I don't understand why people dislike the lack of touch screen. I prefer the single knob by far to any touch screen I've ever used, both for safety and ease of use.
I think cars should have both. When you use CarPlay it is just so counter-intuitive to use the rotary dial. You really want to use the touch screen because it looks like your phone, so you feel that you want to touch it, but you can't. But using the rotary dial for other things is nice.
It's crazy how in the States, luxury is correlated to the size of the vehicle. In most other countries, small cars can be luxurious/premium - not just the massive sedans and SUVs.
@@Notfiveo0 where the car is assembled matters far less than the design engineering and the source of the parts. AMD who drives US made toyotas says the same thing. Also, the only style made in Japan is the hatchback. The Sedans are made in various other places including MX and the price difference is less than 500 between equal trims.
A lot of it goes back many generations. The luxury cars in the States back in the 1950s for example were huge Cadillac and Imperials, much bigger than the cheaper smaller common cars.
still drive my 9-year old Mazda3 since new and it has given me ZERO issues. Great little machine, handles very well, great fuel economy and generally just a fun little daily driver. It'll hit 300,000 km without a hiccup.
I am still driving the 2006 Mazda3 2.0L sedan with a manual transmission that I bought new. It has never given me any troubles and I still enjoy driving it. For my personal retirement gift I am wanting to buy another, but the only Mazda3 I can get in 2023 is the Premium Trim Hatchback. I have to have a manual transmission for my enjoyment and that is my only option in a Mazda3. $30k plus.... ... I really wish Mazda still offered the manual in a sedan!
@@srobeck77 Lexus IS is not really a status symbol. Maybe the LS or GS to some point. But the IS isn't really that expensive nor luxury. I have never owned an LS. I have 1st gen IS, which is a perfect car, a gem. Simple for maintenance, available parts. Super reliable, takes a lot of beating. Super forgiving on low maintenance ( I bought it from a person who did poor job of its maintenance for 200k km) and I was able to get it back on feet and working great (now at 300k km)
@@Druze_Titolol I had a 2014 mazda3 and was in the market for a new vehicle. I test drived a 2016 Lexus IS 350 F Sport and the driving felt boring and the handling felt muted even comparing to my 2014 Mazda GT. There’s a reason why everybody says Lexus’ are boring to drive. Nowhere near as engaging or fun. I had to upgrade to the 2021 Mazda 3 turbo and the interior and handling beats any is350 within the same price range by a mile
@@Druze_Tito you keep forgetting one thing...Mazda 3 also made in Japan just like Lexus. Japanese put pride into there work and it shows especially with Mazda products over the last few years.
I think you are getting stuck on the fact that Mazda vehicles have historically been much cheaper. However, that was before Mazda started taking its vehicles up market. You can't compare this Mazda3 to a Civic, Corolla...or even any previous Mazda3 because this car is out of their league. Like it or not, the 3 is now an entry level luxury car and it deserves to be compared to other cars in that class. I know it's hard for those of us who have been Mazda fans for decades, but it's a different brand now and people have to start accepting it.
For sure I think you cannot compare it to civic, corolla or something like this... They are cheaper and they feel cheaper... This mazda are more expensive but it feels like a luxury entry level hachback.
$37k is a crazy price that owner paid though. I paid $32k for my 2022 turbo sedan. That 37 is just the result of greedy dealer markup. But I do have minor issues for such an expensive car. Interior rattles, steering wheel material disintegrating, rear diff noise at 75mph, it thumps when I go in reverse, and cheap low quality tires that come stock. All issues discovered (or replaced, in the tires case) before even 5k miles of new ownership.
@@FunkatronicDingus I have heard about quality issues with this car; however, our 2020 sedan premium has been issue-free, thus far. Let’s hope it stays this way.
Lol…a car for yung-ins! Your review helped me assure myself about purchasing one in the Soul Crystal Red Metallic back in February 2023. I’m not a young-in at the age of 64…there is a saying that I heard many years ago….Quality, you know it when you see it! For $37,000, this is what I consider to be the best buy in the market today!
I have had a fully loaded Mazda 3 hatch turbo for about 3 weeks now and its a nicely priced car when you consider its competition. This car is on the level of an Audi 3 $40,100 - $47,600 or BMW 2 $47,950 - $58,950 yet lighter on the wallet. A 2023 Honda Civic Type R is about 50k, a 2023 Toyota GR Corolla is even more. You also have to consider that this is an AWD car unlike the civic and comes in auto and standard. which the Corolla only comes in Standard, The Mazda also lets you choose which type of gas you use high or low Octan, which again can help with your wallet. The drive is so much fun. The steering never lets you down and the way it lets you take turns is just pure fun.
My mother got a 2023 Mazda3 and she said the same thing, very nice for the price point. The salesman said Mazda wants to fit in-between the affordable-luxury market...not focusing on mass production, but niche marketing. Probably why you don't see as many on the road.
The other benefit to that approach is they are large enough to develop quality products while not so large that quality control becomes an issue. That is my biggest gripe about Subaru. They’re getting bigger but I don’t think the quality is near as good as it used to be.
I appreciated Mazda a lot. I bought my son a 2012 Mazda 3 as his starter car when he turned 16. Because it was a starter car, I wanted to keep the price down. I bought it with 134,000 miles. This car was rough around the edges, so I KNOW it has not lived an easy life. BUT, when I test drove it and inspected it, it felt solid mechanically, so I bought it. That thing has not skipped a beat. Everything is smooth and operates as it should. I had to change the battery, and that's it. Rock solid so far, and a fantastically COLD AC. The COLD AC is much appreciated since we live in Florida. My other experience with Mazda was a Mazda 6 that we leased for my wife 5 or 6 years ago. I absolutely LOVED that thing. In addition to being beautiful, it was smooth, refined, sufficient power, economical, comfortable ..... ZERO complaints. And the ride had this perfect combination of sport yet comfortable. I hated to see it go, and would still be driving it if it was up to me, but my wife wanted a mini-van when the lease was over. If I'm in the market for a new or used car, I have zero reservations about buying a Mazda, or obviously a Toyota.
it really is zoom zoom, my dad bought me an 323 for my car to drive in college year, because i love the 323 astina, but my dad just bought the regular 323 sedan protege or familia in asian market, i thought it looks lame at first but after living with it, i grow to love it so much, the handling and steering feel is very confident, the ride height was low to the ground in stock, it age well, after that i have a mazda 3 2006 bk 2.0 with 150hp it is sporty and heavy on the steering which i like, the power is enough to zoom pass most situations, then we have 2 mazda 3 bl 2010 models 1.6 hatchback and 2.0 sedan, they handle even better with more comfortable handling while still having the sporty feeling, the driving position and steering feel is awesome, i can't wait to drive the skyactive BM model and current gen BP, my dad was a bmw fan, and i made him fell in love with mazda as well, we had honda city 2007 and i have driven toyota vios 2010 model, they handle so bad the steering is crazy light and no confidence when cornering hard, toyota was the worst
Forget Toyota all there vehicles are not even made in Japan anymore. Get something made in Japan where the people takes pride into there work. I still have my 2013 Mazda 3. No problems. My wife wants a CX3 next for next vehicle.
I own the 2022 Mazda 3 mica blue , preferred package. Love it rides beautiful and like he said it’s very comfortable and quiet. Interior is classy and beautiful. Click on the sport button it moves ! I highly recommend it. So far I’ve put in 15,500 miles on it, and no problems whatsoever!
High price for high quality Japanese manufacturing, entry level luxury sports with a trusted brand, tried and true engine and platform as well as an actual 6sp gearbox, good suspension, nice exhaust and entry level but world class interior. Mazda basically said, we're good, we deserve to our cars to be in a class of their own and thus they priced them accordingly, not price them to fit, Mazda 100% nailed the price for what you get. Think Audi A1 but from Mazda. This is the Mazda 3.
I bought the 2021 Mazda 3 non turbo sedan front wheel drive in March of 2021 in the same color for 30 grand out the door. Haven't had any issues. The non turbo gets up and goes if it needs too. Quite capable, not a race car. The car is 5 star rated which is why I bought it and I see why. The interior compares to high end cars costing 10's of thousands more. Soft touch everywhere. Couldn't be happier with this car. Features 6 speed automatic, Bose 12 speaker stereo, Moon roof, leather, heads up display, Navigation, Apple Car play, heated front seats, power drivers side seat, Radar cruise control, Rain sensing auto wipers, full auto climate control, 2 memory seat position buttons. All LED lighting on the interior and exterior. The headlights are HID LED with the lights that turn with what position your wheel is at plus auto high beams. I looked at other makes and none of them could come close in price with all of these features.
I have this exact car, even Machine Grey. For the price you get a lot. 360 view camera, adaptive headlights that turn with you, self driving below 40 mph (traffic jam assist). The bad part is it has a small tank and does not get great mpg( I average 20), but I love this car. 0-60 in 5.5 secs, 320 ft lb torque. It is quick and fun to daily drive.
@@layne4376 Car and Driver got 5.6. Google it. And I have not personally tried, but some people in the mazda 3 turbo forums claim 5.5. Stock. To me, this is not a sports car. Its a daily.
Love this review. One big thing people need to know…the non Turbo is SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper. I got a 2019 premium trim at about 27k new. Every perk and luxury of this car basically except lower on power. Still feels premium and borderline like a luxury brand in the interior and another plus is getting 35-40mpg on highways. Got it right after college and it’s been a dream for me and I’m gonna ride it until it dies
@@MeltingRubberZ28 Mazda is tied for the 3rd most reliable car brand. Toyota 1, Lexus 2. VW is 22 out of 24 major car brand. 'Who Makes the Most Reliable New Cars? - Consumer Report'. I can't image a car made by a brand that is the 3rd worst in reliability would fair well being modified. You're full of sh*t if you think a modified 400HP car will get 40mpg on the highway. A stock Golf R gets 28mpg hwy, so I'm calling BS that you even own a Golf R. Enjoy constantly sitting in the shop.
I bought the sedan a few months ago. I have to say it is the first car in a long time that makes me enjoy driving again. He is right the interior is absolutely beautiful. Even down to the way your hands are perfectly placed to use the info and radio controls. Really nice machine.
I love the reviews from "the car care nut" !! totally unbiased and straight to the point. Always explains the relevant details and not just the fancy bits in the car. Now a days cars are more like phones, too many useless features, but the reviews here focus less on those areas and more on the actual things which one needs to consider before buying a car. Great work !!! Keep them coming !!
Thats a big reason I'm considering a Mazda 3 over a Civic hatchback. Personally I'd buy a manual to get away from the CVT but I need something my mother can drive as well. I wish I could afford new but I'm looking at used cuz I'm trying to be under 25k. I figured if I'm buying used it would be "safer" going with Honda but Mazda's reliability seems to be right up there with them
Toyota has 8 speeds in for all their non electric cars outside the corolla. It's a toss up between a XSE Camry and Mazda 3 turbo non-hatch; you can get the turbo for the same price or save 6-9k going down in trims
Have a 22 Turbo sedan, one trim level below and feel it was a great value at 32.5k. I am an old guy coming from a Cadi. HUD and rain sense wipers were a must. To get that on an Accord or Camry, you have to be top trim and they were nowhere to be found + stealer markups. My only complaint is it needs a bigger gas tank but fast, fun, looks good and comfortable.
Did the exact same thing you did down to the price and also feel the gas tank size is my only big knock on this car so far. Was surprised to hear they use this engine in the CX9, puts things to perspective.
..I'm probably like you, an old guy. My son needed a newer car for his growing family, so he gave his SUV to his wife and I sold him my 2019 Mz 3 for about $5k. I'm gonna buy a 2023 Mz 3 Turbo this yr only bcs the normally aspirated engine now has cylinder deactivation which I'm not a fan of, or buy the upcoming CX70.. I already own a 2021 CX 5 Signature turbo, and have no problems with the turbo!
The tank is small but it makes planning trips easy at about 10 gallons per tank, then you should be getting gas pretty quick. But they do pretty good on gas so I dont feel like Im getting less mileage per tank than my last car. Im definitely not "constantly planning fillups" lol. With the turbo model and only city driving, I usually get 250+ miles per tank. With lots of highway its easily over 300, usually 330-350 miles. And thats using my 10 gallon rule, still a couple gallons left to hunt for gas. The tank is 12 I believe on my Turbo AWD.
I hear this complaint alot but on paper it seems to be comparable to similar cars. It's only a gallon less than a Civic but I guess that is 30 miles more. Personally I don't think it would bother me but I also rarely take long trips or have a long commute. My ride to work is curvy back roads and I think this would be fun to drive. I just want a hatchback that's reliable but also a little fun to drive
Love the channel. I am seriously considering this car. I would respectfully suggest that I love that there is no touch screen. Touch screens are always covered in fingerprints and look nasty. To speak to the price, I agree, it is unreasonable. However, when you look at what you get for lesser price points, the features and fit and finish justify the price in my opinion of course. When you buy the best, you only cry once. ;)
I have a 22 Turbo hatchback Premium Plus.. the non touchscreen is perfect. it stays clean forever and the dial in the center works great. I HATE finger prints all over the screen on my family and friends cars.
Well said! Price wise, a bit on higher side, but you get a lot more nicer interior/exterior, simplicity and better driving dynamics. I have compared other brands and they all try to add a turbo and reduce the engine size which I absolutely hate and most of the interiors are lots of plastic and unnecessary toggles and buttons. I just switched to Mazda and love not having touchscreen (though technically it's a touch screen and I enabled it). I have some friends who can't stop messing with the touchscreen constantly thanks to their ADHD/OCD/Electronic Addictions. I so much appreciate people not trying to distract/annoy me when I'm driving by changing settings on a long drive. And the screen stays clean. I don't miss touchscreen at all.
I got my 22' Turbo Premium Plus for ~40k US, I thought I was going to have a buyers remorse. But every time I get in the damn thing I get a shit eating grin. In my honest opinion, I'm happy with what I paid, but again, it's subjective. I got used to the infotainment controls pretty quickly and now actually prefer it over touch screens.
I've had a Mazda3 since 2016 with absolutely no trouble with the powertrain. After 7 years, the only thing I've had replaced were batteries, 2 shocks, brakes, oil, engine mounts, tires, and 1 control arm. I would definitely get this car all over again and it's going to be a sad day when it finally breaks down on me. 😢
I think the price is okay, do keep in mind your test car is top of the line, you can always downsize the engine, if the car is meant for young people and city urban living, you don't need awd 250hp and it's already few grand cheaper... Great review from the mechanical standpoint, glad to hear about the chassis
I just bought a 2023 Mazda 3 premium with MT. I originally was going to buy a civic si but I refused to pay the dealer markups. Also thought about civic touring HB with MT but that has less horsepower and is $1000 more MSRP. The Mazda is not overpriced compared to its competitors. I love the car. Not everyone wants or needs a large car or suv.
i personally bought it one and half year ago and i personally love the car. also mine is none turbo version since i dont like turbos. and about the price i think it has a decent price compared to what modern cars go for. sure there are other options and some even cheaper as you mentioned but i choose mazda 3 cause i would say its superior when it comes to driving experience compare to others and i would choose its power train over other every day. i mean where else you can get an actual punchy 2.5 engine and still have a non turbo option that comes with a good old fashion 6speed transmission. lots of other options come with a super tiny engines with turbo and cvt
@@Oterixxx well where i live its ok. But as what google says the both seem to have 5.5 6 in from ground. But either way you have to check the car yourself
Hate touch screens and the craze for no buttons...Mazda gives proper controls so keep it up Mazda, Very nice design and high quality throughout. Yes the price is high for the top of the range but I think you are getting something that does stand out from the crowd..
I got the top trim 2019 hatchback model for around $19k (24k with our tax) Canadian dollars, which was an amazing value when I got it two years ago. I switched from an Acura RDX and do not regret it one bit. Plenty of cargo space, great handling, decent MPG (I think my avg now is 32MPG driving it for 2 years). I love the look of it but I know that's more personal preference. If I had to complain about anything it's the lack of seeing your Blindspot due to the huge c-pillar beside the rear seats but luckily the blind spot detector is there to help with that weakness. Also found the Bose speaker system really nice in that car and the outside noise is also pretty quiet compared to other cars in this price segment. I think everyone in the market for a car should at least give one of these cars a try, it's a joy to drive on the daily with all the features.
Sounds like you really lucked out. I wish I was smarter and bought a car a few years ago. Now I need a new car and it's a nightmare. I'd pay what you did in a heartbeat right now but that's not happening today
I really love that a Master Toyota Mechanic approves Mazda as a good company and car maker, as I'm an ex-Toyota owner for more than 20 years and a current new owner of a Mazda 6 2022 (And loving it). It would be very nice if you could review the latest Mazda 6 2.5L, as it seems that Mazda has discontinued the Mazda 6 series, and going for SUVs. Thanks.
I have just read that the Mazda 6 is currently being produced in Japan with the 3.0 liter, inline 6 cylinder for not only their country by the end of this month, but also slated for Australia in early 2023 and eventually for the USA at the end of 2023.
Obligatory admission that I have a 24 Mazda 3 sport, but I have to say that cost was the ONE factor that I did not consider when I bought it. Why? It was the cheapest! I don't know how prices are in the states, but when I shopped around from 2022 to 2024, the Mazda 3 sport had an MSRP of $25000 for the base model. The Civic hatch started at $34000... The Corolla hatch started at $30000. If cost is the only thing keeping you from buying this car, please shop around your local area first! I love everything about my car, and everything good in the video is true!
I think the size and the brand of this car really makes the $37k hard to swallow. But really, look at all these big cars nowadays and you'll see they are well above $40k for fully loaded ones too. However, the bottom trim Mazda 3s are all affordable and in the $25k range
people attach a brand to their mental idea of what something should be rather than look at what the product actually has to offer. Power of branding can sometimes work negatively as it does in this case here
@@MemoriesDestroyUs what it has to worth that much? It is a Mazda. If this is the case, then Toyota could easily announce the same thing, as well as the other brands.
you instantly got my sub, i really like your review style, no one else has seem to thought of giving such a detailed overlook during a care review. i loved how you actually took us under the car, the detailed mechanical overview was fantastic. keep up the good work. i look fw to more vids. cheers!
You know what's even funnier, is he is so knowledgeable about almost everything but neither he or you realized that second cap is not some weird second radiator cap, but is actually for the very cool liquid cooled intercooler!
We have a 2022 Carbon Sedan as a long term tester. We grow more impressed with it everyday. The non turbo engine is the best non performance version power train available in the compact segment.
I get that the market for this car, and the trim specifically, is small but it does provide a great value to someone who is looking for a luxury (almost), refined and sporty experience at the same time. It just depends on your perspective. You mentioned cars like Lexus UX which doesn't even come close to the power and sportiness this car offers. Only thing it has going for it is the Lexus brand name. I'll say it again, for the exact kind of experience this car offers, there's no other car in this price range. You'll have to spend 5-10k more atleast to get a similar experience. Also, why would cross shop this car with any of the SUVs at all? If you're looking at this type of car, it's clear that generic SUVs are not the experience one is looking for. Sportier alternatives do exist in this price range but they are not as luxurious, nowhere close. So there's a trade-off you're making on that front. Another thing, the Turbo trims (which are all nicely specced) start from around 30-31k. You don't have to go all the way to 37k. I don't think that's a high price at all for a luxurious sporty AWD car.
your reply is pretty much exactly how I wanted my original comment to sound, but my brain could not produce the thoughts in a coherent manner to make it make sense so I gave up 💀 thanks for your contribution & I agree w/all of the above
You’re absolutely on point about that on why you have to spend $37k if you want a sportier alternative around 30k why not look at it’s stablemate the Miata which costs about the same minus the AWD.
I fully agree with your comment and I was going to post something similar. I researched for months when buying a new car and to get all the features I wanted, the Turbo 3 was the cheapest option by about 10k. Him comparing to suv makes no sense, I would also like to know what fully loaded full size suv he is finding at this prices. You look at a fully loaded cx5 even, it runs close to 50k. Other brands run even higher. I love my turbo 3 and know it will last me until I can upgrade to something greater.
I mean he isnt wrong, I bought a 2015 Mazda 3 over 5 years ago (base model) and yeah I do not enjoy driving it, its very very slow, when you try to pass someone there goes all the gas savings, and to pay 40k with taxes is too much. I guess my choice is a 2018+ Mustang GT which is similar priced.
@@gc1087 as per your comment, you haven't even been in or driven in the newer generation car with the turbo engine (It drives so much different than what you've described btw). How is your experience of a different generation car relevant to this thread?
I just bought a NA Mazda3 Hatchback premium trim with the 6 speed MT for $31.5k. It took me months to find it. It is my 3rd Mazda - have a 2017 Mazda6 and 2019 Mazda CX-5. It is awesome in every way - handling, power, fuel economy with all the bells and whistles! I have owned Hondas and Subarus over the years and believe me they do not match Mazda’s value. Mazda is the best kept secret for folks who appreciate a great car for a fair price… Zoom Zoom😊
Great video AMD, I can’t believe I am saying this….Mazda 3 is actually so much better built quality than the New Toyota Tundra. I am just little concerned about the tightness of the engine bay whether it will be DIY friendly.
Just bought the sedan carbon edition of this car with FWD. Not a turbo. Only $28k out the door. Has everything that's good about this car without the high price tag.
Can’t believe Mazda did such a beautiful professional engineering 😮job! Nevertheless they are focusing on perfection of one engine, not 17 like you said, best strategy ever! And I believe it will pay off 🎉
I owned a 2021 hatchback turbo, but not the highest of the trims. I got the other turn trim and I loved it. For 32-34k I don’t think there’s a better option. I’m actually buying another one next week because I sold it and realized I made a huge mistake. I miss my Mazda every day.
To be honest an AWD turbo at that price is the only option. It offers just a tad more performance with way more refinement than a Civic SI however not quite in the big leagues of the Type R. I actually think Mazda fits nicely in between.
@@Michael-ur5qb Sad you can't get AWD stick though. Just FWD, booking a test drive Fri but financing is terrible since the gov printed a trillion lol... My Micra was 1% at launch
I don't consider this small. You should see Mazda 3 from 1990s ! those are small. I would call this mid-size. Perfect for single or just 2 people. I went on a few rd trips (800 miles round trip) in the 2014 Mazda 3. Great car !
The 2023 Mazda 3 go for $25,000 now. I think it’s worth waiting for a used one if interested. I might just do that, I love this car!!! Better than spending $40,000 for a new one that depreciates significantly after a year.
I have a 2018 Mazda 3 GT and I love the car. The infotainment system is absolutely fine. The knob is fantastic for navigating the menus. Leave fancy touchscreens for luxury SUVs. My only issue with Mazda is the prices ramp up too quick. A base model Mazda 3 is a reasonable price but once you look at options that goes out the window.
I personally would consider the fully spec’d model you reviewed based on all of the attributes you mentioned. I think it largely depends on what the person seeks in their car. However, I do think it’s interesting to weigh what other vehicles to consider within the spectrum of equality prepared vehicles, though not just consider consider a Camry because the price reaches up to that segment. If I were interested in a Camry I’d likely buy a hybrid and do away with trim levels that purport too embody some sporting nature. I know I value aesthetic a lot, as well as reliability, which is why I would likely hold out and try to move into a Lexus IS350 instead, but the Mazda 3 would be something I’d consider. Good review. I appreciate your insight and your approach to the content.
I just bought a 2023 Turbo (non premium plus) a couple weeks ago. I think I fit the description you gave perfectly: single guy, just got my first big boy job, don't usually haul too much stuff or people, but appreciate having the ability to do so if/when necessary. I don't have a family yet, but if/when the day comes, I know it won't be a great primary family-mobile, but it'd be capable of fitting a car seat or small kids. So yes, for the $33000 I spent, I definitely could have gotten a BIGGER car, but I don't need one. I like that it feels like a slot car. I like the pep it has in sport mode. I like the tech and Bose sound system. And I like that I still get 28+ mpg. $37k isn't far off from the other top-tier hatches out there, like the Civic, Corolla, Focus, etc. You can get a base model Mazda 3 for about 10k less than the one you're reviewing, so just saying that $37k is too much because it's small and then saying the others are cheaper is comparing apples to oranges to potatoes... Premium vs big vs base models.
I traded my 2015 Hatch manual in 2021 for a new Hatch (auto) with the Delux package- most everything that is in this model except for the AWD and Turbo. It was reasonably priced for what it is and I still love it. The car is definitely fast enough with the NA 2.5, and has been a joy to own. The transmission is just awesome. I have had zero issues with it.
Totally agree beautiful car especially in Pearl White. Two draw backs the 18" wheels, wish their was an option for 17" to smoothen out the ride. Also the piano finish on the console could be more scratch resistant. Other than that the Fit and Finish is perfect from Japan.
You can swap out the wheels and tires but of course that will cost you over $1000. My plan is to keep the original wheels until the tires need to be replaced then downsize to the 16” rims found on the base model. I don’t know why car manufacturers are shifting to these huge rims on small cars. Simply not practical for everyday driving.
The Select sedan, it came with 215/45R18tires. I will swap it with 205/60R16 plus new alloy rims when my tires wear out. Smaller wheels and more beefy sidewalls will smooth out the ride. The base comes with 16 inch rims. One thing new buyers may want to consider is the tire and wheel protection package when they buy the car.
It is really annoying that they force you to bigger rims when you spec the car higher and you cant even get smaller rims as an option. Makes me want to turn away from that manufacturer for eternity.. but afaik everyone does it.
@@khelgarironfist3301 July 21. The small compressor has a fixed rpm to maintain air pressure necessary for the compression ignition which negates the possibility of early failure.
@@Bugatti12563 good to know. Strange the US does not get this. Or maybe not since they get a similar power out of 2.5 and do not care for emissions/gas as much.
@@khelgarironfist3301 our fuel is 5 times more expensive than yours, so we need the efficiency:). I went from Alfa Romeo to Mazda and couldn’t be happier. Their manual transmissions are bulletproof. That coupled with the lack of a turbo prone to expensive repairs makes me sleep like a baby.
This would be a much more useful review if you simply reviewed the base model with a reasonable price rather than the fully loaded model which you admit eliminates it from consideration by most people. I have a 2010 base Mazda3 and love it, no problems so far after 13 years and never felt the need for a turbo or AWD.
Here in Canada, I have the 2.5 NA Mazda 3 hatch GT, and honestly, the equivalent top-trim Civic hatch is about 5K more but still has fewer features! I've never encountered a competitor for this car (civic, corolla, Elantra, forte, Altima, etc.) that also has a heads-up display, red interior, 360 cam, and the top-notch design and build quality of a premium luxury car. Some might say that you gotta go for the turbo, but honestly, the NA is more than enough. I love where Mazda's going with the whole upscale thing, and given the 2.5 NA's been around for a decade, it's an absolute tank of an engine. No issues! Plus, if you really want more power, the aftermarket mod community around Mazdas is huge.
As someone with a 2017 Mazda 6, I am glad they got rid of the touchscreen. My infotainment system get's the 'ghost touch' issue in the summer (FL problems). I have to use a sunshade religiously to prevent the issue. Glad to see Mazda's are getting even better, I do love the car!
I respectfully disagree with your opinion on value compared to the competition! You can buy a 2023 Acura Integra which is this car's main competitor for similar money and you get 50 LESS horsepower and 130 lb-ft of torque LESS than this Mazda. I personally prefer the sedan over the hatch. Everything I have read is that the Type-S version of the Integra will not come with AWD something we people in the north need if we are going to avoid being stuck in the snow like we had a few weeks back. My main concern with this car is its ground clearance when going through the snow. It's a little lower than I would like but outside of ventilated seats, this interior is almost perfect. The Bose Sound System is an upgraded Bose system and was rated A-Tier by another reviewer who tests factory audio systems as well as gives detailed reviews on automobiles. S-Tier is the top rating so it's only one slot below and he said it's the best sound system in the compact class.
I just purchased this car. Traded in my near new 2022 MX5 RF to get more space and still have an amazing driving experience… 2033 Mazda3 Turbo is truly amazing, this review is right on, love the driving experience, power and handling. Not track car but not bad either. Thanks!
Not sure about the hatchback! But Mazda released an update software which allows you to use the touchscreen while in motion, before just only allowing it in parking mode! So far my cx-50 does it.
Your paying for the interior. All the cars you mentioned, their inter has more plastic where you touch. Also the people who spend 37K don’t pay cash. The could care less about the cost because they will finance it.
I live in the UK and £29,000/$37,000 is pretty good for the car. You go to the Germans and you get less car for more. You go to Honda and they start their Civic at £36,500. Even a Ford Focus (handles better but not as good in my opinion) costs more than this car which is crazy to me - and you have to go with the ST-line as the basic model. And don't even consider the French. Overall for the price you get a lot of car and it holds its value fairly well at 30k-40k miles at 3-4 years.
I have this car paid $37,000 and then upgraded the exhaust, coilovers, new wheels/tires, intake, turbo inlet pipe, front strut brace, rear sway bar all for about $7000 and i love it so much it sits in my garage monday to friday and only comes out on the weekends and will be 3 years old this November and still only has 25,000 miles on the clock 😊👍🏻 will keep this car forever
In 2019, $37k could get you many premium brand cars and suvs. But, look the car market now, everything is over-priced. My coworker is buying a Honda CRV hybrid, guess how much he paid? $48k.
The Mazda 3 has two radiator caps because there are two cooling circuits. Depending on the market and engine the Mazda 3 has an internal high pressure EGR, an external low pressure EGR or both. So carbon build up will be less problematic if it only has an internal EGR.
I have a 2020 Mazda 3 preferred hatchback. I got it used with low mileage for less then 20k and it’s amazing best car for the price and the Bose audio is a great.
You are ridiculous for mentioning THE PRICE, THE PRICE, THE PRICE!!!! literally twenty times. Look around man, nothing is cheap these days! Compare this car to a WRX or GR Corolla or a Golf R. Even the new Prius can get up to 37k. This car is actually a great option for those not looking for max performance but instead a great combination of style, practicality and fun. You can choose from 7 different trim levels on the hatchback alone. How many gorgeous, 4wd, turbo's are cheaper than this? I can't think of any. Another thing. Why don't you drive cars in your videos (that I've seen). Cars are for driving. Do that.
The beam rear suspension is an interesting dilemma we keep seeing. Beam rears can often lead to a stiffer, lighter and more responsive rear end. The much hated base Jetta from the 20teens is a great example, that version was shockingly good on autocrosses etc at the time, better than the irs models. I worked for them then, we were shocked too, but they were already deleting beam from future models by the time we noticed it. Otoh beam suspension will extract a price in refinement and body control on bumpy corners. In an awd model that does translate to power delivery, so I'm a little surprised to see it here.
I've got the 2.5L without a turbo and some extra goodies. I've actually found that the torsion beam adds to the fun. I drive a lot of country roads and because the torsion beam feels like it wants to get happy in some corners it makes you feel a bit more "on the edge" when you're pushing it even though you're totally safe. Feels fun! Plus, the regular 2.5 with the extra interior options. But no aero kit and turbo was $27,000CAD the regular 2.5 has plenty of kick.
Jetta owners all seem to think their car handles great until they try something with a multilink rear end to be fair. My friend was going on and on about how well his turbo jetta handled until he hopped in a 2nd gen mazda3
@@sarahburnside4606 honestly im not sure I agree with that. On paper obviously you are right, but that jetta in those conditions was better than the independent rear version and changed my mind. Ive driven cars that handle phenomenally well from honda, VW and mazda with beam rears by now, and so ive gotta give credit more to overall setup and tuning over using a more complicated arrangement by default.
What’s crazy is the ONLY strait competition for this car is the Golf R. AWD Turbo hatchback. And that is more expensive and this is nicer and looks better imo
It is one of the best car on price to quality ratio. Drives smooth, it is reliable and has quality materials. HOWEVER. If you think of buying one, especially grey or red, you must drive it from the dealership to the PPF shop. The paint is so thin and cheaply made, it can peel off just by looking at it.
I had this car and got rid of it after three months of ownership. It does look great but as time went on I realized this was a very cheaply made car. Mazda had to compromise a lot to get it to this price point. First, because of the low roofline you will have to tilt your head a lot to the side each time you get in and out of it. Very annoying. 17:38 and it's even worse for rear seat passengers 20:20. The beautiful red leather is not of high quality and will start to wear pretty fast. The dashboard is full of unfixable rattles. The heads up display rattles. The hood prop is a thin cheap coat-hanger. The glove box is made from soda bottle plastic. The drivers seat controls are held in with plastic tabs and will flop out. The rear view mirror glass is held in with cheap glue and will fall out on a hot day. The software is buggy and will show lots of error messages. The front headlights collects snow like a balcony ruining your visibility. The C pillar is made out of soda can thin sheet metal and will easily dent if you wash it too hard. The exterior paint is thin and scratches easily. The engine cylinder deactivation doesn't save on fuel and it's just another thing that will break. The a/c is weak and won't cool you off on a very hot day. The rubber door seals will shrink and not keep the water out properly. The rear seat latches are problematic and don't latch up correctly. Go read the Mazda 3 forum and see all the horrible quality complaints. It's embarrassing really. There are many. I am a Mazda fan but this car has a lot of hidden quality issues.
I have a 2010 Mazda 3 GX with 180,000 km. I love it. It has been the best car i have ever owned ( over 30 vehicles ) and I've been driving since i was 16. Regular maintenance is all it takes to keep this baby running like the day i bought it. The new Mazda 3's are great but i like the front end of mine best.
I've been using mazda 3 with touch screen every day for more than 6 years, I haven't touched the touch screen 6 times. Previous models had chronic problems with automatic mirrors. My auto mirrors are also broken. I have not used them for 3 years. I think they removed the automatic mirrors when they couldn't solve the problem, but that's how mazda is, they can't stand things that break down.
I love your authenticity, genuineness in your choice of words in your review video. Got to know of your channels not to long.but have been a fan all along. Pls i like to ask, if its good to buy a car with turbocharged engine or with non turbo.? I am considering between mazda 6 and Chev Malibu as our midsize family car. Which would you recommend? Also, Wolud you pls be kind to also review the chev malibu?
From what I understand the mazda would be more reliable. But, I only go by what I hear on the internet as I never had either brand myself. I'm pretty sure the GM turbo and in general they have reliability issues. Hopefully, he replies to you soon. Generally, you have to be much more diligent with a turbo so not to burn it out. I'd look up the reliability issues for each car you are interested in. (And each model) also depends how long you plan to keep it) as if you don't keep a car past 80K you will have less issues. If you want to keep a long a very long time. Getting the most reliable is best. Though, if a car is defective issues CAN come up earlier. Which, is why its important to research each model and year. As one year may have a fix for a previous years issue. Or one year may have a NEW issue. Also, resale value is something to consider. Some cars drop like rock. Which can screw you if you get in an accident a lower valued car will be totaled where a car that holds its value will be fixed. BUT, then you may have reliability issues depending on who fixes it. Which, I would put in the research rather than letting the tow pick the place. Which I regretted. Best to ask a trusted machanic perhaps that knows someone that is actually good. I'm way off topic. But, my car seems much less reliable than a honda civic Should be. But, I an unsure since I had the accident within a year of ownership. (Back in 2012) yea, I keep cars probably way 2 long) the whole buying process gives me major anxiety.
5 star crash test results. Thats why. Especially the updated tests by IIHS. You can not compare this to anything coming out of toyota. The interiors are absolutely hideous with child’s toy looking infotainment screen in attempt to replicate germans
You had everything nailed.. until you balked at the price.. Honda Civic R is over 40k.. pushing 50k.. the Toyota Carolla hatchback is a piece of shit compared to this car and is still pushing 30-32k. Hyaundai Veloster N is also.. 35-40k.. Subaru WRX has a the interior of a 90s civic compared to the mazda3 shown.. I test drove one and my everything hurt when i drove it for 20mins. the new Carolla GR is 45k+ dealers are tacking on 20k+ mark ups. It seems priced appropriately compared to the other vehicles it would directly compete against regardless if Mazda considers it a hot hatch or not.
I have a base model 2024. It cost me just over $25000. I lost out on AWD, turbo, moon roof, and heated red seats. I am fine with the black leather seats. Honestly, who needs the added maintenance? The only thing upsetting me about it is I would have rather had a Mazda6. They discontinued the Mazda6 wagon in North America about a decade ago and then stopped selling the Mazda6 altogether in 2021. Im not upset about anything else. Yes the price is high for an economy car but the pice is high on everything these days.
Have a 2023 all back Turbo PP hatch. And it's legit the perfect 3. And the power is fricken amazing. Car is fast AF. Anyone saying otherwise hasn't driven one.
Actually, 37,000 is not that bad, surprisingly, for the loaded turbo model. A well equipped Crosstrek with the 2.5L engine can approach 30k easily. I think you can also get a turbo Mazda 3 (still nicely equipped) for low 30k, Personally, the negatives in my mind are the non-touch infotainment (no matter how much mazda fans try to defend it), the poor visibility due to the extremely wide rear quarter panels, and the torsion beam suspension. Maybe it works fine most of the time, but I live in Minnesota. The roads look like the surface of the moon, and the cold weather also stiffens the suspension, so I think it could be quite harsh. Besides, it just goes against everything Mazda is trying to do going upmarket. Seems to me like a sneaky cost cutting move that they hope people will not notice.
let me just, as a mazda 3 owner, defend the non touch screen. It is remarkably easy and intuitive, and it means that you are not having to bend forward in the driver's seat trying to plug stuff in, either while sitting in a parking spot, or even worse, while barreling down the highway at 70 miles an hour. Also, having sat in a rental Toyota Corolla, dealing with its pos touchscreen, the Mazda 3 actually had some thought go in to that infotainment screen and its placement.
Crosstreks are easily over $30k now in my area, especially the trims offering the 2.5l engine. Comparing the two models feels a bit apples and oranges though.
I’m not convinced most people would buy top of the range as even the entry level comes with such impressive specification and quality finish. The mid level is probably the best to do a true comparison. If you choose any sports hatchback there has to be compromises with the rear space. I sat in the new Mazda 3 yesterday and the quality finish and design was more like being in a much higher premium car. Going to test drive soon. Fabulous review and great to see underneath the car 👍
You should have reviewed the manual transmission version. I'm thinking about one of these because they are one of the few cars still available with a manual transmission and it doesn't have a turbo. The combination of a stick and a naturally aspirated engine should make it last given that Mazda generally has good quality. I'll soon be 60, but I still want a little bit of fun in my car. I don't want to vegetate behind an automatic. It's usually just me in the car, so I don't care about the back seat room. Heck, when I was young I drove a 2 seater Civic SI hatch with a stick. Loved it!
