Do other manufacturers have people that speak directly to consumers, address concerns and explain things like Coleman does for Mazda? Whether you agree or not, I always appreciate his explanations of their decisions. Plus, its nice to have a familiar face, who has the same interests as car enthusiasts to connect to the brand. Good job as always.
@@JaRW7 You're closer to the mark than @Nadir Khan . They're definitely working on an inline 6 cylinder engine, and I'm sure a modern automatic xmsn to go along with it. They're also working on the next gen Mazda 6 and Mazda CX-9. For their sake, I really hope that they're also working on a plug in electric, and hybrid versions of most of their current models. Any auto company that puts most of their eggs in the internal combustion basket is going to be in a world of hurt in about 5 years.
After 20 years with a Ford van and truck, it was time. We had tried the 2020 CX-5 and were impressed..then I saw MotoMan and Coleman on the CX-30. From that one video, which I shared with my wife, we both felt like we had driven it already and understood it. We bought one in Preferred, Machine Gray, and simply drove it off the lot. We have not regretted it one second. Simply stellar. Would I have liked a turbo? Sure - the 5 had it. Did I need it? Nope. Wish I had found Mazda years ago? Yep.
Welcome to the club! If you love driving and drive a mazda before buying a car, it is very hard to decide otherwise. When I bought my cx-5, I drove cr-v, cx-5 and forester back to back, and Escape a day earlier, and the decision was almost instantly clear even though it wasn't the fastest one.
I love the dialogue with Coleman. He's such an honest guy. I liked the part where he mentioned that Mazda has new projects and stuff that will sell better. Has me interested.
As others mentioned, they're working on the next gen Mazda 6 and CX-5. But they're also working on the next gen CX-9, which is probably their priority since the current model is virtually unchanged since 2016, and it would sell better than either the Mazda 3 or the Mazda 6. They're also working on on inline 6...which will probably be spectacular, but goes against the grain of what every other manufacturer is doing and what fuel economy laws will soon be demanding. For their sake, I really hope that they're also working on plug-in electric and hybrid powerplants for most of their existing models.
Everyone's reviewing this car. The inclusion of Dave Coleman explaining the technobabble and reasoning behind this car is what holds this review above all the others. Thank you.
as a previous owner and lover of a 2008 mazdaspeed3, I actually prefer this new turbo awd 3. A manual option would be nice and the only lament. but the refinement of everything else on the newer platform is preferrable to me.
My last two cars were Mazdas and I am eagerly awaiting Mazda's new Mazda 6 with the inline 6 engine coming in 2023. As a Mazda owner, who wouldn't consider switching brands, I love hearing Mr. Coleman's input and expertise.
Honestly, I don't understand... Everyone complains about this being expensive when plenty of people are willing to pay $40K for a close to base level CLA, A3, and 1 series. remind you the 3 turbo starts at $30K and already have all the equipment the top trim 3 has.
I have always been a fan of Dave since the Sport Compact Magazine days. He was a great tech editor and I did enjoy his write up. Again I have seen him on multiple interviews since joining Mazda and he has not changed and that is a good thing.
Beware, Coleman said it was a brand new CPU, so it could be a couple years before they can hack into them and tune them. Also, most well engineered cars (like the Mazdas) these days get no gains from intake mods. The stock intakes are basically true cold air intakes already, and often changing to an aftermarket intake becomes a warm air intake.
Dave Coleman is awesome at explaining the tech stuff. Especially interesting was his explanation as to why there is no manual transmission at this time. I found the reference to the diesel spot on. My past VW TDI manual was hard to drive smoothly sometimes because the torque drop-off at the wrong spots in your mind's shifting rhythm. But once the car was chipped, that smoothness and synchronicity was there. So the answer seems to be to add more HP to the engine, Which also means to add bigger brakes, a new suspension, etc. Just as Dave laid out.
@@DessikaModus Yes, I test drove it and you can definitely feel that it is fast. Driver safety nannies were slightly intrusive. I think bigger brakes (rather tires as I said before) could uplift the car and from premium story - ventilated seats are what it is missing. In my mind GLI is a direct competition here. Being sufficiently more expensive it loses to GLI on adaptive dampers, bigger brakes and ventilated seats. All these could make it next category winner against likes of Acuras. On a slightly bigger sedans K5 GT and Sonata N Line can compete it for the performance part. Standard AWD is definitely a big plus here.
Honestly, I think a 2.5L skyactiv X engine would be perfect for America, especially in the 3. I would love to get the horsepower gains along with an MPG gain.
The same could be said for Australia. We don’t get the 2.5 Turbo (not yet available in RHD) but we do get the 2 litre SkyactivX. It’s an odd choice as we get both the 2 litre and 2.5 litre SkyactivG engines. The 2 litre X engine falls kinda between the two G engines but manages to do nothing really special; more like a slightly more economical 2.5 with slightly less power. Probably makes more sense in Europe/UK where the 2.5 isn’t available. I think making the X engine available as a 2.5 litre would have been a much better solution for Australia. Or, just give us the 2.5 Turbo.
$36,000 in Canada before tax for a fully loaded model. For context, $36,000 CAD buys you: -A loaded Golf GTI with DSG -A base Mercedes-Benz A250 4Matic -Audi A3 40 TFSI Komfort -A base 2020 TLX -A base Camry, Accord, K5 or Sonta with the high output engine -A WRX with a few options -A loaded Veloster N Manual I think Mazda got the pricing right for Canada. My wife had a Golf R, but this is likely going to be her next car.
Exactly, I am in the same boat. 35000 for top trim with hud, f&r parking sensor.... Try spec a base M.benz or audi we with the same and it will close to 50000. Also, most base price was a joke, you couldn't buy a base car even if you wanted to. I been car shopping for the last month and at least TLX and IS200t was the case.
You nailed it, Ryan...I own 2 VW Jetta’s - a GLI & a TDI, want AWD on my next car. Golf R is thousands more $ but no sunroof, no heated steering wheel. I test drove a 2020 Mazda3 GT & put a deposit on a 2021 GT Turbo sedan after comparing w/a CX5 Turbo. Not keen on the 100th Anni. sedan colours. It s/b arriving @ dealership end of this week.
This is a Mazda 3 for grown ups and not a Mazda Speed boy racer. Two problems I have with it are 1 intercooler in the manifold 2 $30-35k for a Mazda 3.
@@refillz5281 base turbo can be had for $29k and is still basically fully loaded compared to any other car. Awd, Bose stereo system, heads up display, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, heated seats and steering wheel etc, sunroof, 18” black wheel, leather interior,
I have a 2021 ND Miata MT and a 2014 Mazda 6 MT (and a Porsche), but I will not buy a Mazda 3 until they give me a better rear suspension for carving some corners. Love Mazda, but please don’t make me buy a Cadillac or God forbid another Porsche. I have always been curious about Lotus.
You said it yourself at this price point nothing will hit all the points this Mazda does and that is the reason it’s the best at this price point. You answered your own question.
Great review as usual. though Motoman dinged it for costing 35k. It starts at $29k with nice equipment, you'll go to $35k if you get some high end stuff that makes A3 and Aclass cost $50k+...
@@Nature1992 Yep. Can't blame the player for playing the game. All things considered, market taken into account, 29-35k is beyond reasonable for what's offered in comparison.
Well said. I hate when people say that Mazda's are great and within spitting distance of entry level luxury vehicles in every way except without the lux badge, but then in the very next sentence complain about the price being higher than that of mainstream makes. They conveniently gloss over the fact that a similarly spec'd out vehicle from a "luxury" brand will cost substantially more than any comparable Mazda.
Base model Hyundais get self steering and adaptive cruise. Mazda doesn't have auto steer at all. I don't know why you comparing to Germans. Compare this to the upcoming Genesis G70 if you want to talk price.
As a European I am jealous of what you Americans get over there (not to mention the very cheap cost of petrol or gasoline for the ignorant Americans). The most basic Mazda 3 with a 2 Litre petrol engine outputs 122ps and has absolutely no extras of any kind is the equivalent to $33,163 before delivery. You Americans really do not know how lucky you are (not that I would ever want to live there let alone visit)!
I'm not from America, but Canada, and I'm jealous of the speed limits in Europe. Cars are so much more capable today but we have to deal with speed limits that were set in the 1970s. And the police are just tax collectors for the government. Overly policed roads in the name of safety ready to tow your car away along with a hefty fine and insurance premiums for speeding 50Kph over the limit.
And as an American I'm jealous of all the nicer cars you get in Europe. Over here more and more manufacturers are working towards phasing out cars in favor of top-heavy crossovers and SUVs. All the power in the world isn't going to make up for the fact that they handle so poorly in anything but straight line acceleration. I'd much rather have a slower car that's fun to toss around twisty roads.
Off the cuff comment, I think a Subaru Imprezza turbocharged costs about the same (with AWD). It needs premium fuel too. But this Mazda 3 somehow would look more fun.
after driving the new 3, The WRX is a lot more fun. The mazda 3 is a nice car with awesome styling, but it felt more grown up and the steering was too light for me
Great explanation of why there is no manual transmission in this Turbo version from Mr. Coleman. I really like what they did with this car and my favorite color combination is the Polymetal Gray exterior with the red Nappa Leather interior, it is stunning with the blacked out trim on the Turbo version. 35K for this is probably a step too far, but I understand and appreciate that Mazda is trying to move into a higher market segment and change their image of being a strictly value brand. All that said, I’m still impatiently waiting for the new Mazda 6 with RWD and an inline 6 cylinder and hopefully a manual transmission.
Good to hear some new things will be coming out. Leased the mazda3 turbo hatchback for 3 years, hoping to get a nice upgrade in the future from Mazda, but love the drive in the meantime!
I loved my 2012 Mazdaspeed3 but my knees didn't like the pain from the poor seats. When I had it, I test drove a new GTI (2017) and found it was such a let down in the fun department. I hope mazda makes another fun car which fits me and my family soon. I love the 2.5T in our cx-9.
@@jb6574 completely opposite 😐 Black is the most beautiful car but the worst on showing dirt and White is the least color that shows dirtiness. Ah people where do you bring your thoughts
Outstanding content! I really appreciated the insights from Coleman. That said, I agree with all of your points. Mazda says that they are going after Audi, MB, and BMW, yet miss some of the details that buyers of those cars expect. It may have cost them an extra 50$ to add contrasting stitching or 2-tones. A sea of black just isn't going to cut it in a car with luxury aspirations. Sporty cars always seem to get stuck with black interiors. This car isn't sporty and shouldn't have an all black interior. If I was interested in this car, I would wait for the CX-30. It seems better sorted and is more practical (has rear seat vents, as an example).
I hate when people constantly confuse Mazdas vision. They are NOT trying to be a luxury automaker. They are moving to PREMIUM platform. If you don't know the difference a quick read on what LUXURY is and what PREMIUM is can be found on GOOGLE
@@mpg65 They (Mazda) themselves said that the luxury manufactures were their target/benchmark. Blame them. Acura is a more realistic target IMO. When I hear Premium I think Buick, which is barely hanging on in the states.
I write this comment on cx9 engineering review and I'm going to write it here as well Dear Dave your engineers did a great job with your new turbo engines and the torque is available from Down low and a "decent rpm" But seriously get the peak torque available even from lower rpm , you have long way to go down ( i mean in torque peak not mazda itself ;) Your lover Abolfazl from sardrud,iran
And Dave can you please explain why companies worked very hard on peak torque rpm number in 2010s but moving toward 2020s it's get more and more Less important, kind of ??
Did anyone else notice smashed flat exhaust pipe when he was talking about rear diff mount??? And those rear driveshafts are TINY!!! With 320 torque If it was a stick shift car with good tires you could break those pretty easily. Thats why its an auto. Everthing else can be weaker. I can see people breaking these cars when they turn up the boost.
Yeah, the 2.5 liter sedan with a manual transmission. Turbo and AWD not necessary, but I wouldn't mind that either. It's the major reason why I haven't purchased a 4th gen Mz3. Might get a 3rd gen Mz3 with a manual, or a completely different brand at this point.
Like you said, you can't have all the features this car has at this price, and to me it actually looks better (without the distasteful bling) than some "luxury" cars have nowadays; not only that but its also a practical car! I think Mazda is doing a great job.
it NOT being a speed, which was available only as FWD and standard, is NOT a negative. not for those who do not want one, which seems to be most people. everything you ask for above what it is is gonna put it way outa the reach of everybody. this car was already the best in class interior and quality-wise. so...you are, well, wrong.
Thanks for answering the question “where is the manual”, Dave. I really wanted a manual with this turbo motor and all wheel drive. I have the 2019 hatchback with a manual and you’re right about the torque building all the way to redline. It makes that car fun to drive. So thanks for your insight on the manual maybe not being as fun to drive with this motor. Nobody else could’ve given that insight. Thanks motoman for having Dave on the show!
Hahaha gotta love Dave. I agree, 35k is a bit of tough pill to swallow, maybe throw in more goodies to sweeten the deal? Still a pretty cool car though. As always, excellent work, M
My biggest issue with all Mazdas is that for the rear cameras in the US unless you get the 360 cam you don't get projected lines of where the car will go for some reason. I had several people test a CX-5 and CX-30 and they went what is this? When the representative says it is only on the model with the 360 camera they walked away (older drivers who realize the technology is helpful).
I never understand why people need a reverse camera on small CUVs and small cars. On a large Chevy Suburban, sure why not. People need to use mirrors more. Btw I have reverse camera and still use my mirrors to reverse park.
@@MBisFrenchy so if it's only about expectations for the price I'd rather the manufacturer provide other options as standard instead of a reverse camera. Have you ever seen someone reverse into a parking spot without taking their eyes off the centre screen? It's a scary thing watch. God forbid the camera get dirty in the winter or stops working. There is a reason why cars have a mirror on each door.
I have a 2020 CX 30 2.5 liter AWD. Put Blizzaks on last winter and it was excellent in ice and snow. I live in upstate NY and we got some serious 12"+ storms and always have ice. BTW, the 2.5 with 6 speed transmission is plenty quick. I mean plenty. Sure the turbo is torquier, but I'd at least drive the non-turbo then decide. Great car. Handles great. The 3 would likely be very similar.
I'm really glad Mazda added a turbo to the new 3! I do wish that Mazda would sell a stripped down turbo model with cloth seats, no sun roof, single zone climate,no HUD, no bose sound system for like $27k cause the current turbo models are way too pricey imo All I really need is the blind sport monitoring for those damn C pillars. I don't need all the added fluff but I do need all that sweet added power lol sure $31k starting doesn't sound too bad until you factor in tax, car tab fees, and insurance.
To MotoManTV, We own 2017 Mazda CX9 Signature and CX5 touring. My wife and I love driving them. there’s one thing we don’t like when driving and come to an abrupt stop then accelerate. The engine doesn’t eagerly respond to the throttle input. This issue still exists on the new mazda3 turbo. It is very annoying. Every time we encounter this issue while driving, it reminds us to return our vehicles to the dealership. Will you please inform Mr. Dave Coleman about this issue? Thank you so much. Will there be a 7 or 8 automatic transmission for the mazda turbo lineup in the future? When is the inline 6 turbo engine with RWD available in the USA?
I swear you are just never going to satisfy everybody. Bc honestly Motto man I cannot think of one car that will produce that same amount of power with all wheel drive and definitely as a hatch that you could buy here in America for 35 or less. Heck you can’t even buy a hatch like that for that amount in Europe that wont cost you at least 40 grand.
I'm sure Mazda would appreciate it if you would pull out your checkbook as quickly as you opened your big mouth and issue them a check for 900,000,000 dollars. They are not being cheap but have to plan based upon their financial limitations as a small auto manufacturer
It´s a compact car and a pretty one for 35k$ ... Kudos to your in-depth and honest review! Would I buy one after this? Nope - but buying a Mazda 3 I would also go with the basic engine and manual. Much more fun for sure.
...among enthusiasts who were looking for a new Mazdaspeed. But that isn't Mazda's market because that is a very small number of people. This car is aimed at the vastly larger number of people who would otherwise be shopping for an entry-level luxury car, and it does that perfectly.
@@ARCNA442 exactly. Like me. I’m not looking for a fun car. I’m looking for a nice affordable luxurious reliable car. I love Mazda and this hatchback might be the one for me and many others
Well this stock is faster then a stock speed3. The turbo 3 comes in under 6 seconds 0-60 and the speed3 is a 6 sec 0-60 car. So what could you do to change a speed3 into the turbo3 is the question?
@@MotoManTV Okay, thanks. I'll venture that a bit more-than-basic Mark 8 GTI will still come in under $33 grand, making it, IMO, a considerably more attractive proposition.
So happy to see Dave Coleman. This is the Mazda that I have been waiting for, but I'm going to have to pass, for now. I'm moving on to Audi after driving Mazda 3's for the last 15 years.
Had a 2020 base FWD hatchback that was built in Japan. Now I have a 2021 turbo hatchback that's built in Japan. I think only the base trim and/or sedans are built in Mexico.
These cars have been a big flop. I NEVER see any of them , either coupe or sedan. And I live in car country, Southern California. You can get a MUCH BETTER CAR for 35000 dollars than this.
