Is the 2023 Mazda 3 Turbo a BETTER sport hatchback to BUY than a VW GTI? 

Always loved Mazda. They make good priced cars that feel way more expensive than they actually are. My first car was actually a CX-5 and it was a great car

Got this exact car but in black 2 weeks ago. Most interesting part about it is how satisfying it is to drive at speed limit. I don’t even enjoy accelerating hard and speeding around in it. Something about turning corners at a nice pace just tickles the soul with this car. Probably the G vector control thing they got going.

WILD! Joe already reviewed this exact model and spec, but it's worth multiple vids.

I have a ‘21 turbo hatch. It is an amazing car overall and even with two kids it is more than large enough for our needs.

I have the 2022 base turbo hatch. It’s not as loaded as the premium but mechanically the same. I bought it for MSRP and love it. Quick, responsive and also a great daily driver to cruise around in. Love your reviews as always Joe.

Joe, you crack me up, who the hell‘s going to put a California calzone in a rear pocket on the back of a seat. What a mess that would be, lol! I love how you equivalent everything to food, and how much wood will fit in the car LOL!😂

Great as always Joe, having owned a speed 3, and 3 generations of the CX-5, you have to mention Mazda reliability, and just can't be overlooked when cross shopping other makes.

Comment to you personally Joe. Your referemces are hilarious 😂😂. I get all or most of them. I watch everyday your videos. Ig i have a bad day i watch your videos and they make me laugh. Your hilarious. High quality videos. Thanks for making my days better. ON THROTTLE!!🚙💨

Mazda is one of the best automakers out there right now. Great exteriors, great interiors, great dynamics, great performance and it's even relaxing and practical when you need it to! Mazda is the true Japanese BMW!

Got this model last July and absolutely love it. Such a fun daily driver. And the interior 🤌

The Mazda infotainment is the best I have had. You really do get used to going through the menu without looking at it plus…no fingerprints on the thing that attracts attention on the dash!

I own a ‘22 Mazda 3 Turbo W/ Premium Plus Pkg and Aero Pkg like this one. Had the car about 7 months now and i absolutely love it! If you’re considering this car you won’t be disappointed. I recommend the Platinum Quartz Metallic paint Option.

I love Mazda. Their design is unique. They build well balanced vehicles. Not too fast, not too slow and a sporty drive 👍

Im still driving a fully specced 2013 Mazda3 and its given me very little trouble. I love that car.

Perfect angle of the camera to the speedometer via the top of the steering wheel! When you go on throttle, you go "off evidence." LOL! Great video - I like this car! Torque and no CVT.

I've had 2 Mazda 3's the 2015 and then 2019 redesign. They really are great cars. The infotainment not being touch is actually safer and easier to use while actually driving. They feel so nice for the price. Really safe too.

Coming from old gmc jimmy. I’m in love with my Mazda 3 hatchback! What a joyful car 🚗. Love everything about it honestly.

Haven't finished the video but thanks for bringing up the Veloster N. Tons of people don't use it as a hatchback comparison anymore since it was announced they ceased making them, yet all around was a great car.

Absolutely stunning vehicle. Around me it really stands out in a crowd because of how uncommon this particular spec is. Wouldn’t mind getting a drive in one.

I had a Golf TDI which I took the cash package for during diesel-gate. I used that to buy a Mazda 3. I drive in a larger city with plenty of traffic and people who like to never fully pass (so they hang out beside you) and I also take long road trips. I really miss my Golf for a lot of internal components that the Mazda doesn't have. I also miss how steady and reliable the Golf steering felt on curves.

@19:27 Careful Joe, I know no one was behind you but there were vehicles moving on your left lane. A vehicle could change lanes at the last moment into your lane, rear ending you since your stoped in moving traffic. Take care and great review as always.

I have a 21 premium plus sedan and i love it! Love the navigation wheel and actually prefer it to touchscreen

I have owned my Mazda 3 Turbo for over two years now, and I love it! The laundry list of complaints including the infotainment, blind spots, transmission, etc. are of no issue after some time, at least for me. The car is responsive, super fun, and so gorgeous! As a disclaimer: my car is modified, though. Great value!

This Mazda3 hatchback looks so cool and it’s fun! The red stitching looks so inspired.

I bought this car less than 2 weeks ago and I'm absolutely in love with it. I got the Platinum Quartz Metallic & black interior. It's a comfortable daily driver and plenty of power to get around, all around great car.

Another great and fun to watch review😊

Just bought one 2 days ago, going to the dealership to pick it up tomorrow :)

I love Mazda's. Owned two of them and cried when I had to get rid of them. The first turned out to be stolen (and it was bought from a dealer). The second I couldn't afford to fix. Great cars though. Drove an RX-7 cross country. Gets you through California traffic at over 100 mph (anything less than 80 will get you ran over). Love em.

personally bought it for daily driver and not a hothatch and mainly cause of reliability, good punchy and old school drive train compare to others and ofc the amazing looking exterior and interior

I went with the 2022 MZD3 Turbo. Very good car to drive and push to some reasonable limits.

I’ve got a 21 cx30 turbo up here in the Edmonton area Alberta Canada. I’ve had a 17 GT mustangs , 19 LT1 Camaro, old school E55 AMG Benz .. and more. This Mazda is a decent whip. It’s pretty fun. Fairly Smooth, quiet cabin. Excellent zipping around town in the snow. Mazda must of knew I like to get er sideways around the corners and bends. They’ve managed that without a TC button also. It’s a keeper. And I may add a MX5 to the parkade. We’ll see how one of those rings out when the snow melts.

I didn't watch the video yet but from the standpoint of reliability, value and DIESELGATE ........ I would say yes to the Mazda.

Interior space is the biggest flaw of the Mazda 3. If this was comparable in size to the civic, we'd be in business

I have a 23 M3TH and I love it to death. Put a corksport sri on that sucker and it's really nice! Very happy with this car

Based on everything I have gathered, the Golf R is the gold standard for hot hatches. Since it is so difficult to get, this Mazda is a decent option.

Jus picked up a 2023 brand new for 28k with the turbo. Sweet ride for the price! I’m stoked.

Stunning interior mazda as always and review! Can't wait for the CX 90 Review

Finally got the 2023 Mazda 3 Premium Hatch in Platinum Quartz Metallic! Love it so much!

i have a 2019 non turbo (wasnt available) and love it. have had 2 GTis and and jetta, i would get the mazda again in the turbo. not that the GTI isnt awesome, but ill take the reliability of mazda and i prefer the look too. also i like the more basic tech. i barely use the screen, usualy turn it off.

Owned two mazdaspeed3’s and they were so much fun. This is a nice hatch, good mpg and nice interior if your looking for that. As an enthusiast I’m very happy with my Veloster N manual that is about 5k less and so much more fun, louder, quicker and that’s what I look for. Great video as usual.

I have golf R MK6 2012, my wife is driving Mazda 3 2016... If I compare comfort, Mazda is way better then golf. It's not that stiff, it's smooth feels like you can drive it for hours without pain in upper or lower back. So, if the feeling of a drive is the same with new Mazda 3 turbo, it's great every day car and plus gives you a bit of that fun through acceleration, speed etc. At the end, it all comes up to individual preferences... My belief is that Mazda gives you comfort in combination with fun and power perfectly balanced!

Mazda gang! Been looking forward to this review.

What up Joe? Mazda time!

Mazda 3 looks clean I love the design it’s spot on 👌

I have this car and it's amazing. Swap to coilovers and some bolts on what's a gti? The fit and finish I constantly get compliments cant say the same for my buddy's cheapish gti interior. Plus 2024 has 10.8" screen, touch, wireless android auto 👌🏽

I just bought this exact color with the red interior and I’m sooooooo in love!!! She’s so beautiful and fun to drive.

Hey joe I remember back in the late 80s or early 90s Mazda came out wit the 323 protégé protégé MP3 & the protégé 5 also the Mazda 3 replace them

My '17 Mazda 3 has the touch screen (usable when stopped), but I always use the rotary dial. Kind of a tough choice (Turbo/ NA) because the NA 2.5L is swift, and Turbo adds a significant $.

By the way Joe I was very surprised at the first video I seen posted on the demon 170 was yours I mean I'm surprised that I Racer X and RT have it out before you did and I actually live here in Vegas

I'd love to be able to find out where to purchase the shark fin, my mazda 3 isn't the turbo unfortunately, it was a little out of our price range here in the UK, we've settled on the sport lux version, which is just as nice but without the aero kit, or the nice spoiler.. does anyone know where to purchase the shark fin for this car? Thanks and great video

I learnt to drive on a Mazda 929 manual transmission in Trinidad. Good cars

I just wouldn't buy a Golf. Guess i wouldn't buy a VW for that matter. I've never driven one of these, but i like it.

Great looking Sport hatch with a lot of get up and go !!

As someone who works for a VW and Mazda dealership, I’d go for the Golf GTI only if it’s the previous generation. The newest generation is definitely fast and fun but that infotainment system gives me nightmares. Not only is it hard to use but it lags in the winter on cold days. Other than that the performance is head and shoulders above Mazda. The Mazda will definitely last longer and use nicer materials but the GTI is much more enjoyable with more “up to date” tech.

Been a big Mazda fan for decades, have owned several. Really looking forward to the new 3.3L inline 6 w/ turbo though. 🤤

2:28 when he said “Splitter” I can feel the spit fly onto my face

I bought my Mazda 3 hatch! He had me at big Mac, large fry, and a Pepsi 😂

Mazda has really done a great job coming back. For its price, the Mazda 3 definitely is a better bang for your buck against the Mk 8 GTI. The new Golf’s interior is really holding it back. I do however wish that the top trims engine, which is really really good, was available in a 6 spd manual. It’s Japanese so its going to last 15 years 400,000 miles. Now the 7spd PDk auto in the GTI is nice, but, the better car to buy for your money is the Jetta GLI with the 6 spd manual. It is a very well made car in its segment and uses the very good ea888 engine with a very good user interface and the interior that the GTI should have gotten. I would like to see Mazda put the new 3.3L I-6 in a refreshed Mazda 6 to make it a very nice sport sedan

Coming from a mk5 gti owner, Im thinking of getting a Mazda 3. Would anyone recommend the Mazda 3 turbo for the price over a used gti?

Hey Raiti's Rides How Are You Can You Make The 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV SE: Great Video Have A Nice Day

this might be a stupid question, whats the difference between the Mazda 3 1.5 vs 2.0 (GT)? besides the engine of course

I love it!!! Blah blah blah......we're gonna go ON THROTTLE again! I think it looks really sharp and I think as a daily driver especially in high traffic locations like Los Angeles the 6 speed is perfect, better than a CVT. This whole thing comes across as a grown up Mazda Speed 3 for the current times.

Always proud driving this on the road

No wireless charging but room for twinkies 😂. Your comedic food references have me laughing every time. I love your channel. Keep up the good work.

18:53 cute little doggy driving the F150 😂

Good ol days when I bought my 07 Mazda 3 for 13k brand new. No ABS, traction control, manual doors and windows. Loved that thing

I have this model in red and I love it so much

Slightly timely. A friend of mine drives a Mazda 3 hatchback and I'm starting to think about looking at a NON turbo one with FWD.

I had a Mazda speed3 turbo from 2010 to 2020 in blue. It was a great car until somebody rammed it while it was parked in front of my car in 2020. I thought for sure that the insurance company was gonna declared it totaled so I bought a 2020 STI. But after a week at the shop, the insurance company told me that they fix it. So, I ended up selling it. That car was great except for the torque steering when I really get on it. Nothing ever went wrong on that speed3. It was a great car. I also think that it looks better than the current one. I just wished it had the all wheel drive..

Joe, you need a t shirt in your merch section that says, "If you're ready I'm ready." :)

Hoping to see a refresh for 2024, faster transmission or manual would nice. I have the 2021 AWD Turbo hatch and still haven’t found anything I’d rather have for the same $$.

Hi ! Joe Excellent Review 👍. I take The Mazda 3 hatch in this trim 😁

Such a nice looking car! Elegant and sporty

I like a prop rod. I had a 2003 Golf TDI with hood struts. I had to replace them. A prop rod never goes out.

Joe. I have had Golf GTI and Golf R in the past brand new. Also, Mazda3, Special Edition 6sped manual. I can tell you with unbiased distinction that Mazda3 drives far better than VW Golf R, and the GTI. The drive-train, steering feel is incomparable. But, my question is, what is LSD and how does the xar performs better with it? Does the hatchback handles better or heavier than the sedan of the same motor? Thanks

Mazda design is timeless.....evergreen....i bet after 15-20years,this mazda3 will still hold it looks....classy....just like the alfa

thank you for this review

I'm not going GTI until they do something about that infotainment. With that said, I love this car. The only thing I don't like is the gloss black, but there are ways of dealing with that.

Six speed transmission is simple and reliable. It’s just under tired. New wheels with Michelin PS4’s in 255 35 18 and it’s perfect.

I have a 2023 Mazda 3 hb turbo. I bought it because of the looks and AWD, and then it's made in Japan. It has a lot of minor problems. After I picked up the car, I found that its steering wheel was crooked. I went to three different Mazda dealers to perform four-wheel alignment but could not solve this problem. To this day, its steering wheel is still a little crooked and the damping of left and right steering is different. . There are some flaws with the interior fit and finish, and what bothers me the most is that the interior has too many squeaks in different places. Another time its speakers didn't work and didn't come back on until 3 days later. I would have thought that being made in Japan would be more reliable, but yes, these are the issues I've had and apparently Mazda can't fix them. I also have a 2023 Mazda cx5, which doesn't have so many problems, except for the speaker stopping working for a day. It is obvious that the cx5 has better assembly workmanship and reliability, which can also explain why the cx5 is Mazda's best-selling model.

Dope video

I've a 2021 Mazda 3 Turbo and the splitter keeps finding those concrete bumpers in parking lots. Kind of cracked, car washes warn me about it. Maybe some tape will help… Nothing like coming onto a freeway, getting around traffic, and suddenly realizing we're doing 85 (despite the useful HUD). Back down to keep the CHiPs happy… 😅

I had a Mazda 3 grand touring sedan and loved it. I would take this over the gti more power I wish the exhaust sounded better on the Mazda but for the price those two I would recommend a 2022 Veloster N cause I love mine and it’s the same price and you get more for the buck.

I love it Joe and Lori and Steve and keep up the good work and I love the video 👍💯

Made me LOL on the 2 cans and string

Looks just like mine! I got the '21 2.5T PP HB -- so it seems like the main difference is the fading LED turn signals! Personally -- I'm 100% behind the idea of eliminating touch screens in moving vehicles. Distracted driving is the leading cause of automotive accidents and death, these days. Whether it's people on their phones, or changing their HVAC on a tablet-style touch screen, my own personal experience has noticed the decline in attentive driving because of this completely unnecessary tech expectation. As a driver, I've had to avoid so many near accidents because of other distracted drivers. As a passenger, I've felt very uncomfortable with friends and Uber/Lyft drivers using touch screens, and when I've driven cars that rely on touch screens (like the Tesla Model X I drove for awhile) I noticed my attention being split, as well.

I love talking about whats going on here!

Better built, more reliable, Cheaper to maintain, better styling that alone in my books is a Win, Win.

No LSD's? I'm out? My 04' Focus manual doesn't have an LSD, that's why I don't like it? Any hot hatch needs that as standard equipment, or it's not a hot hatch in my opinion?

Hope to see the Mazda 3 sedan turbo soon on here 😊

Love the dial big Joe. My thoughts haven’t changed hahah

I'm a GTI Person, I have had many VWs but I really like this Mazda. I do not like the 4DR GTIs. I prefer the two doors. (which they do not have anymore in the US)

For me there is no comparison. I have owned 2 GTIs. I loved them but now that I am older I want something more refined. The Mazda is heads and tails above the GTI. Thanks for the review!

Raiti you are hilarious 😂 all the comments in the back seat

Im first in line to buy if they make a manual, until then Ill keep rocking my 08 Mazdaspeed 3.

I've owned a Mazda 3 and now a 5... Best cars I've ever owned!!!

I love the grey and red better than the poly metal 😍

Well, my decision to wait for 2024 model paid off. Updated screen, and wireless conectivity will be included

cars looks awesome but i just hate it that i cant touch the screen. they need to make it bigger. other then that i like pretty much everything

GTI for me, LSD, rear independent suspension, weight and manual would just be a bit more fun through the twisties. Both look great to me. I wouldn’t be worried about build quality on either cars. The VW just has more of what I want in a car.