Thanks for your time in creating this video. TLDR: The rear pillar requires familiarity, practice, and conscientious driving. For those concerned about the blind spot, I have a HB and I understand the concerns about the rear pillar blind spot. Having driven cargo vans with no rear windows extensively in earlier years, I have found it’s more a matter of familiarity and practice. There is a different routine to practice that involves first paying attention to what’s going on around you so you stay relatively current with what is around you (not that you don’t already), angling your mirrors much farther out than most car drivers do to cover more of the blind spot, turning on the blinker a couple seconds ahead of needing to change lanes or direction (when possible-again, going back to paying attention to what is going on) and checking rear and side mirrors conscientiously before looking over either shoulder (and in the case of the driver’s side, perhaps even leaning forward a little to see back further over the shoulder). This is a driver-oriented car. As such, it prioritizes the need for the driver to stay involved in the driving experience (as opposed to holding a phone and talking, or paying attention to other distractions-not that you do that). It is similar to a two-seat convertible, like the Miata, which has even more limited rearward visibility top-up, and relies on active participation and concentration by the driver. I have not yet found the rear pillars to be an issue, though I greatly appreciate the added safety provided by the BSM, and acknowledge that I’m simply a lot more familiar with driving vehicles with limited rearward visibility. It just takes getting used to, and developing a consistent process. It’s a very nice looking car and I would not want Mazda to change the design of the rear of the car just to accommodate what is, in my opinion, only a perceived issue. For those who may just not be comfortable with it, this simply may not be the right car for them; luckily, there’s the sedan! Though, I personally would not trade the practicality or looks of the HB for the sedan. And I strongly prefer the non-touchscreen approach-far less distracting the way Mazda has designed it. I use the voice command button for half of what I need, and just a couple clicks and turns for the other half (if I ever listen to the fantastic Bose stereo). And, as with early Golfs, the torsion rear makes for great cornering with its built-in sway control.
I just bought one on 3/18/23. I loved it when I test drove it on the highway but I'm a city driver. This car is not good for city driving cause I like to see outside & you can't see sh*t. The windows are too small. That's my main complaint. The second is that the headlights aim towards the ground which I can have it adjusted but still. Lastly is the gas mileage. For a smaller car this thing can drink. I have a lexus es300 3.0 v6 & the mazda drinks more gas than it . Moral of the story is I'm looking for a new car as I'm typing this. If you spend a lot of time on the freeway and don't care much for sight seeing, this car is for you because it is fun to drive on the highway.
Hi. My 2022 Premium AWD 2.5 has cylinder deactivation. Haven’t had it long enough to see any problems with it. I often have that status showing on the info screen. It’s fairly unobtrusive, but you can feel the cam shifts when it engages and especially when it disengages once you know what is happening at certain speeds and grades. But, I’m not sure most people would even notice it. It’s like changing from 8th to 7th in an 8-spd automatic-barely perceivable.
Howis the brake.. is it responsive.. my test drive of this car, I had to press all the waydown to make it stop. aside from it i loved the drive. thought,? thanks.
Hi. In my opinion, most cars today, like so many motorcycles, seem to have overly sensitive, non-linear brakes with most of the bite occurring almost instantly. That can make modulation difficult. I describe the brakes as linear and I could see how the longer stroke and softer bite would work well for heel-toe shifting with a manual transmission. They do require a longer stroke to increase the pressure. I’m not usually ever in a position in which I need to make the car stop instantly, but testing has shown me it stops well if needed. This certainly isn’t a car for repeated hard braking; not a hot hatch. For spirited driving in curves, it works fine for me with a combination of light braking and manual gear selection, with the engine providing some degree of compression braking. Then again, my driving style is more flow/momentum than hard on/off or point-and-shoot. This car is more about nuance and subtlety than forcefulness. Braking is ultimately limited by tires and the brakes seem well-matched with the small/narrow tires. However, it could be that there was low brake fluid or some rare mechanical problem with the one you drove. Doubt it, but suppose it’s possible.
Thanks for your time in creating this video. TLDR: The rear pillar requires familiarity, practice, and conscientious driving.
For those concerned about the blind spot, I have a HB and I understand the concerns about the rear pillar blind spot. Having driven cargo vans with no rear windows extensively in earlier years, I have found it’s more a matter of familiarity and practice. There is a different routine to practice that involves first paying attention to what’s going on around you so you stay relatively current with what is around you (not that you don’t already), angling your mirrors much farther out than most car drivers do to cover more of the blind spot, turning on the blinker a couple seconds ahead of needing to change lanes or direction (when possible-again, going back to paying attention to what is going on) and checking rear and side mirrors conscientiously before looking over either shoulder (and in the case of the driver’s side, perhaps even leaning forward a little to see back further over the shoulder). This is a driver-oriented car. As such, it prioritizes the need for the driver to stay involved in the driving experience (as opposed to holding a phone and talking, or paying attention to other distractions-not that you do that). It is similar to a two-seat convertible, like the Miata, which has even more limited rearward visibility top-up, and relies on active participation and concentration by the driver. I have not yet found the rear pillars to be an issue, though I greatly appreciate the added safety provided by the BSM, and acknowledge that I’m simply a lot more familiar with driving vehicles with limited rearward visibility. It just takes getting used to, and developing a consistent process. It’s a very nice looking car and I would not want Mazda to change the design of the rear of the car just to accommodate what is, in my opinion, only a perceived issue. For those who may just not be comfortable with it, this simply may not be the right car for them; luckily, there’s the sedan! Though, I personally would not trade the practicality or looks of the HB for the sedan. And I strongly prefer the non-touchscreen approach-far less distracting the way Mazda has designed it. I use the voice command button for half of what I need, and just a couple clicks and turns for the other half (if I ever listen to the fantastic Bose stereo). And, as with early Golfs, the torsion rear makes for great cornering with its built-in sway control.
Wow great info, thanks for sharing and watching!
This is a cool style of video! 👍🏽
Thanks!
I love the video! Cool to get the owners perspective. Mazda 3s are just fun to drive.
Agreed man, thanks for watching!
I ordered a 2022 mazda3 same colour outside and inside and same trim. I'm so excited for it man. Also in Ontario haha
Nice man! I’m sure you’ll love it, thanks for watching!
Nice video! I liked the style! Anoop was very comfortable and honest!
Thanks for watching!
Great vid! I'm planning on getting this car and it's great to hear the drivers thoughts
Thanks for watching, glad to hear you found it useful! Best of luck on the new car search
I just bought one on 3/18/23. I loved it when I test drove it on the highway but I'm a city driver. This car is not good for city driving cause I like to see outside & you can't see sh*t. The windows are too small. That's my main complaint. The second is that the headlights aim towards the ground which I can have it adjusted but still. Lastly is the gas mileage. For a smaller car this thing can drink. I have a lexus es300 3.0 v6 & the mazda drinks more gas than it . Moral of the story is I'm looking for a new car as I'm typing this. If you spend a lot of time on the freeway and don't care much for sight seeing, this car is for you because it is fun to drive on the highway.
How do you feel about the placement of the air conditioning vents on drivers side? I feel they are too close to the steering wheel.
Nice video. Great car.
Thanks for watching! Agreed it’s one of the best in its class
Does it have cylinder deactivation feature? If it does, any issue with it? No other issues?
Does not have cylinder deactivation as far as I know, I believe it was dropped after 2020. Thanks for watching!
Hi. My 2022 Premium AWD 2.5 has cylinder deactivation. Haven’t had it long enough to see any problems with it. I often have that status showing on the info screen. It’s fairly unobtrusive, but you can feel the cam shifts when it engages and especially when it disengages once you know what is happening at certain speeds and grades. But, I’m not sure most people would even notice it. It’s like changing from 8th to 7th in an 8-spd automatic-barely perceivable.
The hatchback looks clean 🔥🔥
Agreed man, super unique
He just washed it. 😄
you showed the cheper version of the HUD at 01:53
Howis the brake.. is it responsive.. my test drive of this car, I had to press all the waydown to make it stop. aside from it i loved the drive. thought,? thanks.
Hi. In my opinion, most cars today, like so many motorcycles, seem to have overly sensitive, non-linear brakes with most of the bite occurring almost instantly. That can make modulation difficult. I describe the brakes as linear and I could see how the longer stroke and softer bite would work well for heel-toe shifting with a manual transmission. They do require a longer stroke to increase the pressure. I’m not usually ever in a position in which I need to make the car stop instantly, but testing has shown me it stops well if needed. This certainly isn’t a car for repeated hard braking; not a hot hatch. For spirited driving in curves, it works fine for me with a combination of light braking and manual gear selection, with the engine providing some degree of compression braking. Then again, my driving style is more flow/momentum than hard on/off or point-and-shoot. This car is more about nuance and subtlety than forcefulness. Braking is ultimately limited by tires and the brakes seem well-matched with the small/narrow tires. However, it could be that there was low brake fluid or some rare mechanical problem with the one you drove. Doubt it, but suppose it’s possible.
Guest kinda cute 😳
2020 or 2021?
p̶r̶o̶m̶o̶s̶m̶ 🙋