I've put 80,000 miles on my NA 2019 Mazda 3 hatch AWD. Love it more each day! Only issues I've had were a dead battery and the infotainment screen delaminating at 3k miles.
I just have to comment and point out how great your HDR grading is. So few creators utilize HDR properly, and seeing the highlights in the exterior shots pop on my Macbook screen is seriously impressive. Great work guys! Setting the standard for post-processing and video quality in car content!
Car aside, I just wanted to mention that your move to HDR content is very welcomed. It's great enough to the point where I only watch these on my TV now so as to appreciate your time and effort in making this great quality content - on UA-cam of all places! - Long-term fan and Illinois local
I love my 19 NA 3 premium trim! Your original review sold me on getting one I was already looking at and I'm glad I did. The audio is solid for the price, red interior is gorgeous, the exterior styling and led DRL halos are beautiful, and the quality other than some rattles is very premium. I just wish I had some more power like with the turbo. I've been looking at the supercharger kit that a few youtubers have installed, but I'm not that auto savvy to be able to do maintenance if I added that so it might stay stock and slow.
I just put my deposit in for the supercharger kit; I'm nowhere near being a mechanic but the install is actually very straightforward and the community is super helpful in answering any doubts. Negligible maintenance as well if you take the proper installation precautions!
I genuinely think these are beautiful, I absolutely love hatch backs and this one hits a lot of the right notes in both form and function for me. It's definitely a lot more grown up being more plush than it's competitors but I'm sure people could easily tune em a bit and make them not only comfortable, but fun.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. That amorphous blob of a rear 3/4 panel makes this thing look like an English Bulldog hunching up to take a dump (to me). I could probably live with it though, as it's one of the last vehicles with this overall form factor.
@@alexrey8035 It's a fantastic design. Mazda has some of the best designs in the game. They are unique. No other manufacture is doing flowing body panels like Mazda. Especially when they are moving thew way light reflects off the panels is beautiful.
Immediately noticed the HDR grading. Like at 2:35 the car is almost popping out of the screen. Fantastic work! It helps so much with outdoor shots of cars to really get a sense of the paint, etc. Way ahead of the curve for the rest of UA-cam.
I've owned a 21' Turbo for a couple years now. Only complaints so far have been: 1) Stock tires are terrible and will bulge on your first pothole, so worth upgrading 2) More rattles on interior trim pieces and some door parts than expected for price point 3) Cruise control sensor gets easily messed with in rain, low sun angles, which just disables any of the active safety stuff associated Otherwise is fun to drive and handles well, comfortable, quiet, and roomy for the price and amazing interior!
Second this. Drove through the capitol one time, hit a REALLY bad pothole and bubbled a tire. Thankfully it was new enough I didn't have to replace all 4, but MAN. If you haven't already there are videos on where to use foam and insulating tape to get rid of rattles. My power driver seat had a loose wire harness underneath that was tapping against the seat bracket. Felt tape made that go away. Thankfully all of the fixes are in hidden spots so you don't need to look at the foam or tape, but it is a little disappointing in a new car. Then again, my 2011 Mazda was so loud on the inside who knows how many rattles I just couldn't hear. The problem is the rest is so good, and it's the perfect other car to a Miata club in a 2 car garage
Had the same issue with mine in terms of rattles. Its a know issue and Mazda has a fix out for it via sound dampening and shock absorbing foam. Took my dealer 2 attempts to sort it out but now its nice and quiet.
I heard about the torsion beam before I bought my '22 3 turbo, and honestly I'm super happy with the handling compared to my 2016 mazda6 with independent rear suspension. You can put down so much power around corners with the AWD system, and I've never had it understeer on me, even in snow. It oversteers like a champ.
I feel you on that one. I went from a 2016 Mazda6 GS to a 23 3 turbo. And it feels nice to know that I wont crash when trying to push it to an on ramp for the highway haha
This is one of the few cars out right now that I would actually consider buying. Styling looks good inside and out with reasonable price for the performance. Will definitely follow this long term review!
I really wish they would make an edgier version it feels like a good move given the cars like the corolla GR coming out. Give us a car just a little bit in that realm with this higher level of refinement and ease-of-living and I feel like that would be an exciting car.
@Mark Wilson Mazda is making a comeback as a brand, and the last thing I see them doing is something risky. Toyota can afford to take risks, Honda can afford to take risks. Mazda not so much.
Owned mine for two years now. I agree with all the positives that have already been covered in all the review videos out there (interior quality, comfort, quiet cabin, sound system, etc.). And I actually LIKED some of the "negatives" others have pointed out. I don't find visibility to be a problem at all when the mirrors are adjusted properly. I PREFER the command knob and physical controls over having a giant iPad touchscreen with nasty fingerprints all over it. The exterior styling of this car just never gets old for me. To me it just looks and feels like a car that's a class above its price point. As far as negatives go: I wish it had a bigger gas tank. I knew from the start having a 2.5T engine wasn't going to give me the best fuel economy, but when paired with a small gas tank you can expect to spend a lot of time at the pumps if you're a leadfoot. And I'm probably going to get crap for saying this, but its slower steering ratio and weight makes it feel more like you're driving a crossover or SUV than a nimble compact hatchback. I previously owned the naturally-aspirated variant (AWD Preferred) and honestly that felt a little better balanced at its limits. The Preferred trim also soaked up potholes a little better, despite having identical wheels and tires. I'd be curious to see how much of that front/rear weight distribution is thrown off with the 2.5T. I still love driving this thing everyday, but if I had to do things all over again I think I'd just go for the naturally-aspirated 2023 Carbon Edition hatchback in AWD. The turbo is noticeably quicker and all, but FOR ME its gains really aren't worth the added weight, increased ride harshness, and reduced range since it's not really trying to be a hot hatch to begin with.
I’d 100% agree with the gas tank size. I get around 400-450kms on a tank which is pretty rough. It’s funny looking at EV ranges that routinely beat this car.
That's great to hear, I've been looking at either a used Turbo or used NA but there's about a 3k-5k difference. I'm starting to think the NA is more than enough
2021 Turbo Sedan owner here, purchased brand new. Main complaint, I had the rear diff eat itself after just 26,000 miles, but scanning forums it was attributed to a production line issue and not a design problem. Dealer put in a new one, with no hassle warranty repair, they just asked if I had towed it with the wheels on the ground and if i had offroaded it. I'm confident that the assembly line issue was fixed (something with the wrong sized shim being installed). I do get some interior rattling that oddly enough comes and goes, but is not a big issue. 37,000 miles now and I still get a grin when looking at it and driving it. For the money it's the nearly perfect car!
I'm very interested to see how this long term test does. I found this channel when I came across Mark's original 2019 launch Mazda3 video when I was researching for a new car for my wife (we both the Mazda3 premium hatchback). The quality and humor of the videos has me sticking around all these years later.
Always been a fan of Mazda how they still try to make their cars fun to drive and esp including their modern design languages. That front bumper on this car looks very aggressive, the lower has a very sharp almost aftermarket looking air dam! I like it alot even though I can see plenty new owners smashing that thing lol
Big fan of Mazda here, but this car broke my heart. I have owned 2 MX5s, a CX-30 (for work) and currently own a 22 CX5. I had one of these at launch in 2019. I knew better than to buy a hot-off-the-press new model, but was sucked in by how beautiful it was. Mine was a GT with every option & 6spd manual. Beautiful Polymetal Grey with red interior. So many issues, it was gone in a year. All the tech simply never worked right. The adaptive cruise tried to kill you constantly, the adaptive driving sensors never knew what was going on & many of the other systems would not work properly if parked out in the sun for a few hours on a hot day. TPMS constantly had errors. The dash was a perpetual Christmas tree. The interior had a ton of rattles, there were a zillion recalls in the first year, the front windshields are made of papier mâché, the cylinder deactivation would cause a very annoying vibration up through the gas pedal and front seats of the car at many speeds. The car drove me insane. It was extremely beautiful, quiet, drove well, fuel economy was very respectable, and the Bose stereo was fabulous. I have heard that the 2021+ model years have ironed out these issues, but that was too late for me.
Thanks for giving this car more air time. As an owner of one, it was the only car that struck the balance of cost/performance/styling when I got it. Curious if you’ll see any oil consumption issues that some people with the Mazda turbos are reporting.
Based on your review from a couple of years ago of the non-turbo 3, I got myself one, as a sedan, which I think looks nicer. I do not regret the decision at all. It's quiet, comfy, good stereo and drives incredibly well
You bring out some great points. I drive a 2020 Premium FWD manual transmission. I used to have a 2015. Love this vehicle, it’s my daily driver. I find my vehicle very responsive, easy and very fun to drive, and I receive compliments on it all the time like “… wow, that’s a cool car!” It’s an underdog that sails above anything else I looked at. Interior materials are premium (I have the red interior) and I don’t see myself driving anything else for quite awhile. This vehicle has plenty of power for me - I don’t need ‘fast’, just ‘fast enough’ - turbo and AWD are not things I dream about but do see their appeal. There are only a couple things I would change: need some rear air vents; cooled front seats, and heated steering wheel (not options for the manual transmission at the time, which is the only one I’ll drive). I only have 17K miles on my vehicle but no problems at all so far (except my driver door weather stripping tore, which they replaced -It still catches so I taped it down…).
I had a blast reviewing one of these a few weeks ago, genuinely was tempted to go buy one after it went back to the press dungeon. Fantastic little hatchback.
Ive had my 2021 Manual Mazda3 for over 8 months now (bought it used for $26k USD after everything) in NW Ohio through Late summer, Fall, and Winter. I have no complaints and it is by far the best car I've ever owned / daily driven and even driven in general, and I also own a 1990 Miata. This car is a serious underrated gem for the price as a daily driver. I scream my praise for it wherever and whenever I can. The Manual trans is so smooth and it has PLENTY of power (especially with the manual gearbox) for a daily driver but still lets you have fun. A handful of the critiques this car always gets are very nitpicky, but some are well deserved, but overall its an amazing choice compared to many cars on the market right now and can get a LOT of premium features / comforts for a fraction of the cost of other cars, sure there may be better choices but this thing at the VERY least has a lot of character and style while still being reliable (Manual also gets better MPG than the auto). Mine has had no rattles (I believe all manuals are made in Japan? but also not sure if the rattles have been pinpointed to the Mexico plants but there is certainly a lot more quality control issues related to rattles from Mexico made ones). Doesn't have any other issues that many of the pre 2021 models had that got ironed out, 43k miles so far. Only Issue I had was battery died at 2 years old and I replaced it with a NON-OEM battery (consensus is the ones Mazda use are not great, dont seem to last long).
I absolutely loved my Mazda 3 6 speed manual. Amazing interior and fit and finish for the price. Miles above the competition at the time. It was a bit slow for the gas mileage. Wish the turbo came with a 6 speed manual.
Congrats, you have now achieved the pinnacle of your automotive journalist careers. It's all downhill from here. Consider yourselves to be very privileged for an opportunity to experience this automotive masterpiece.
i will debunk the slow steering input thing, the issue is the wheel size and width. Change to a wider tire and wider wheel, the input is SOO MUCH QUICKER, like you changed the steering ratio. These wheels were clearly made for looks and comfort, going for a wheel that you like while also going for a more sporty tire like the Firestone Firehawk indy500 in 235 sizing, you are gaining 100% of the mazda sporty feeling back.
and i may add, for the fake engine noises, get the Corksport short ram, or even the full turbo inlet with the ram air, you will have your satisfactory turbo noises :P
Just passed 40k in under 2 years on my FWD Preferred Hatch, and I love this car more and more everyday. Best car I’ve owned for sure. I hope you guys have fun with it!
@@francisgomes9976 AWD is a big plus up here in Canada. You can't compare Forte GT's engine with this one and the Veloster N is a completely other car, lot more radical. Don't get me wrong, I ordered a Stinger '23, I love what the Koreans are making, but you can't compare those 3 cars.
@@phildoucet7125 if you want a boring cheap AWD/hatch then Subaru Impreza is your choice. Mazda messed up on price, instead of $35k MSRP they should have priced it around $26-28k then it would have been great value. If you want fun hatch around same price then GTI or Vlouster N (more fun but FWD $35k), with $35k on used market you could get slightly used under 20-30k mileage BMW m240i, Golf R, Audi S3 (these are AWD). There is a reason why you never see mz3 turbo on the road. Cause people would rather spend that $35k on better alternatives.
31 year old with a 21 turbo which is the same thing as the 23 all I recommend to anyone who gets this car is change the tires other then that the car will always put a smile on your face.
I have that hatchback just without turbo and it`s an awesome car. Before had the 6 with the 2.5T which is the same engine as the 3 turbo and it was pulling fun. The 3 feels really cohesive, every button, dial, doodad is spot on and thought through. Nothing is there by accident. And it drives the same way - unlike some korean cars the 3 drives like someone put some proper thought into it.
@@peterhong526 yeah, i had a chance to drive many of the kias and hyundais and they have some quirks that put me off. Weirdly programmed gearbox or gas pedal set almost as an on/off switch so it feels like it gets a kick from street lights and then nothing. Mazda gearboxes don't switch as fast as AR giulia for example but at least the gearing is programmed decently.
I’ve had my 2019 Mazda3 hatchback manual for three years now. Your original video is the one that sold me on it. I just saw how much attention to detail Mazda paid in driver body dynamics, NVH, and even matching the LED white balance in all the switchgear inside. These are the things that only you’ve mentioned northern reviewer. Loving the car, other than first year issues. Oh, and the brakes, the brakes are absolutely horrible. But other than that such a premium car.
Your videos reviewing the car and the engineering when the fourth gen Mazda 3 was released in 2019 affirmed my decision to purchase one last year. I opted for the carbon edition sedan with the FWD n/a 2.5 powertrain. So far I have not regretted my decision in the least bit. I think the car is beautiful to look at and the interior seems much more upscale than its competitors. As much as I am enjoying this car, the value proposition takes a nosedive when you get to the turbo AWD trims. My car had a MSRP of $27,815 and I feel brings a lot to the table at that price point. At the $35,000 mark, I would probably start looking at other options. It is unfortunate that your car has the interior rattles as that is a common complaint online, along with very fragile paint. Thankfully, I don't have any interior rattles but I'm only at 6k miles. If there is an upside, it seems that dealers are receptive at dealing with these rattles.
I just picked up a cx-30 turbo based in part on your guys' video. coming from a golf R I'm both happy and sad. On the one hand it's wayyy more pleasant to drive when running errands or doing long road trips(aka 95% of the time), but you guys hit the nail on the head with the two biggest dynamics issues. the torsion beam and really slow steering (and the motor hates to rev, it's got torque but it feels like diesel). seeing as how the cx-30 is based on the mazda 3, I have to assume the driving experience is pretty similar, and man would I be disappointed if I bought a 3 as a hot hatch. refined daily driver? for sure. fun car? nope. it kind of begs the question why bother going with the 3, get the ride height and suspension travel and go with the cx-30. I've been really enjoying it. Thanks for the rec.
I have a Gen 3 Mazda 3 and sat inside a CX-30 when it debuted. The first thing I noticed was the extremely tall window beltline. Even inside the car the window starts above your shoulders. It's impossible to even rest your elbow on it. Terrible visibility. The black cladding hides how small the windows are. It's like 70% door 30% window. Camaro windows basically. My Mazda 3 doesn't have this issue. That was the biggest turn off for me
@Matt T L He is probably referring to ride quality. The Mazda is undoubtedly softer as it's not meant to have performance chops. This guy went from a performance car to a commuter car. Mazda did try to make the Mazda 3 and Mazda 6 handle well, but they backed off on that and decided to head on the direction of refinement as they are competing with the low end of Audi, BMW, Mercedes. I understand wanting to leave the VW for reliability reasons, but the CX-30 does not make logical sense if you want to still have a fun car.
@@Argedis we have 21 CX5.it is difficult to use drive up ATM with that high door sill.Guessing though this might contribute to its #1rating in side impact tests.
just came from 7 years in a manual MK7 GTI that was Oem+ overall tuned, bought a CX50 Turbo Prem plus back in september. really these 3 models are great for us car guys that have grown up a little, need more daily comfort and space. I really needed the cargo space and ground clearance for MTB, hunting, fishing, cabin trips where im bringing all that plus full size cooler. The Gti/golf R can do these things but not well and without feeling the car is maxed out with gear and difficult to then bring a 2nd person or dog. im really happy i made the move, and it was past due, look forward to soon getting a Rwd manual project car..
I had this car in Sedan form for 1 year and i 100% agree with you. It’s a very nice car with decent power and AWD, but boring. I traded it in for an Elantra N.
Overall I would say it is a great car. I cross-shopped this with the new Civic and ended up with a Civic for one major reason. I'm over 6' and if you ever plan on having a taller person in the back seat, when you look out the side window all you can see is the sloping roof line. While it looks sleek on the 3, the more traditional styling of the Civic allows for reasonable use of the rear seat. It might seem minor to some, but I strongly recommend sitting in the back seat and looking out to see if it impacts you the way it did for me. Also, it makes banging your head on egress much, much easier.
I have the 2020 AWD GT Mazda 3 and it's an absolute beast in the winter. Driving in canada the snow can be fierce and where I've gotten stuck with multiple other vehicles it just powers on. Fuel economy sucks in winter though.
I had a 2018 and a newer 2020 one, both hatchbacks. I found the design and technology of this current generation impressive but the ergonomics were not as comfortable to me as an individual (seat length etc). But whatever keeps Mazda able to sell vehicles as an independent is a plus.
Recently sold my 2019 XC60 T6 E Design and got into a more practical and fuel efficient sedan since I have a commute. I looked at this, the Integra and the A3 and I found myself circling back to this (I had a 2018 CX-5 before the Volvo) so I bought a 2023 Mazda 3 Sedan in the preferred trim, I compared the bose vs the standard audio system and I’m an audio guy, the difference was not worth the upcharge. The audio settings are extremely configurable, in all honestly this is a lot of car for the price. It’s way nicer than it needs to be. I have put 7000 miles on it and I bought it on May 4, 2023. I enjoy every minute of driving it
I just realized I haven’t been subscribed all this time…. I am now and look forward to the hours of lost productivity this series will generate for me. Drive safe!
As a Mazda 3 4th gen owner my first hand experience has been great! I unfortunately don't have the turbo but the regular 2.5 is good enough for your average commuter car and the AWD with good snow tires is impressive. Just the right amount of traction control in normal mode to slide for fun but great at using the brakes to correct the back end slipping out. There are some creaks and rattles, especially in the winter. The stiffer suspension also doesn't help this with road surfaces in the winter. My main suspension gripe is not with the torsion beam but rather it feels crashy on pot holes and speed bumps. I'm no expert and I don't think that's entirely related to the torsion beam but would love for you guys to explain why that is. Maybe adjustable dampers would help? Fuel economy has been pretty good, averaging about 28mpg in the dead of winter with lots of remote starts and idling time. Cylinder deactivation actually does add a lot to the equation in city driving. I can easily hit 36-38mpg driving around town at 40-50mph, assuming i don't stop at lights often. Even on the highway averaging 75mph for a 20 minute drive I can still hit about 30-32mpg on winter tires without trying to be economical. The factory Toyo tires sucked in a lot of ways but for fuel efficiency they were pretty good. Did a 6k mile road trip on them when I first had the car and with cruise control set to 80mph driving through flat Nebraska I got 358 miles in 4h29m, averaging 35.8mpg. The winter tires and summer tires I rotate between knock that down a couple pegs.
The stock tires are garbage and low profile - get some good Michelin or Conti four season tires. The difference will be night and day. They will be quieter and last twice as long. If you aren't looking for raw performance in the twisties, you can also add a little more to the side wall dimensions.
@@sixdonuts yeah as I mentioned at the end I have dedicated Summer and Winter tires instead of all seasons. Continental VikingContact 7 snow and Firestone Firehawks for summer.
Thanks for SPELLING it out for us at 6:10 "You do notice it in the back that you do feel the torsion beam, the torsion beam. I mean you can't get around it and I think it is a big step backward. As much as they say it is not."
Super interested to hear how this shakes out long term. The torsion beam rear and kinda tiny interior is what has always given me pause. I’d imagine it probably feels quieter than the integra, but I think the fact you can fit people *and* things is a strong case for it over the 3.
I think doing a 1:1 comparison of CVT Integra to Mazda 3 Turbo will show that the Integra is even less edgier performance-wise despite IRS (missing LSD in the front + CVT really kills throttle response with 1.5T engine). With a manual, the Integra becomes more compelling as a performance alternative.
The interior is not tiny, it easily holds four people and the rear seats fold down to haul stuff. The torsion beam doesn't make a difference to daily driving either. You will run out of driving skill long before you run out of car.
@@bigmacdaddy1234 I'm not so sure about not noticing torsion beam in daily driving. I own a 2018 Mazda 3 sedan, which has IRS. Rented a 2021 Mazda CX-30 and drove it on upstate NY sunken state highways (55mph) which rock side to side because of the uneven pavement. The CX-30 tends to "teeter" if that makes sense - it feels like the rear end is "wiggling" over that kind of pavement. Can be disorienting but I guess you get used to it over time.
Same. Partly because I'm 6 months into owning my 22 turbo 😂. I got the base turbo, not the premium+. Saved ~4k after you factor tax difference. My main issue is that with the extra power over my old 2011 Mazda3, less roads are fun. Here in the NE there's lots of twisty roads & switchbacks, lots of people on them, & very low visibility (ie, you can't really push it around a corner because the trees & rocks could easily be hiding cars/bikers/ walkers/construction, etc). That and I hit a really bad pothole and bubbled the tire before I hit 3k miles. Not cheap. Did have a couple rattles but they were fixed with foam and felt tape under the panels (not visible). Not ideal from a brand new car but easy enough. Everything else is fantastic.
@@TheEmpoleon123456789 I've only noticed it when I hit a bump in corners when I'm trying to put gas down in my 3. Hitting bumps on straight roads I usually feel the impact of the low profile tires more. The AWD system is great at keeping you planted but I agree I'd prefer the feeling of my old 2011 Mazda3. I choose to take this as a sign to hold our reps accountable to build decent roads instead of cheaping out and having us foot the bill with replacement tires and bigger more expensive SUVs.
I’ve had a NA 2021 Mazda3 for a little over two years now, and on bumpy roads or sharp turns mine also has some squeaks that somewhat betray what is otherwise great build quality. All around I’ve been super happy with the car and I’m eager to see what y’all think of the Turbo!
I'm surprised to hear that. I have a 2017 that is reaching 100k km and absolutely no cabin creaks so far. I was expecting the worse from "Made in Mexico" badge on my door. My old Corolla on the other hand...
i have a '21 (white w/ the delicious red interior) and it's definitely not the 'hot hatch' people seem to want it to be. accept that it's designed as the more responsible evolution of mazda. it's less like you're taming a rowdy machine and more like a dance; a nice lazy line through the corners. a properly refined commuter (which, come to think of it, actually makes it weird to see them driving it that hard)
The lack of driver visibility was just a deal breaker for me. The A pillar was always in the way, and rear visibility non existent. Really liked the way it looked, interior cabin itself was very nice, and drive was nice enough.
@@newton2105 how big are you? I’m 6’0 and fit more than fine, had it for 2 years now. Everyone else near my height or even a few inches taller has loved it as well, at least in the passenger seat
"out in the wild" evokes so many good stories. There I was, creeping along the creek bed. My boots soaked through though only a trickle remained this far into the season. When suddenly...!
I had a 2021 Mazda 3 for a couple months and liked it quite a bit. The biggest down side for me was the cargo space. A trip to costco (including dog food) meant dropping the back seats. I was able to trade it for what I paid and stepped up to a CX5. I had a non-turbo and for the price it was a really great car, the fuel economy even with the AWD model was always higher than rated, sometimes by alot reaching close to 40mpg highway somehow.
@@DessikaModus Speed limit. I have a 2.5T CX9 and it beats the gas mileage when I drive it at speed limit. It's just a bit fun to drive so 70-75 is more normal.
@@twystedhumour my ND Miata at highway speed limit (65) can get close to 40. It's crazy for a 2.5L cx5 to get 40. Unless the highway speed limit is like 55
@@DessikaModus Oh that MPG was with the Mazda 3, not the CX5. As I understand it they did a good deal of work with the AWD to almost fully disconnect the rear drive when it wasn't needed to improve MPG, and the 3 is pretty aerodynamic. The runs I had close to 40mpg were still around 65-70mph. Flat highway at 70 and that thing was super efficient. My CX5 now isn't bad, but much worse than the 3. I think the combination of weight, worse aero, and shorter gearing hurt it.
@@ShadowBend i had a 2017 Mazda 3. I miss that thing. Felt like my ND Miata but fwd and heavier by just a tad bit. That thing sat at flat 2k rpms at 70 or 75mph. Basically a fwd economy Miata. To put into perspective, the ND Miata sits about 1k rpms higher at same speeds
I went car shopping 2 weeks ago.. to get ‘any’ new Mazda3 the wait time is over 13 months… multiple dealers said they will put my name down and call me when one become available and I can decide if I want that spec… I ended up buying a Mazda CX-5 because that one is 3 months wait… the premium feel is definitely there for mazda.. we tried Hyundai and it felt so cheap inside, same with Kia… Toyota was the only dealer that gave us longer lead time and didn’t have any cars to test so we discounted them.
The design of this generation took a while to grow on me, but it finally has. And now that they offer the manual with the turbo, it's a very interesting car.
@jaquatics I must be going crazy because I was so sure they did, but I just checked the website, and it's only available with the 2.5. Back to me not being interested in the 3, I guess.
I have a 2020 that other than routine maintenance and one battery has been absolutely flawless. My lease is up in about 4 months and thinking about buying it outright.
@@VitoC. exactly, I’m sorry but manual is just where it’s at. I know we’ll never get the Mazdaspeed 3 back but this could’ve been his more responsible cousin.
not really? This is the Sporty model which means your paying up a lot for the increased platform capability, the Mazda 3 Hatch most people will buy is around the 22-25k price range. So doesn't really advocate anything for the value of the Venza
@@BrodeyDoverosx if there's nothing sport about a Turbo lightweight platform with over 250hp and 300 lb-ft then you're on crack. Sure it isn't a V8 mustang, but it's still sporty
i have been VERY pleased with my 2018 Mazda3 Touring Hatch. quick. handles fine. good for both city and highway. i have 25k miles and have averaged 29mpg for the life of the car. it's all good. thumbs up.
I went into Mazda and they tracked down a 2.5 turbo sedan for me. Getting it this week. I just wanted a modest looking awd car with some pep. Im an 80’s kid so being older, I thought it was time for a little luxury without breaking the bank. You’re detailed reviews are on another level. SavageGeese. You’re the best. I’ll be following your videos on the Mazda 3. 👊
Largely agree with the video. We've owned 2 '21 Turbo 3 hatchbacks and have since gotten rid of one and are looking to get out of the other. It's very much a beige pair of pants, not particularly bad at anything (other than NVH) but not compelling in any way. It does look great inside and out but I can't emphasize enough the buzzing and rattles...it's easily the worst NVH car I've owned, biggest reason I sold mine. The dealer/service experience hasn't been great, YMMV, they won't do anything without a TSB and Mazda takes forever to acknowledge issues, even big ones like the oil consumption problems the 21-22 cars have. Rides better than previous (sport focused) Mazdas but not at the level of other lower end luxury competitors. Power is great on the low end, absolutely nothing up top. Everyone wants it with a manual....you don't, you'd be granny shifting it to stay in the power band. The 6 speed auto is ok, not great. AWD system is very good in bad weather. Bose audio was pretty good, I like the infotainment system (many don't), fuel economy is about as advertised for me. Definitely not the sport minded option, if it had no badges and you asked me to guess who made it, I'd call it a Buick.
Good lookin' car for sure, but $36K ouch. We paid $34K for, our then new, '14 Odyssey van with a V6 and moonroof. I know they have a newer generation and inflation etc, etc. but wow.
These things seem really claustrophobic. Look at 2:22 the beltline is so high especially in the rear. I honestly think that's why small cars are dying in part. With SUVs the beltline is also super high to the point that you can't hang one arm on the windowsill but the height of the roof allows for more glass. Part of why there's so many families driving around in F150s which are basically fish bowls
It’s really not. I own this car and can speak to it - it’s a great 2 person car. I wouldn’t buy it if you’re a family of 4 though. Once you’re in it’s like you’re in a little cockpit. It’s really cozy & quiet and sounds great, and it’s fast! It’s been super reliable for me and I can’t recommend it enough
@@nathanmcgeachy6391 I didn't mean to bash your car at all. The ingredients seem fantastic and admittedly I've never driven one. I have driven a new 3 sedan which was great front and rear for four normal sized males
Dude, I love mine so much. I opted for the manual transmission, so unfortunately, I don't have the turbo or the AWD. But it's by far the best car I've owned.
@@unwantedscrub Yup I have the 2022 the last year before they added cylinder deactivation like on the 2023 models. 👎🏼 mine also certainly doesn’t squeak or make noise like they said about their tester lol. Mine feels like a super premium built and very unique luxury hatchback that no one else has, especially in manual!
@@unwantedscrub Yup. It doesn’t say on my window sticker like all the others that have it. Also the dealership guy told me the 2.5 went through many versions over the years. Upon my research for the 2022 Mazda 3 only the “Select” trim in sedan has cylinder deactivation. CD was phased out in 2021 models then came back for the 2023 models. Car and drivers site on the Mazda 3 lists CD as a new for 2023 feature.
Mazda 3 Sedan 2021 owner here, I it speced with a 2.0 Sky X engine and manual, with GT Plus trim level (one of the Europe spec), and delivered to me during the pandemic from japan in 5 months (seems i was lucky to order when i did), now at 17K kilometers after just over a year of ownership. Your initial video was one of the first i watched really and is one of the initial triggers to consider a Mazda again (owned a mazda 323 GTX 1989), as I was looking at other car brands as well. But one test drive away of a mazda 3 just sealed the faith for other options. Have not had a single issue nor do i understand the rattles i hear about, as we have pretty bad roads here, maybe its about where its put together. Very low fuel consumption and good on the highways and long rides. Over all could not be more satisfied with it, looks, how it drives etc etc. Very interested how this test goes in terms of some issues ive seen mentioned on forums. Biggest shame is we do not get 4wd for sedans, no Turbo engines either in Europe, would have been tempted to go for one really.
I have a 2014 Mazda3 touring. I bought it 4 years ago with 25k mi and currently have 217k mi. It's been a dream. Virtually no mechanical issues and still runs like a scalded dog everyday. I'm seriously looking to try the turbo next.
I daily a '21 Turbo AWD - polymetal gray, red leathers, got it brand new. At that time before I purchased, I was pondering between a Golf R or to hold for the Integra or a CPO German lux. The car market was tight in availability so I pulled the trigger when the color I liked was out there in the lot. No regrets & really love it, great on the pocket too. Some of my thoughts on the car - as someone who lives in Alberta, Canada (real bad winters): 1) The interior of this car outclasses many at its price point. I spend a lot of time on the road so the comfort levels the car has makes it a solid easy daily to live with. While it feels upscale, it has remnants of cheaper parts here & there but the car design does so well to make it seamless. Versus my previous 3 series beemer, the Mazda 3 felt like it could go pound for pound. You can switch the turbo on for some spirited driving here & there but ultimately the feel when seated, its refined & caters to a lux feel. That was what won me over the most. 2) The car is very torque-y. From a full stop, it will leave most in the dust. In actual highway & city driving, the power it has is all you need. The AWD in winter gives me a lot of confidence too. Yes, proper winter tires is a must, but that AWD is a difference maker. Always felt in control. 3) You can fuel with 87 octane or the premium ones at 93+. That flexibility is huge especially for a turbo engine. Understated feature. 4) While the car is a hatch, it doesn't have the biggest trunk space. For a bachelor like me, it fits my lifestyle so it wasn't much of a deal breaker. I reckon for a family, it will be small. Can barely fit 2 international size luggage at the back. Legroom inside is spacious! 5) The sensors when iced, disables the safety features. So I always warm the vehicle first and check the front fascia & rear sensors to clean out before driving off. I can live with it but an obvious demerit. 6) I feel the brakes aren't up to par to the car's power. Needs better brakes. But then again, it's not a pure performance vehicle. Would have been nice. I intend to get Corksport brake kits down the line for it. 7) Doesn't have a built-in remote starter. Add-on option. 8) Controversial take - I love the media hub/infotainment with the knob. It actually works great once learned compared to a touch screen. The HUD casted on the windshield works actually well. 9) Mazda service falls short vs Honda but still better than most. On the cheaper side too, huge boon for cost of ownership. 10) The fuel tank is small! Livable but you do feel it greatly over the course of every 500 km especially with the turbo. 11) Awesome sound system!! I find myself driving a bit longer sometimes to jam out before parking home. 12) Powerful lights. Looks small (& beautiful if I must say) but man do they beam strong. 13) Cannot say it enough, really great interior especially for the price. I['m sure the car's segment & price point will have you doing a double or triple take vs the alternatives out there. I say, test drive one if you can because the feel & experience is what Mazda worked on the most. It's a great car in my books & will keep it for a very long time.
God damn, that's a good looking hatchback. Thank you Mazda for even still making one, and honestly it's a steal of a deal for how nice of a car you get.
I've got a 21 with the Preferred package/trim. 2 years I've had this thing now, and I STILL look forward to the drive back home after a long, exhausting work day. Also I took this thing on a roadtrip, and spent 9 hours on the road in a single day with a Mountain Biking session mid day. I'm 6'3" ~280lbs. Was comfy and enjoying the drive down to the next state park for more riding the next day. Also genuinely thing it's one of the most beautiful cars out on the road today.
A lot of people are having a hard time accepting that Mazda3 is taking its vehicles upmarket so they can't get their heads around the price. If you think $36k is too much for this car, consider that there is really no competition for the 3 in the compact segment. You really have to step up to entry level luxury (Integra, IS300, etc). I do think Mazda messed up with the cheap suspension and a few other cost cutting on the chassis, but overall this is still a much nicer vehicle than the highest spec Civic or Corolla, which aren't much cheaper.
I have the 2021 mazda 3 sedan AWD premium turbo in soul red. I have 9029 miles on it. I have owned it for 2 years it’s almost paid off :). I use the shifter up and down to change gears in sport mode as shifting is way faster than the paddles! Only issue I had so far is the diff needed to be replaced due to a factory error. Also there is a whine noise at 75 -77 mph on the tollway but it goes away at 80 mph. Mazda dealership in texas has not been able to diagnose this noise properly after many trips there. As my 1st car I have owned from brand new it’s a joy to drive, and plenty of times it’s been able to take on GTi & WRX at the light. I’m looking forward to paying it off and taking it to track days!
A year or two ago when I was shopping for a new car Mazda didn’t offer the Mazda sedans with the turbos and AWD :( but I’m glad to see that they offer it now
I've put 80,000 miles on my NA 2019 Mazda 3 hatch AWD. Love it more each day! Only issues I've had were a dead battery and the infotainment screen delaminating at 3k miles.
It’s the legend himself! 🎉
Maybe that’s due to the car being made in Mexico most of the 23’s are made in Japan just got a select hatchback for my son with a J vin#.
I enjoy your videos.
@@tommy13965 the mexi plant is actually quite good.
@@tommy13965 Mine is made in Hiroshima and it's great
The newer Mazda 3 are such an underrated gem
Biggest flaw is the interior size. I'm 6'1 and it's a pretty small for me
Other than that though it's all around great
Actually it's not. It has too many squeaks and rattles and it made with cheap materials.
@@bigmacdaddy1234 ratio 😢
@@tempestofruin I'm 6'4 and fit in it quite easily with the manual seat. The electric seats don't go as low but it's still alright!
@@bigmacdaddy1234 It's not a Mercedes. It's made to a price point. 🤦♂️
I just have to comment and point out how great your HDR grading is. So few creators utilize HDR properly, and seeing the highlights in the exterior shots pop on my Macbook screen is seriously impressive.
Great work guys! Setting the standard for post-processing and video quality in car content!
Second that!
Good point, had no idea HDR was being used...YT doesn't trigger HDR on the phone unless full screen. Will have to watch this on my TV now lol
Such a great job!!
Car aside, I just wanted to mention that your move to HDR content is very welcomed. It's great enough to the point where I only watch these on my TV now so as to appreciate your time and effort in making this great quality content - on UA-cam of all places!
- Long-term fan and Illinois local
I also have heard how much of a hassle working with HDR is on UA-cam so I appreciate the extra effort!
I love my 19 NA 3 premium trim! Your original review sold me on getting one I was already looking at and I'm glad I did. The audio is solid for the price, red interior is gorgeous, the exterior styling and led DRL halos are beautiful, and the quality other than some rattles is very premium. I just wish I had some more power like with the turbo. I've been looking at the supercharger kit that a few youtubers have installed, but I'm not that auto savvy to be able to do maintenance if I added that so it might stay stock and slow.
I just put my deposit in for the supercharger kit; I'm nowhere near being a mechanic but the install is actually very straightforward and the community is super helpful in answering any doubts. Negligible maintenance as well if you take the proper installation precautions!
Me too! Had mine for 3 years in december!
Did you get the manual or auto? How has it been if it's a manual?
@@philspaghet i had the auto because it was a commuter. Awesome manual though, I tried it
@@philspaghet auto unfortunately as mine is awd
I genuinely think these are beautiful, I absolutely love hatch backs and this one hits a lot of the right notes in both form and function for me. It's definitely a lot more grown up being more plush than it's competitors but I'm sure people could easily tune em a bit and make them not only comfortable, but fun.
You need some glasses 🤷♂️
Cry about it
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. That amorphous blob of a rear 3/4 panel makes this thing look like an English Bulldog hunching up to take a dump (to me). I could probably live with it though, as it's one of the last vehicles with this overall form factor.
@@ktakashismith lol amorphous blob is something I could use to describe my MK5 GTI aswell, I guess I just kinda like that look lol
@@alexrey8035 It's a fantastic design. Mazda has some of the best designs in the game. They are unique. No other manufacture is doing flowing body panels like Mazda. Especially when they are moving thew way light reflects off the panels is beautiful.
I've put 60,000 miles on my 2020 non-turbo 3 and I could not be happier. Completely reliable, comfortable, and beautiful car.
Immediately noticed the HDR grading. Like at 2:35 the car is almost popping out of the screen. Fantastic work! It helps so much with outdoor shots of cars to really get a sense of the paint, etc. Way ahead of the curve for the rest of UA-cam.
I've owned a 21' Turbo for a couple years now. Only complaints so far have been:
1) Stock tires are terrible and will bulge on your first pothole, so worth upgrading
2) More rattles on interior trim pieces and some door parts than expected for price point
3) Cruise control sensor gets easily messed with in rain, low sun angles, which just disables any of the active safety stuff associated
Otherwise is fun to drive and handles well, comfortable, quiet, and roomy for the price and amazing interior!
Thanks for the input man. Which stock tires are these rocking out the lot ?
@@michesbianan Eco Bridgestones. They're bad. Check tirerack original equipment button for the exact name
Edit: whoops maybe that's just the CX-30
Second this. Drove through the capitol one time, hit a REALLY bad pothole and bubbled a tire. Thankfully it was new enough I didn't have to replace all 4, but MAN.
If you haven't already there are videos on where to use foam and insulating tape to get rid of rattles. My power driver seat had a loose wire harness underneath that was tapping against the seat bracket. Felt tape made that go away. Thankfully all of the fixes are in hidden spots so you don't need to look at the foam or tape, but it is a little disappointing in a new car.
Then again, my 2011 Mazda was so loud on the inside who knows how many rattles I just couldn't hear.
The problem is the rest is so good, and it's the perfect other car to a Miata club in a 2 car garage
@@markcoopers1930 Duude I think I have that exact same tapping happening and I haven't been able to figure it out. Need to check this!
Had the same issue with mine in terms of rattles. Its a know issue and Mazda has a fix out for it via sound dampening and shock absorbing foam. Took my dealer 2 attempts to sort it out but now its nice and quiet.
I heard about the torsion beam before I bought my '22 3 turbo, and honestly I'm super happy with the handling compared to my 2016 mazda6 with independent rear suspension. You can put down so much power around corners with the AWD system, and I've never had it understeer on me, even in snow. It oversteers like a champ.
I feel you on that one. I went from a 2016 Mazda6 GS to a 23 3 turbo. And it feels nice to know that I wont crash when trying to push it to an on ramp for the highway haha
I'm so glad you had a long term tester for this. This is one car that I'm seriously considering buying.
This is one of the few cars out right now that I would actually consider buying. Styling looks good inside and out with reasonable price for the performance. Will definitely follow this long term review!
I just wish they would include the manual and the AWD option together. Either engine would be fine.
I really wish they would make an edgier version it feels like a good move given the cars like the corolla GR coming out. Give us a car just a little bit in that realm with this higher level of refinement and ease-of-living and I feel like that would be an exciting car.
Low af ground clearance and tinyass windows kill it for me tbh.
@Mark Wilson Mazda is making a comeback as a brand, and the last thing I see them doing is something risky. Toyota can afford to take risks, Honda can afford to take risks. Mazda not so much.
@@Osprey1994 the only risk Toyota has ever done is mess up the Tundra and Sequoia.
Owned mine for two years now. I agree with all the positives that have already been covered in all the review videos out there (interior quality, comfort, quiet cabin, sound system, etc.). And I actually LIKED some of the "negatives" others have pointed out. I don't find visibility to be a problem at all when the mirrors are adjusted properly. I PREFER the command knob and physical controls over having a giant iPad touchscreen with nasty fingerprints all over it. The exterior styling of this car just never gets old for me. To me it just looks and feels like a car that's a class above its price point.
As far as negatives go: I wish it had a bigger gas tank. I knew from the start having a 2.5T engine wasn't going to give me the best fuel economy, but when paired with a small gas tank you can expect to spend a lot of time at the pumps if you're a leadfoot. And I'm probably going to get crap for saying this, but its slower steering ratio and weight makes it feel more like you're driving a crossover or SUV than a nimble compact hatchback. I previously owned the naturally-aspirated variant (AWD Preferred) and honestly that felt a little better balanced at its limits. The Preferred trim also soaked up potholes a little better, despite having identical wheels and tires. I'd be curious to see how much of that front/rear weight distribution is thrown off with the 2.5T.
I still love driving this thing everyday, but if I had to do things all over again I think I'd just go for the naturally-aspirated 2023 Carbon Edition hatchback in AWD. The turbo is noticeably quicker and all, but FOR ME its gains really aren't worth the added weight, increased ride harshness, and reduced range since it's not really trying to be a hot hatch to begin with.
I’d 100% agree with the gas tank size. I get around 400-450kms on a tank which is pretty rough. It’s funny looking at EV ranges that routinely beat this car.
@@Xaiux filling up gas takes 2-3 minutes though:)
That's great to hear, I've been looking at either a used Turbo or used NA but there's about a 3k-5k difference. I'm starting to think the NA is more than enough
2021 Turbo Sedan owner here, purchased brand new. Main complaint, I had the rear diff eat itself after just 26,000 miles, but scanning forums it was attributed to a production line issue and not a design problem. Dealer put in a new one, with no hassle warranty repair, they just asked if I had towed it with the wheels on the ground and if i had offroaded it. I'm confident that the assembly line issue was fixed (something with the wrong sized shim being installed). I do get some interior rattling that oddly enough comes and goes, but is not a big issue. 37,000 miles now and I still get a grin when looking at it and driving it. For the money it's the nearly perfect car!
Our 2018 3 hatchback touring with 119K has been fantastic. Still solid as day 1.
yup...that gen still had an independent rear suspension and the car had some sporty traits which they took out from the 2019+ gen
@@gilboman newer 3’s don’t have independent rear suspension???!!
I don't think they did?? You can still see it in this video
Yep, torsion beam here :(
@@meeus1 is it just the sedan that does?
Perfect lift back form factor for drop shipping Geese merch.
I'm very interested to see how this long term test does. I found this channel when I came across Mark's original 2019 launch Mazda3 video when I was researching for a new car for my wife (we both the Mazda3 premium hatchback). The quality and humor of the videos has me sticking around all these years later.
I saw this car from behind with lights on the other day. Easily the best looking lights of any car. And I say this as a GR Yaris owner.
I appreciate Mark and Jack doing this one. The Mazda 3 Turbo hatch is an interesting car and I look forward to the updates and comparisons to come.
I love how You can get the interior in any color you want....as long as it's black!
Always been a fan of Mazda how they still try to make their cars fun to drive and esp including their modern design languages. That front bumper on this car looks very aggressive, the lower has a very sharp almost aftermarket looking air dam! I like it alot even though I can see plenty new owners smashing that thing lol
Those days are over. Mazda's don't even come with IRS anymore.
Franz👌
Big fan of Mazda here, but this car broke my heart. I have owned 2 MX5s, a CX-30 (for work) and currently own a 22 CX5. I had one of these at launch in 2019. I knew better than to buy a hot-off-the-press new model, but was sucked in by how beautiful it was. Mine was a GT with every option & 6spd manual. Beautiful Polymetal Grey with red interior. So many issues, it was gone in a year. All the tech simply never worked right. The adaptive cruise tried to kill you constantly, the adaptive driving sensors never knew what was going on & many of the other systems would not work properly if parked out in the sun for a few hours on a hot day. TPMS constantly had errors. The dash was a perpetual Christmas tree. The interior had a ton of rattles, there were a zillion recalls in the first year, the front windshields are made of papier mâché, the cylinder deactivation would cause a very annoying vibration up through the gas pedal and front seats of the car at many speeds. The car drove me insane. It was extremely beautiful, quiet, drove well, fuel economy was very respectable, and the Bose stereo was fabulous. I have heard that the 2021+ model years have ironed out these issues, but that was too late for me.
Thanks for giving this car more air time. As an owner of one, it was the only car that struck the balance of cost/performance/styling when I got it. Curious if you’ll see any oil consumption issues that some people with the Mazda turbos are reporting.
Regularly change the oil every 3-5k miles or 6 months, that is the best deterrent to oil consumption issues for any engine or oil burning
Agreed, I was looking at cars for a while and when I found the Turbo I was really surprised it doesn’t get more attention
@@descendinggod9740 dont most turbo engines require much more frequent oil changes simply due to the amount of heat that turbos produce?
@@dr._breens_beard Nope. Manufacturers usually just require partially or full synthetic oil for turbo engines now.
@@ethinos2719 The 3 Turbo requires standard oil.
A large reason I bought my 2021 Mazda 3 Hatch was because of your videos. I think I've watched them at least 10x each.
Based on your review from a couple of years ago of the non-turbo 3, I got myself one, as a sedan, which I think looks nicer. I do not regret the decision at all. It's quiet, comfy, good stereo and drives incredibly well
You bring out some great points. I drive a 2020 Premium FWD manual transmission. I used to have a 2015. Love this vehicle, it’s my daily driver. I find my vehicle very responsive, easy and very fun to drive, and I receive compliments on it all the time like “… wow, that’s a cool car!” It’s an underdog that sails above anything else I looked at. Interior materials are premium (I have the red interior) and I don’t see myself driving anything else for quite awhile. This vehicle has plenty of power for me - I don’t need ‘fast’, just ‘fast enough’ - turbo and AWD are not things I dream about but do see their appeal. There are only a couple things I would change: need some rear air vents; cooled front seats, and heated steering wheel (not options for the manual transmission at the time, which is the only one I’ll drive). I only have 17K miles on my vehicle but no problems at all so far (except my driver door weather stripping tore, which they replaced -It still catches so I taped it down…).
I had a blast reviewing one of these a few weeks ago, genuinely was tempted to go buy one after it went back to the press dungeon. Fantastic little hatchback.
Ive had my 2021 Manual Mazda3 for over 8 months now (bought it used for $26k USD after everything) in NW Ohio through Late summer, Fall, and Winter. I have no complaints and it is by far the best car I've ever owned / daily driven and even driven in general, and I also own a 1990 Miata. This car is a serious underrated gem for the price as a daily driver. I scream my praise for it wherever and whenever I can. The Manual trans is so smooth and it has PLENTY of power (especially with the manual gearbox) for a daily driver but still lets you have fun. A handful of the critiques this car always gets are very nitpicky, but some are well deserved, but overall its an amazing choice compared to many cars on the market right now and can get a LOT of premium features / comforts for a fraction of the cost of other cars, sure there may be better choices but this thing at the VERY least has a lot of character and style while still being reliable (Manual also gets better MPG than the auto).
Mine has had no rattles (I believe all manuals are made in Japan? but also not sure if the rattles have been pinpointed to the Mexico plants but there is certainly a lot more quality control issues related to rattles from Mexico made ones). Doesn't have any other issues that many of the pre 2021 models had that got ironed out, 43k miles so far. Only Issue I had was battery died at 2 years old and I replaced it with a NON-OEM battery (consensus is the ones Mazda use are not great, dont seem to last long).
I absolutely loved my Mazda 3 6 speed manual. Amazing interior and fit and finish for the price. Miles above the competition at the time. It was a bit slow for the gas mileage. Wish the turbo came with a 6 speed manual.
Yeah for sure. It would have been a perfect little Mazdaspeed-light with a manual and some mild handing upgrades.
Congrats, you have now achieved the pinnacle of your automotive journalist careers. It's all downhill from here. Consider yourselves to be very privileged for an opportunity to experience this automotive masterpiece.
i will debunk the slow steering input thing, the issue is the wheel size and width. Change to a wider tire and wider wheel, the input is SOO MUCH QUICKER, like you changed the steering ratio. These wheels were clearly made for looks and comfort, going for a wheel that you like while also going for a more sporty tire like the Firestone Firehawk indy500 in 235 sizing, you are gaining 100% of the mazda sporty feeling back.
and i may add, for the fake engine noises, get the Corksport short ram, or even the full turbo inlet with the ram air, you will have your satisfactory turbo noises :P
Just passed 40k in under 2 years on my FWD Preferred Hatch, and I love this car more and more everyday. Best car I’ve owned for sure. I hope you guys have fun with it!
I really enjoy my 2021 Turbo sedan, great value for money and the engine is quite impressive.
There is no value here other than AWD, Kia forte GT and Elentra N are great value.
@@francisgomes9976 AWD is a big plus up here in Canada. You can't compare Forte GT's engine with this one and the Veloster N is a completely other car, lot more radical. Don't get me wrong, I ordered a Stinger '23, I love what the Koreans are making, but you can't compare those 3 cars.
@@phildoucet7125 if you want a boring cheap AWD/hatch then Subaru Impreza is your choice. Mazda messed up on price, instead of $35k MSRP they should have priced it around $26-28k then it would have been great value. If you want fun hatch around same price then GTI or Vlouster N (more fun but FWD $35k), with $35k on used market you could get slightly used under 20-30k mileage BMW m240i, Golf R, Audi S3 (these are AWD). There is a reason why you never see mz3 turbo on the road. Cause people would rather spend that $35k on better alternatives.
31 year old with a 21 turbo which is the same thing as the 23 all I recommend to anyone who gets this car is change the tires other then that the car will always put a smile on your face.
I have that hatchback just without turbo and it`s an awesome car. Before had the 6 with the 2.5T which is the same engine as the 3 turbo and it was pulling fun. The 3 feels really cohesive, every button, dial, doodad is spot on and thought through. Nothing is there by accident. And it drives the same way - unlike some korean cars the 3 drives like someone put some proper thought into it.
Take it you have never driven an N car?
@@user-vk4vd7vr5t nope, i would love to try it out.
"unlike some korean cars" lol way to single them out 🤣
Did you actually own/drive any of the newer Korean cars?
@@peterhong526 yeah, i had a chance to drive many of the kias and hyundais and they have some quirks that put me off. Weirdly programmed gearbox or gas pedal set almost as an on/off switch so it feels like it gets a kick from street lights and then nothing. Mazda gearboxes don't switch as fast as AR giulia for example but at least the gearing is programmed decently.
I’ve had my 2019 Mazda3 hatchback manual for three years now. Your original video is the one that sold me on it. I just saw how much attention to detail Mazda paid in driver body dynamics, NVH, and even matching the LED white balance in all the switchgear inside. These are the things that only you’ve mentioned northern reviewer. Loving the car, other than first year issues. Oh, and the brakes, the brakes are absolutely horrible. But other than that such a premium car.
Your videos reviewing the car and the engineering when the fourth gen Mazda 3 was released in 2019 affirmed my decision to purchase one last year. I opted for the carbon edition sedan with the FWD n/a 2.5 powertrain. So far I have not regretted my decision in the least bit. I think the car is beautiful to look at and the interior seems much more upscale than its competitors. As much as I am enjoying this car, the value proposition takes a nosedive when you get to the turbo AWD trims. My car had a MSRP of $27,815 and I feel brings a lot to the table at that price point. At the $35,000 mark, I would probably start looking at other options.
It is unfortunate that your car has the interior rattles as that is a common complaint online, along with very fragile paint. Thankfully, I don't have any interior rattles but I'm only at 6k miles. If there is an upside, it seems that dealers are receptive at dealing with these rattles.
This is the long-term series I'm most excited about!
I just picked up a cx-30 turbo based in part on your guys' video. coming from a golf R I'm both happy and sad. On the one hand it's wayyy more pleasant to drive when running errands or doing long road trips(aka 95% of the time), but you guys hit the nail on the head with the two biggest dynamics issues. the torsion beam and really slow steering (and the motor hates to rev, it's got torque but it feels like diesel).
seeing as how the cx-30 is based on the mazda 3, I have to assume the driving experience is pretty similar, and man would I be disappointed if I bought a 3 as a hot hatch. refined daily driver? for sure. fun car? nope.
it kind of begs the question why bother going with the 3, get the ride height and suspension travel and go with the cx-30. I've been really enjoying it. Thanks for the rec.
I have a Gen 3 Mazda 3 and sat inside a CX-30 when it debuted. The first thing I noticed was the extremely tall window beltline.
Even inside the car the window starts above your shoulders. It's impossible to even rest your elbow on it. Terrible visibility.
The black cladding hides how small the windows are. It's like 70% door 30% window. Camaro windows basically.
My Mazda 3 doesn't have this issue. That was the biggest turn off for me
Golf R is so easy on road trip, not sure what you are talking about. Did you hack up the oem exhaust and make it a drone machine?
@Matt T L He is probably referring to ride quality. The Mazda is undoubtedly softer as it's not meant to have performance chops. This guy went from a performance car to a commuter car. Mazda did try to make the Mazda 3 and Mazda 6 handle well, but they backed off on that and decided to head on the direction of refinement as they are competing with the low end of Audi, BMW, Mercedes.
I understand wanting to leave the VW for reliability reasons, but the CX-30 does not make logical sense if you want to still have a fun car.
@@Argedis we have 21 CX5.it is difficult to use drive up ATM with that high door sill.Guessing though this might contribute to its #1rating in side impact tests.
just came from 7 years in a manual MK7 GTI that was Oem+ overall tuned, bought a CX50 Turbo Prem plus back in september. really these 3 models are great for us car guys that have grown up a little, need more daily comfort and space. I really needed the cargo space and ground clearance for MTB, hunting, fishing, cabin trips where im bringing all that plus full size cooler. The Gti/golf R can do these things but not well and without feeling the car is maxed out with gear and difficult to then bring a 2nd person or dog. im really happy i made the move, and it was past due, look forward to soon getting a Rwd manual project car..
I had this car in Sedan form for 1 year and i 100% agree with you. It’s a very nice car with decent power and AWD, but boring. I traded it in for an Elantra N.
I really like this car as a long-term test choice. It is a vehicle I would consider as a daily that can be fun, though not a hot hatch.
Keep the videos coming in HDR. It's always such an upgrade in quality vs. most other yt channels it's nuts.
Overall I would say it is a great car. I cross-shopped this with the new Civic and ended up with a Civic for one major reason. I'm over 6' and if you ever plan on having a taller person in the back seat, when you look out the side window all you can see is the sloping roof line. While it looks sleek on the 3, the more traditional styling of the Civic allows for reasonable use of the rear seat. It might seem minor to some, but I strongly recommend sitting in the back seat and looking out to see if it impacts you the way it did for me. Also, it makes banging your head on egress much, much easier.
I have the 2020 AWD GT Mazda 3 and it's an absolute beast in the winter. Driving in canada the snow can be fierce and where I've gotten stuck with multiple other vehicles it just powers on.
Fuel economy sucks in winter though.
I had a 2018 and a newer 2020 one, both hatchbacks. I found the design and technology of this current generation impressive but the ergonomics were not as comfortable to me as an individual (seat length etc). But whatever keeps Mazda able to sell vehicles as an independent is a plus.
This is probably the most honest car reviewing channel in youtube.
mazda 3 is available as a sedan as well, looks really good. 1k bucks cheaper too
Recently sold my 2019 XC60 T6 E Design and got into a more practical and fuel efficient sedan since I have a commute. I looked at this, the Integra and the A3 and I found myself circling back to this (I had a 2018 CX-5 before the Volvo) so I bought a 2023 Mazda 3 Sedan in the preferred trim, I compared the bose vs the standard audio system and I’m an audio guy, the difference was not worth the upcharge. The audio settings are extremely configurable, in all honestly this is a lot of car for the price. It’s way nicer than it needs to be. I have put 7000 miles on it and I bought it on May 4, 2023. I enjoy every minute of driving it
The rear visibility is what killed it for me with this car as I otherwise liked the drive.
It's awful. Don't know why they did that
hyundai/kia did something similar
most cars today have that issue, because they don't bother - you have a reverse cam anyway
Like blind spots in crv
@@Sayua-chan i agree but this c pillar is MASSIVE, blind spot should be standard
I just realized I haven’t been subscribed all this time….
I am now and look forward to the hours of lost productivity this series will generate for me.
Drive safe!
Shoutout to the guy who couldn't be bothered to clean the snow off his brodozer
5:38 for those who may have missed it
8R65+4QJ Island Lake, Illinois
Bought a 2021 Mazda 3 Turbo AWD in December 2021 after watching your review and I'm so glad I did. It's a perfect car for me.
As a Mazda 3 4th gen owner my first hand experience has been great! I unfortunately don't have the turbo but the regular 2.5 is good enough for your average commuter car and the AWD with good snow tires is impressive. Just the right amount of traction control in normal mode to slide for fun but great at using the brakes to correct the back end slipping out.
There are some creaks and rattles, especially in the winter. The stiffer suspension also doesn't help this with road surfaces in the winter. My main suspension gripe is not with the torsion beam but rather it feels crashy on pot holes and speed bumps. I'm no expert and I don't think that's entirely related to the torsion beam but would love for you guys to explain why that is. Maybe adjustable dampers would help?
Fuel economy has been pretty good, averaging about 28mpg in the dead of winter with lots of remote starts and idling time. Cylinder deactivation actually does add a lot to the equation in city driving. I can easily hit 36-38mpg driving around town at 40-50mph, assuming i don't stop at lights often. Even on the highway averaging 75mph for a 20 minute drive I can still hit about 30-32mpg on winter tires without trying to be economical. The factory Toyo tires sucked in a lot of ways but for fuel efficiency they were pretty good. Did a 6k mile road trip on them when I first had the car and with cruise control set to 80mph driving through flat Nebraska I got 358 miles in 4h29m, averaging 35.8mpg. The winter tires and summer tires I rotate between knock that down a couple pegs.
The stock tires are garbage and low profile - get some good Michelin or Conti four season tires. The difference will be night and day. They will be quieter and last twice as long. If you aren't looking for raw performance in the twisties, you can also add a little more to the side wall dimensions.
@@sixdonuts yeah as I mentioned at the end I have dedicated Summer and Winter tires instead of all seasons. Continental VikingContact 7 snow and Firestone Firehawks for summer.
My wife and I picked up a '19 after your review of it a few years back. Still have it at 24k miles.
I live in Vietnam and when i see this car, i always do a double-take. Its a beaut. Not as hot as the VW Scirocco though. That car was straight sex.
Thanks for SPELLING it out for us at 6:10 "You do notice it in the back that you do feel the torsion beam, the torsion beam. I mean you can't get around it and I think it is a big step backward. As much as they say it is not."
Love my 2018 3 GT. I’ll bite on the latest AWD Turbo the second they ship it with a stick!
I was just rewatching all your Mazda 3 videos last night so seeing this uploaded an hour ago is tripping me out haha
Super interested to hear how this shakes out long term. The torsion beam rear and kinda tiny interior is what has always given me pause. I’d imagine it probably feels quieter than the integra, but I think the fact you can fit people *and* things is a strong case for it over the 3.
I think doing a 1:1 comparison of CVT Integra to Mazda 3 Turbo will show that the Integra is even less edgier performance-wise despite IRS (missing LSD in the front + CVT really kills throttle response with 1.5T engine). With a manual, the Integra becomes more compelling as a performance alternative.
The interior is not tiny, it easily holds four people and the rear seats fold down to haul stuff. The torsion beam doesn't make a difference to daily driving either. You will run out of driving skill long before you run out of car.
@@bigmacdaddy1234 I'm not so sure about not noticing torsion beam in daily driving. I own a 2018 Mazda 3 sedan, which has IRS. Rented a 2021 Mazda CX-30 and drove it on upstate NY sunken state highways (55mph) which rock side to side because of the uneven pavement. The CX-30 tends to "teeter" if that makes sense - it feels like the rear end is "wiggling" over that kind of pavement. Can be disorienting but I guess you get used to it over time.
Same. Partly because I'm 6 months into owning my 22 turbo 😂.
I got the base turbo, not the premium+. Saved ~4k after you factor tax difference. My main issue is that with the extra power over my old 2011 Mazda3, less roads are fun. Here in the NE there's lots of twisty roads & switchbacks, lots of people on them, & very low visibility (ie, you can't really push it around a corner because the trees & rocks could easily be hiding cars/bikers/ walkers/construction, etc).
That and I hit a really bad pothole and bubbled the tire before I hit 3k miles. Not cheap. Did have a couple rattles but they were fixed with foam and felt tape under the panels (not visible). Not ideal from a brand new car but easy enough. Everything else is fantastic.
@@TheEmpoleon123456789 I've only noticed it when I hit a bump in corners when I'm trying to put gas down in my 3. Hitting bumps on straight roads I usually feel the impact of the low profile tires more. The AWD system is great at keeping you planted but I agree I'd prefer the feeling of my old 2011 Mazda3.
I choose to take this as a sign to hold our reps accountable to build decent roads instead of cheaping out and having us foot the bill with replacement tires and bigger more expensive SUVs.
What an amazing car this is ❤❤
I’ve had a NA 2021 Mazda3 for a little over two years now, and on bumpy roads or sharp turns mine also has some squeaks that somewhat betray what is otherwise great build quality. All around I’ve been super happy with the car and I’m eager to see what y’all think of the Turbo!
I believe it’s the glovebox
I'm surprised to hear that. I have a 2017 that is reaching 100k km and absolutely no cabin creaks so far. I was expecting the worse from "Made in Mexico" badge on my door. My old Corolla on the other hand...
i have a '21 (white w/ the delicious red interior) and it's definitely not the 'hot hatch' people seem to want it to be. accept that it's designed as the more responsible evolution of mazda. it's less like you're taming a rowdy machine and more like a dance; a nice lazy line through the corners. a properly refined commuter (which, come to think of it, actually makes it weird to see them driving it that hard)
The lack of driver visibility was just a deal breaker for me. The A pillar was always in the way, and rear visibility non existent.
Really liked the way it looked, interior cabin itself was very nice, and drive was nice enough.
Crv has many blind spots as well
It’s also a very tight space overall. I couldn’t sit in one comfortably
@@newton2105 how big are you? I’m 6’0 and fit more than fine, had it for 2 years now. Everyone else near my height or even a few inches taller has loved it as well, at least in the passenger seat
"out in the wild" evokes so many good stories.
There I was, creeping along the creek bed. My boots soaked through though only a trickle remained this far into the season. When suddenly...!
I had a 2021 Mazda 3 for a couple months and liked it quite a bit. The biggest down side for me was the cargo space. A trip to costco (including dog food) meant dropping the back seats. I was able to trade it for what I paid and stepped up to a CX5. I had a non-turbo and for the price it was a really great car, the fuel economy even with the AWD model was always higher than rated, sometimes by alot reaching close to 40mpg highway somehow.
How fast were you going to get 40mpg?
@@DessikaModus Speed limit. I have a 2.5T CX9 and it beats the gas mileage when I drive it at speed limit. It's just a bit fun to drive so 70-75 is more normal.
@@twystedhumour my ND Miata at highway speed limit (65) can get close to 40. It's crazy for a 2.5L cx5 to get 40. Unless the highway speed limit is like 55
@@DessikaModus Oh that MPG was with the Mazda 3, not the CX5. As I understand it they did a good deal of work with the AWD to almost fully disconnect the rear drive when it wasn't needed to improve MPG, and the 3 is pretty aerodynamic. The runs I had close to 40mpg were still around 65-70mph. Flat highway at 70 and that thing was super efficient.
My CX5 now isn't bad, but much worse than the 3. I think the combination of weight, worse aero, and shorter gearing hurt it.
@@ShadowBend i had a 2017 Mazda 3. I miss that thing. Felt like my ND Miata but fwd and heavier by just a tad bit. That thing sat at flat 2k rpms at 70 or 75mph. Basically a fwd economy Miata. To put into perspective, the ND Miata sits about 1k rpms higher at same speeds
I went car shopping 2 weeks ago.. to get ‘any’ new Mazda3 the wait time is over 13 months… multiple dealers said they will put my name down and call me when one become available and I can decide if I want that spec… I ended up buying a Mazda CX-5 because that one is 3 months wait… the premium feel is definitely there for mazda.. we tried Hyundai and it felt so cheap inside, same with Kia… Toyota was the only dealer that gave us longer lead time and didn’t have any cars to test so we discounted them.
It’s criminal they never made a Mazdaspeed version of this car. With a 6 speed of course. It looks great.
Mazda has been so much better since they left Ford. Anyone else agree?
Nope
@@bradIeyscarreviews why not
I’m so excited for this series.
The design of this generation took a while to grow on me, but it finally has. And now that they offer the manual with the turbo, it's a very interesting car.
Do they offer manual with turbo? I don't think they do.
@jaquatics I must be going crazy because I was so sure they did, but I just checked the website, and it's only available with the 2.5. Back to me not being interested in the 3, I guess.
Before I landed on a used Mercedes GLC43, I looked veeeeeeeery hard at one of these. Such a consummate daily driver.
I have a 2020 that other than routine maintenance and one battery has been absolutely flawless. My lease is up in about 4 months and thinking about buying it outright.
My only gripe is no manual option, I understand why they did it but man this thing with a stick would be a nice little daily.
That's a big gripe to me. Wouldn't buy it because of that reason
@@VitoC. exactly, I’m sorry but manual is just where it’s at. I know we’ll never get the Mazdaspeed 3 back but this could’ve been his more responsible cousin.
Same reason why I wouldn't buy this car either. Rather take my chances with the much older Mazdaspeed 3.
@@AngelicRequiemX from what I understand their little problems are very easy to fix
@@169abr Yes, for the most part, unless you have problems with the timing chain which was fairly common with the 1st gens, then it gets expensive.
36k for a Mazda 3...shows just how good of value that Venza is.
Or how bad of value the Mazda 3 Turbo AWD is.
not really? This is the Sporty model which means your paying up a lot for the increased platform capability, the Mazda 3 Hatch most people will buy is around the 22-25k price range.
So doesn't really advocate anything for the value of the Venza
@@TheTemplarnight there’s nothing sporty about this.
@@BrodeyDoverosx drive it first lil bro
@@BrodeyDoverosx if there's nothing sport about a Turbo lightweight platform with over 250hp and 300 lb-ft then you're on crack.
Sure it isn't a V8 mustang, but it's still sporty
@@TheTemplarnight that's nothing when it can't handle and ride to match....
i have been VERY pleased with my 2018 Mazda3 Touring Hatch. quick. handles fine. good for both city and highway. i have 25k miles and have averaged 29mpg for the life of the car. it's all good. thumbs up.
I'm sure the five people who are considering buying this vehicle in 2023 will really appreciate this video.
I went into Mazda and they tracked down a 2.5 turbo sedan for me. Getting it this week. I just wanted a modest looking awd car with some pep. Im an 80’s kid so being older, I thought it was time for a little luxury without breaking the bank. You’re detailed reviews are on another level. SavageGeese. You’re the best. I’ll be following your videos on the Mazda 3. 👊
Largely agree with the video. We've owned 2 '21 Turbo 3 hatchbacks and have since gotten rid of one and are looking to get out of the other. It's very much a beige pair of pants, not particularly bad at anything (other than NVH) but not compelling in any way. It does look great inside and out but I can't emphasize enough the buzzing and rattles...it's easily the worst NVH car I've owned, biggest reason I sold mine. The dealer/service experience hasn't been great, YMMV, they won't do anything without a TSB and Mazda takes forever to acknowledge issues, even big ones like the oil consumption problems the 21-22 cars have. Rides better than previous (sport focused) Mazdas but not at the level of other lower end luxury competitors. Power is great on the low end, absolutely nothing up top. Everyone wants it with a manual....you don't, you'd be granny shifting it to stay in the power band. The 6 speed auto is ok, not great. AWD system is very good in bad weather. Bose audio was pretty good, I like the infotainment system (many don't), fuel economy is about as advertised for me. Definitely not the sport minded option, if it had no badges and you asked me to guess who made it, I'd call it a Buick.
Good lookin' car for sure, but $36K ouch. We paid $34K for, our then new, '14 Odyssey van with a V6 and moonroof. I know they have a newer generation and inflation etc, etc. but wow.
4K HDR car review is crazy. 2023. FUTURE.
These things seem really claustrophobic. Look at 2:22 the beltline is so high especially in the rear. I honestly think that's why small cars are dying in part. With SUVs the beltline is also super high to the point that you can't hang one arm on the windowsill but the height of the roof allows for more glass. Part of why there's so many families driving around in F150s which are basically fish bowls
It’s really not. I own this car and can speak to it - it’s a great 2 person car. I wouldn’t buy it if you’re a family of 4 though. Once you’re in it’s like you’re in a little cockpit. It’s really cozy & quiet and sounds great, and it’s fast! It’s been super reliable for me and I can’t recommend it enough
@@nathanmcgeachy6391 I didn't mean to bash your car at all. The ingredients seem fantastic and admittedly I've never driven one. I have driven a new 3 sedan which was great front and rear for four normal sized males
@@nathanmcgeachy6391 That seems exactly what the guy was saying. Tight fit.
Dude, I love mine so much. I opted for the manual transmission, so unfortunately, I don't have the turbo or the AWD. But it's by far the best car I've owned.
I have the same manual one. It's amazing right?
@@nirvfan81 It's incredibly fun to drive. I have a 2020 with the red interior and I'm going to drive it until the wheels fall off.
@@unwantedscrub Yup I have the 2022 the last year before they added cylinder deactivation like on the 2023 models. 👎🏼 mine also certainly doesn’t squeak or make noise like they said about their tester lol. Mine feels like a super premium built and very unique luxury hatchback that no one else has, especially in manual!
@@nirvfan81 are you sure? Because my 20 has cylinder deactivation.
@@unwantedscrub Yup. It doesn’t say on my window sticker like all the others that have it. Also the dealership guy told me the 2.5 went through many versions over the years. Upon my research for the 2022 Mazda 3 only the “Select” trim in sedan has cylinder deactivation. CD was phased out in 2021 models then came back for the 2023 models. Car and drivers site on the Mazda 3 lists CD as a new for 2023 feature.
Wish this was available in manual
Mazda 3 Sedan 2021 owner here, I it speced with a 2.0 Sky X engine and manual, with GT Plus trim level (one of the Europe spec), and delivered to me during the pandemic from japan in 5 months (seems i was lucky to order when i did), now at 17K kilometers after just over a year of ownership.
Your initial video was one of the first i watched really and is one of the initial triggers to consider a Mazda again (owned a mazda 323 GTX 1989), as I was looking at other car brands as well. But one test drive away of a mazda 3 just sealed the faith for other options. Have not had a single issue nor do i understand the rattles i hear about, as we have pretty bad roads here, maybe its about where its put together. Very low fuel consumption and good on the highways and long rides. Over all could not be more satisfied with it, looks, how it drives etc etc. Very interested how this test goes in terms of some issues ive seen mentioned on forums. Biggest shame is we do not get 4wd for sedans, no Turbo engines either in Europe, would have been tempted to go for one really.
$36K is robbery
not if you don't buy it.
I have a 2014 Mazda3 touring. I bought it 4 years ago with 25k mi and currently have 217k mi. It's been a dream. Virtually no mechanical issues and still runs like a scalded dog everyday. I'm seriously looking to try the turbo next.
No manual + AWD option. Big L for Mazda.
Yup. Would 100% own this if it had all 3 of of those
I have a 2016 mazda cx-3
It’s super nice.
It’s way nicer than I should afford but got it under budget.
I’m a mazda loyalist now.
Too nice.
I daily a '21 Turbo AWD - polymetal gray, red leathers, got it brand new. At that time before I purchased, I was pondering between a Golf R or to hold for the Integra or a CPO German lux.
The car market was tight in availability so I pulled the trigger when the color I liked was out there in the lot. No regrets & really love it, great on the pocket too.
Some of my thoughts on the car - as someone who lives in Alberta, Canada (real bad winters):
1) The interior of this car outclasses many at its price point. I spend a lot of time on the road so the comfort levels the car has makes it a solid easy daily to live with.
While it feels upscale, it has remnants of cheaper parts here & there but the car design does so well to make it seamless. Versus my previous 3 series beemer, the Mazda 3 felt like it could go pound for pound. You can switch the turbo on for some spirited driving here & there but ultimately the feel when seated, its refined & caters to a lux feel. That was what won me over the most.
2) The car is very torque-y. From a full stop, it will leave most in the dust. In actual highway & city driving, the power it has is all you need. The AWD in winter gives me a lot of confidence too.
Yes, proper winter tires is a must, but that AWD is a difference maker. Always felt in control.
3) You can fuel with 87 octane or the premium ones at 93+. That flexibility is huge especially for a turbo engine. Understated feature.
4) While the car is a hatch, it doesn't have the biggest trunk space. For a bachelor like me, it fits my lifestyle so it wasn't much of a deal breaker. I reckon for a family, it will be small. Can barely fit 2 international size luggage at the back. Legroom inside is spacious!
5) The sensors when iced, disables the safety features. So I always warm the vehicle first and check the front fascia & rear sensors to clean out before driving off. I can live with it but an obvious demerit.
6) I feel the brakes aren't up to par to the car's power. Needs better brakes. But then again, it's not a pure performance vehicle. Would have been nice. I intend to get Corksport brake kits down the line for it.
7) Doesn't have a built-in remote starter. Add-on option.
8) Controversial take - I love the media hub/infotainment with the knob. It actually works great once learned compared to a touch screen. The HUD casted on the windshield works actually well.
9) Mazda service falls short vs Honda but still better than most. On the cheaper side too, huge boon for cost of ownership.
10) The fuel tank is small! Livable but you do feel it greatly over the course of every 500 km especially with the turbo.
11) Awesome sound system!! I find myself driving a bit longer sometimes to jam out before parking home.
12) Powerful lights. Looks small (& beautiful if I must say) but man do they beam strong.
13) Cannot say it enough, really great interior especially for the price.
I['m sure the car's segment & price point will have you doing a double or triple take vs the alternatives out there.
I say, test drive one if you can because the feel & experience is what Mazda worked on the most.
It's a great car in my books & will keep it for a very long time.
love how stoic this dude is.
God damn, that's a good looking hatchback. Thank you Mazda for even still making one, and honestly it's a steal of a deal for how nice of a car you get.
I've got a 21 with the Preferred package/trim. 2 years I've had this thing now, and I STILL look forward to the drive back home after a long, exhausting work day.
Also I took this thing on a roadtrip, and spent 9 hours on the road in a single day with a Mountain Biking session mid day. I'm 6'3" ~280lbs. Was comfy and enjoying the drive down to the next state park for more riding the next day.
Also genuinely thing it's one of the most beautiful cars out on the road today.
A lot of people are having a hard time accepting that Mazda3 is taking its vehicles upmarket so they can't get their heads around the price. If you think $36k is too much for this car, consider that there is really no competition for the 3 in the compact segment. You really have to step up to entry level luxury (Integra, IS300, etc). I do think Mazda messed up with the cheap suspension and a few other cost cutting on the chassis, but overall this is still a much nicer vehicle than the highest spec Civic or Corolla, which aren't much cheaper.
I love my 2021 premium Plus AWD drive 30000 miles no issues and about $6,000 in after-market parts make its fun to drive on the twisties now
crazy how the handling when down, my old mazda 3 had amazing handling save me once from a accident.
Literally purchased this car in machine grey metallic based on your extensive reviews. Excited for this.
I have the 2021 mazda 3 sedan AWD premium turbo in soul red. I have 9029 miles on it. I have owned it for 2 years it’s almost paid off :). I use the shifter up and down to change gears in sport mode as shifting is way faster than the paddles! Only issue I had so far is the diff needed to be replaced due to a factory error. Also there is a whine noise at 75 -77 mph on the tollway but it goes away at 80 mph. Mazda dealership in texas has not been able to diagnose this noise properly after many trips there. As my 1st car I have owned from brand new it’s a joy to drive, and plenty of times it’s been able to take on GTi & WRX at the light. I’m looking forward to paying it off and taking it to track days!
You could argue that hatchbacks have almost completely taken over the American car market. They’re just a little bit taller nowadays
Wow. This thing is the most attractive car in its class. Very sharp look inside and out
A year or two ago when I was shopping for a new car Mazda didn’t offer the Mazda sedans with the turbos and AWD :( but I’m glad to see that they offer it now