a huge fan of the RX 350 even with the quirky styling it's really a great SUV and I'm not an SUV person at all. The Interior Space is really nice and you get a V6 which is hard to argue. I'm biased I like the Mazda3 and CX-5 over the Subarus well I appreciate their all-wheel-drive and some of the simplicity they're just so far behind in terms of some of the technology and interior design and at least in our area seeing how bad the under bodies look I wouldn't get another one. If you are definitely on a budget I would just go for the Mazda for sure because the RX 350 is expensive No Doubt.
savagegeese Wow! I live in jersey so all wheel drive would be nice. If Subaru leaves that much of a bad taste in your mouth then I shall stay away. Being that they lay down salt when it's simply going to rain in jersey, I'll steer away from the stamped steel on the Subaru. I know tires make a huge difference but it's truly a pain in the ass to switch out tires every season. I tested out the CX9 and it's too small for my American size rear. The center console is Hugh Mungus. I'm a big dude and I've been searching for a new car going on 4 years now simply because car manufacturers just want to be as techy as our phones. That's why I love my Mazda. I'm in control all the time. No abs or traction control and a manual gearbox. If I want to race a civic for a quick light to light and I lost, it's my fault. Cars are not what they used to be and it's sickening. Buying a car is the second largest purchase next to a house and I want to make the right choice, but that right choice is harder then ever in this terrible age of car manufacturing.
FYI, you cannot turn the TCS off without turning the DSC off on this vehicle. On the Mazda3 and Mazda MX-5 Miata (ND), the (fully defeatable) stability control and traction control are simultaneously turned off with one press of the button.
+Loren Wong There is still stability interference with TCS unless I am crazy.
I'll check it on my 2017 Mazda3 Grand Touring MT 5-door in a big open lot and report back. Car and Driver's test sheet for a 2017 Mazda3 Grand Touring MT 5-door says it is fully defeatable. media.caranddriver.com/files/2017-mazda-3-25l-manual-test-review-car-and-drivermazda3sgrandtouringhatchback2017.pdf
Let me know when you test it, you have to get it really out of sorts.
+Loren Wong Thanks for checking on this with Dave, Ill update video.
I had the 2010 Mazda3 Sport 5 door. Loved it! That 2.5 is bad arse. Moved up to the 2011 CX-9 due to expanding family.