2023 Mazda 3 Turbo AWD | Long Term Testing 

The newer Mazda 3 are such an underrated gem

This is one of the few cars out right now that I would actually consider buying. Styling looks good inside and out with reasonable price for the performance. Will definitely follow this long term review!

I've put 80,000 miles on my NA 2019 Mazda 3 hatch AWD. Love it more each day! Only issues I've had were a dead battery and the infotainment screen delaminating at 3k miles.

I just have to comment and point out how great your HDR grading is. So few creators utilize HDR properly, and seeing the highlights in the exterior shots pop on my Macbook screen is seriously impressive. Great work guys! Setting the standard for post-processing and video quality in car content!

Car aside, I just wanted to mention that your move to HDR content is very welcomed. It's great enough to the point where I only watch these on my TV now so as to appreciate your time and effort in making this great quality content - on RU-vid of all places! - Long-term fan and Illinois local

I'm so glad you had a long term tester for this. This is one car that I'm seriously considering buying.

Immediately noticed the HDR grading. Like at 2:35 the car is almost popping out of the screen. Fantastic work! It helps so much with outdoor shots of cars to really get a sense of the paint, etc. Way ahead of the curve for the rest of RU-vid.

I've put 60,000 miles on my 2020 non-turbo 3 and I could not be happier. Completely reliable, comfortable, and beautiful car.

I genuinely think these are beautiful, I absolutely love hatch backs and this one hits a lot of the right notes in both form and function for me. It's definitely a lot more grown up being more plush than it's competitors but I'm sure people could easily tune em a bit and make them not only comfortable, but fun.

I appreciate Mark and Jack doing this one. The Mazda 3 Turbo hatch is an interesting car and I look forward to the updates and comparisons to come.

I'm very interested to see how this long term test does. I found this channel when I came across Mark's original 2019 launch Mazda3 video when I was researching for a new car for my wife (we both the Mazda3 premium hatchback). The quality and humor of the videos has me sticking around all these years later.

I love my 19 NA 3 premium trim! Your original review sold me on getting one I was already looking at and I'm glad I did. The audio is solid for the price, red interior is gorgeous, the exterior styling and led DRL halos are beautiful, and the quality other than some rattles is very premium. I just wish I had some more power like with the turbo. I've been looking at the supercharger kit that a few youtubers have installed, but I'm not that auto savvy to be able to do maintenance if I added that so it might stay stock and slow.

I've owned a 21' Turbo for a couple years now. Only complaints so far have been: 1) Stock tires are terrible and will bulge on your first pothole, so worth upgrading 2) More rattles on interior trim pieces and some door parts than expected for price point 3) Cruise control sensor gets easily messed with in rain, low sun angles, which just disables any of the active safety stuff associated Otherwise is fun to drive and handles well, comfortable, quiet, and roomy for the price and amazing interior!

I heard about the torsion beam before I bought my '22 3 turbo, and honestly I'm super happy with the handling compared to my 2016 mazda6 with independent rear suspension. You can put down so much power around corners with the AWD system, and I've never had it understeer on me, even in snow. It oversteers like a champ.

Bought a 2021 Mazda 3 Turbo AWD in December 2021 after watching your review and I'm so glad I did. It's a perfect car for me.

I just realized I haven’t been subscribed all this time…. I am now and look forward to the hours of lost productivity this series will generate for me. Drive safe!

Perfect lift back form factor for drop shipping Geese merch.

I have a feeling that this Mazda3 is going to be a car that will be remembered well. In the age of economy cars where everything is just refined and all the fun is stripped out, this is something that does at least resemble... a little bit, something that is more fun but still refined. The amount of detail they put in the car is impressive, and as we move forward in the generations with more CVTs and hybrids, this car will be remembered as one of the last more traditional and "fun" compact cars that people could somewhat afford.

Keep the videos coming in HDR. It's always such an upgrade in quality vs. most other yt channels it's nuts.

You bring out some great points. I drive a 2020 Premium FWD manual transmission. I used to have a 2015. Love this vehicle, it’s my daily driver. I find my vehicle very responsive, easy and very fun to drive, and I receive compliments on it all the time like “… wow, that’s a cool car!” It’s an underdog that sails above anything else I looked at. Interior materials are premium (I have the red interior) and I don’t see myself driving anything else for quite awhile. This vehicle has plenty of power for me - I don’t need ‘fast’, just ‘fast enough’ - turbo and AWD are not things I dream about but do see their appeal. There are only a couple things I would change: need some rear air vents; cooled front seats, and heated steering wheel (not options for the manual transmission at the time, which is the only one I’ll drive). I only have 17K miles on my vehicle but no problems at all so far (except my driver door weather stripping tore, which they replaced -It still catches so I taped it down…).

i will debunk the slow steering input thing, the issue is the wheel size and width. Change to a wider tire and wider wheel, the input is SOO MUCH QUICKER, like you changed the steering ratio. These wheels were clearly made for looks and comfort, going for a wheel that you like while also going for a more sporty tire like the Firestone Firehawk indy500 in 235 sizing, you are gaining 100% of the mazda sporty feeling back.

I saw this car from behind with lights on the other day. Easily the best looking lights of any car. And I say this as a GR Yaris owner.

Congrats, you have now achieved the pinnacle of your automotive journalist careers. It's all downhill from here. Consider yourselves to be very privileged for an opportunity to experience this automotive masterpiece.

This is the long-term series I'm most excited about!

Your videos reviewing the car and the engineering when the fourth gen Mazda 3 was released in 2019 affirmed my decision to purchase one last year. I opted for the carbon edition sedan with the FWD n/a 2.5 powertrain. So far I have not regretted my decision in the least bit. I think the car is beautiful to look at and the interior seems much more upscale than its competitors. As much as I am enjoying this car, the value proposition takes a nosedive when you get to the turbo AWD trims. My car had a MSRP of $27,815 and I feel brings a lot to the table at that price point. At the $35,000 mark, I would probably start looking at other options. It is unfortunate that your car has the interior rattles as that is a common complaint online, along with very fragile paint. Thankfully, I don't have any interior rattles but I'm only at 6k miles. If there is an upside, it seems that dealers are receptive at dealing with these rattles.

Overall I would say it is a great car. I cross-shopped this with the new Civic and ended up with a Civic for one major reason. I'm over 6' and if you ever plan on having a taller person in the back seat, when you look out the side window all you can see is the sloping roof line. While it looks sleek on the 3, the more traditional styling of the Civic allows for reasonable use of the rear seat. It might seem minor to some, but I strongly recommend sitting in the back seat and looking out to see if it impacts you the way it did for me. Also, it makes banging your head on egress much, much easier.

I was just rewatching all your Mazda 3 videos last night so seeing this uploaded an hour ago is tripping me out haha

Thank you for uploading in HDR. It’s absolutely gorgeous! Love the Mazda3 as well.

Owned mine for two years now. I agree with all the positives that have already been covered in all the review videos out there (interior quality, comfort, quiet cabin, sound system, etc.). And I actually LIKED some of the "negatives" others have pointed out. I don't find visibility to be a problem at all when the mirrors are adjusted properly. I PREFER the command knob and physical controls over having a giant iPad touchscreen with nasty fingerprints all over it. The exterior styling of this car just never gets old for me. To me it just looks and feels like a car that's a class above its price point. As far as negatives go: I wish it had a bigger gas tank. I knew from the start having a 2.5T engine wasn't going to give me the best fuel economy, but when paired with a small gas tank you can expect to spend a lot of time at the pumps if you're a leadfoot. And I'm probably going to get crap for saying this, but its slower steering ratio and weight makes it feel more like you're driving a crossover or SUV than a nimble compact hatchback. I previously owned the naturally-aspirated variant (AWD Preferred) and honestly that felt a little better balanced at its limits. The Preferred trim also soaked up potholes a little better, despite having identical wheels and tires. I'd be curious to see how much of that front/rear weight distribution is thrown off with the 2.5T. I still love driving this thing everyday, but if I had to do things all over again I think I'd just go for the naturally-aspirated 2023 Carbon Edition hatchback in AWD. The turbo is noticeably quicker and all, but FOR ME its gains really aren't worth the added weight, increased ride harshness, and reduced range since it's not really trying to be a hot hatch to begin with.

I had a blast reviewing one of these a few weeks ago, genuinely was tempted to go buy one after it went back to the press dungeon. Fantastic little hatchback.

I think it's awesome you guys are doing this. I've been checking these out up and down the last few months. It's cool to see you guys are as intrigued with this vehicle as I am. I need an AWD here in the North East and with the turbo and sporty luxury it has everything I want in a car.

Just have to add another comment giving you kudos for your production quality, it's seriously breathtaking. I feel like I'm getting a better look at these cars through these videos than I would get if I was being rushed along by a dealer at a test drive. With the added bonus of you guys putting the car on the lift and disseminating the structural/engineering info as you do, your reviews provide an invaluable level of insight. The only thing I miss is you guys throwing mustard-covered cold cuts into the door pockets of test cars, so I'm hoping you can demonstrate some Hebrew National wiener-grilling on the exhaust manifold of this Mazda3 AWD Turbo soon.

Based on your review from a couple of years ago of the non-turbo 3, I got myself one, as a sedan, which I think looks nicer. I do not regret the decision at all. It's quiet, comfy, good stereo and drives incredibly well

Would love to see the comparison of the Mazda3 Turbo and the Integra A-Spec That would put both cars as premium hatchbacks into perspective

Literally purchased this car in machine grey metallic based on your extensive reviews. Excited for this.

A large reason I bought my 2021 Mazda 3 Hatch was because of your videos. I think I've watched them at least 10x each.

Our 2018 3 hatchback touring with 119K has been fantastic. Still solid as day 1.

Always been a fan of Mazda how they still try to make their cars fun to drive and esp including their modern design languages. That front bumper on this car looks very aggressive, the lower has a very sharp almost aftermarket looking air dam! I like it alot even though I can see plenty new owners smashing that thing lol

Oooh consumer advice you say. Excellent. Great to see a long term and comparisons coming up.

I went into Mazda and they tracked down a 2.5 turbo sedan for me. Getting it this week. I just wanted a modest looking awd car with some pep. Im an 80’s kid so being older, I thought it was time for a little luxury without breaking the bank. You’re detailed reviews are on another level. SavageGeese. You’re the best. I’ll be following your videos on the Mazda 3. 👊

I absolutely loved my Mazda 3 6 speed manual. Amazing interior and fit and finish for the price. Miles above the competition at the time. It was a bit slow for the gas mileage. Wish the turbo came with a 6 speed manual.

I had a 2018 and a newer 2020 one, both hatchbacks. I found the design and technology of this current generation impressive but the ergonomics were not as comfortable to me as an individual (seat length etc). But whatever keeps Mazda able to sell vehicles as an independent is a plus.

I’ve had my 2019 Mazda3 hatchback manual for three years now. Your original video is the one that sold me on it. I just saw how much attention to detail Mazda paid in driver body dynamics, NVH, and even matching the LED white balance in all the switchgear inside. These are the things that only you’ve mentioned northern reviewer. Loving the car, other than first year issues. Oh, and the brakes, the brakes are absolutely horrible. But other than that such a premium car.

I have a '21 Turbo Premium Plus. I love this car!! I got it partly based on your review. I love that it is not a hot hatch racer. While I do like those, I wanted something fun yet refined somewhat. The interior is wonderful aesthetically but it has had some rattles. My dealership has been great to fix these things and are just top notch. Otherwise no real issues with the car. I went for the Poly Gray with the red interior. I get compliments on the color and sometimes people are like "what kind of car is this??!!" I also changed out the stock tires for some Continentals and handles so much better now. What a difference a tire makes!! Can't wait to see your experiences with it long term.

I really like this car as a long-term test choice. It is a vehicle I would consider as a daily that can be fun, though not a hot hatch.

I just picked up a cx-30 turbo based in part on your guys' video. coming from a golf R I'm both happy and sad. On the one hand it's wayyy more pleasant to drive when running errands or doing long road trips(aka 95% of the time), but you guys hit the nail on the head with the two biggest dynamics issues. the torsion beam and really slow steering (and the motor hates to rev, it's got torque but it feels like diesel). seeing as how the cx-30 is based on the mazda 3, I have to assume the driving experience is pretty similar, and man would I be disappointed if I bought a 3 as a hot hatch. refined daily driver? for sure. fun car? nope. it kind of begs the question why bother going with the 3, get the ride height and suspension travel and go with the cx-30. I've been really enjoying it. Thanks for the rec.

Looking at purchasing one of these this year, 6 speed non turbo. Pumped for your follow up vids.

"out in the wild" evokes so many good stories. There I was, creeping along the creek bed. My boots soaked through though only a trickle remained this far into the season. When suddenly...!

I really enjoy my 2021 Turbo sedan, great value for money and the engine is quite impressive.

Hey Mark- it’ll be interesting to see your and Jack’s thoughts on the car after the 6 months. This car is one I cross-shopped with the Honda Accord Sport 2.0T($35,400), and I ended up going Accord as the Mazda dealers near me didn’t wanna budge while the Honda dealer was more than happy at MSRP. Love the vids.

I'm considering the Mazda3. Your reviews are great. The best about the Mazda3

2021 Turbo Sedan owner here, purchased brand new. Main complaint, I had the rear diff eat itself after just 26,000 miles, but scanning forums it was attributed to a production line issue and not a design problem. Dealer put in a new one, with no hassle warranty repair, they just asked if I had towed it with the wheels on the ground and if i had offroaded it. I'm confident that the assembly line issue was fixed (something with the wrong sized shim being installed). I do get some interior rattling that oddly enough comes and goes, but is not a big issue. 37,000 miles now and I still get a grin when looking at it and driving it. For the money it's the nearly perfect car!

Thanks for giving this car more air time. As an owner of one, it was the only car that struck the balance of cost/performance/styling when I got it. Curious if you’ll see any oil consumption issues that some people with the Mazda turbos are reporting.

I’ve had a NA 2021 Mazda3 for a little over two years now, and on bumpy roads or sharp turns mine also has some squeaks that somewhat betray what is otherwise great build quality. All around I’ve been super happy with the car and I’m eager to see what y’all think of the Turbo!

The lighting in your purple editing room is perfect! Nicely done!

My wife and I picked up a '19 after your review of it a few years back. Still have it at 24k miles.

mazda 3 is available as a sedan as well, looks really good. 1k bucks cheaper too

I have that hatchback just without turbo and it`s an awesome car. Before had the 6 with the 2.5T which is the same engine as the 3 turbo and it was pulling fun. The 3 feels really cohesive, every button, dial, doodad is spot on and thought through. Nothing is there by accident. And it drives the same way - unlike some korean cars the 3 drives like someone put some proper thought into it.

Always loved the Mazda3 Hatch and glad there’s a finally a turbo. Hopefully it holds up well long-term 🤞🏽

I've got a 21 with the Preferred package/trim. 2 years I've had this thing now, and I STILL look forward to the drive back home after a long, exhausting work day. Also I took this thing on a roadtrip, and spent 9 hours on the road in a single day with a Mountain Biking session mid day. I'm 6'3" ~280lbs. Was comfy and enjoying the drive down to the next state park for more riding the next day. Also genuinely thing it's one of the most beautiful cars out on the road today.

I had a 2021 Mazda 3 for a couple months and liked it quite a bit. The biggest down side for me was the cargo space. A trip to costco (including dog food) meant dropping the back seats. I was able to trade it for what I paid and stepped up to a CX5. I had a non-turbo and for the price it was a really great car, the fuel economy even with the AWD model was always higher than rated, sometimes by alot reaching close to 40mpg highway somehow.

Love my 2018 3 GT. I’ll bite on the latest AWD Turbo the second they ship it with a stick!

Big fan of Mazda here, but this car broke my heart. I have owned 2 MX5s, a CX-30 (for work) and currently own a 22 CX5. I had one of these at launch in 2019. I knew better than to buy a hot-off-the-press new model, but was sucked in by how beautiful it was. Mine was a GT with every option & 6spd manual. Beautiful Polymetal Grey with red interior. So many issues, it was gone in a year. All the tech simply never worked right. The adaptive cruise tried to kill you constantly, the adaptive driving sensors never knew what was going on & many of the other systems would not work properly if parked out in the sun for a few hours on a hot day. TPMS constantly had errors. The dash was a perpetual Christmas tree. The interior had a ton of rattles, there were a zillion recalls in the first year, the front windshields are made of papier mâché, the cylinder deactivation would cause a very annoying vibration up through the gas pedal and front seats of the car at many speeds. The car drove me insane. It was extremely beautiful, quiet, drove well, fuel economy was very respectable, and the Bose stereo was fabulous. I have heard that the 2021+ model years have ironed out these issues, but that was too late for me.

I’m so excited for this series.

Super interested to hear how this shakes out long term. The torsion beam rear and kinda tiny interior is what has always given me pause. I’d imagine it probably feels quieter than the integra, but I think the fact you can fit people *and* things is a strong case for it over the 3.

As a Mazda 3 4th gen owner my first hand experience has been great! I unfortunately don't have the turbo but the regular 2.5 is good enough for your average commuter car and the AWD with good snow tires is impressive. Just the right amount of traction control in normal mode to slide for fun but great at using the brakes to correct the back end slipping out. There are some creaks and rattles, especially in the winter. The stiffer suspension also doesn't help this with road surfaces in the winter. My main suspension gripe is not with the torsion beam but rather it feels crashy on pot holes and speed bumps. I'm no expert and I don't think that's entirely related to the torsion beam but would love for you guys to explain why that is. Maybe adjustable dampers would help? Fuel economy has been pretty good, averaging about 28mpg in the dead of winter with lots of remote starts and idling time. Cylinder deactivation actually does add a lot to the equation in city driving. I can easily hit 36-38mpg driving around town at 40-50mph, assuming i don't stop at lights often. Even on the highway averaging 75mph for a 20 minute drive I can still hit about 30-32mpg on winter tires without trying to be economical. The factory Toyo tires sucked in a lot of ways but for fuel efficiency they were pretty good. Did a 6k mile road trip on them when I first had the car and with cruise control set to 80mph driving through flat Nebraska I got 358 miles in 4h29m, averaging 35.8mpg. The winter tires and summer tires I rotate between knock that down a couple pegs.

Please consider a higher frequency of videos with this long term project. I love seeing the real life issues owners run into and most don't have your reach

i have been VERY pleased with my 2018 Mazda3 Touring Hatch. quick. handles fine. good for both city and highway. i have 25k miles and have averaged 29mpg for the life of the car. it's all good. thumbs up.

I live in Vietnam and when i see this car, i always do a double-take. Its a beaut. Not as hot as the VW Scirocco though. That car was straight sex.

Shoutout to the guy who couldn't be bothered to clean the snow off his brodozer

I owned the 2021 model and loved every minute of it, just upgraded to a c43. Can’t recommend this Mazda 3 more ! Great car to get into.

Excited to see more long term tests and reviews

The rear visibility is what killed it for me with this car as I otherwise liked the drive.

The lack of driver visibility was just a deal breaker for me. The A pillar was always in the way, and rear visibility non existent. Really liked the way it looked, interior cabin itself was very nice, and drive was nice enough.

Looking forward to this 6-month series. Plus, for me, it's well-timed, as the lease on my CX-5 is up in a year (got, in part, on your recommendation). Plus I recall your high praise of the AWD 3 Hatch when it came out (including your stated consideration for getting one for your personal use... then, anyhow).

This is probably the most honest car reviewing channel in youtube.

Mazda has been so much better since they left Ford. Anyone else agree?

The design of this generation took a while to grow on me, but it finally has. And now that they offer the manual with the turbo, it's a very interesting car.

Mazda 3 Sedan 2021 owner here, I it speced with a 2.0 Sky X engine and manual, with GT Plus trim level (one of the Europe spec), and delivered to me during the pandemic from japan in 5 months (seems i was lucky to order when i did), now at 17K kilometers after just over a year of ownership. Your initial video was one of the first i watched really and is one of the initial triggers to consider a Mazda again (owned a mazda 323 GTX 1989), as I was looking at other car brands as well. But one test drive away of a mazda 3 just sealed the faith for other options. Have not had a single issue nor do i understand the rattles i hear about, as we have pretty bad roads here, maybe its about where its put together. Very low fuel consumption and good on the highways and long rides. Over all could not be more satisfied with it, looks, how it drives etc etc. Very interested how this test goes in terms of some issues ive seen mentioned on forums. Biggest shame is we do not get 4wd for sedans, no Turbo engines either in Europe, would have been tempted to go for one really.

God damn, that's a good looking hatchback. Thank you Mazda for even still making one, and honestly it's a steal of a deal for how nice of a car you get.

My only gripe is no manual option, I understand why they did it but man this thing with a stick would be a nice little daily.

36k for a Mazda 3...shows just how good of value that Venza is. Or how bad of value the Mazda 3 Turbo AWD is.

Looking forward to the upcoming updates, love this car.

Just passed 40k in under 2 years on my FWD Preferred Hatch, and I love this car more and more everyday. Best car I’ve owned for sure. I hope you guys have fun with it!

These things seem really claustrophobic. Look at 2:22 the beltline is so high especially in the rear. I honestly think that's why small cars are dying in part. With SUVs the beltline is also super high to the point that you can't hang one arm on the windowsill but the height of the roof allows for more glass. Part of why there's so many families driving around in F150s which are basically fish bowls

Good lookin' car for sure, but $36K ouch. We paid $34K for, our then new, '14 Odyssey van with a V6 and moonroof. I know they have a newer generation and inflation etc, etc. but wow.

I have the 2020 AWD GT Mazda 3 and it's an absolute beast in the winter. Driving in canada the snow can be fierce and where I've gotten stuck with multiple other vehicles it just powers on. Fuel economy sucks in winter though.

I have a 2020 that other than routine maintenance and one battery has been absolutely flawless. My lease is up in about 4 months and thinking about buying it outright.

Wish this was available in manual

I'm sure the five people who are considering buying this vehicle in 2023 will really appreciate this video.

Let's gooo! I have a 22 Manual FWD hatch in polymetal and have loved it so far! You're not going to get great MPG but it's a great space to be in and with the AWD helps you in all situations.

i bought a 2021 TPP 10 days ago. I am stoked to follow this series. Hopefully I made the right choice.

$36K is robbery

No manual + AWD option. Big L for Mazda.

i love how no nonsense these videos are 👏

Excellent video serie, looking forward to the multiple updates in the future! Also, Mark, could you ask Mazda engineers if they can bring back the sunroof for European specs Mazda 3s, that’s really a bummer for us. Thank you ❤

I daily a '21 Turbo AWD - polymetal gray, red leathers, got it brand new. At that time before I purchased, I was pondering between a Golf R or to hold for the Integra or a CPO German lux. The car market was tight in availability so I pulled the trigger when the color I liked was out there in the lot. No regrets & really love it, great on the pocket too. Some of my thoughts on the car - as someone who lives in Alberta, Canada (real bad winters): 1) The interior of this car outclasses many at its price point. I spend a lot of time on the road so the comfort levels the car has makes it a solid easy daily to live with. While it feels upscale, it has remnants of cheaper parts here & there but the car design does so well to make it seamless. Versus my previous 3 series beemer, the Mazda 3 felt like it could go pound for pound. You can switch the turbo on for some spirited driving here & there but ultimately the feel when seated, its refined & caters to a lux feel. That was what won me over the most. 2) The car is very torque-y. From a full stop, it will leave most in the dust. In actual highway & city driving, the power it has is all you need. The AWD in winter gives me a lot of confidence too. Yes, proper winter tires is a must, but that AWD is a difference maker. Always felt in control. 3) You can fuel with 87 octane or the premium ones at 93+. That flexibility is huge especially for a turbo engine. Understated feature. 4) While the car is a hatch, it doesn't have the biggest trunk space. For a bachelor like me, it fits my lifestyle so it wasn't much of a deal breaker. I reckon for a family, it will be small. Can barely fit 2 international size luggage at the back. Legroom inside is spacious! 5) The sensors when iced, disables the safety features. So I always warm the vehicle first and check the front fascia & rear sensors to clean out before driving off. I can live with it but an obvious demerit. 6) I feel the brakes aren't up to par to the car's power. Needs better brakes. But then again, it's not a pure performance vehicle. Would have been nice. I intend to get Corksport brake kits down the line for it. 7) Doesn't have a built-in remote starter. Add-on option. 8) Controversial take - I love the media hub/infotainment with the knob. It actually works great once learned compared to a touch screen. The HUD casted on the windshield works actually well. 9) Mazda service falls short vs Honda but still better than most. On the cheaper side too, huge boon for cost of ownership. 10) The fuel tank is small! Livable but you do feel it greatly over the course of every 500 km especially with the turbo. 11) Awesome sound system!! I find myself driving a bit longer sometimes to jam out before parking home. 12) Powerful lights. Looks small (& beautiful if I must say) but man do they beam strong. 13) Cannot say it enough, really great interior especially for the price. I['m sure the car's segment & price point will have you doing a double or triple take vs the alternatives out there. I say, test drive one if you can because the feel & experience is what Mazda worked on the most. It's a great car in my books & will keep it for a very long time.

Thanks for SPELLING it out for us at 6:10 "You do notice it in the back that you do feel the torsion beam, the torsion beam. I mean you can't get around it and I think it is a big step backward. As much as they say it is not."

I'm on my second Mazda 3...first one was a 2017 hatch with the 2.5L naturally aspirated motor, and then just recently purchased a 2022 Turbo 3 sedan. Love them both...the new ones are definitely more refined and a bit less raw feeling, but still very sporty and capable. When my friends who drive regular commuter type cars get in and drive it, they're struck by how heavy the steering and suspension feel versus average cars.

Recently sold my 2019 XC60 T6 E Design and got into a more practical and fuel efficient sedan since I have a commute. I looked at this, the Integra and the A3 and I found myself circling back to this (I had a 2018 CX-5 before the Volvo) so I bought a 2023 Mazda 3 Sedan in the preferred trim, I compared the bose vs the standard audio system and I’m an audio guy, the difference was not worth the upcharge. The audio settings are extremely configurable, in all honestly this is a lot of car for the price. It’s way nicer than it needs to be. I have put 7000 miles on it and I bought it on May 4, 2023. I enjoy every minute of driving it