Striving | 2024 Mazda 3 Sedan - DM Review & Test Drive 

It’s been said to death but it’s so unfortunate they didn’t bother making a speed3 off this platform. We’ve lost pretty much all other hot hatches so having a new speed3 would be a good thing.

I absolutely love the size and exterior/interior design of the Mazda 3 sedan. I am so glad you pointed out all the advantages of the infotainment system, when other's don't. The rear windows retracting all the way into the door frame always looks so much better imo also, and actually something I look at in a vehicle design. To me, when a rear window doesn't retract all the way, it's kind of lazy design engineering. Not a deal breaker mind you, just shows that Mazda sweats those little details. If I was going to go NA 2.5 Mazda 3, I would be looking at a 2022 non premium/non awd model. Probably a Carbon since it was equipped with the Bose audio in that year. The reason I would be looking for the 2022 is that year in non premium/non awd was the last year you could get the Mazda 3 without cylinder deactivation. If I have a 4 cylinder, I'm sorry, but I don't want it to be reduced to 2 cylinders at any point in my drive. Not to mention the potential longterm reliability issue of unequal wear of 2 of the 4 cylinders as a result. Fyi, none of the Turbo model years have the cylinder deactivation system. I'm not sure about the hatch, when it comes to CD. Which is the reason if I was buying a 23-24, the Turbo would be the only model I would be looking at. From what I hear, changing oem tires on a Mazda 3 truly transforms the handling for the better.

I have a 2019 Premium Mazda 3, 91k miles, with the Bose. Hard to justify upgrading to 2024 preferred as you lose the sound system.

Most of the road noise I believe is coming from the tires. The stock Bridgestone are louder even when brand new. Had the toyos on a previous mazda3 and those were quieter.

That sucks that the Bose only comes on the top trim now. My 2023 Mazda Carbon comes with the Bose and was under 30k.

Charlie, "Truncate the hatch" earns you bonus points. 🥳🥳

It looks absolutely identical to my 2020 Mazda 3. Mazda should’ve given it a new front and rear fascia headlights.

I agree on the awd thing. It really depends on where someone lives and I dont need it, so I dont want to be forced to pay more and get less fuel economy just to get the features I want. Also mazda really needs to give us a manual offering in the sedan, they already have all the parts. Also, Mazda, please at least put the bose audio in the 2025 carbon turbo. What was the point of creating a somewhat premium trim with unique styling just to not have premium audio?

I would take the sedan over the hatchback any day.

I drove the Mazda 3 in both sedan and hatchback version when deciding what to buy last fall. Neither really felt “inspiring”, or all that well put together. Ultimately, I decided on a 2024 Jetta, which was less expensive, more comfortable for me, and more fun to drive. I will say that for sure your reviews helped me make that decision.

14:30 I think you were referring to the Preferred model. As far as NA models go the 2022 Preferred or Carbon would be my choice. The Carbon more, just because of the Bose, and I also like the red interior the Carbon offers. I wouldn't buy a NA 23/24 Mazda 3 because of cylinder deactivation. Just me though.

He says " you are not going to get a honda civic si experience"..lol that mazda would eat that civic for breakfast...much faster... just more refine feeling

They need to make the turbo charged 2.5,S in a 6 speed manual. Put all of that in a sedan then they will have a true competitor even up there with Acura.

I had a 2020 Mazda 3 AWD Preferred Trim and it drove awesome until the steering gear broke... 3 times... Dealing with the service department with Mazda was so poor, words couldn't even describe it. It took 3 visits back and forth to the service department before they would repair the car each time it broke. After the 3rd time the steering gear broke, they flat out refused to repair it... I ended up trading it in for a totally different car. I will never buy a Mazda again until they can demonstrate a significantly better dealership service experience.

Im so sick of hacth and suv. Nothing beats the look of a good ole sedan

By the way, I'd love to see the new Hyundai sonata. Huge improvements this year and the N Line is as great as ever.

If it’s not AWD I don’t want it. Can’t stand fwd

Is the 16 inch wheels have less road noise than the 18s

See, heres the thing. Asking for this amount of money for this segment and not even be like a hybrid is a little bit weird. You can get a mid trim Hyundai sonata or even a Honda Accord which (depending on the trim) has the same or slightly less features. This lacks a few features which for the price is quite funny. If this was a few thousand dollars (maybe 35k) cheaper it would be THE option. Pushing 40k for this, mmmm, doesn't convince me.

You rate the 27k. 2.5l engine front wheels better than this as you said ?

Cons: the sidewalls are way too skinny which makes the ride quality unbearable. The prop rod is un-attractive and should be replaced with hood struts.

Previous gen was better

Well... if people would know how to adjust the correct position for the front seat, you will have a lot of space on the back seat... but nooo, move the front seat all the way to the back and then complain about the rear space... just be real... American people really need to learn how to drive a manual transmission, driving a car is not only going from A to B.