I drive the 2020 Mazda3 hatch, its honestly a lot of fun to drive, probably my favorite car ive ever had. I drive the manual, so that certainly helps too
@SlowFox With a little leaning, not so bad. Id say the rear windows are the worst spot, but with properly aligned mirrors and blind spot detection, not so bad, honestly
@@duerandaggi Ive been driving the new hatch since it released, I drove the 18 hatch before that. Glass is heavy and brings the center of gravity higher. But to be honest, if you know how to drive, your visibility is fine. Nothing like the Charger or Challenger. Those cars are death traps with the amount of power and the inability to see where youre pointing it. 🤷♂️
I really like the look of the hatch. I remember when you could get the Mazda 626 in the 5 door. America has become so obsessed with the SUV that so many cool cars have either been discontinued or certain body styles are no longer available. Don't get me wrong, the SUV serves an important niche in America. But not everyone wants an SUV or CUV. Oh and it would be nice if performance wagons like the Audi S4 avant, S6 avant, or the Caddy CTS wagon could come back to our shores.
@@Sabresieben I don't dislike the Civic sedan but the bumpers on the Civic hatchback and the fussiness of the rear of that car make it look much worse.
I own the 2019 premium package hatch and think it's the best looking car in the segment not even close. It's beautiful esp from the side. It looks like a stretched out adult hatch back and sexy af at the same time. Dark blue paint w the 18 inch black rims. Simply beautiful! Don't get me started on the luxury interior!
I love that people absolutely have no idea what to compare it to. Bought the polymetal hatch manual and love it Its oddly sexy and inside its basically luxury with a focus on being minimal. And people are absolutely surprised it's a Mazda...
@@jamjam-1418 I can't compare to the SI. It's not going to win you any track days @186 hp. That is plenty for me, because no premium and I love the minimal aesthetic and the stereo is the best on the market, with a quiet cabin... For 25-26k. People have stopped me to say how good looking the car is. Also... I don't care about the passengers... Because my wife has a jeep and kids are past transport age. So daily driver is perfect except for stop/go (it's a manual!) But... It's not without issues. There have been 5 recalls already but I think mazda is getting them out of the way while press is still favorable. There is some wierd fault with the AC. I've only experienced it once, but it won't come on... Until you restart or crank it to max heat once then down. The metal wants to chip. It's not soul red, but it can't be matched either, so get the front paint protected. The blind spots aren't an issue with the Mazda radar and the anti collision should be tuned to LATE. For me, I got in an SI and hated it. But I've also driven Mazdas for 20+ years. So of course I would. 😁
did you choose to lease or finance the hatch? i want to get it with the polymetal gray and red interior as well but i feel like the exterior color would get old if i decide to finance. what are your feelings on having a car that color? sorry if this is a dumb question i’m genuinely wondering.
I always think, buyers who have a priority for rear space and boot capacity, wouldn't be looking at this car anyway. They'd buy an SUV or estate. This car is for singles, couples or those retirees, and I own one and I'm blown away by how good these Mazdas are!
I've liked the 3 Hatch in photos from the moment it was launched. I saw my first one on the road a couple days ago and I LOVE IT. LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT. It looks FANTASTIC. The stance is incredible, the way the light plays across it is mesmerizing, the tailights are detailed and look very premium. It's a *beautiful* car, full stop.
Matt Clark totally agree . I live in Australia and when you see a new 3 out on the streets it looks sensational and just ahead of everything else on the road it is very sexy ❤️
We bought the Premium hatchback and traded our Audi A3 Quattro in on it. The Mazda is by far the better vehicle. It rides and handles better, is quieter and has better interior materials and more equipment for less money. We. Chose the hatch due to the style and LOVE the rear end design. Yes, we love the rear c-pillars and nothing else looks like it. Heads turn everywhere we go and we get lots of compliments. We have no issues with cargo room. No issues with rear visibility either. Alex says it has tight rest leg room, but I’m 5’10” and sat in the rear seat on a long trip back from FL. The rear seats are as comfortable as the fronts and I had no issues with headroom. Never have to tilt my head. I can not say enough about the seat design, both front and rear. Excellent job by Mazda! As a previous owner of a Civic Touring sedan, I can tell you that the Mazda is by far the better vehicle. Better even than the GTI we had a couple years ago. We’ve owned Mazda 3 GT hatches before and this new one rides better and handles better than any of the older ones. I was shocked that Mazda was able to get a smoother ride and better handling with the semi independent rear suspension versus the old independent suspension, but they did!
Excellent review!! I'm waiting on delivery of a premium, 6-spd manual, and, ofc, I totally love the hatchback design over the sedan. thx again for the detailed, great review....much appreciated! cheers from Toronto....
How is it even possible to back out of an angle parking spot if a big vehicle is next to you? Isn't that blind spot right where you need to look? I'd love to get the car but that visibility is concerning.
Maybe I'm weird here, but I love the hatchback. The shape is different but it resolves super well for me given the rest of the design language on the car. On the other hand the sedan just comes across as generic. Not bad, but nothing remarkable.
I don't like when reviewers harp on about comparing Mazda to premium brands like Acura or Audi. Mazda have and always will be at the forefront of engineering, driving dynamics and reliability. It is companies like Acura that should be taking notes.
I bought the HB recently and have mixed feelings about it. I love the way it drives. Very smooth yet fun. I hate all the tech this Mazda has. I’ll probably never use most of it to be honest. It has no cd player and I have a ton of cds I want to play. I had a 2010 Nissan and loved the cd player. I traded it for this Mazda as I was terrified the CVT was going to go out.
I own the FWD hatch. I agree with Alex's fuel economy score. I get 40 MPG between fillups, but I do drive a lot at 35-50 mph where it gets its best MPG. Cylinder deactivation / "rocker arm falling off" recall hasn't officially started, but I recommend getting in touch with your dealer: they're already doing it for people who ask. My dealer reflashed its entire inventory as soon as they heard about it. Anyway, after reflash, the energy flow diagram is no longer showing cylinders deactivating. Which means that either the cylinder deactivation display is not compatible with the updated PCM software OR Mazda quietly killed off cylinder deactivation. A newer (than mine by a few months) Mazda3 sedan doesn't have an energy flow display menu option at all.
I should note that the fact that I feel the vibration at all is testament to how smooth the engine is. The 3's engine is smoother and quieter at full throttle than the one in my 2018 Mazda6 GT R.
@@mark_r49 Superior styling no one can match for the price and one of best driving experiences in it's class (just driving, not speeding around like a Type R)? It's pretty unique.
It's amazing to me how much better Mazdas look than their competition. And their interiors are so nice these days. I just wish Mazda went for a little less form over function on this one and had bigger windows/less sheet metal and more headroom in the back.
People who bash on mazda 3 have never driven one. The power definitely isn't super impressive off the line but this car can hold a line like on rails on a curvy road. Mid-range torque is nice and punchy if you keep it slightly geared down (which makes for a more fun and engaging experience anyways). A set of nice tires and a stiffer rear sway bar make the FWD version an absolute hoot to throw around. Incredible value and engineering. My 2015 2.5 FWD gets 32+ mpg mixed driving and I don't drive it slow. Gets 40 mpg on road trips. Will be buying lightly used '19 hatchback manual in a couple years when they've been out a little while. Can't wait for that day.
I had a 2006 3 hatch that I loved to drive with the 2.3 motor. I don't like what they did with it in the next generation and this one. If I were looking for a new hatch, I would choose the Elantra GT with the 1.6 turbo.
I read that people are having problems with how small the mazda hatch is but the corolla is same size or smallers but there is no complaining there. They say that the mazda 3 needs a turbo engine, it does not have sufficient power. But when the corolla and civic only had 140 hp from 2003 to 2016 for the civic and 2019 for the corolla. No one had a problem they said it was sufficient. But the mazda 186hp is not sufficient.
Have test driven the sedan and hatch. Also have owned a 2013 3 hatch, and currently own a 2017 CX5 awd. All that said in my opinion the 3 Hatch is a walk away winner. Very impressed with comfort, handling, and styling over the competition.
big fan of both the new hatch and sedan. I don't get why people dislike the c-pillar on this hatch, it looks soooo fresh and makes all other hatchbacks look rather dated..
I bought the hatchback version. I like the look of the sedan better but I wanted the practicality of the hatchback. I prefer the upscale styling inside and out over having more speed or space that competitors provide.
Great job with the very thorough review! To answer your question, although the hatch styling has grown on me and love the black grill and wheels, I do prefer the sedan's styling more. Too bad we can get the sedan in a manual, so the hatch wins by default for me. As it happens, I did cross shop the updated Crosstrek, '17 Forester, the '17 Mazda3 and 6 and ended up with '17.5 Mazda6 for the balance of power, room, features, fun driving nature and projected reliability. For where I live, AWD is appreciated ~3 months out of the year, but not a necessity.
I have to pay a visit to a dealer to see how the interior smells. Some years ago I almost got a headache from the chemical smell of their materials. Thank you for a good review!
Good review as always Alex. Mazda 3 AWD hatch why: 1) you like the styling, 2) you need AWD, 3) you don't intend to subject any one over 5'5" to attempt to be comfortable in the rear seat. Hatchbacks used to be a more like mini station wagons because they could carry more stuff and in larger-longer dimensions, but Mazda has chosen to elevate style over practicality in the 2020 hatch. The 2.0L Skyactiv-X with mild-hybrid technology is coming to Europe and Japan but is less hp and torque than the 2.5L, but better mpg. It will be very interesting to see what the automotive press has to say about it.
Enlarge the rear door glass even if a fixed window. That will go a long way to opening up the interior reducing the huge blind spot and perhaps even reducing some of the design awkwardness
S G I’m sure the designers considered everything you just suggested, knew it would be boring, and decided to go with this direction & I believe it looks fantastic! I just saw one on the road. Kudos to Mazda for being bold enough to break the mold a little.
I just got rid of my Golf GTE and I'm test driving the Mazda 3 Skyactive X (186 HP) this Saturday (with automatic gearbox). I'm already convinced that the looks of the Mazda 3 are lovely and that the interior is better. I'm just not convinced yet about the performance. My GTE did 0-60 in 6.4 seconds. It has a 1.4 turbo petrol engine (150 HP) and electric motor, combined its 204 HP. The performance is just great on that GTE. How is it compared to this? I know this doesn't have a Turbo, but it has a small compressor. I also know that the engine only releases the 186 HP at about 6K RPM. 7.1 seconds for the FWD 186 HP automatic seems alright to me, even though it's a small downgrade of almost a full second. How does it feel without the turbo though?
I might be slightly biased, having a CX-9, but I'd much rather have this than the CX-3. That car doesn't make sense to me. It's barely higher off the ground and pretty much is a weirder Mazda3. This Hatchback version fixes a lot of things. The back is a bit weird, but most Mazda's backs are just okay. They have fantastic fronts and sidelines, but the backs are just okay.
My cousin has a CX-3 and loves it. It's a nice size, but the back seat is tight and I find the entire vehicle a bit harsh and noisy. Good for an urban runabout but it's no S-Class on the highway.
The 3 looks good coming, looks good going away, but the side view spoils it for me. Very nice looking interior but I'd buy the Subaru for looks and practicality. JMO
I really like the huge c-pillar, especially on a vehicle that is low to the ground like this. It looks planted, stable and weighty. The gentle curvature is very unique and appears taut. It works well with Mazda's styling in general. Nothing seems overdone. No gaudy chrome strips, edgy stamped steel body lines or multi-pattern grilles/faux grilles or crazy shaped lighting. It looks better in person, especially in white or red.
The only thing I'm not liking is the lack of volume and tuning knobs. I wouldn't like to use a system that takes me through several menus just to change a radio station or mute a tune.
I spent 6 months this past year looking at vehicles to replace my old Acura RSX-type S. Watching this channel too much and others. I was looking at a SUV to begin with and then switched over to mid size sedans. Nothing seemed to fit right. Got in the Mazda3 sedan and for the first time I got a big smile on my face. Took a month to think about it. Drove the Honda civic and accord again, then the next day went to retest the Mazda3 and made my decision right there to get a Mazda3 sedan. The head-up-display, the more upscale interior and just the beauty of the whole car made it easy. Put anything Honda or Toyota had to shame. Week after I got it took a 3,000 mile trip across the country and back. Depending on the road and conditions, there were times I was getting 39-41 mpg on the highway which was a pleasant surprise. The more I drive it, the more I am glad I finally replaced my old car. The modern drive assistants are a great relief. First time I ever drove 11 hours in a car and got out thinking I could go another couple of hours with no problem. To be honest I am really looking forward to what Mazda does with the new inline 6 they are working on, and which body they match it to.
Sucks that prices and markups exist these days. I found one with 18k miles for $22,400 with AWD Select trim. I think I might just pull the trigger on it. Was looking at the CX-5 or even a used Pilot in case I need the space to do work on the house, but I want something a little more fun to drive to take me back to my younger days. Found a 2021 Civic with a manual but I don't think a the Civic looks right for someone who's in their early 40s.
I have a love/have relationship with the exterior. The interior is incredible looking and the best in the class though. The competitors aren't nearly as premium looking and that red option is very nice. I have a 2017 Civic Hatchback EX and the interior on the Mazda 3 makes me want one but I prefer the exterior of the Honda.
My 2014 Mazda 3 with the smaller 2.0L engine is rated at 41mpg highway and I've done 600 mile road trips where I've gotten over 44mpg cruising at 70-75mph. The new model is 200lbs heavier than the last gen and that hatch is 400lbs heavier so the 0-60 on my car is nearly identical to that hatch. I get Mazda is trying to make the car more premium by adding more sound dampening materials and insulation but I believe that's taking away from the 'raw' feeling of driving a zippy lightweight car, like what they do with the MX-5. With all that added weight it's no wonder they only offer the 2.5L now and thus fuel economy suffers as well. Hopefully the Skyactiv-X addresses both the performance and fuel economy numbers and puts the Mazda 3 back up to the top.
I took the sedan for a test drive and I’m going back to test the all wheel drive hatch. I agree with commenters hear that the hatch has a unique sexy quality to it with that design however functionally it may be difficult with limited visibility but it does get looks. I’m interested in the car primarily for the upscale design and interior combined with an all wheel drive capability because I do a lot of skiing.
We have absolutely no issues seeing out the back of our hatch. The rear camera and blind spot monitoring are great, but not needed to be safe to drive.
If your eyes work well you can see out the back, the window is big enough or it wouldn't be on the road at all. I love when people over exaggerate little things
Amen brother!! They screwed up the rear end. I saw one someone bought the other day at the mall. And I didn’t like the end. Also sorry if you go from independent suspension to torsion beam that’s a down grade aka cost cutting to the extreme. Idea is to improve the not give excuse that it’s better cost cutting.
Alex, I test drove that exact Mini Clubman, extensively. I was glad to get back to my Mazda3. There is really nothing that I liked about that Mini besides somewhat fancy cabin
For people who want a Mazda 3 that ist a little bit higher and offers more space in the back, they might want to consider the CX-30. It will be out soon and is basically a SUV Version of the 3.
The sedan looks nice. The hatchback, in person, looks like an actual space ship. Which you’d either love or hate. Personally the hatch is absolutely breath-taking in person, but I can understand the criticism about the C-pillar.
I like Mazda, a lot. I would like to be able to choose the AWD behaviour by myself. During my trips to the mountains, I`d like to have the rear axle connected all the time on the curvy and wet parts of the mountains.
The legendary "King of Handing" hot hatches Citroen ZX, Peugeot 205 & 306 GTi are all torsion beam monsters. So far, VW hasn't been been able to produce any hatches that handles better than those French beauties. Even the great BMW E46 (even though it's not a hatch) with it's 50/50 weight distribution and rear wheel drive, those French still out handle it.
I like the sedan better and think the C-pillar of the hatchback is too heavy. If the rear window beltline was lower and ithe window was larger, it would look better. Love your reviews.
@@kevinW826, I understand, but I think they could have dropped the belt line a little made it a little larger while maintaining the overall shape and style. It's still a great car. I'm a big Mazda fan and the family all owns Mazda.
rod miranne totally agree. I tried sitting in back and wow that felt like a coffin. Less light is being brought in from the outside because of the redesign. I won’t be getting another Mazda3 hatchback as I have been carrying more people in back and having to readjust my seat to accommodate people....next year or the following spring, I will be trading my 3 in for either the redesigned mazda6 or the CX-9
@@kevinW826 , I own a 2019 CX-5 Signature and love it. I traded in my old 07' Mazda 6i 5-door, which was a great trouble free, made in Michigan car. I'm looking forward to checking out the new CX-30.
@@theodorekell Well, the Outback ain't exactly "huge," at least by Americans' standards of automotive size but it's definitely a midsize crossover/wagon. And that description doesn't match the Mazda3 in any way.
@@stephenhendricks103 Oh no. I didn't mean on the grand scale. But in comparison to Impreza or Sportwagen... To put into perspective, Outback is only couple of inches shorter than Highlander.
I test drove then Hatch. The blind spots are terrible. However, the blind spot monitoring notifications do happen both within the dash instrumentation and the mirrors thereby mitigating some of the shortcoming. Even so, it is difficult to ignore that the blind spots, in my opinion, are a safety issue on the hatch.
R.J S.J i have the hatch it’s it’s honestly not bad at all unless you just don’t pay attention. the tech in the car helps and the car is small enough to know where you are on the road compared to the cars around you. pretty chillin tbh not bad at all
Love the new design of both the hatch and sedan Mazda3 . Mazda is targeting the new 3 at people who will buy it on its style. The new CX30 will sell to those that love the look of the 3 but want or need more rear seat and luggage space. Given how the market has changed globally with suv and cuv sales this is a very clever approach
Except for the iconic MX-5 I think the Mazda3 is the most interesting and competitive model compared to its rivals in the entire Mazda lineup. I was somewhat surprised, though, to see some of the alternatives that Alex presented and those he omitted. For example, I find it difficult to believe that many consumers would cross shop the Mazda3 and the Subaru Forester. On the other hand, I wouldn't be surprised to see consumers looking at the Mazda3 hatchback, especially in its upper trim version versus the VW GTI or the Mazda3 sedan versus the VW GLI, neither of which was mentioned. As far as AWD is concerned, I'm skeptical about its utility in a small relatively light vehicle versus a comparable FWD vehicle with the weight of the engine over the drive wheels. Equipped with a good set of winter tires, I'd expect the latter to perform just about as well in challenging winter conditions as an AWD equipped vehicle. Nevertheless, Mazda claims that AWD is more than a marketing tool in other conditions and they might be right. If my money were on the line, I'd opt for the Mazda3 hatchback over the sedan simply because I value the versatility of a hatchback. But I wouldn't trade my GTI for one. The VW provides better performance and considerably greater passenger and cargo room in a vehicle that's about seven inches less in overall length. And while it's a unique personal advantage for me the 14' length of the GTI earns me a discount on Puget Sound ferries while the Mazda3 hatch would not. ;)
Excellent commentary. While it's not the newest or most unique option, the GTI has always been all-around good/great. Is it your first GTI? How's the reliability?
I really like the hatch, the sedan looks like everybody’s sedan. The hatch is unique.
Uniquely stupid. Why all the hatred of glass and good visibility?
I drive the 2020 Mazda3 hatch, its honestly a lot of fun to drive, probably my favorite car ive ever had. I drive the manual, so that certainly helps too
Agree 100%
@SlowFox With a little leaning, not so bad. Id say the rear windows are the worst spot, but with properly aligned mirrors and blind spot detection, not so bad, honestly
@@duerandaggi Ive been driving the new hatch since it released, I drove the 18 hatch before that. Glass is heavy and brings the center of gravity higher. But to be honest, if you know how to drive, your visibility is fine. Nothing like the Charger or Challenger. Those cars are death traps with the amount of power and the inability to see where youre pointing it. 🤷♂️
I really like the look of the hatch. I remember when you could get the Mazda 626 in the 5 door. America has become so obsessed with the SUV that so many cool cars have either been discontinued or certain body styles are no longer available. Don't get me wrong, the SUV serves an important niche in America. But not everyone wants an SUV or CUV.
Oh and it would be nice if performance wagons like the Audi S4 avant, S6 avant, or the Caddy CTS wagon could come back to our shores.
Sure it's a bit odd but I could get used to it. The Civic hatchback stays ugly no matter how often I see it.
Agreed 100%
I'm a let chu finish, but Civic is one of the ugliest cars of all time. Of ALL time.
Oof, I'm gonna respect your style, but I think the civic/civic hatchback is the hottest compact in recent history.
Yes. Civic hatch much uglier
@@Sabresieben I don't dislike the Civic sedan but the bumpers on the Civic hatchback and the fussiness of the rear of that car make it look much worse.
I own the 2019 premium package hatch and think it's the best looking car in the segment not even close. It's beautiful esp from the side. It looks like a stretched out adult hatch back and sexy af at the same time. Dark blue paint w the 18 inch black rims. Simply beautiful! Don't get me started on the luxury interior!
I love that people absolutely have no idea what to compare it to.
Bought the polymetal hatch manual and love it
Its oddly sexy and inside its basically luxury with a focus on being minimal.
And people are absolutely surprised it's a Mazda...
rebsiot I too have the manual polymetal hatchback with red interior. People always ask what kind of car it is which means it draws attention
How do y’all like the manual? There’s been limited exposure for the manual. Would you say it’s comparable to an Si?
@@jamjam-1418 I can't compare to the SI. It's not going to win you any track days @186 hp.
That is plenty for me, because no premium and I love the minimal aesthetic and the stereo is the best on the market, with a quiet cabin... For 25-26k. People have stopped me to say how good looking the car is. Also...
I don't care about the passengers... Because my wife has a jeep and kids are past transport age.
So daily driver is perfect except for stop/go (it's a manual!)
But... It's not without issues. There have been 5 recalls already but I think mazda is getting them out of the way while press is still favorable.
There is some wierd fault with the AC. I've only experienced it once, but it won't come on... Until you restart or crank it to max heat once then down.
The metal wants to chip. It's not soul red, but it can't be matched either, so get the front paint protected.
The blind spots aren't an issue with the Mazda radar and the anti collision should be tuned to LATE.
For me, I got in an SI and hated it. But I've also driven Mazdas for 20+ years. So of course I would. 😁
You can absolutely compare it it’s very clearly inspired by the Alfa brera
did you choose to lease or finance the hatch? i want to get it with the polymetal gray and red interior as well but i feel like the exterior color would get old if i decide to finance. what are your feelings on having a car that color? sorry if this is a dumb question i’m genuinely wondering.
I love my blacked out hatchback 3. It turns heads and in sport mode with a hp increaser that thing screams. 10/10
I have a 2018 Mazda 3 Hatchback Grand Touring! Mazda has come a long way, it’s my first Mazda and for sure it won’t be my last! 😊
They both look great!! But I like the hatchback better, it just looks so different than almost anything on the road.
I love the looks of the Mazda 3 Hatchback... but I also enjoyed the CATS trailer.
Lol
I always think, buyers who have a priority for rear space and boot capacity, wouldn't be looking at this car anyway. They'd buy an SUV or estate. This car is for singles, couples or those retirees, and I own one and I'm blown away by how good these Mazdas are!
I love the hatchback. Im 17 and I hope that I’ll can buy a hatchback one next year
I've liked the 3 Hatch in photos from the moment it was launched. I saw my first one on the road a couple days ago and I LOVE IT. LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT. It looks FANTASTIC. The stance is incredible, the way the light plays across it is mesmerizing, the tailights are detailed and look very premium. It's a *beautiful* car, full stop.
Matt Clark totally agree . I live in Australia and when you see a new 3 out on the streets it looks sensational and just ahead of everything else on the road it is very sexy ❤️
Both hatch and sedan are amazing looking cars for the price point. Love them both.
You’re right about this being more luxurious than the ILX. I’ve seen both.
We bought the Premium hatchback and traded our Audi A3 Quattro in on it. The Mazda is by far the better vehicle. It rides and handles better, is quieter and has better interior materials and more equipment for less money.
We. Chose the hatch due to the style and LOVE the rear end design. Yes, we love the rear c-pillars and nothing else looks like it. Heads turn everywhere we go and we get lots of compliments. We have no issues with cargo room. No issues with rear visibility either.
Alex says it has tight rest leg room, but I’m 5’10” and sat in the rear seat on a long trip back from FL. The rear seats are as comfortable as the fronts and I had no issues with headroom. Never have to tilt my head. I can not say enough about the seat design, both front and rear. Excellent job by Mazda!
As a previous owner of a Civic Touring sedan, I can tell you that the Mazda is by far the better vehicle. Better even than the GTI we had a couple years ago.
We’ve owned Mazda 3 GT hatches before and this new one rides better and handles better than any of the older ones. I was shocked that Mazda was able to get a smoother ride and better handling with the semi independent rear suspension versus the old independent suspension, but they did!
Agree with everything you’ve said.
So is the new Mazda 3 steering is close to bmw steering?
Contrast to your view, In my opinion, the back is the best looking part of the Mazda3😍😍😍😍loved it, drove one !
Excellent review!! I'm waiting on delivery of a premium, 6-spd manual, and, ofc, I totally love the hatchback design over the sedan. thx again for the detailed, great review....much appreciated! cheers from Toronto....
Currently own the 2019 AWD hatch, and I can attest, it is DAMN GOOD.
How is it even possible to back out of an angle parking spot if a big vehicle is next to you? Isn't that blind spot right where you need to look? I'd love to get the car but that visibility is concerning.
Maybe I'm weird here, but I love the hatchback. The shape is different but it resolves super well for me given the rest of the design language on the car. On the other hand the sedan just comes across as generic. Not bad, but nothing remarkable.
Agreed. It's unique and gracefull looking.
Totally agree; I can see why some don't like it, but that's kinda what I love about it. And I think it's very cool from most angles.
Generic is probably better for resale, though.
Own the hatch and love it like crazy!
Personally, I like the hatch as it is closest to their concept. I am biased though as I am a huge fan of hatches in general
I don't like when reviewers harp on about comparing Mazda to premium brands like Acura or Audi. Mazda have and always will be at the forefront of engineering, driving dynamics and reliability. It is companies like Acura that should be taking notes.
By far the best and nobody even close to second when it comes to car reviews. 👍🏼
I love the look of this thing.
I really love the hatchback version, much more than sedan version
I bought the HB recently and have mixed feelings about it. I love the way it drives. Very smooth yet fun. I hate all the tech this Mazda has. I’ll probably never use most of it to be honest. It has no cd player and I have a ton of cds I want to play. I had a 2010 Nissan and loved the cd player. I traded it for this Mazda as I was terrified the CVT was going to go out.
That’s the color I love! Too bad they don’t make it in the new ones😥
I own the FWD hatch. I agree with Alex's fuel economy score. I get 40 MPG between fillups, but I do drive a lot at 35-50 mph where it gets its best MPG. Cylinder deactivation / "rocker arm falling off" recall hasn't officially started, but I recommend getting in touch with your dealer: they're already doing it for people who ask. My dealer reflashed its entire inventory as soon as they heard about it. Anyway, after reflash, the energy flow diagram is no longer showing cylinders deactivating. Which means that either the cylinder deactivation display is not compatible with the updated PCM software OR Mazda quietly killed off cylinder deactivation. A newer (than mine by a few months) Mazda3 sedan doesn't have an energy flow display menu option at all.
Paul Gokin interesting. Had heard the news on this. Thnaks
I should note that the fact that I feel the vibration at all is testament to how smooth the engine is. The 3's engine is smoother and quieter at full throttle than the one in my 2018 Mazda6 GT R.
It's unique, but I'm kinda diggin the hatchback styling. Both the hatchback and sedan look good to me.
Unique= one of a kind. How can something be “very unique”?
Mark R Thanks Captain Pedantic. But I never wrote the words “very unique”.
@@mark_r49 Superior styling no one can match for the price and one of best driving experiences in it's class (just driving, not speeding around like a Type R)? It's pretty unique.
It's amazing to me how much better Mazdas look than their competition. And their interiors are so nice these days. I just wish Mazda went for a little less form over function on this one and had bigger windows/less sheet metal and more headroom in the back.
Bad Drivers of Columbus, Georgia Then it would look like everything and be bland.
I don't think so. Making the windows larger and making the roof not rake back as hard would improve the looks in my opinion.
Sorry, Alex. The hatchback may not be as practical as many of its competitors but there's no doubt it's gorgeous.
People who bash on mazda 3 have never driven one. The power definitely isn't super impressive off the line but this car can hold a line like on rails on a curvy road. Mid-range torque is nice and punchy if you keep it slightly geared down (which makes for a more fun and engaging experience anyways). A set of nice tires and a stiffer rear sway bar make the FWD version an absolute hoot to throw around. Incredible value and engineering. My 2015 2.5 FWD gets 32+ mpg mixed driving and I don't drive it slow. Gets 40 mpg on road trips. Will be buying lightly used '19 hatchback manual in a couple years when they've been out a little while. Can't wait for that day.
Love the hatchback, great review, waiting to see your review on the Arteon
I had a 2006 3 hatch that I loved to drive with the 2.3 motor. I don't like what they did with it in the next generation and this one. If I were looking for a new hatch, I would choose the Elantra GT with the 1.6 turbo.
Got one today! The car looks 10x better in person than in photos or videos.
I read that people are having problems with how small the mazda hatch is but the corolla is same size or smallers but there is no complaining there. They say that the mazda 3 needs a turbo engine, it does not have sufficient power. But when the corolla and civic only had 140 hp from 2003 to 2016 for the civic and 2019 for the corolla. No one had a problem they said it was sufficient. But the mazda 186hp is not sufficient.
Damn I love the look of this car so much and really want to get it, but my GF absolutely despises the look
Nice to see orange rear indicators. American cars stress me out with red indicators, they're objectively less safe.
Personally I love it. Stands out and that color is amazing. Awesome video!
I LOVE the way the hatchback looks, specially the back.
Have test driven the sedan and hatch. Also have owned a 2013 3 hatch, and currently own a 2017 CX5 awd. All that said in my opinion the 3 Hatch is a walk away winner. Very impressed with comfort, handling, and styling over the competition.
big fan of both the new hatch and sedan. I don't get why people dislike the c-pillar on this hatch, it looks soooo fresh and makes all other hatchbacks look rather dated..
Love the hatchback!
I EU we have only the 2.0l engines. Non the less this is probably my next car.
I always look for cars that are unique and appealing, and this hatch definitely is on my list 😍
I bought the hatchback version. I like the look of the sedan better but I wanted the practicality of the hatchback. I prefer the upscale styling inside and out over having more speed or space that competitors provide.
How are you liking it? Any major issues?
Great job with the very thorough review! To answer your question, although the hatch styling has grown on me and love the black grill and wheels, I do prefer the sedan's styling more. Too bad we can get the sedan in a manual, so the hatch wins by default for me. As it happens, I did cross shop the updated Crosstrek, '17 Forester, the '17 Mazda3 and 6 and ended up with '17.5 Mazda6 for the balance of power, room, features, fun driving nature and projected reliability. For where I live, AWD is appreciated ~3 months out of the year, but not a necessity.
I love the hatchback
I have to pay a visit to a dealer to see how the interior smells.
Some years ago I almost got a headache from the chemical smell of their materials.
Thank you for a good review!
The 2004 Mazda 3 hatch was outstanding, iconic, classic design. Best car I ever owned.
Hope you didn't live in a snowy area where road salt is used...2000's Mazda's were horrible for rust.
Thank you, Alex. Well done 👍. Really appreciate you.
Thorough review. Still thinking about a Hyundai Kona vs Mazda 3, however.
Take the mazda3 for superior drive, space and it's much more premium car
Good review as always Alex. Mazda 3 AWD hatch why: 1) you like the styling, 2) you need AWD, 3) you don't intend to subject any one over 5'5" to attempt to be comfortable in the rear seat. Hatchbacks used to be a more like mini station wagons because they could carry more stuff and in larger-longer dimensions, but Mazda has chosen to elevate style over practicality in the 2020 hatch. The 2.0L Skyactiv-X with mild-hybrid technology is coming to Europe and Japan but is less hp and torque than the 2.5L, but better mpg. It will be very interesting to see what the automotive press has to say about it.
I absolutely love the hatch. Probably my next car
I do like the hatch back
Enlarge the rear door glass even if a fixed window. That will go a long way to opening up the interior reducing the huge blind spot and perhaps even reducing some of the design awkwardness
S G I’m sure the designers considered everything you just suggested, knew it would be boring, and decided to go with this direction & I believe it looks fantastic! I just saw one on the road. Kudos to Mazda for being bold enough to break the mold a little.
S G also, it sounds like you might want to pick up their 3 sedan instead of this.
I just got rid of my Golf GTE and I'm test driving the Mazda 3 Skyactive X (186 HP) this Saturday (with automatic gearbox). I'm already convinced that the looks of the Mazda 3 are lovely and that the interior is better. I'm just not convinced yet about the performance. My GTE did 0-60 in 6.4 seconds. It has a 1.4 turbo petrol engine (150 HP) and electric motor, combined its 204 HP. The performance is just great on that GTE. How is it compared to this? I know this doesn't have a Turbo, but it has a small compressor. I also know that the engine only releases the 186 HP at about 6K RPM. 7.1 seconds for the FWD 186 HP automatic seems alright to me, even though it's a small downgrade of almost a full second. How does it feel without the turbo though?
I might be slightly biased, having a CX-9, but I'd much rather have this than the CX-3. That car doesn't make sense to me. It's barely higher off the ground and pretty much is a weirder Mazda3. This Hatchback version fixes a lot of things. The back is a bit weird, but most Mazda's backs are just okay. They have fantastic fronts and sidelines, but the backs are just okay.
My cousin has a CX-3 and loves it. It's a nice size, but the back seat is tight and I find the entire vehicle a bit harsh and noisy. Good for an urban runabout but it's no S-Class on the highway.
The 3 looks good coming, looks good going away, but the side view spoils it for me. Very nice looking interior but I'd buy the Subaru for looks and practicality. JMO
I looooove the way of this hatch!!! It is a piece of art.
I really like the huge c-pillar, especially on a vehicle that is low to the ground like this. It looks planted, stable and weighty. The gentle curvature is very unique and appears taut. It works well with Mazda's styling in general. Nothing seems overdone. No gaudy chrome strips, edgy stamped steel body lines or multi-pattern grilles/faux grilles or crazy shaped lighting. It looks better in person, especially in white or red.
The only thing I'm not liking is the lack of volume and tuning knobs. I wouldn't like to use a system that takes me through several menus just to change a radio station or mute a tune.
@@graham-jefferson
The lack of volume and tuning knob?10min44s you can see a volume and tuning knob .
@@meugzy Oh whoa I completely blanked there. I stand corrected. 😬
Totally agree with you Alex, sedan is classy the hatchback is just odd.
I love this hatchback in white on black rims. Beautiful vehicle.
I spent 6 months this past year looking at vehicles to replace my old Acura RSX-type S. Watching this channel too much and others. I was looking at a SUV to begin with and then switched over to mid size sedans. Nothing seemed to fit right. Got in the Mazda3 sedan and for the first time I got a big smile on my face. Took a month to think about it. Drove the Honda civic and accord again, then the next day went to retest the Mazda3 and made my decision right there to get a Mazda3 sedan. The head-up-display, the more upscale interior and just the beauty of the whole car made it easy. Put anything Honda or Toyota had to shame.
Week after I got it took a 3,000 mile trip across the country and back. Depending on the road and conditions, there were times I was getting 39-41 mpg on the highway which was a pleasant surprise. The more I drive it, the more I am glad I finally replaced my old car. The modern drive assistants are a great relief. First time I ever drove 11 hours in a car and got out thinking I could go another couple of hours with no problem.
To be honest I am really looking forward to what Mazda does with the new inline 6 they are working on, and which body they match it to.
Sucks that prices and markups exist these days. I found one with 18k miles for $22,400 with AWD Select trim. I think I might just pull the trigger on it. Was looking at the CX-5 or even a used Pilot in case I need the space to do work on the house, but I want something a little more fun to drive to take me back to my younger days. Found a 2021 Civic with a manual but I don't think a the Civic looks right for someone who's in their early 40s.
I have a love/have relationship with the exterior. The interior is incredible looking and the best in the class though. The competitors aren't nearly as premium looking and that red option is very nice. I have a 2017 Civic Hatchback EX and the interior on the Mazda 3 makes me want one but I prefer the exterior of the Honda.
My 2014 Mazda 3 with the smaller 2.0L engine is rated at 41mpg highway and I've done 600 mile road trips where I've gotten over 44mpg cruising at 70-75mph. The new model is 200lbs heavier than the last gen and that hatch is 400lbs heavier so the 0-60 on my car is nearly identical to that hatch. I get Mazda is trying to make the car more premium by adding more sound dampening materials and insulation but I believe that's taking away from the 'raw' feeling of driving a zippy lightweight car, like what they do with the MX-5. With all that added weight it's no wonder they only offer the 2.5L now and thus fuel economy suffers as well. Hopefully the Skyactiv-X addresses both the performance and fuel economy numbers and puts the Mazda 3 back up to the top.
Yep better economy and less hp
Sad but true that Alex explained stuffs about this Mazda 3 way better the dude who tried to sell me one at the dealership.
I love both options but the hatchback in that color and red interior is hard to beat.
i like the hatchback: it has a rally car racing vibe.
6 gears is wayyy better than 8 gears trust me
I took the sedan for a test drive and I’m going back to test the all wheel drive hatch. I agree with commenters hear that the hatch has a unique sexy quality to it with that design however functionally it may be difficult with limited visibility but it does get looks. I’m interested in the car primarily for the upscale design and interior combined with an all wheel drive capability because I do a lot of skiing.
Great step up from my 3sport black! Far more preferable to a 6, excellent body styling including the rear end, excellent video.
I like being able to see out the back of my cars, so I would get the sedan.
Hey, me too! Most people don't these days.
We have absolutely no issues seeing out the back of our hatch. The rear camera and blind spot monitoring are great, but not needed to be safe to drive.
@@bw6415 Fair enough. I just think blind spots are the devil...
radudeATL set your mirrors right and you don’t have blind spots
If your eyes work well you can see out the back, the window is big enough or it wouldn't be on the road at all. I love when people over exaggerate little things
The Mazda 3 hatch is simply beautiful.
Amen brother!! They screwed up the rear end. I saw one someone bought the other day at the mall. And I didn’t like the end. Also sorry if you go from independent suspension to torsion beam that’s a down grade aka cost cutting to the extreme. Idea is to improve the not give excuse that it’s better cost cutting.
How can I reset the infotainment system? Holding down the mute, nav and back buttons doesn’t work...
The sedan ❤️
I like the hatch but I prefer the previous design. I hate the thick C-pillar. It reduces rear visibility. Deal breaker for me.
Alex, I test drove that exact Mini Clubman, extensively. I was glad to get back to my Mazda3. There is really nothing that I liked about that Mini besides somewhat fancy cabin
fabulous i've had it for 1 month, soooooooo fun to drive.
For people who want a Mazda 3 that ist a little bit higher and offers more space in the back, they might want to consider the CX-30. It will be out soon and is basically a SUV Version of the 3.
The sedan looks nice. The hatchback, in person, looks like an actual space ship. Which you’d either love or hate. Personally the hatch is absolutely breath-taking in person, but I can understand the criticism about the C-pillar.
I like Mazda, a lot. I would like to be able to choose the AWD behaviour by myself. During my trips to the mountains, I`d like to have the rear axle connected all the time on the curvy and wet parts of the mountains.
The legendary "King of Handing" hot hatches Citroen ZX, Peugeot 205 & 306 GTi are all torsion beam monsters. So far, VW hasn't been been able to produce any hatches that handles better than those French beauties. Even the great BMW E46 (even though it's not a hatch) with it's 50/50 weight distribution and rear wheel drive, those French still out handle it.
The Hatch for looks…sedan for price
Mazda chose style over practicality with the hatch. I didn’t like it until I saw one in person. I think it looks great.
Great review! Thanks Alex.
I like the sedan better and think the C-pillar of the hatchback is too heavy. If the rear window beltline was lower and ithe window was larger, it would look better. Love your reviews.
rod miranne it is a total different style than my 2015 Mazda3 hatchback. Google both side profiles and see the design difference
@@kevinW826, I understand, but I think they could have dropped the belt line a little made it a little larger while maintaining the overall shape and style. It's still a great car. I'm a big Mazda fan and the family all owns Mazda.
rod miranne totally agree. I tried sitting in back and wow that felt like a coffin. Less light is being brought in from the outside because of the redesign. I won’t be getting another Mazda3 hatchback as I have been carrying more people in back and having to readjust my seat to accommodate people....next year or the following spring, I will be trading my 3 in for either the redesigned mazda6 or the CX-9
@@kevinW826 , I own a 2019 CX-5 Signature and love it. I traded in my old 07' Mazda 6i 5-door, which was a great trouble free, made in Michigan car. I'm looking forward to checking out the new CX-30.
How about a Mazda three 2024 GT sport manual six transmission. Where is that video?
Comparison with the Golf or AWD Sportwagen? I'm surprised you left out the Outback.
Also will you be getting your hands on the VW Arteon?
Shahnewaz Doesn’t compete with the Outback. It competes with the Impreza
Outback? Outback is HUGE! car.
@@theodorekell Well, the Outback ain't exactly "huge," at least by Americans' standards of automotive size but it's definitely a midsize crossover/wagon. And that description doesn't match the Mazda3 in any way.
@@stephenhendricks103 Oh no. I didn't mean on the grand scale. But in comparison to Impreza or Sportwagen... To put into perspective, Outback is only couple of inches shorter than Highlander.
I really like the way the hatchback look. But I bet blind spots are awefull
I test drove then Hatch. The blind spots are terrible. However, the blind spot monitoring notifications do happen both within the dash instrumentation and the mirrors thereby mitigating some of the shortcoming. Even so, it is difficult to ignore that the blind spots, in my opinion, are a safety issue on the hatch.
R.J S.J i have the hatch it’s it’s honestly not bad at all unless you just don’t pay attention. the tech in the car helps and the car is small enough to know where you are on the road compared to the cars around you. pretty chillin tbh not bad at all
I own the hatch and find the visibility to be just fine!!
That’s a nifty nixie clock Alex!
I Absolutely love the look of this hatchback. It reminds me of Super Luxury cars made buy Jaguar, Alfa Romeo, and older models of Porsche etc.
Love the new design of both the hatch and sedan Mazda3 . Mazda is targeting the new 3 at people who will buy it on its style. The new CX30 will sell to those that love the look of the 3 but want or need more rear seat and luggage space.
Given how the market has changed globally with suv and cuv sales this is a very clever approach
alex when you make your comparison with the Acura you forgot to mention that it handles better than the TLX as well.
I love this look of the car
I really like the looks of the hatchback.
Except for the iconic MX-5 I think the Mazda3 is the most interesting and competitive model compared to its rivals in the entire Mazda lineup. I was somewhat surprised, though, to see some of the alternatives that Alex presented and those he omitted. For example, I find it difficult to believe that many consumers would cross shop the Mazda3 and the Subaru Forester. On the other hand, I wouldn't be surprised to see consumers looking at the Mazda3 hatchback, especially in its upper trim version versus the VW GTI or the Mazda3 sedan versus the VW GLI, neither of which was mentioned.
As far as AWD is concerned, I'm skeptical about its utility in a small relatively light vehicle versus a comparable FWD vehicle with the weight of the engine over the drive wheels. Equipped with a good set of winter tires, I'd expect the latter to perform just about as well in challenging winter conditions as an AWD equipped vehicle. Nevertheless, Mazda claims that AWD is more than a marketing tool in other conditions and they might be right.
If my money were on the line, I'd opt for the Mazda3 hatchback over the sedan simply because I value the versatility of a hatchback. But I wouldn't trade my GTI for one. The VW provides better performance and considerably greater passenger and cargo room in a vehicle that's about seven inches less in overall length. And while it's a unique personal advantage for me the 14' length of the GTI earns me a discount on Puget Sound ferries while the Mazda3 hatch would not. ;)
Excellent commentary. While it's not the newest or most unique option, the GTI has always been all-around good/great. Is it your first GTI? How's the reliability?
The side look is kind of weird in the back, but the rear design looks good to me. I could drive this.
I can drive pretty much anything but a semi truck.
I definitely like the hatch better than the sedan; the profile is like a coupe, even with the 4 doors.