2023 Mazda3 Review / Original Until the End 

I bought this car in this trim in black a couple weeks ago. Absolutely love it. It looks great, drives super well, the sound system is fantastic, and the interior is really lovely.

Finally SOMEONE who uploaded a 2023 version. Been waiting forever. I bought one and still waiting for it to arrive Watching this video gets me excited to get my car !

I ordered this car half a year ago as my new business lease. I really love the looks and the ride (testdrove one). We don't get the 2,5L engine where I live, so I'm "stuck" with FWD and a 2L 186hp engine, but that's fine for me. Paired with the Manual transmission and Bose audio system. Probably a trim level that you guys don't have, because we don't have certain options. Can't wait for it to arrive. It should arrive somewhere in January 2023.

Excellent insights as always. We have a 22 carbon as our long termer and you are spot on regarding handling and ride quality. It is a unique driving experience that is hard to find elsewhere.

great review. Your summary was spot on. I've been driving a 2021 Mazda 3 Turbo HB (Not the Premium Plus) and just recently turned it into the dealer and am now waiting for my Crystal Soul Red 2023 3 Turbo HB Premium Plus to arrive from port. There really is no competition for this car. It is in a class by itself which is both a blessing and a curse. It is a personal sized sporty, classy, quick and a bit luxurious economical car. It's not a hot hatch nor is it a track car but it is FUN to drive on most roads. The way the engine and transmission are mated together is nearly perfect. The abundant torque is almost reminiscent of a V8.

I recently bought a 2023 Mazda 3 Carbon Edition FWD and I’m in love with it so much!! It was either the Mazda 3 or the new hatchback civic. Drive both and just felt in love with the Mazda 3. I could have bought the AWD Turbo Mazda 3 but I already own a 2015 Evo X and I was like, no calm down you’re here to buy a “somewhat” gas saver car lol

I own a 2019 AWD Preferred Hatchback, the market competitors have definitely made some good upgrades since 2019 and I honestly believe the Mazda 3 when it came out in 2019 spurred on the competition to try harder! Mine is currently at 60k miles and its been awesome! Getting away from the factory tires makes a huge difference for handling, summer tires help it grip and really let you chuck it around corners at high speed reliably. I have Firestone Firehawk summer tires on the OEM 18inch wheels and winter tires on a set of 16inch rims. With winter tires and AWD the confidence it gives is excellent. I live in the midwest and it handles our cold and snow just as well as any SUV, assuming it doesn't get crazy deep. The 3 years of free remote start via the Mazda app is also a must have for the winter IMO. The app is fairly useful as well for giving you notifications. Other miscellaneous features include; auto tilt down mirrors in reverse, full auto headlights and auto high beam, heated mirrors and heated windshield included with heated steering wheel, you can also link the heated seats to the AC so that in full auto it will control your seat heater as well, Mazda app's remote start/lock/unlock, configuring user presets for seats, mirrors, ac, etc. to specific key fobs, other things I'm forgetting... On the topic of cylinder deactivation, it has never given me issues and driving around town averaging 40mph you can easily get over 30mpg because of it. You can occasionally feel it engage/disengage at cold temps but its not cause for concern. The transmission not being able to decide between 1st and 2nd in bumper to bumper traffic is probably more annoying. It doesn't always happen, its a specific speed range and incline it happens at. I usually pop it into manual and sit in 2nd gear if it starts being annoying. Oddly enough you can use adaptive cruise control and manually shift at the same time. The AWD and traction management systems don't unnecessarily kick in and kill the fun, especially in sport mode. But if you have to make a quick maneuver like someone merging into your lane (like literally merging into you) or if you hit black ice, or something along those lines. You can literally feel the car doing magic with independent wheel braking to take your sudden steering input and straighten you out in the end. Put simply this car and the thought and intentionality put into it from Mazda is nothing but impressive given the fact it's still just an economy car at the end of the day.

I’m in the U.K. and have a 2020 GT Sport Tech with the 2.0 Skyactiv X , so it has the full suite of active assistance aids, Bose stereo , leather heated seats , etc with a manual 6 speed. Great spec for the money, nicely refined and much prettier than the competition. It’s not the most thrilling drive , but the longer I’ve had it the more I’ve grown to like the way it drives and it’s easy to live with . Up to 30k miles now and engine definitely has loosened up and got smoother . Not very torquey , but with such a nice gearshift it’s no hardship to use the revs.

I bought a Mazda 3 Skyactiv X 186 hp 1 year ago and after 12 month I'm fully satisfied : a great and beautiful car, so easy to drive !

Came from a 2019 civic to 2023 Mazda 3 hatch. The biggest things I like are the tighter turning radius, speedier and smooth transmission, especially when merging in the highway. More comfortable and quiet cabin. Better handling and road grip. Some compromises are space in back and trunk, tech features like lane keeping assist, visibility in back and blind spots, lower air conditioning minimum fan speeds, bumpier over potholes, seatbelt warning won’t go away, more warnings and beeps when you start the car. Over all I do like it, but wish Mazda would integrate some of the features like lane centering at highway speeds.

Hi all, I have to agree with the summing up. Beautifully presented, blind spot monitoring standard, 360’ camera and forward/rear cross traffic alerts. On top spec model everything required and only cosmetic options. You get it cheaper than anywhere else. Too nice a drive to consider anything else.

Own a 22 CE hatch and love it, of course this day in age I don't see hatchbacks a much of a family vehicle.. definitely feel this should have been more in line to compete with the hot hatch segment like the Veloster N, Type R, Golf, etc... Would love to hear some turbo whine and pops from this without heavy modifications but definitely a good car none the less

anyone else want the 2016 design with updated features? it was so beautiful

I used to have a 2008 3i Touring (5-speed manual for 90k miles) and still own a 2012 3i Touring (6-speed manual with 185k miles)) and I have had absolutely no problems with either one of them. I would buy a new 3 in a heartbeat if there were any available and would even consider the extra bucks for the AWD model over an Impreza, even considering the several mpg penalty that I would face with the 3 as opposed to the Impreza...and being able the get the manual transmission is a plus for old-school me....

Great review. I have a 2020 3 Premium sedan and absolutely love it. Everything about the latest generation is spot on and have had so many compliments since I’ve had it. I just wonder if there will be another generation after the current, there’s no real solid news on a replacement and has me concerned. And also given the fact that Mazda seems to be putting all its resources into crossovers and SUVs.

Legit didn’t know the hatchbacks had a different final drive. Good info!

Would love to see you do the manual review for this model year if you can get your hands on it. I'm strongly considering getting this.

I have a relatively low-milage garage-kept 2018 Mazda 3 GT hatchback. It was the first car I ever bought new, and I love it. When I went in for service (routine oil, etc), they were trying *so hard* to get me to trade it in for a new model Mazda 3, or a CX-30. They offered me around $20K for my current car. I admit I was tempted, but in the end decided not to. My Mazda 3 will be paid off in July, and then I'll have an extra $400/month in my budget. I planned to keep it about 10 years when I bought it. So I decided to stick with my original plan, instead of extending the payments for another several years for something not *that* much better than what I already have. (the radar cruise control was pretty nice, though, and the Turbo AWD on the CX-30 was hella powerful, but still not worth extending payments on a car almost paid off) Most of the stuff that would make the upgrade worthwhile, that would make the car better than or equal to what I have now, are on the more premium models. Random stuff like satellite radio, etc.I built and priced a 'Preferred' model on the website, and with the trade in the payments would be about $250, but despite being a newer model there were many random either downgrades or equivalent tradeoffs from what I have now.

I honestly would of gone with the HB version of the 2021 Mazda3 Turbo PP i bought last summer but, for me that visibility in the HB was a no go for me even with the blind assist. Regardless of that i really have no big complaints about my 2021 Mazda3 sedan Turbo PP

My wife's 2019 CX-5 (non-turbo) just had the cylinder head replaced under warranty because it cracked. Not a fan of the cylinder deactivation. Love the cars, just wish they were more reliable like they used to be.

So I own a 2019 awd mazda 3 hatch premium with every single option you can fit inside her. Upgraded adaptive headlights, and the taillights ( dual rings and the long mid brake light) which looks so much nicer IMO. Bose system, heated seats, heads up display, navigation ect. This is my 4th mazda 3. Had a 2004, 2010, 2012 and now 2019. I absolutely love the car, it's also great in the snow. She's a little tank with the AWD. But... in April I will be trading her in for the same thing I have now but the turbo. Not bc the base engine isn't enough, but because as you can see. I'm a Mazda enthusiasts and want the best 3 I can get and the Turbo is the only thing I'm missing. Great video man!

I almost wished I waited for the turbo when I got my '19 awd. But I'm glad I got "pedal commander" to eliminate the pedal lag. *(~60k km no issues with it)

The slow sales are due to a number of things...cars overall (including the 3) are getting too expensive for the target market, and some of that target market are going for crossovers or not buying a cars at all. Also it doesnt help that the Mazda 3 is a bit too small even for a starter family with one young kiddo...those are the peeps who will likely opt for a compact crossover. Having said that, I'm doing my part, I have a 2021 Mazda 3 turbo hatch (bought right before dealer markups went insane) and it's truly a great little car. No car is perfect, but the only downsides I can think of for my car are very minor..and things I was willing to live with before I bought it. 1. It's not exactly roomy inside...I'm not huge (6'1, 190 lbs) but it can start to feel a little cramped on longer drives. 2. The ride can be a bit jiggly over bad roads...but it's not bad enough to be annoying. Other than that, there is never a lack of power, it handles well on twisty roads at legal (or just above😁) speeds, gets good gas mileage if you stay off the boost, Bose stereo sounds great, seats are supportive but comfy, all controls are fairly simple to use..even the infotainment after you get the hang of it. No regrets at all, but having said that...if I get a call from any of the 4 Toyota dealerships that have my name on a list, a GR Corolla will be my new daily😎

If I were a young buck like you, Tyler, this would be a fun car to own, and you sure make it sound tempting. But spending so much time in the Berkshires, I really need fog lights late at night or early in the morning. Not even taking into account that back seat, lol. Your jokes always give me a laugh, thanks for that, too.

I picked up a 2018 3 series 6 speed GT hatch last year with 16k on it and it’s one of the most fun cars I’ve ever owned. Absolutely love it! Doesn’t look nearly as good as the newer generation but I still like the looks a lot. Plan on my next car being a brand new Mazda, regardless of which model I go. I haven’t owned one since 2008 when I picked up a ‘92 Miata NA and that car was also fantastic. After spending a lot of years trying out other brands, I think I’m now 100% a Mazda buyer for life! Edit: I was also super excited that (in the 2018 at least) Mazda is/was one of the only brands that offered the top trim equipped with a manual. Us drivers who prefer to row our own gears typically get stuck with the lowest trim levels in other brands when we want a manual gearbox

Excellent insights as always.

I bought the cx50 and man I love that car so much, gives me the German feel. Mazda did a great job

Wish they would put a manual in the AWD Turbo, I have a manual 2015 with the 2.5 and love it.

I’ve had 6 Mazda’s since 2001.. They do no wrong for me, love Mazda

Putting those 3.85 final drive on a AWD turbo model would be ace imo.

Super impressed with new mazda's. I am mad cause when I got my 3 I wanted the sedan because I think they look better than the hatchback though I really wanted the turbo. Of course after I make the purchase they go and drop the turbo in the sedan haha. I have had mine just over a year and no issues. A couple of hickups w/ cruise control and the auto up and down of the windows. Typically if they stop doing the auto up and down I just have to push the window lock on and off and they work again, odd! Or they'll work the next time I start it up though its been awhile since that has happened. The cruise problem is when turning it on the car acts as if its bucking like a bad misfire though I think its just the radar cruise having an attack of some sort and only does it on rare occasion, just canceling and turning back on fixes. I always disable the radar cruise as its more annoying then helpful to me along with disabling the collision avoidance due to it almost causing an accident. Those aside the car is great and the fact it had an auto and not cvt was a huge plus. I urge anyone looking at civic and corollas to go check out the mazda. Have taken it on two 1400mi trips and its quite comfortable.

'21 Premium 6 Speed HB owner here - love this car for what it is. It's a sporty commuter that does nearly everything well. Going to keep this one for a long time.

I've been trying to find out does the 2022 Mazda 3 sedan select model have cylinder deactivation if it does I will not purchase it

I have a Premium 2020 AWD with only 15K. I love my car! Great review.

this car has one of the most ergonomic seats that ive been in in a car at least in the drivers seat. i have a 2019 and its pretty much the same inside.

Excellent review, I am finally retiring my Pontiac vibe this year and looking into a Mazda 3 2.5s or 2023 Corolla hybrid, will you be reviewing the new Corolla hybrid this or next year?

I am literally that minority of people you listed at the end. Just got mine 2 days ago 👍

White with black grill and wheel looks really clean NGL

Best part of this car is the sport mode and the sound system!!! I love it haha

So for a fun daily driver, the Mazda 3 hatchback or the Kia forte Gt?

Does the cylinder deactivation can be turn off?

Hey is mazda 3 gs sports has sunroof?

Yup...I have a 2021 carbon edition cx5 & I love it. Jus wish they tamed that suspension a bit it gets a bit jittery on bad pavement & the six speed auto can get confused @ times.

Nice vid tyler. I like when you sprinkle in some jokes.

I got 23 carbon edition hatch,love it

I've had a 2023 Mazda 3 preferred hatch model for a month. Overall, it is good. I only have two big complaints. The back seat has absolutely no leg room. They should have made it a two seater and given more trunk space. The charger/data connector for cell phones is hidden deep in the pit between the front seats and there is no good place to sit phone while driving. Right now, there are no good after-market phone mounts I can find that look good and don't damage the dash.

Just got my regular turbo HB polymetal in August. Been a gem. Keep finding myself looking back, and power to the rear makes taking tighter turns a breeze. Highly recommend. Gas mileage....if I try REALLY hard I can get above 30 combined, 35 on flat* highway drives when the speed limit is 55-65. But that's the price when you can go from 45-90 effortlessly

I was wondering how does this drive compared to the cx-30? I own the cx-30 and im just curious since they are based on the same platform. I assume since it's lower to the ground it handles a bit better?

I'm planning to get a new car soon, and I'm leaning toward the Mazda3. I'm still driving the 08 civic coupe my dad got me when I was 18, so most of the "downsides" are just upgrades of what I'm used to. My car has a lot of blind spots so I'm used to it, my car only has push button controls so it would take longer to adjust to a touchscreen, and the Mazda3 still has a bigger back seat than my coupe. I don't need more space since I rarely have back seat passengers. My civic coupe is a fun little car even if it doesn't have much horsepower, so the new civic, Corolla, Impreza, etc all seem too boring.

Best looking hatch currently on sale. Really enjoying your reviews 👍

My daughter's 2011 hatchback with 22K miles, yes 22K one owner miles, 2.5 auto also hunts for gears BIG TIME.

I love my 2021 so much. Great to drive every day, even after over a year of ownership, and a long day at work I still look forward to the drive back home. Also such nice styling that hasn't changed much.

Honestly, aside from being a car enthusiast, I love Mazda3, one of the best model in its class. The Mazda3 turbo isn't disappointing much for enthusiasts though, try bringing it into the track days (I know its auto)! You'll gonna understand....

People need to stop complaining about the infotainment. The dial is superior! If you own this vehicle, it’s a non-issue after the short learning curve. Mazda should just trickle down the touch screen feature for Apple CarPlay (that’s in the Cx-50) to satisfy everyone. I hate that other automakers have ditched the dial (like Audi). Give us both options!

can you review the sedan?

I really like this inside and out. But I am 6'5" and the last time I tested one I just did not fit. I just checked the listed headroom for 202 and 2023 and it seems there is another 0.5 inches of headroom now. Maybe they measured a non sunroof car for 2023? I guess I have to go a Mazda dealer now.

I very much enjoy the computer in my Mazda. I agree that it is underrated and totally feels safer.

Great review! The deal killer for me is the rip off price for a manual trans. Major turn off.

I always keep making it a point to people that the safest, lates and greatest technology doesn’t make you a better driver, that starts with the DRIVER! Which is why I’m willing to sacrifice bells and whistles in relation to “fancy technology” on modern cars. Just give me a car that’s great on the inside, great on the outside, good on fuel (doesn’t have to be a hybrid but also not a gas guzzler) and has a great driving experience. I can handle the rest just fine since I know I’m a good responsible driver.

How is the brakes. Do you need alot for power on brake to stop the car or just a touch responsive..

Its insane to me how different the trim options are from US to Canada

Very nice looking car. Can easily compete with the golf imo

I'm basically just watching for validation as I've already got the regular turbo on order. Your conclusion about the niche type of buyer I think describes me and my decision making process to a T. 28, single, new good paying job so I wanna treat myself just a hair, maybe kids in the future but none yet. Even down to your description of it being a better road trip car than track weapon descripts my intentions perfectly. I don't want/need to race, but after my last couple cars, I really appreciate being able to get out and make a pass. I'm also glad to hear about some of the previous problems with the 3 and what to expect problem-wise. Thanks for the vid! I feel sufficiently validated in my choice and even more excited to take delivery! :D :P

We loved our 2019 AWD Premium initially, essentially the same car as the 2023, but 4 years in would say I won't own another. It has become the costliest car in our driveway of "Nissan, Jeep, Lexus" over the same time period. $650 to chase down rattles driven by a loose infotainment screen (build quality...ps 1yr later rattles are back), now $1500 to fix a "known" design issue in the engine as we were just told outside warranty. I am glad I got this for $20K before all the price hikes. Reviews on current models with actual miles put on them and broken in would be amazing.

Did you notice any vibrations when cylinder deactivation kicks in with a manual?

It checks 9/10 boxes i just wish it was rear wheel drive

I love my 2017 HB❤

i gpt a 2004 hatch back mazda 3 its stick and it drives better then half the cars i have been in and it has the best radio in all the mazda 3s

2.5 is great. Unfortunately, it still has direct injection only. Thank god they haven't bought into CVT transmissions yet.

Back in the day opting for a manual was cheaper than an automatic. Times change.

glad I got a low mileage 2021 without cylinder deactivation.

Why, why, why can’t we have a manual AWD turbo? I have a hard time buying they can’t make a manual to handle the torque.

i've always liked the looks of the car.

I have a 2020 Mazda 3 and I’ve mixed feelings about it. I knew the AWD would have an impact on the gas mileage but I didn’t know they actually shrunk the gas tank too. So I’m filling up more often than I thought I would. My drivers seat is squeaky and the arm rest is starting to rip (the leather is starting to tear). Besides for that, it’s been a great car

not sure why small cars are not selling well, you can have so much more fun with them, getting in and out of tight spaces in city area.

I'm financing a brand new 2022 mazda 3 sedan, it'll be my first car that's not pre owned, very scared sicne it's my first 'big boy' purchase

I still want my sport-minded compact, and terribly, it seems like Mazda has moved away from this. The affordable Mazda “ZOOM-ZOOM” that I fell in Love with and bought into over multiple generations have now evaporated and it’s breaking my heart. So this question goes out there,, what would be a good replacement? I’m thinking the new KIA Forte GT, which takes me back to everything that Mazda used to be. Any thoughts?

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I'm going to buy a Mazda from Royal in Bloomington. It's like 80 miles from me. So stoked for the day I go there.

Got my 2023 Mazda 3 2.5NA premium for a month now and pretty happy with it. There’s one thing I really love about Mazda in this class even go above to midsize sedans, not much manufacturers are keeping independent adjustable head rests for all three rear seats. Yes it may not able to carry five people comfortably inside but the safety of everyone inside is always well protected. And I think Mazda didn’t mention it clearly on their media release, all 2023 Mazda 3 models are now with two rear side airbags added to make the total airbags to 10(they do mentioned this as a safety improvement for 2023 CX-30s tho)

I remmeber when mazda used to build cars under 20k or 25k.

I agree with hatch over sedan.

1 month with mines ❤

used to be that manual transmission were the cheapest model of a car line

Hey I got my Mazda 3 at that dealership lol

1:17 I thought the 2.0 was discontinued before now. It seems nobody bought those.

I would get the car but I got no money. The car look simple and sexy

Mazda6 next?

The hud is nice but i'd prefer a 2ch dash cam, (optional), that now can be useful in many situations. About seat material leather on very hot days means sweat and wet shirt, so i preferred tissue seats (but they had a leather strip anyway not necessary). Considering it's japanese all high tech should be on top, but infotainment is not, there should be a lot of high tech gadgets (optionals of course) but the best they did was the interface for ipod..... In this new model it seems that the infotainment dispaly is a bit smaller (don't like it so small), and when using navigator is worst. Comfort on back seat, entering and going out, could be enough for young people or children.... but what happen if you have 2 old members of the family? Try.... is a disaster... and i'm sorry this issue has not changed. Same is for tall guys.... imagine a medium/long trip on back seat.....they become mad in that poor space..... About front glasses i noticed that on rainy conditions you can't open 1 cm that the rain comes in.....goes on the driver glass panel and then goes down straight on the bose speakers..... So when there's rain and the glass get fogged you are forced to use air conditioning. Details makes the difference between a good car and an excellent car.... I think Mazda should open to customers feedback, open a communication line because if they don't think to modify something we can tell them.... I tried to find this on their web site, but is impossible.

It’s nice but way to small inside to be practical.

Love sporty rides but the visibility alone would stop me from buying this car. Add the cramped back seat, and I'll stick with the Civic. Still fun to drive, but far more practical. Wish we could merge the cars.

The good thing about Mazda is that they still offer more models with manual transmissions than most other car brands, and if I’m gonna buy something sporty it’s gotta be stick, pushing buttons on a steering wheel just isn’t as fun in my opinion.

isn't this the Mazda 3 sport tho?

This in manual or Corolla hatch in manual?

I'm not seeing a Turbo AWD manual model available...

I think the sedan has much better visibility. It’s by far the best visibility of all the cars I’ve had just came from a 2010 Acura tl it had awful visibility

0-60 8.4 sec for real?

please tell me you can get it without cylinder deactivation

It would be a shame if Mazda 3 disappears from Mazda product lineup.

so its basically a compact grand tourer?