Despite the title, it seems as though you may have started to come around. We appreciate this deep dive and we're excited for the opportunity to make you a believer as we journey forward.
@@byrnesy919 please no, they just need to bring back the turbo miata. A 6 cylinder would ruin the perfect weight distribution. *Edit: Apparently I was wrong about it ruining the weight distribution.
It's a darn shame that the USA doesn't love Mazdas as much as they should. Here in Australia they're constantly in the top five best selling vehicles and we buy them in droves. They're reliable, aesthetically they age gracefully, and they're actually fun to drive for a decent price!
its good ozzies love mazda, means you will get full attention from them. and i agreed, maybe its not the best car in every aspect, but for the money you pay you got a really nice car. meanwhile its a different story at my country, people love mazda yet they dont buy them.
I love my 2015 Mazda 3. I opted for the S model with the 2.5L engine a 6 speed manual. Great car to drive, quick enough to have some fun and all while being practical.
It's a means for better margin to invest more in developing what they have promised us all 🙏 I trust Mazda, and I trust that they will do right by us - time will tell!
@@nickconkle People said that about Hyundai with the Genesis brand saying "no one will pay 70k for a glorified Hyundai" but hey they've been getting good press and gaining traction. Don't speak too soon
Mazda has done nothing but respect me and my money, and continues to give me a great driving experience and customer care. Every time I see a Mazda on the street I think to myself. "That person made the right choice"
I did love driving my mazda.. was a 09 and it rode better than my 2019 kia.. they just well put together and more fun to drive and it never failed on me
Exactly, I did research for over a year on cars and the absolute best car to get for 15 grand. I looked into Mazda, and how they have a reputation for crap cars, which keeps their prices down despite FIXING all their problems years ago. I got a 2017 Mazda 3 for 14 grand, and I've never once regretted it. It just works man, it's very luxury for the cheap price, it LOOKS fantastic, and sport mode is fun as hell
All we need is a cheap rwd econobox with a hearty engine and trans and maybe a factory lsd. Companies could so easily make badass cheap cars still but they know they'll make their money either way.
Working as a sales associate for Mazda, I've come to love the brand so much that I've become a customer. You just can't help but feel like you're in a very premium vehicle, even in a base model. The reliability is there, the fun to drive aspect is there, and the user friendly and responsive interface puts it ahead of all the other Japanese brands in my book. I have a deep loyalty to this brand and feel a great sense of pride representing it every day! Mazda for the win!
Get the automatic 2l and tell me the fun drive aspect is there. I test drove a 6 speed manual and didn't realize the automatic would be so awful comparatively.
The dealership first car I bought was a 2016 115hp Mazda 2 in 2018. The dealership made the whole day really special and even bought my mother some flowers when we went to collect it! Every time I've had a minor inconvenience (hit a pothole and the bumper and rubber floor under the engine dislodged) they fixed it all same day and made me feel like it wasn't a big deal at all. Mazda has secured a lifetime customer in me and my family. The car itself has never had any issues and is so much fun to drive!
@@deeppowhazylab yea Mazda is perfect as it is. It might not be the biggest but it feels correct where it’s at rn as a cheaper or middle end car which is absolutely amazing
Sadly with electrification and the weight gain, as long as the technology doesn't advance, the Miata won't be able to be what it used to, so might as well make it luxurious
As long as Mazda keeps their reliability, driving consistency, and aesthetic sense intact during this shift, I think they'll be fine. Honestly, just sound like they're making everything come up to the standard of the Mazda6, which isn't a bad thing.
Problem is one of the big draws that makes the Mazda community so big, is that they're fantastic cars for unbeatably cheap prices. They're about to get rid of their biggest strength
@@GlorifiedGremlin That's what I'm thinking. The latest Mazda 3 and CX-30 for example are 80% as nice as a premium German car but 50% of the cost! (at least in Australia)
is there any unreliable Japanese car lol you can't go wrong with any of them, Mazda,Honda,Toyota. As an owner of two German cars who spends most his time fixing them because something breaks all the time I can say that my next car will be Japanese for sure, I'm done with these overrated European trash cars
I can honestly say that I’ve never had a bad Mazda. They may not always be in the limelight, like the other Japanese brands, but they build a solid car…
My 2016 Miata had A/C problems after 3 years and 10,000 miles and Mazda refused to pay for any of it (because it was just outside the 3 year warranty). After multiple dealer visits and $2,500 in repair costs, and the problem still NOT being fixed, I eventually just sold the car to Carvana so it’d be their problem. It was a terrible experience.
Man, I almost don’t want Mazda to be a luxury brand. I’ve always known them for affordable fun. It sucks we’re seeing affordable sports cars become more and more of a thing of the past. Not to say there aren’t still many option, but the Miata has been a go-to for awhile now. Probably one of the best cars, by far, in the affordable segment.
@Strugglebear I dont agree at all. It looks like a classic sports car. The earlier generations are very much like a modern Lotus Elan and the latest generation is actually pretty aggressive in its styling
As a person who lives in Alabama the Japanese have my utmost respect. They make great shows, but aside from that they make great cars and help support our economy. It’s a strange world where one of the most nationalist states in the union is the one that is being helped out by the likes of Honda, Toyota, Mazda, and Airbus where American companies won’t touch us.
@Deric Cribbs, I’m actually super nationalistic, just not in the way most people are. I don’t care whose company it is. If they follow US laws, appeal to US people, and most importantly lead to more jobs in the US, then go right ahead. GM in my mind is less American now then Toyota or Honda. GM has very few plants left in the US while the Japanese can’t seem to build enough here.
@@connorbingel7134 and it's been that way for years (decades?) Only recently has ford started to produce in the us again. To me the Camry, corolla and their derivatives are an American success story.
I am not sure it applies here, but part of the decision process for building new plants is to avoid the UAW union which often adds cost and complexity to their business operations compared to a third party
They probably will include you in. They will never price themselves higher than Lexus or Acura. Maybe just slightly higher than mainstream Hondas or Toyotas.
@@puga4202 I can't find the article, but I remember reading that Mazda wants to bring luxury to the masses. Their partnership with Toyota is massive, but they don't want to mass produce like Toyota and I can see why; I use to work for Toyota and while the brand has amazing reliability, their quality in interior design is lackluster and quality control would deliberately cut corners to pump out numbers.
@@F9109-r1e Exactly. If they do an overall price increase (assumingly justified with better features), then I think they're really just making more competition for themselves. Right now even their highest trim sedans are thousands less than other manufacturer's "equivalent" offerings
@@F9109-r1e they will have lower trims that will cater to the economy segment. People who want a good driving solid vehicle that is decent on gas.(aka non turbo 3, cx-5, mazda6 for examples that show this already)
@@Kdog307 are you trolling me? XD The thing is the Chevys I did try were kinda sucky (Corsa, S10, Silverado, Chevelle... ) And the two Mazda's I've been in (MX-5 and RX-8) were the shit, so I'm a bit biased here
Love my ‘15 Mazda3. It’s so good I’m honestly considering an all-Mazda garage from here on out. The things that set mazda apart for me are not just the price point, but the fantastic build quality, the common-sense simplicity, and good old reliability. So long as Mazda maintains those three key characteristics, I’m okay if they start working on their luxury game.
what trim is it? I had a 2013 or 14 Mazda 3 iSport and the interior felt like it was made entirely out of cheap plastic. not to mention the god awful handling (or maybe it's just that bad with all EPAS). I've enjoyed my 07 accord much more in every aspect besides infotainment
@@chickenbeansoup2631 I find that interesting. Like OtterRecovery mentioned, I think we had different generations of mz3’s. Mine is the I touring trim, for reference. Not the highest trim level, about in the middle. I actually find the interior of mine to be very nice, with really high quality materials; and I’ve rented a later Gen, and it was even nicer. If anything I find the infotainment center lacking compared to others. Not that it’s bad, just basic.
When my family first moved to the US, the first car my dad bought was a strato blue 05 Mazda 3 with a manual trans, and he took care of it like crazy, and when I turned 16, that car became mine. As a little kid, I loved Mazdas, as my dad took me to Mazda meets and cruises, but being behind the wheel of one for the first time at 16, I became a huge fanboy. I still drive the car today, and try my best to take as much care of it as my dad. Even though Mazda is shifting towards luxury vehicles, the old school sportier cars still hold a special place in my heart, as well as the entire company and it’s future endeavors and products.
I've been a believer that they could do it since their last generation of vehicles. They've been able to escape their bad press from the Ford partnership and are going in an excellent direction with their cars. I don't think we'll see a German/Lexus rival, but I see where they're trying to go. Basically, if you can offer a fully-loaded Mazda3 for the entry price of a base 3-Series/C300, you get market share. I think that's their concept of luxury and I can see them taking BMW for a little surprise.
They never did exactly escape it. There's a reason their cars go for a good 20% cheaper than competitor cars, and thats why there's such a cult community
to me they already moved over lexus... lexus is boring, just as luxurious as the mazdas now, and god their front grill is the ugliest by far on the car market.
If they are going to go that route, I hope so much that they would bring the Rx vision rotary concept to life. But unfortunately, something as enthusiast driven as a rotary might not align with their premium goals :/
There is very little chance that a rotary powered vehicle will be able to meet emission standards, though I did read somewhere that Mazda are thinking of using a rotary as a sort of in car generator for an extended range EV, think of a small rotary running at a constant 3000 rpm and powering a generator to charge the batteries.
The FD will always be my favorite car, the sound of the rotary the unique pop ups, the body lines, the weight distribution, everything about the FD is just perfect
Imo the FD RX7 is better then a Supra or skyline. My god these two cars are very very overrated and am tired about hearing them, but I’ll definitely admire the 2JZ. And also the FD certainly looks better then the Supra. Not a fan of how the MK4 looks because it looks like a bubble, and the skyline just looks plain. Imo the Veilside RX7 made it look ugly. Never liked the Tokyo drift RX7 because they made it worse. A normal looking RX7 definitely looks better. I would love to own one but man the prices really drives me away because bro who would spend like $50k on a 90s car? I would definitely never afford that in my life and in the future they would be worth like $100k or more and that’s way worse
@@yungboicontigo9278 Plus the thousands of dollars a year on maintenance lol. Rotaries are terribly unreliable, which is exactly why most people engine swap RX's
I like the idea of a rotary engine, but like the commenter said above me, they are known to be unreliable. Also I find it strange that the rotary naturally burns oil.
@@snaxgalore5764 The engine constantly trying to kill itself? They're know for being unreliable. Not hating on them. I've got a buddy with an FC and these engines aren't the best to own
First time I drove a Mazda was when my company rented me a car, it was a 2021 Mazda 6. Probably the nicest car I’ve driven, it was certainly designed around the driver’s ergonomics. It was also a joy to drive, even though I’m accustomed to driving big V8 powered trucks and suvs. Good job Mazda.
I remember reading reviews when the second gen Mazda 3 came out, everyone said it drove exceedingly well. As a high schooler looking for something fun but frugal it sounded perfect, and owning one with a skyactive and a 6spd manual it’s been nothing but a sweet lil car these last 4 years!
I recently bought my first Mazda (a 2022 CX-30) and after a few days of ownership I'm left wondering why I never considered this brand in the past. It's a great car, incredibly fun to drive, and the interior looks like a car that came with a premium price tag. I've always been a Toyota driver in the past, but the Mazda is soooooooooo much more fun to drive than any Toyota I've ever owned. I guess time will tell on how reliable it is so we shall see in that department. But yeah, it's like driving a hot hatch with a respectable interior and I love it!
"The BMW or Audi of mainstream budget automakers" was exactly why I got my new Mazda3 in 2007. It was the closest thing to a 3 series I could afford, and it ticked all the right boxes- great features, great price, very fun to drive. Also, not complicated, certainly more reliable than a BMW.
After seeing what Hyundai/KIA have been able to pull off in terms of brand association, I think it's entirely possible. As it is currently, for my money, I'd still prefer a well optioned Mazda 3 over a bare bones C300 any day of the week.
@@johnboy3419 I dont really think its fair to call them biggest pieces of junk. Their suspensions are lackluster and their interiors feel tacky (like, trying to be high tech but failing miserably) But man, you should see those engines. Few noticeable flaws, efficient and fairly powerful for their low displacement. I tell you, with how lightweight their cars are and with manual transmissions, those newer Kias are pretty fkn fun to drive mate
As a long time Mazda owner, the newer cars are amazingly reliable. I have always appreciated the affordability of their brand while still offering a really high class experience compared to other budget brands and SUVs.
I've owned multiple Mazda 3s, the most recent being the 2021 turbo hatch. While I wouldn't consider it a "hot hatch" like the speed3 was back in the day, it is fast enough to be a fun daily, has great driving dynamics, and the exterior design and ergonomic interior is best in its class. It definitely showcases Mazda's attempt at becoming more of a luxury brand at an economical price relative to the big german brands. I just hope they continue making more performance minded models to keep that zoom zoom heritage alive.
IMO it has the best exterior design and driver-focused ergos of any class. Mazdas today are better than Lexus, Acura, BMW, Audi, or Mercedes both in reliability and ergonomics.
I think it's a wonderful car, but I found the handling a little bit too clumsy. But this coming from somebody driving lighter cars. The sound system is a bit flat as well.
@@morpart7588 Yeah the dealer markups right now are insane. I somehow got really lucky and got one at MSRP back in November 2021. I did have to put a deposit down on it and wait 2 months for it to get delivered to the dealership.
@@tevonjames6668 Agreed on the handling. You can feel the torsion beam suspension in the rear is the main detractor from the overall handling feel, but the multilink front-end setup is still pretty decent. I've driven a non-turbo model that had BC racing coilovers on it and that was excellent. So that might be a mod in my future, along with some bigger brakes.
I work at a Mazda dealership and sell them, so this is great seeing donut come out with a video! I absolutely love the brand and can’t wait for more models.
I also work at a Mazda dealership as a tech. And working there has made me fall in love with the brand. They make great, reliable cars for a good price. It's hard to pick a favorite but I recommend the cx-5 to anyone who is in the market
Have you seen any CX-50 roll into showrooms yet? I saw one on the road for the first time a week ago. Looks great, curious to see how it sells against the cx-5
the rx8 didnt sell enough and the engine is fragile to have it last its full expected lifespan of 120,000km (not sure in miles I live in austalia) you must drive it at a very high rmp and consitantly you cant take it for a spin and mazdas wouldnt sell enought to justify a new RX series car as sad as it is to say, also the polution they cause would be a big issue even more in the usa begin tighter laws around emmissions
If this means bringing back the Amati brand, then I'm good with it. About time, Mazda gets a luxury division. Could be a great opportunity to also revive iconic cars like the Cosmo and the MX-3, a 1.6L V6 sports coupe.
I bought a 2018 Mazda3 hatchback when I didn’t know much about cars. After a few years as a mechanic learning more about my own car and a lot of other I have zero regrets in my choice, solid good looking car.
I've got the same car and have the same experience. It's really interesting to see how they splurged on the important areas and managed to cut cost in other places that don't matter as much. They nailed the trade-off and it feels like a much nicer car than it should be for what I paid for it.
Even though they have the Miata, it would be cool to see the Furai come back and maybe even see it get a road going version, somewhat like a Mazda halo car
Furai car was several millions of dollars and it burned down :( Even today the car looks futuristic imo, it was the AMG One before the AMG One I also agree they need a halo car as they've lacked one since the rx7 fd
Just any new lightweight sports car! A new rx model or new mx with a turbo! Or a brand new abcdefx model whatever. I'm just excited to see what they do all around but terrified for the next mx5
If the SUVs sell well, (which I have no doubt, the CX-5 and CX-30 are their top sellers) then they should have enough RnD for a halo car. I just hope Mazda stays true to their heritage and continue to put emphasis on driving dynamics.
I drove one top of the line cx5s as a rental for a few months and compared to other Japanese luxury brands it's definitely on par in terms of quality and features but with a nice discount. Not to mention a thrill to drive.
I love my Mazda 3. Its such a fun drive and surprisingly luxurious, especially for the price point. Its a fantastic auto maker, I think they can pull off the transition.
Only recently got into cars and most of what I've learned comes from Donut! Keep up the great work guys! You should do a D-List on the Donut team's cars! I'd also be interested in seeing some mods and more content on Challengers
Dude, please take everything you learn here with a grain of salt. These guys are on the back nine of “Fake it until you make it”. Nice guys, probably, but definitely not experts.
@@negativeindustrial Yeah fair enough but I do appreciate it as a bouncing off point. Getting the right lingo and asking the right questions and finding more research based on their fun videos
@@writer_brook like anyone they sometimes can get some of their info wrong but they’re definitely a good starting point for new car enthusiasts to start getting in to the culture
I’m a massive Mazda fan. We’ve owned 2 Mazda6’s, and 2 CX-5’s. I’ve always loved the fact that they were not the obvious choice but offered driving dynamics to challenge and in some cases beat the default choice German premium models. It’s a shame they are moving their focus more towards SUV’s (because they sell) just as my wife has fallen out of love with SUVs and realised the driving pleasure that can be derived from a lower riding car. We’ve switched EV’s recently, but Mazdas current offering doesn’t meet our needs. I’d love a RWD 6cyl hybrid 6, but I get the feeling we won’t get it here in the UK 🥺
I thought (atleast in the meantime) it being hybrid that it would become available? Especially seeing the area's older cars are freely allowed is ever decreasing there.
Mazda reminds me of a small business that started and always did quality over quantity. Hopefully over the next several years, they’ll combine the quality and quantity and do very well on the market. I have my speed3 and have absolutely loved that thing.
Mazda has really matured as a brand since the 90s-2000s when they made so many fun affordable sports cars like the mx5, 323 sport20 ,speedprotege speed3 ect but hopefully with a boost in profits from this luxury switch they can make even more
Since the quote is from the Mazda UK director, I got a feeling they are aiming more at the European market than the US one and specifically the niche currently occupied by Volvo and the higher end of Peugeot's line up. Mazda already is also already much bigger than Subaru and Honda in Europe and their design language is much more in line with general European tastes than Lexus'.
@@rel6294 well a few years back maybe in 2010s then yes definitely honda was bigger, cars like jazz civic and CRV selling like hotcakes. However, nowadays I'd say they are about level. Honda cars aren't as good as the competition nowadays. But tbh both brands are eclipsed by brands like VAG
@@carhawara3394 Could be, but most auto makers seem to think that the Chinese like really big, ostentatious cars with lots of bling, like the new BMWs and that is definitely not the direction Mazda is taking.
@@MartijnterHaar its not a "seem to think" Situation, thats market science. The Chinese market likes useless luxury cars! Like they got a mercedes a class amg Sedan LONG VERSION! And thats the reason mazda wants to be seen as "luxury car brand" because they dont want reliable cars, they want cars to Show off.
Mazda's done it before, they tried with the Xedos, Amati, Eunos brands, and before that, they had larger sedans such as the 929. Remains to see how they'll fare this time- but my dad had a 929,and it was a really good, well equipped car.
Yes, but now it's SUV's! Everybody loves SUV's! SUV's as far as the eye can see! Big, expensive SUV's that will sell like hotcakes no matter what... right?
I remember the Jag like lines of the beautiful 929 and it had a solar powered sunroof as well. This kept the car cooler when it was parked in the sun. Amazing idea for back then.
Hey there, Mazda Technician and fan of donut media here. I just wanted to say how much I appreciate you guys shouting out Mazda for their recent efforts and for their long standing legacy. I haven't been with Mazda long but I appreciate the brand more and more every day. I knew little to nothing of them before working here but have quickly come to love what the brand stands for plus the quality of the cars I get to work on every day. The handling and acceleration even with the non turbo models is fantastic for the price range crossover SUV with steering/suspension that rivals alot of affordable sports cars. I'm excited to be a part of it and hope we only go up from here!
I just bought a Mazda 6 Grand Touring Reserve, and it is mind-blowingly good. Imagine my shock when they announced it was now discontinued in the US. I grew up in BMW and Mercedes sedans. 3, 5, 7 series, E and S classes. I thought I was destined to follow the family trend but the 6 is incredible for the money, the value proposition is undeniable. $20-40k less than a similarly featured E class. I was weary of FWD but it's totally fine for daily driving and bulletproof reliable with decent power at 250hp/310lbft. I absolutely love what Mazda does now, and I really hope their newer models keep their current consumers in mind. If their higher-trim pricing goes well above entry level German models, it may be a tough ask for me as a current owner who doesn't really see the point in spending serious money for RWD and brand clout, but we'll see if their new products justify the increase. I hope they keep making their actual cars too. I know the 6 undersold but if Mazda takes the Ford route and only sells CUVs/SUVs + one enthusiast model, I will be a sad Mazda stan. Hopefully their push up-market steals those luxury sedan consumers and we can get the 6 back in the USDM.
I agree about them making sedans moving forward. I'm personally not interested in SUVs or crossovers at all. I'm interested in RWD sports & luxury sedans. I like Mazda as a brand and all I want is for them to make a RWD sedan.
Yeah, COVID and the global shortages threw a bit of a wrench for them re: the Mazda 6. I got one of the last Mazda 6 Signatures in my area (in Canada so I'm not sure if yours and mine are the same model) and I have to say, I keep getting more and more enamored with it. Drives wonderfully and with the turbo 4, I don't feel anything lacking for power. The new Mazda 6 (if that's what they'll call it) has promising rumors surrounding it. Sportback design language with rear wheel drive and an inline-6....sign me up.
I was basically raised in my mom's Protege5, with my first car also being a Protege. Now I own my dream car since 2013, a Mazdaspeed3, and I feel like it always get respected within the fast boi world of cars. The question for me is, is Mazda trying to perhaps grow up with some of its younger audience? Or is it that a "fun to drive car" brand can just make that shift up market easier than others? I don't think they are trying to shun the young fast boi tuner crowd (BMW sure has one), as their legacy of rad sports cars is pretty hard to turn a complete blind eye to.
Mazda has to do this to survive. Being a 'small' volume producer has ever increasingly made less economic sense as the industry consolidates, because larger volume producers benefit from economy of scale for production AND engineering, making it increasingly unaffordable to create a competitive car. Premium/luxury cars are easier to create a larger profit margin, at least in absolute terms. Whether they'll succeed is rather unclear, and if they don't they'll probably be absorbed into Toyota.
I think in some markets they're already seen as a more luxurious option. I came from Mexico where people see them as luxurious, yet they are everywhere because they are more affordable than the German counter-parts. When I moved to the US, I was surprised to see very few Mazdas. Unfortunately, people here seem to really stick by their personal favorite brand rather than shopping around for what's actually good. I currently have a 2018 Mazda 6 and love it. Feels sorta luxurious without breaking the bank, and it handles extremely well. Unfortunately though, they've now discontinued it for the time being since as we all know, the mass market prefers SUVs and crossovers.... sigh
I had a 1992 and 1993 Mazda 929, talk about luxury, the tech that was in those cars are still not available(as far as I know) in current luxury cars, currently have a 2016 Mazda3 hatch and love the bloody thing! Kept it up Mazda !
Meanwhile i am still cruising in my Mazdaspeed 6. Never had more fun driving a nicely sized sedan which feels sporty as hell. Thanks Ford for that chapter of mazda's life.
Yeah I’m not really a fan of post 2013 Mazda. I like the affordable, but fun, Mazda that I grew up loving. I love the sleek and aggressive first Gen mazda6s, the goofily happy 2nd Gen Mazda3s (and series 2 rx8 and nc2 miata), the tiny but fun handling proteges and Miata’s that propped Mazda up while the company was falling under and gave it the life it needed to make some of my most favorite and attainable cars while growing up. That’s all gone now in the name of SUVs and luxury :/ Frankly, the current mazda3 (specifically the hatch) is awfully ugly and the downgrade from multi link rear suspension to torsion beam really makes me feel like they’ve cast away their driver’s car heart and are just another generic suv CTRL+C CTRL+V car manufacturer.
@@IR-xy3ij the veloster is the only one close to what a mazdaspeed3 was. The type r is more of a fastback tbh. Especially the 11th Gen. Plus the civic is too big. But none of them really come close to the raw feeling of a speed3. No new cars are really exciting to me. Too many computers. The speed3s and rx8s are probably the most tech I’d want and it’s pushing it.
As a Mazda owner (CX-30 was sorely under-mentioned in this video 😭) who hopes to continue owning Mazdas in the future, I hope that they keep up with the “budget luxury” approach, keeping the base costs low, but allowing lots of high end upgrades for the fancy luxury stuff. I like my cars reasonably cheap :3
I see a lot of brand new Mazdas around these days (including one on my own driveway), so I would guess the sales are good now. But the fact that I could by one at MSRP, while the others either didn’t have the car, or asked +5k over MSRP might have a part of it. But I have concerns about their plans. - They are way behind with their hybrid/EV. We almost chose another brand because of it. - It sounds to be too many models. That will lead to confusion. They only need one new model, between the CX5 and CX9. (I don’t know what its name could be…:)) - Are they planning to build more expensive more luxurious models? That would make them direct competitors to Germans and the Lexus. That’s a tough market. Their current spot of semi-luxurious, cheap cars is great, and desired. What I believe they need: - US production - Hybrids/EV - Better marketing
In our state all but one mazda dealerships are charging at or below MSRP, and it's great. No other brand is doing that, albeit some are if you order new. Problem is the one that is charging over seems to be the only one getting Mazda3 turbos fairly regularly...... Efficiency is a big issue, and the blame goes to their reliabile (since it's been tuned and adjusted for about a decade) 6speed auto. Manual is still one of the best in the business, but if you're even thinking about turbocharging you need more gears in the transmission to keep the boost in check on normal commutes. Mild hybrid/small battery hybrid system might give it a boost without compromising their driving. Putting the battery in the truck might actually help with weight distribution as the turbo3 is VERY front heavy. But weight is the biggest enemy and their nicer interiors have already added a few lbs. But if anyone is going to figure it out it's Mazda.
I always liked Mazda’s "do it like no one else" attitude for as long as I can remember. The first car I bought in my dad’s GT2 save was an Evolution Orange NB MX5, which was my first IRL car (still have it btw, love it to death). Since I got the MX5, I fell in love with the brand. I now have a 2016 Mazda2 daily to go alongside the NB and the amount of fun you can have with that car is unreal. Really excited to see what Mazda can pull off on their new ventures !
Another brand they would be going up against that im surprised got no mention, is Genesis. As an Owner of a GV70 myself, Genesis is going to absolutely blitz the Mercedes-Benz/Lexus brands in years to come, as long as they continue to introduce SUVs. Genesis is amazing.
@@gradientO I've heard that the Hyundai/Genesis dealership near me is very good as well. And those manufacturer warranties are phenomenal. I honestly hate my dealership I'll be adding 40 minutes to my trip to buy my next Mazda. I'ma call them out too: Art Hill Ford/Mazda in Merrillville,Indiana. Highly unprofessional gankers.
They should focus on driver enthusiast models. Toyota already sold out of the Corolla GR, so that should be a good indicator. Bring back the Speed3 as a hybrid with 400+ hp. ;)
Modern Mazda is hands down one of my favorite brands out there, I hope they have success in being a Luxury brand (but I want them to still be a little sporty! And for there to still be models that aren't that expensive 😅)
They need proper adaptive suspension though. They quite often use big Alloy wheels but the suspension is too firm with no adjustment possible which is a shame. Especially if you are used to Lexus.
I could definitely see them being a luxury car maker in the future but I wouldn't mine some more sporty cars for sure, I still love the Mazda Miata don't get me wrong
I went to look at a 2021Mazda3 hatch a few months ago because I heard they had stickshifts....I wanted a manual as a weekend car. In person, I was transfixed-the styling was very Italian to me, and the manual drove like a dream. I bought it as my second car and have put way more miles on it than I intended. It's super fund to drive, and feels very premium on the inside-it has many features that my Stinger doesn't even have and is just as fun. Mazda really surprised me and I'm a fan now too
now I personally own a 2020 Mazda 3 sport gt and its impressed me inside and out the interior is just so luxurious that makes you feel like your in a much more expensive car and the handling just feels great even if the rear suspension is a tortion beam could barely feel the difference from an independent suspension so it feels like Mazda is doing something great for the future
All Mazda really needs is a few good, powerful powertrains, their premium image and chassis dynamics are already great, they just need power to beat the Germans.
I liked where they were heading already. Actually good looking cars on the low end of pricing seems like a pretty good place to be. I dont know why they would want to compete with the high end cars when everyone is already freaking out about how expensive cars are.
Always been an either Toyota or Honda guy, owned both car brands but moving to Mazda was one of the best decisions I made in my life. Affordable, feels luxurious and now I have built my own 4th Gen Mazda3 Hatchback as my project car to promote the car company. As a rare case, I've gotten a lot of compliments about it.
VW tried to do this in the early 2000s with the Pheaton and Touareg. Hyundai tried to do it in the 2010 with the Hyundai Genesis cars before spinning them off as a separate brand. They all failed terribly. Mazda just doesn't have the brand prestige to go after the other premium brands. I think where they are today is actually good. They should stay affordable.
Genesis is still owned by Hyundai, they just have it in it's own brand where it's doing fantastically now. If developing a secondary brand is all they need to do in future, sweet
The failure of brands like Infiniti just prove that people don’t want these types of cars. Even Jaguar has decided they can no longer compete with the German brands and are going after high end brands like Bentley
I'm a car guy, I love looking at cars and seeing what is out there. I own a 2018 Mazda 6, and I have to say that I genuinely don't have a desire for anything else. I often think about "If I had to get a new car right now, what would it be." And except maybe a black Acura TLX, it's going to be another Mazda. It just works, and works so well. No BS to mess with, its reliable, and it feels fantastic.
I'm an advisor at the Huntsville Alabama mazda dealer. It was incredible going to the reveal event and seeing so many people, including the mayor, be so excited for the Cx50, and the prospects of having them be a part of such an opportunity-filled town. Super pumped!
I still have my Mazda2 that I bought brand new with 5 Miles on the odometer in 2012. It now has 130000 Miles and never had any mechanical problems at all. I autox, and I track the little 2. Very fun car, especially with an ecu tune
my dad had a ford fiesta which is basically the same as a mazda2 that was great fun to drive and quite reliable. Definitely not fast but still lots of fun
I’ve owned 6 now, every time I look to get another from another brand, I wind up going right back. I’ve had less issues with them than Toyota and they really give you a tremendous value. My only nit pick is their paint is way too damn thin, granted all are anymore but breathing on it scratches and chips.
Skyactiv. That word and all its variants have already put Mazda ahead of others. If they give us all these fancy new cars, still give an Rx-Vision and/or hydrogen rotary, keep improving the Miata and more, they'll be looking good for the future.
I love my 09 mazda 3. It's definitely a commuter car, but has been reliable, easy to work on, and somehow has survived me speeding 110+ to work almost every day for a good number of years
Oh boy wait until you get into one of the newer models. Things went uphill really quick when they split from ford! I loved my 05 3 but just remember to check your oil, and replace your PCV valve if you’re handy and have a spare afternoon. I have a ‘16 3, my wife has a ‘19 cx5, and two family members have ‘17 and ‘19 3’s, and I can promise ya, things are getting better each year! Definitely can’t beat the UI on the infotainment either, that alone makes me never want a Lexus/Toyota/Honda/anything American especially.
My '09 Mazda 3 has seen quite the few accidental 4x4 trails...and still is kicking to this day. The ride is great, handles amazingly and surpasses what most people expect out of a car. It can do A LOT. I like to joke that its the hilux of the sedans. IMO, it handles extremely well for going 90+..It really can do anything. Love my Mazda 3 and it will be a sad day when it gets too tired.
I've owned 11 RX7s over 28 years, and I love my current one as much as my first. I'm at the age where I would totally buy a premium/luxury car from Mazda and am anxiously waiting to see what's coming down the pipe!
My wife and I just bought a CX-9 Touring to replace her Honda Accord. We originally were interested in a CX-5, but the CX-9's control and comfort blew us away. It's so far ahead of Toyota and Honda's offerings in every regard even at a lower priced trim. I come from sports cars and pickup trucks, and I never thought a crossover would impress me.
Not gonna lie, before 2015, I wasn’t really interested in anything from Mazda. But slowly over the years since, I’ve been really loving what they’re doing. They’re easily in my top 5 car brands.
I believe that eventually many brands are going to start falling like Netflix due to over saturating of SUVs. I think Mitsubishi automotive will be the first to fall due to a lack of sports division and and only making around 3 different models.
Agreed...It seems to me that mitsubishi doesn't really have a reason to exist as a separate brand. They're already merged with Nissan/Renault and their vehicles don't seem to have any separate purpose vs. Nissan's vehicles.
I love my Mazdarati!!! I was going to go with a Q5 or X3 again but after driving the CX-5 GTR AWD Turbo it was game over. The interior materials feel so much better and the handling is worlds better than the German competitors in my opinion. And the fact I was able to get mine optioned out for way less was a major bonus. Dealership experience and customer service has been top notch as well. I hadn’t owned a Mazda before but I’m still convinced after owning mine for 1.5 years.
I think absolutely. They're recently shown SUV's are the first SUV's I've been excited about. Great timeless design unlike those aggressive designs of BMW, Audi, Lexus and Mercedes
As a technician working on Mazdas I was talking with my Matco tool truck guy and we were discussing that the Mazdas have great reliability. He walks into the other dealerships and sees engine after engine on lifts but Mazda doesn’t get that many. Great cars to drive for the money
I would like to see Mazda bring back a Truck, Family Van, and a RWD or AWD Manual Gearbox Sports car that has over 300HP that tall people can fit in, if Mazda does that I'll trade in all of our vehicles and replace them with Mazda's.
I’m on my third car first I owned a Chevy then I owned a Chrysler, now I have a cx5. Mazda really does feel like a premium vehicle. My last two cars had so many issues and problems and felt cheap from the plastic inside squeaking and constant new problems developing. I have to say Mazda is an amazing company. They look good inside and out feel premium and they also have incredible handling by far the most fun to drive, yes even a crossover/suv it’s kinda weird how fun it is to drive 10/10 recommend to anyone as long as it’s not the mx-30 mazda kinda butchered that car with only 160km or 100 miles range and if your having fun on a mountain road you will drain your battery in 20 minutes but what can you say it’s there first swing at an a electric car. I look forward to Mazdas future hopefully they don’t jack up prices with there “luxury’’ cars because they really are something special.
@@azteka6103 have you honestly driven one? Or you just speaking out of bias for "European luxury brands" with all the bells and whistles but zero reliability?
@@azteka6103 I LL like to know how it is rubbish then. I have had 2 Audi's and a couple of friends have BMW and Audis and the Mazda is superior to all of them. I LL like to know which Mazda you have that is rubbish.
@@bobbe7910 Mazda 3 hatch 2.2 Diesel, when i say rubbish i mean powerwise, the car has absolute no power for the size of 2.2, there are other cars with less engine volume and more power, can you find me a car with 2.2 diesel wich have less bhp? i don't think so, mazda is bottom of the list.
I got into the Mazda fan group from college, starting way back in 2015, when I bought my first used ‘04 Mazda RX-8. It was at 160k miles when I first bought it, and I used it as a college car (yolo). I drove it all across midwest and southernmost part of the US during school breaks, and my god, it was an amazing experience! Throughout the 1.5 years of ownership, and after adding up 60k miles, the car never got towed! There were few instances (once or twice) the engine went into limping mode all the way to the workshop and a few engine floods, but all because of overdue maintenance. Went up to the forums and followed some troubleshooting, the car was back on the road. Mazda’s reliability made me fell in love with the brand. And I strongly believe they build cars to last forever, with the right maintenance of course. Currently, I am a proud 2016 Mazda 3 Sedan owner and looking forward to own it for at least another 10 years.
I’m excited to see if they can pull off moving to be more of a luxury car manufacturer but also I’m worried I soon won’t be able to afford them anymore😂
I couldn't be happier with my 2022 CX-5 Turbo! It is my first Mazda and I'm so glad that I made the switch. I almost went with the Mazda3 Hatchback 2.5 Turbo but ultimately wanted the extra room. Very luxurious, very comfortable, and sounds great when ripping around in sports mode. My favorite car purchase yet!
I have the 2018 2.2L non turbo version, I’m so tempted to upgrade to the new turbo, unfortunately due to the bad economy it will have to wait, I hope you enjoy your new car
I live in a family that has driven Mazdas since 1982. My dad had previously been a big British roadster guy and loved cars that were fun to drive and could handle in a sporty way. So we started with an '82 GLC hatchback, which was a great, reliable car that was super economical. So we bought an '86 626 next for the full sedan experience with some added performance behind it in terms of driving experience - cornering, balance, etc, if not power. I believe dad bought a Millennia when I was in college, and he owned a 91' and '05 MX-5s that he loved as well or better than his old TR6s. So when I was old enough to drive, it was a Protege (we had 2 in the family by then, and my brother got the other) that I LOVED - got 40 miles a gallon highway in the summer, never a problem, and was super reliable til some knucklehead totaled it cutting me off one day. Since then I have owned an MPV, four Mazda3s ('08, '10, '15, '17), a CX-9, and most recently an '05 RX-8. All of them performed as well as those first cars in the 80s as far as their being reliable, and having low ownerships costs. All of them fun to drive for what they were. At least one of them I was able to finance at 0%APR with Mazda. Of 12 Mazdas I have owned, only the RX-8 has been trouble. In March I bought it with 59k original miles by one owner, who said he enjoyed zero problems aside from TPMS sensor issues and chassis rust (he also scratched the roof paint putting on foam vortex generators and painted it over himself - horribly). But in the 6 months I have owned it I have needed to replace headlights ($500?!) due to a ground short (rust and rain), rear brakes and calipers (one seized), the SSV and adjacent solenoid, rear coils that wore out, ignition coils, plugs, and wires, the battery, starter, and as of Thursday, the clutch. Fuckin' a, man. I also put money into rear tires, tinting the windows and swapping the seats for leather and wiring them up. Add an average of 18 mpg, gas prices as high as $5.39 a gallon this past summer, and premixing with 7 ounces of two-stroke Idemitsu motor oil in every tank of gas and I have NEVER owned a car that was less reliable and more expensive to own and maintain. So all those smug RX-8 comments on this thread are indeed warranted, but nor have I ever owned a car that was more fun to drive. Nonetheless I fucking love her, and named her Darkness. Darkness is spreading!!
I drive a 2012 Mazda 3. Even after 194k miles, its engine is great, and it's suspension is exactly what I want in a car. I feel like they got a late start on the electrification trend, with them not having any hybrids. I just hope they stay to their roots and continue to make cars with best in class handling with bulletproof powertrain. I have no idea if I will be able to afford them in 10 years.
I have a 2011 Mazda 3 5 speed manual and I love it. I couldn’t see Mazda being a full fledge “luxury brand” but could see offering a so called premium option.
Mazdas are remarkably cheap. The most expensive Mazda is like $50,000 MSRP. Their halo car is the exemplar cheap sports car. Mazda sits at the very bottom of the market right now, competing with mid range Hondas, Volkswagens, and Chevys. I think moving up market is the only way Mazda can survive.
One week ago my dad rented a CX-5, and honestly it felt really like a BMW or an Audi. It was really comfortable to. In my opinion its one of the best looking small SUVs in the market right now.
ive had my mazda cx-5 for two years now, previously owning a 2008 bmw 335. The driving experience isnt quite the same from a sports coupe to an suv, but Id say its one of the smoothest and fun driving suv's under 30k
My Dad's colleague had a Mazda 929 back in the early 1980's.... (The four-eyes!) That was super luxurious, even for today's standards in interior materials and finish. Happy to see them come back to the luxury class again 👍🏼
Bring back the RX line, Mazda. Nissan & Toyota have proven that there is a business case for a full size sports car in the lineup and making a flagship car out of the RX Vision could even help elevate the brand to a higher perception of luxury.
Nissan still has NISMO and Toyota now has GR. There's no motorsport department for Mazda, and that tells us the focus is not there for the RX to return.
@@MCHuang Mazda Motorsports is an enormous part of the company still. They have an entire section on their website dedicated just for their racing. Saying that they have no motorsports department just because it doesn’t have a cool name is just ignorant
@@puff5074 Mazda Motorsport is a tiny department that does not build production cars or performance parts for production cars like NISMO or GR. They're not comparable at all. The company keeps up with the Miata because they actually sell and make money without costing much investment.
What they need is a supra competitor effectively. The MX5 is perfect to go against the likes of the GT86 and hot hatches. But they lack anything else for enthusiasts. I love my RX8 and there isn't anything quite like it available in today's market.
I've had 4 Mazdas and loved them all. What I really look forward to is an all electric Mazda SUV, or even a sedan. I buy Mazda for exactly what this video was talking about; luxury quality at a reasonable price. As an added plus, they are notoriously fun to drive and look great.
I work for Mazda Toyota Manufacturing where we build the CX-50. When you see that kodo design, you can't unsee it. I love the tactility of the buttons and knobs. They're punching above their weight. If I ever buy a new car, I'll definitely look into Mazda. They have a SOLID line.
Two of my younger sibling's first cars were Mazdas. Broke down all the time, I got really good at replacing starters, alternators, batteries, belts, etc. on those. Protege was kinda fun, but bad torque steer. 626 was dog slow, but handled well.
Loving my cx-30! My wife has had a Mazda 3 sedan for years and although it’s mostly a grocery getter, we haven’t had a single problem over the 6 years we’ve owned it. It was hard not to be excited about the cx-30 with its high end feeling interior, 2.5L engine and road feel. I didn’t think I’d be pulled away from the Audi q3. But I was wrong. Great video, keep them coming! 🤘🏼
I fell in love with my 2010 Mazda3 Gt sedan about a week after I bought it. I've had it for almost 3 years now, and even though it's kinda hard to keep up with the weird shit it does (random interior beeping whenever it gets kinda cold) I don't see myself ever getting rid of it. Tangent aside, I really wish Mazda the best in their endeavors and I hope to see them thrive and continue to create fun cars.
I'm surprised there was little mention of the rotary powered sports cars of past decades. Those cars really helped put Mazda on the map, especially considering the uniqueness of the rotary engine itself. As an owner of both the Rx7 and Rx8, I'm really looking forward to seeing where they take the brand in the coming years. Thanks for this video!
I absolutely loved my Mazda 6. I had it for six years, and had a grand total of absolutely zero issues with it. I eventually upgraded to something more luxury. If Mazda ends up going down the path of Genesis (hopefully with a little added performance), it might not be that long before you see me in another Mazda.
