This is the best infotainment system. Because it doesn't distract the driver. Really, when a person gets in the car and goes from A to B, he/she shouldn't be fiddling with the infotainment whatsoever, unless the car's stopped.
Just stumbled upon your channel for the first time. Like you, I have owned many Mazdas. Yes, I definitely disagree with you about the infotainment controls. It's one of my favorite things about my 2016 Mazda3. I like that I don't ever have to reach for the screen. I can control it with my arm comfortably on the armrest. I also don't ever have to worry about fingerprints on the screen either. Great, well and clearly spoken and informative review. Subscribed.
I can't decide what I dig more, the 3's red interior or your mohawk & mustard jeans. Just messin' with you. You're one of my fave auto journalists, with honest, straight forward reviews - thanks.
I’ve owned cars with the Mazda Entertainment Interface and others with touch screens. I’m sorry but the touchscreen systems used by others is so horrible. The Mazda interface is so easy once you get used to it. Sorry.
!00% correct, i recently bought a 2020 3, Love it, and have definitely had the same experience. Hate my girlfriends Crosstrek touch screen. It takes less time to make it work, but once you learn how the mazda system works its awesome. I find that it takes your eyes off the road way less often and for smaller time intervals when you do.
I drive a Tesla Model 3. My wife has the Mazda 3. Sam is just wrong on this one. He needs to change, not Mazda. It took me 5 minutes to get familiar with the rotary knob and menu. Much better and easier to use than in the Tesla. The Tesla screen has to be looked at while driving to do anything.. and I mean ANYTHING. That means to do anything, your eyes are not on the road. Seriously, I have to touch the screen to open the glove box? WTH? With the Mazda, the screen is right in line of sight with the road and you never have to look at the knob, it's always right where it was last time I used it. He's just dead wrong.
@@BeCoShooter If you have them saved as favorites, then one click. If you don't, then it's a nightmare. You have to open up the channel listing menu and scroll all the way from 1 to 26.
I love the knob control in my 3, its way better than a touch screen once you learn your menu. You have to learn it, but once you learn it, you take your eyes off the road way less than using a tough screen. I believe mazda did a lot of research to figure this out.
Great review. I think I read somewhere that Mazda dropped cylinder deactivation in the 3, maybe 2021 MY? No evidence of at least it in their website specs.
i have that exact same car and i do love how the infotainment system is. but i do agree, it took me a little bit to figure out how to just simply tune to a different radio station. that part is horrible. but with the infotainment system knob, once you get used to it, its more intuitive than a touch screen and its easier to keep your eye on the road than having to reach for a touch screen. but after having the new civic and the new jetta, this is my favorite out of all of them. where i knew i would be looking to get rid of the civic and jetta after a while, i want to keep my mazda3 for a long time.
@TestDrivenTV, Hey man I know responding to comments is beneath you but jeezus use your real voice will ya? Something about your demeanor sounds real phony and it's obvious to some of us. Sorry but thumbs down see ya~
that car in that color is beautiful. It looks almost Italian, like something Alfa Romeo would be building if they were still trying to remain relevant.
I think it's among Mazda's most appealing offerings. Overall, a lovely exterior design. I do agree completely with your comments about the puck/pushbutton control for the infotainment screen. I design user interfaces for a living and one of the undisputed truths about such designs is that the human brain is hardwired to link the tracking of a fingertip with an associated action. Separating the right hand placed by the hip with tracking the actions on a screen is simply less efficient and accurate than a touchscreen. It's only advantage is avoiding fingerprints and that's a small benefit when an occasional wipe with a cloth eliminates them. On the other hand, I have to disagree with your obsession about a start/stop feature on vehicles, especially when it can be disabled as easily as it can on a GTI with the touch of a button on the center console. As I recall you indicated you no longer recommended the GTI solely based on that specific feature. I was (and remain) stunned by that. It's simply not a big deal. And the attractive young lady who serves me coffee at the drive-up window at Starbuck's has commented that she appreciates the fact that I turn off the car when I await my drink. At my age that alone is worth the feature. :) Admittedly, though, I have an obsession of my own that others obviously don't share. My big dog's second home is the back seat of my GTI. And the lack of rear seat AC vents is a dealbreaker for me. He's a trooper and wouldn't complain but for his (and my teenage daughter's) comfort a cooling breeze is a necessity . And my daughter WOULD complain. I'll stick with my GTI based on its performance and handling as well as it's comfort and versatility. Apart from its stronger engine and performance, it's shorter than the Mazda3 hatchback by nearly 8 inches but it's rectangular shape offers more overall cargo capacity and equivalent rear seat legroom. And comparing like models, it's about 150 lbs lighter. I'll admit the Mazda3's optional AWD is appealing but for my climate (Pacific Northwest) it's not a necessity and the VW's electronic and mechanical LSD, adaptive suspension, and multilink rear suspension makes up for the handling advantages AWD provides.
@@AlumarsX I don't find my GTI's stop/start system annoying in the least. What I find annoying is spewing forth pollution when I'm doing nothing other than standing still.
Having driven both, yes, the GTI is faster and it does handle better but it doesn't feel as good as the Mazda3 doing it. The Mazda3 is still the better drivers car, imo. Yes, the GTI is lighter but one might say thats partly because it saves weight by using plastic vital engine parts such as the oil pan, thermostat and water pump. Speaking of, has your GTI started leaking coolant yet?
Nice review. Appreciate you not pulling any punches on the negatives, like the infotainment controller (I agree it sucks). Also, I like the new intro. Mind sharing what song that is?
Another great review👍, to me it looks like a bit of a gap between the red panel and black panel right in front of the info screen up top . Give it two years in the heat and freezing weather , i think it might just expand even more.
I thought your main complaint would be lack of a touchscreen. I have a 2019 FWD version of the car you drove (premium, poly metal, black interior auto) and the FWD has quicker steering and felt a bit peppier to me overall. I don't listen to the radio, for navigating WAZE and Apple CarPlay that Mazda wheel works very well so I don't have any issues like you experienced. I guess if you want to use the radio or sat radio you have to do a lot more input with the wheel.
Have a 2020 Mazda 3 Hatch Premium with AWD...OEM tires were terrible...changed the tires to Vredestein Quatrac 5...talk about a "Driver's Car"! WOW...the Vredestein tires make this car even more fun to drive. Regarding the turn knob for the radio etc...actually when you get used to it, it's easy to master. Just takes some time using it. Cup holder placement is terrible...but...had to do that so you would have easy access to the radio knob. I completely agree with you about not having vents for the rear occupants...Mazda missed the boat on that one! All in all, this 3 is a fun car to drive ESPECIALLY with great tires and I really like the blind spot warning on the heads-up display; great safety feature. Cheers!
Very good looking Mazda3. Almost Alfa Romeo-ish styling in hatchback version. The C pillars are very, ummm, voluptuous. Unfortunately, Mazdas sales in the US were down 7% in 2019 according to Wards Auto Analytics. A friend just bought a new CX5 and loves the hell outta it. 😉🌵🌵🌵
Human factors/ergonomics research would disagree with you about the dial controller; touch screens literally take your eyes off the road, and a dial that's easy to find and reach is better to use than constantly sifting through touch display menus with an unstable floating hand while you drive.
I still don’t understand what you don’t like about the infotainment system. I’ve owned various BMWs, Audi’s and Mazda’s, all with similar systems and, apart from the slowness of the previous Mazda MZD Connect system, I’ve never had an issue with any of them. As for cars with exclusively touch screens, have you ever tried to operate a touch screen as you travel down a bumpy road. Good luck with that. It’s hit or miss at best, not to mention greasy finger prints and dust all over the screen. Oh well, I guess you’re entitled to your opinion. I just don’t get it. Otherwise, a good review. And I still don’t get why your Mazda3s don’t have rear AC vents. All except the base models here in Australia get them.
Thanks for another good review. My only issue with this vehicle is 2 things.. the infotainment system and the Suspension. Corolla now has an IRS in 2020? 😳 cost cutting for sure.- Chevy Cavalier-
Sam - Great video review, however you made a mistake saying the engine is 2.5 ltr. The biggest petrol engine for this version of the Mazda3 is a 2.0 ltr engine.
@@TestDrivenTV Big apologies! I assumed here in Europe and the US having the same engines. I find it really annoying that compared to Europe the US have a larger variety of choices of options with many of the main car manufacturers. To rub salt in the wound, before the end of this year, Mazda will be releasing the turbo version of the Mazda3 in the US only. Why Mazda, why??
Like some of your points but.....GTI is way, way faster (not just “probably”). In fact, I’d be surprised if this AWD version can out sprint a 1.8t Golf from last year. Also, the loss of the multi link rear suspension. This car may be comparable to a basic Golf but it’s not close to a GTI. It needs more motor.
Golf and GTI are faster yes, but also have the turbo engine and overall higher maintenance costs, especially the GTI. Loss of the multi link is not that bad, check out Savagegeese video on the 3 for more information.
What I really think is this guy dresses like he's homeless. Other than that good review video. I love the design of this car. The body lines remind me of something Jaguar would do. Remove the Mazda badge and replace it with a Jag badge and you'd not be the wiser.
This is the best infotainment system. Because it doesn't distract the driver.
Really, when a person gets in the car and goes from A to B, he/she shouldn't be fiddling with the infotainment whatsoever, unless the car's stopped.
That interior is gorgeous
Just stumbled upon your channel for the first time. Like you, I have owned many Mazdas. Yes, I definitely disagree with you about the infotainment controls. It's one of my favorite things about my 2016 Mazda3. I like that I don't ever have to reach for the screen. I can control it with my arm comfortably on the armrest. I also don't ever have to worry about fingerprints on the screen either. Great, well and clearly spoken and informative review. Subscribed.
I can't decide what I dig more, the 3's red interior or your mohawk & mustard jeans. Just messin' with you. You're one of my fave auto journalists, with honest, straight forward reviews - thanks.
ha ha
I’ve owned cars with the Mazda Entertainment Interface and others with touch screens. I’m sorry but the touchscreen systems used by others is so horrible. The Mazda interface is so easy once you get used to it. Sorry.
i have this car, it is definitely efficient and easy to use.
How many actions needed to change satellite radio channel, say from 25 to 26?
!00% correct, i recently bought a 2020 3, Love it, and have definitely had the same experience. Hate my girlfriends Crosstrek touch screen. It takes less time to make it work, but once you learn how the mazda system works its awesome. I find that it takes your eyes off the road way less often and for smaller time intervals when you do.
I drive a Tesla Model 3. My wife has the Mazda 3. Sam is just wrong on this one. He needs to change, not Mazda. It took me 5 minutes to get familiar with the rotary knob and menu. Much better and easier to use than in the Tesla. The Tesla screen has to be looked at while driving to do anything.. and I mean ANYTHING. That means to do anything, your eyes are not on the road. Seriously, I have to touch the screen to open the glove box? WTH? With the Mazda, the screen is right in line of sight with the road and you never have to look at the knob, it's always right where it was last time I used it. He's just dead wrong.
@@BeCoShooter If you have them saved as favorites, then one click. If you don't, then it's a nightmare. You have to open up the channel listing menu and scroll all the way from 1 to 26.
Welcome back handsome. Your the best reviewer out there!!!!! Very detailed and professional
I love the knob control in my 3, its way better than a touch screen once you learn your menu. You have to learn it, but once you learn it, you take your eyes off the road way less than using a tough screen. I believe mazda did a lot of research to figure this out.
Great review. I think I read somewhere that Mazda dropped cylinder deactivation in the 3, maybe 2021 MY? No evidence of at least it in their website specs.
Very well shot video.
i have that exact same car and i do love how the infotainment system is. but i do agree, it took me a little bit to figure out how to just simply tune to a different radio station. that part is horrible. but with the infotainment system knob, once you get used to it, its more intuitive than a touch screen and its easier to keep your eye on the road than having to reach for a touch screen. but after having the new civic and the new jetta, this is my favorite out of all of them. where i knew i would be looking to get rid of the civic and jetta after a while, i want to keep my mazda3 for a long time.
Great review Sam as always. Oh and I like the intro style. 👍
This guy sounds like my spiritual guru....I don't actually have a spiritual guru...but if I did I am sure he would sound like this. Nice review!
@TestDrivenTV, Hey man I know responding to comments is beneath you but jeezus use your real voice will ya? Something about your demeanor sounds real phony and it's obvious to some of us. Sorry but thumbs down see ya~
I want one im in love
I listen to the calming voice of Sam, as he gives his detailed review, but in my head I can only hear "Firestarter" from The Prodigy...
it is a shame that few people will understand this comment lol...oh now I feel old.
@@GorcStew I am glad you do.
Soap McTavish is now reviewing cars?
I love the mazda interface system way better than touch screen
that car in that color is beautiful. It looks almost Italian, like something Alfa Romeo would be building if they were still trying to remain relevant.
Hey you changed the theme music! thanks for the new review Sam!
I think it's among Mazda's most appealing offerings. Overall, a lovely exterior design. I do agree completely with your comments about the puck/pushbutton control for the infotainment screen. I design user interfaces for a living and one of the undisputed truths about such designs is that the human brain is hardwired to link the tracking of a fingertip with an associated action. Separating the right hand placed by the hip with tracking the actions on a screen is simply less efficient and accurate than a touchscreen. It's only advantage is avoiding fingerprints and that's a small benefit when an occasional wipe with a cloth eliminates them.
On the other hand, I have to disagree with your obsession about a start/stop feature on vehicles, especially when it can be disabled as easily as it can on a GTI with the touch of a button on the center console. As I recall you indicated you no longer recommended the GTI solely based on that specific feature. I was (and remain) stunned by that. It's simply not a big deal. And the attractive young lady who serves me coffee at the drive-up window at Starbuck's has commented that she appreciates the fact that I turn off the car when I await my drink. At my age that alone is worth the feature. :)
Admittedly, though, I have an obsession of my own that others obviously don't share. My big dog's second home is the back seat of my GTI. And the lack of rear seat AC vents is a dealbreaker for me. He's a trooper and wouldn't complain but for his (and my teenage daughter's) comfort a cooling breeze is a necessity . And my daughter WOULD complain.
I'll stick with my GTI based on its performance and handling as well as it's comfort and versatility. Apart from its stronger engine and performance, it's shorter than the Mazda3 hatchback by nearly 8 inches but it's rectangular shape offers more overall cargo capacity and equivalent rear seat legroom. And comparing like models, it's about 150 lbs lighter. I'll admit the Mazda3's optional AWD is appealing but for my climate (Pacific Northwest) it's not a necessity and the VW's electronic and mechanical LSD, adaptive suspension, and multilink rear suspension makes up for the handling advantages AWD provides.
At least on the VWs you can permanently disable annoying quirks like that one with a simple $80 OBD11 module.
@@AlumarsX I don't find my GTI's stop/start system annoying in the least. What I find annoying is spewing forth pollution when I'm doing nothing other than standing still.
Having driven both, yes, the GTI is faster and it does handle better but it doesn't feel as good as the Mazda3 doing it. The Mazda3 is still the better drivers car, imo. Yes, the GTI is lighter but one might say thats partly because it saves weight by using plastic vital engine parts such as the oil pan, thermostat and water pump. Speaking of, has your GTI started leaking coolant yet?
Nice review. Appreciate you not pulling any punches on the negatives, like the infotainment controller (I agree it sucks). Also, I like the new intro. Mind sharing what song that is?
Another great review👍, to me it looks like a bit of a gap between the red panel and black panel right in front of the info
screen up top . Give it two years in the heat and freezing weather , i think it might just expand even more.
its gorgeous inside out specially with a low profile dash but wheres the cd player?
I thought your main complaint would be lack of a touchscreen. I have a 2019 FWD version of the car you drove (premium, poly metal, black interior auto) and the FWD has quicker steering and felt a bit peppier to me overall. I don't listen to the radio, for navigating WAZE and Apple CarPlay that Mazda wheel works very well so I don't have any issues like you experienced. I guess if you want to use the radio or sat radio you have to do a lot more input with the wheel.
Hey Sam your reviews are best in terms of quality and details. Please do more test drives. Thanks
A fantastic review!
Great review. Love the car. Have you driven the Mercedes A220? I would enjoy hearing your opinion
Beautiful scenery, what state is this?
Cup holders position is odd
Would you take this over the ‘20 Mazda 6 Grand Touring??
Have a 2020 Mazda 3 Hatch Premium with AWD...OEM tires were terrible...changed the tires to Vredestein Quatrac 5...talk about a "Driver's Car"! WOW...the Vredestein tires make this car even more fun to drive. Regarding the turn knob for the radio etc...actually when you get used to it, it's easy to master. Just takes some time using it. Cup holder placement is terrible...but...had to do that so you would have easy access to the radio knob. I completely agree with you about not having vents for the rear occupants...Mazda missed the boat on that one! All in all, this 3 is a fun car to drive ESPECIALLY with great tires and I really like the blind spot warning on the heads-up display; great safety feature. Cheers!
Turbo coming for 2021.
i thought that was a myth !
Who is buying these? I'm on the road every day from state to state and I've yet to see one in person. Nice looking ride though.
Yeah, you don't see them very often. I've seen more of them up North like in the Notheast. I see very few here in Texas
Great review👍🏿🔥👍🏿🔥👍🏿
Very good looking Mazda3. Almost Alfa Romeo-ish styling in hatchback version. The C pillars are very, ummm, voluptuous. Unfortunately, Mazdas sales in the US were down 7% in 2019 according to Wards Auto Analytics. A friend just bought a new CX5 and loves the hell outta it. 😉🌵🌵🌵
Nice car, nice review
Quiet! They're putting behind you, LOL!
I like it but not so sure about that back door window
Love ya Sam 💙
Nice car, but I'll take the CX-30, especially for the occasional snowy weather.
I like the new music. It was time for a change. 😉
Human factors/ergonomics research would disagree with you about the dial controller; touch screens literally take your eyes off the road, and a dial that's easy to find and reach is better to use than constantly sifting through touch display menus with an unstable floating hand while you drive.
I still don’t understand what you don’t like about the infotainment system. I’ve owned various BMWs, Audi’s and Mazda’s, all with similar systems and, apart from the slowness of the previous Mazda MZD Connect system, I’ve never had an issue with any of them. As for cars with exclusively touch screens, have you ever tried to operate a touch screen as you travel down a bumpy road. Good luck with that. It’s hit or miss at best, not to mention greasy finger prints and dust all over the screen. Oh well, I guess you’re entitled to your opinion. I just don’t get it. Otherwise, a good review. And I still don’t get why your Mazda3s don’t have rear AC vents. All except the base models here in Australia get them.
Thanks for another good review. My only issue with this vehicle is 2 things.. the infotainment system and the Suspension. Corolla now has an IRS in 2020? 😳 cost cutting for sure.- Chevy Cavalier-
The infotainment is fast, intuative, and extremely simple to use. Sam is just wrong on this. Ask any owner.
You see very few mazda on the street and 1 reason they are overpriced for what you get
Really like the 3, a lot ... but more than a GTI??? That’s tough to swallow.
I love the infotainment
Sam - Great video review, however you made a mistake saying the engine is 2.5 ltr. The biggest petrol engine for this version of the Mazda3 is a 2.0 ltr engine.
Not in the States. It's 2.5
@@TestDrivenTV Big apologies! I assumed here in Europe and the US having the same engines. I find it really annoying that compared to Europe the US have a larger variety of choices of options with many of the main car manufacturers. To rub salt in the wound, before the end of this year, Mazda will be releasing the turbo version of the Mazda3 in the US only. Why Mazda, why??
Cylinder deactivation on a 4 banger? There is something weird about that.
Yep! Touch screens are better. The Japanese need to follow the Koreans when it comes to infotainment user interface.
the colour scheme inside & out is nice, just dont like the layout.
Like some of your points but.....GTI is way, way faster (not just “probably”). In fact, I’d be surprised if this AWD version can out sprint a 1.8t Golf from last year. Also, the loss of the multi link rear suspension. This car may be comparable to a basic Golf but it’s not close to a GTI. It needs more motor.
Golf and GTI are faster yes, but also have the turbo engine and overall higher maintenance costs, especially the GTI. Loss of the multi link is not that bad, check out Savagegeese video on the 3 for more information.
Jason You’re right about maintenance costs. I know the DSG needs expensive services as well.
The cheap huge bezel tack on tablet on the dash is horrible.
But, that is the all new infotainment system. ha ha. It has apple carplay and android auto now.
Same shitty interface
Lol! I thought the lack of a volume knob on my Ridgeline was bad!
this has a volume knob
There is a knob and steering wheel controls. Do you require a 3rd way to adjust volume???
What I really think is this guy dresses like he's homeless. Other than that good review video. I love the design of this car. The body lines remind me of something Jaguar would do. Remove the Mazda badge and replace it with a Jag badge and you'd not be the wiser.
But you are very handsome
dear car makers! stop with the black wheels... its not cool anymore....
What's absolutely awful is that haircut, that we can all agree on!!!!!