I am on my 3rd '3. This car is amazing. This guy is just nit picking. Most fun to drive I have ever owned. And incredibly reliable. I could nit pick any car I have ever owned but I have never owned more than 1 of a brand. Couldn't recommend a car more than Mazda. Love it.
yea i agree just uselss nitpicking i watched 35 seconds of it and decided to just read the comments cause i own a 3 and a cx5 , and hands down one the most reliable cars i ever owned , its nice, its fast, its roomy for a hatchback, sounds mean when you put an exhaust on it, and the best thing about the mazda not only is it fun to drive but they have a normal 6 sped transmission on it unlike most almost all cars having CVT-TRASH TRANSMISSION hats off to mazda for keeping that 6 speed, i rather keep that 6 speed transmission any day ovver a gearless transmission
@@akgonen60I never thought much of Mazda 3 before till I drove one then got hooked. I bought an SP23 04 model a few months ago in great condition and k’s. I enjoy driving it every time even if it’s just to the shops. I don’t bother listening to music as the exhaust is quite satisfying. They sound great with an exhaust change. Yeah sure auto is faster and easier but I got manual for the fun factor. 20 years old and they styling still looks good today I reckon. Some cars don’t age well.
I must say as a Mazda aficionado (we have 5 in my household alone) I ADORE my BP Mazda 3. Is it perfect? No. But nothing is. As far as I’m concerned, it’s a fun to drive, gorgeous, luxurious, zippy run around which I love to drive. The styling of the hatchback is very polarising - and I vividly remember absolutely hating it when it first launched. But now, I think the rear end of the hatch looks fabulously chic. Very Alfa Romeo Brera-esque when compared side by side. An excellent review, as always. Looking forward to seeing the next Mazda feature on this fantastic channel!
I have a bn sp25 gt. It's red and the paint is weak yes. But it is an insurance issue really. This video just sounds like lots of hating for no good reason when corrollas are more dull.
@@benhubert8925 You are wrong with the Alfa Brera. Mazda's design precedes the Alfa and is being anchored in Jinba Itai. Honda had a designer (that studied in Italy) that stole Alfa-style for the 2009 Honda Civic.
IMO this generation of the Mazda 3 has aged nicely. Generally speaking, these cars that look like they’ve come out of a sci-fi movie usually have about 3 years before they start looking dated. Mazda has a simple design that looks classy and sporty. No over the top styling. The front end is beautiful and looks like nothing else out there. ✌🏻👍🏻✌🏻
I like the look ... mostly. Can't stand the huge scalloped-out sides - makes every one of them look like they've been in bingle. Must be a nightmare for panelbeaters when they do need repair.
Thanks for the review Adam. The Mazda 3 (especially the 2.5 litre) stomps all over the Corolla for driving pleasure. The sunroof in the Astina, with the burgundy trim really lighten up the interior. The manual transmission is super slick - almost MX5 like. The sedan is a bit more practical (bigger boot, bigger windows in the back seat), and the hatch is more of a 4 door coupe. With well adjusted mirrors the blind spots disappear, and the blind spot monitoring is very effective - with an alert in the HUD just in case your head check lets you down. The zoomed in drivers side mirror takes some getting used to. One note: the safety technology is adjustable. You can change the settings to be less sensitive, and it will not beep, bong and brake unnecessarily. Some owners forget to read the manual....
@@noseboop4354 You can: 1) Adjust the sensitivity of Smart Brake Support and Blind Spot Monitoring permanently (Early, Normal, Late), and/or 2) Single button turn off of "ActivSense" (i.e. all ADAS) on every drive, or 3) Selectively Enable/Disable or configure specific systems (most of which is permanent - for example I have Lane Keep Assist set to visual alert only) 4) Set the Speed Limit Alert threshold (i.e. only warn on 0/5/10 km/h+) and alert type (audible or visual). My system now provides no false alerts, but is still there to intervene if I stuff up. The only one that I significantly dislike is the radar cruise control (I prefer a set speed, and I will do any adjustments for traffic manually). You can turn it off, but it turns itself back on every restart.
@@RodneyW Thanks for all the info, good that it can all be toned down. I've driven a bunch of rentals with way too aggressive lane assist and emergency braking, it nearly caused an accident.
In America you can turn off every safety feature which is permanent until you turn it back on. This is one of the first things I did when I bought my gen 4 car is turn off the automatic braking I wouldn't trust it on any car. Also I've never had an issue braking myself.
I have a 2017 Mazda 6 with 170,000 miles. I love it! No issues. I recently changed the serpentine belt, valve cover gasket and spark plugs. Looks good and the Bose sound system is so good!
I love my manual Astina hatch new since 8/2019 and in my opinion the hatch looks heaps better than the sedan. The C pillars give the car a coupe like style and for those that criticize them live with. Before buying mine, my local dealer gave me a red/black GT Demo hatch for half a day. I will agree about the black interior feeling a bit claustrophobic and the GT didn't come with ungraded headlights and sunroof, 360 cameras. I went with the Polymetal grey with burgundy leather, had the full Kurio body kit and rims fitted. One thing to say ADAM if you know about the piano black plastic issues DON'T touch it or rub your finger over it as you have just added to the scratches (OMG its not rocket science) As an avid Mazda fan from 1981 I've had plenty of different models over that time and this 3 has to stand out up there with the best. Great review Adam and I love ya page. The manual with the 2.5 is the pick of the bunch if you can find one.
As a fellow BP manual driver - have you ever had issues with the iStop kicking in as you're lifting the clutch from a stop, causing the car to "stall"?
Mazda 3 2012 I have had for 12 years nothing ever gone wrong with it on replaced tyres and brake pads.Most reliable brand the older ones seem better built.
Yes same here 2012 model not the slightest of issues in admittedly only 200.000km Only gripe is the arguably large amount of road nose at 100kmh on course surfaces, premium tyres do help a lot though. Best car we’ve owned. Cant reccomend them enough
Had a 2004 and it was great, but very bad for NVH. I upgraded to a Peugeot 308 and much nicer car to drive and only slightly more costly for maintenance. I think the first gen Mazda 3 was the best. I really don't like the current one at all, very claustrophobic inside and ugly design IMO. Certainly older cars seem to feel more solid and durable.
Yes. I bought a 2012 Mazda 3 new, and it has been fantastic. It now has 126K miles / 202K km. I also sadly hit a deer over a year ago (deer ran off; I hope it survived) and insurance totaled it over a broken headlight, dented fender, and slightly creased hood. (Shop claimed the front end needed repainted). I test drove the newest version, like the one in the video, and was disappointed. The interior materials and tech were nice, but I didn't care for the driving feel and felt claustrophobic with the blind spots. So I repaired my 2012 myself (between administering IVs and caring for an ill relative at the time, so I was anxious and exhausted), passed the inspection, and am still driving it. Hopefully it'll last for a while yet.
YES I've been waiting for this vid! Gen4 Mazda3 owner here, went with the NA engine, hatchback, put nearly 30k miles (~48000 km for my friends overseas) on it at this point Downsides with it? Well to add to the excessively hot interior claim, I live in Texas and we had a pretty brutal heatwave last year. Don't have a garage or roof to park it under, so even when I would put up my sunshield at the front (almost) every time I park, the sun visors started to sag when you bring them down and they loose their adjustability. Pretty annoying but at least they still sort of work. And yeah maybe it does depend on the climate you're in, but it's something to be mindful of if you live in the heat. Other than that, I do wish it had some more oomph, but I guess I should have went with the turbo for that. Yes, the blind spots are hilariously bad, the paint chips are a thing, there are rattles on and off, the piano black section does scratch up... BUT, this is easily the best car I've ever owned, the interior is so nice and the infotainment/controls are incredibly well thought out. Any time I get a rental car for work and I'm subjected to horrid interior controls, it makes me miss this thing even more. Beautiful exterior imo, extremely comfortable, can do long trips no problem. Steering in this thing is like using a scalpel, it's so precise, no vagueness at all. Truly love this car, and I'm going to keep it well maintained so I can drive it to the end of its days. Thanks for the vids yall, big fan of the channel. Cheers from the US 🍻
I had a car with all black interior in the days of no aircon. Id have to open all the doors for about 5 mins to cool the seats so I could sit down without burning my arse.
@@M4rk58 the rear looks really ugly and ruins an amazing car for me. i wish they took the hatch and stretched it to make the sedan. that would make the sedan look amazing. it would make the rear look like a 2016 cls but for this mazda.
I have the same , except a 2005. Still drives like new. The only expences have been routine maintenance and consumables. Still looking for a reason to sell.
Worked for Mazda in rockdale, had 48 thousand pages of Recalls on their portal, and charged over $400 just to change brake pads, Not talking about rotors and pads, Just Pads, might give you an indication of what the brands actually like, typical overpricing on servicing cost.
I have a 21 awd turbo in the US…. I can’t say I’ve experienced any of these issues. It is the sedan, so the blind spots aren’t as bad as the hatch… I did cover all the piano black when I got it. Paint is the main issue mentioned that I have experience with… it’s really thin… almost 50k miles, still going strong
To fix the folding side mirrors, just spray some silicone spray onto the inside bottom corner of the side mirror housing, aiming for the motor on the respective sides.
My 2017 BN hasn't had this issue, BUT my wife's 2018 CX-5 had the passenger side fail about six months ago. However, our dealership was EXCELLENT. Despite the car being out of warranty, they replaced the actuators on both sides at no cost with the updated design.
Nice review and really nice to see the research that goes into each review. I have the 2023 Evolve SP Sedan (2.5l engine). A couple of comments relating the review: Firm Suspension. Yes, it is a bit firm. But, coming from a Cerato GT, the Mazda 3 suspension is beautiful. The Rear suspension may be a Torsion Beam but you really can't tell the difference from IRS. Plus, the Torsion Beam is quieter and does not wear tyres anywhere as fast in the rear as IRS does. The white interior in the sedan makes a big difference to the feel of the interior. I've been in the Hatch and the dark interior does feel more claustrophobic. Scratchy plastics are a real deal, so you need to take care. You are spot on about not needing a touch screen. Mine has the touch screen and it only works with Android Auto. Even then, I find I almost never use the touch screen. The control wheel on the console is so much more convenient and intuitive once you get used to it. Fuel economy, around town I get 7.5 to 8.00. That's not too bad at all.. not sure how people are driving to get over 10l/100 Nice to see you mentioned the safety gear slamming on the brakes on some steep driveways. That is annoying. But generally, the safety tech is not too bad or too intrusive. Top tip - look for cars that have the Vison Pack. It has the 360 degree cameras that are mentioned in the review and the bigger head unit screen. The 360 deg camera is soooo handy for parking this car. Interesting you said aircon is not too good. Mine is very cold and I have set it to 25 in summer. The temp setting is strange though as in auto mode it does seem to adjust to outside temp inconsistently. Keep up the excellent reviews.
I feel like the new mazda 3 sedan are often overlook for some reason. The sedan are slightly cheaper and offer better practicality and still looks good too
Owner of an 2019 MY20 Mazda3 G25 Astina sedan in Snowflake White, approaching 42,000km. So far, I've been very happy with it (I was the second owner, bought it in 2022 with only 5,000km on it [fantastic, right?]). I actually think the sedan might be a better looking car than the hatch, I find the rear of the hatch to be a bit 'weird. It has been mechanically sound, with zero issues to report. One think I do notice is that yes, it can get a bit hot inside in the Australian sun, the aircon seems to do the trick. Another thing I've noticed is the paint. Even with the white, I have noticed a couple of chips in the paint. Not sure how easy it will be to correct this given it only being the white metallic/mica, but time will tell when I get around to addressing that. The Bose sound system in the Astina grade is truly fantastic, and gives my home theatre a run for its money. The leather seats have been very good to me so far. Around once every 3 months (sometimes more often) I'll get the car professionally cleaned, which includes proper leather cleaning and conditioning. It's kept the leather supple. Regarding rattles and creaks, I haven't noticed anything so far. Very thankful. Fuel economy is good, but I think it can depend. The lowest I've managed to get the 2.5L engine on an open road, around 80-100km/h is 5.1L/100km. Overall I've been seeing a mix between 6.5-7.5L/100km (running it on 98 Octane). Servicing it has been reasonable, last service was under $400 (including a courtesy car of around $35). Generally driving it, I've found it to be pretty quiet, not much engine intrusion. I haven't found too much in the way of road noise, very easy to have a quiet conversation in the car. The performance from the engine is quite good, and I've found it to be quite entertaining at times, such as motorway on-ramp pulls. Sits comfortably at 2,000rpm at 110km/h, very little in the way of kicking down (perhaps only in some places on the Sydney-Newcastle Freeway, which is notoriously hilly). The safety systems have been good to me, generally acting when most appropriate. Very rarely it will give me a brake warning thinking I'm about to hit a car (it thinks that because a car is parked on a bend and I would hit it if I didn't turn), but that's a very rare case and almost never see it. The adaptive cruise works, lane keep assist works (and partly works as a semi-autonomous drive, though you're not really supposed to do that). Lights are fantastic. Thankfully haven't noticed any issues with the i-stop feature, or 12v battery dying. As the car approaches 5 years old, I can generally say I recommend it, for those willing to own the BP series. I've driven the previous generation, which yes is also quite good. I think Mazda have really hit their stride after leaving Ford.
I love my 2015 Mazda 3 sedan it has a cool head up display and I can switch from automatic to manual and vice versa , I guess is the sport model , the best car I ever had 😊👍
Another reason why the sedan is always better (haha) is that the boot space is substantially larger than the hatch for this generation, so if you don't need to transport bulky items but do need cargo space, the sedan would be a better fit.
Hi from Canada! We have a 2019 mis trim with lux package ( fake leather, sunroof, memory seat) we have a manual with the 2.5. we agree with what was said here: body panel that get ding buy looking at it. Piano black and cluster that scratch like pancake batter. And yes even after 2 software la update, the car still freak out sometime and smash the breaks. On what was not discussed. The car came with 16" rim and it had some rebound on the road to which some of our kids would get car sick. We believe they under size the tires to create a gap with the gt. We now have put 17" wheels for summer and everything is better no oscillation on the road. Also the steering doesn't excessively load in curve. It was the best upgrade for this car. We did have warranty claim issues where the tech advisor just don't right the issue down and say there no problems. We don't have oil dilution issue but we change it at 6500km since after 5k we notice oil level start to go down and at 7500km the oil level light is triggered. The Blindspot on the hatchback is ridiculed and the Blindspot monitoring need a free spot the size of a lorry to agree to a lane change. Steering wheel dye is fading off and yes this car is so hot. If you leave with a warmed car from a parking lot straight in traffic. You will sweat. But gas millage once you drive with the proper technique to trigger the cylinder deactivation is incredible and a flat 90km/h road we get 4.5L/100km. And when driven sportlly with the 17" it's very enjoyable. Last car was a Audi A3. We consider we got 80% of the driving dimamic with plenty of luxury finish. And none of the mechanical failure. But I wouldn't buy it used. We feel that the finish degradation from 0- 100k km shows this car with start esthetically to fall apart withinn2 more years.
Brilliant critique, I live honda and I was considering mazda but it looks like both are now being reverse engineered to a price point. Which is a shame....
@ The adaptive cruise is adjusted on teh steering wheel. To set the timing for Blind Spot Monitoring, you use the Infotainment system. Settings -> Safety Settings -> Safety Alerts -> Blind Spot Monitoring Alert Timing. (Choose from Early, Normal or Late.). I have it set to "Late"!
Great review guys! Own a 2019 BP Mazda Sedan and have to say the ownership experience overall has been positive. On paper the earlier model does have the superior rear suspension layout, but unless you really test drive it on a sweeping bend with mid corner bumps you're not going to notice, Mazda has tuned the suspension well! I have had few issues with the air conditioner since the car was new, however it seems to be all good now. For prospective buyers try and obtain an early model GT or Astina as the Bose sound system is tops. The base stereo is only average. I just wish Mazda Australia can get a hold of the 2.5T four with AWD which is available in other markets as that would be a great addition to the local lineup!
I'm on my 4th Mazda right now - it's previous gen Mazda 3. Got it for 8 years now. I wanted to change to something newer, but completely agree while this gen has improved interior quality, but rides worse, has less space in the back (definitely agree with being claustrophobic!)... And with the same engine has less grunt and worse fuel economy. You're better off with the older one!
But in the older one (BL series) the ABS module is a known failure point ( I’ve had mine fail ) and it’s particularly more common on the earlier ‘09-‘11 ones . About $1800 for a reconditioned one fitted. Do not go Down the route of getting a S/h one from the wrecker’s- I got one with 40% less mileage than my one had and it still failed. TCM is also a known failure, so get a reconditioned one and relocate it. But otherwise mines going strong at 328K klms, still on original starter & alternator!
@paulsz6194 not mine personally but we have a BL in family for quite a few years now (in general lots of Mazdas are and were in family ownership) and it's hmm okay, but not among best choices I would say but pretty reliable. Wouldn't get one now as the age becomes an issue. Best Mazdas were end of 80' (626 GD, 323F BG, 323F BA) but that's a bit old now. Skyactiv platform (3 BM, 6 GJ, CX-5 KF) is a solid bet. Also almost 300kkm on my '03 Mazda 6 GY when I was selling her! Bulletproof as well! My parents still have '02 6 GG in a such condition that nobody believes it's over 20 years old car.
@ well my first car was a ‘86 Ford Meteor, and then I had three KE Laser afterwards. Last one being a ‘93 KE2 Laser wagon. All were carby, not EFi so a little gutless for the time, but I did get the head shaved & ported on my last KE laser along with a 1.75 in, exhaust & extractors definitely made it more zippy. But they were very easy to work on & do your own servicing. Ah, those were the days! The 626’s / Telstars were nice for the late 80’s early ‘90s, a good alternative to a Camry.
If I had to buy another car it would be the Mazda 3. But driving a 2017 Mazda 3 with now 100.000km, no issues at all with about 1 liter on 18km despite a BBRGTI tune to 170HP and upgraded -but harsh- Bilstein suspension and total disinterest in comfort and 'entertainment' system I think I'll stick with this one.
Gotta be real I think we keep hearing too many “owners complain of x” where x is something entirely subjective, like the interior gets too hot? As if everyone who owns a Mazda 3 lives on the equator?
I own a 2009 Mazda 3 SP25. It has leather seats. They get very hot in the summer months, but I knew this before I bought it. They're really cold in the winter too.
2016 car here. The interior heating up is not a “subjective” issue. It can get really hot in there even in snowy Canadian winters. I can’t have the heat on too high in the winter when sunny or somehow you start to get super hot. This can happen on a sunny day without the heat on once up to room temperature. I’ve had passengers complain my car is like a “greenhouse” more than once, and I like a colder environment than most people.
I have a Mazda 3 evolve 2 2 L engine manual sedan that I bought in 2020 it was brand-new but they sold it as secondhand it only did 39 km and now I have done 56,000 km and still goes like it is brand-new the boot space is big and it’s good if you want to carry a lot of stuff I have told people the sedan is actually owe up better than the hatch cause you have more food space more rear legroom and those people that have complain about the car getting hot then put your air-conditioner on and your car will get nice and cool cause my air-conditioner works bloody good and another thing those people that have complain and whinged about the vehicle sounds like they are not happy with their Mazda 3 at all and me I love it it is the best car that I have ever ever bought since I’ve got my license and yes I would buy another Mazda 3 And yes I will say it is very easy to get a scratch but I have bought stuff to try and get rid of the scratches but I can live with it and another thing that has happened in the last month is my driver-side Mira the motor sometimes does not work and the Mira will not go out and the dealership wants me to pay for it but the car is still under warranty that is one thing that annoys me if a car is still under warranty that a simple issue that has happened should be covered under warranty cause this is the first time I’m trying to get something done under warranty but overall I’ve had nothing wrong with my vehicle what so ever
The only issue I felt in my Canadian Mazda3 was the battery. The damn battery just didn't last. Got it replaced by Mazda, the second one also failed. Finally bought an aftermarket one, hopefully this one lasts. Apart from that, I just love the car, gonna keep it forever.
As a proud owner of a 2.0 Manual 2021 Sedan in SC red, I have to say ReDriven are Amazing! They hit every point home and covered every aspect I can think of with this car accurately and truthfully imo. However imo you would buy this gen over the previous gen due to the looks and the manufacturer warranty……these are the 2 main reasons I did. But you cant go wrong with either😁.
Great objective review! I own a 2019 model myself and I can confirm that both the positive and negative aspects you mentioned are true. Pro tip: buy one with the Bose sound system. It is awesome and you won't hear the potential interior rattles anymore 😇
My sister has an '07 Mazda 3 which she purchased new. Mechanically, not one single thing has ever gone wrong with it. Not a thing. The paint on the rear deck lid has started looking pretty tatty in the last few years, but the car lives outside, with the boot oriented to the North. She wants a new car but refuses go give up the Mazda until its done. Her mechanic reckons that she'll be waiting a while yet. And I forgot the most important part. It's an absolute hoot to drive. It is fun. But it's a bit noisy on the highway.
@@spliffbooth As much as I'm a Mazda fan, they tend not to be great as far as cabin noise is concerned. Honda Accords are a big step up. Any car you test drive, I'd highly recommend getting it out on some course bitumen at 110kmh on the test ride. I've failed to do that in the past and been sadly disappointed later. It's not too much of an issue for me, these days, but I used to do the best part of 30k p.a. at highway speeds. Noise cabins are draining.
2022 GT Sedan Machine Grey. No issues. Paint seems fine. No chips or swirls. Any glasses in the sunglass holder rattle like crazy so I dont bother. Other than that. Very happy.
My dad has one of these in the 2019 model year. We had the chrome trims replaced under warranty, along with the seals inside the top of the front doors as they had split. The chrome trims are very expensive if you have to pay so be very weary. We had the digital center dial on the dash board replaced under warranty as there was a line running through the screen. Apart from that, the car has been fantastic. We have the skyactive g engine. But it’s very economical on a run. Far better levels of equipment compared to the equivalent Ford focus. None of those dodgey ecoboost motors either.
A simple fix for the centre console glossy black, you can get metal covers in a couple of finishes. Also, I think the owner has changed the DRL from halogen to LED
As a Mazda Owner this review is pretty much on the spot. I own the BM Generation (Previous one) and in our market we get the G165 Engine, for a 2l engine I got stupid fuel economy figures (4.9l/100km for extra urban driving and about 8-11l/100km in city driving - and I love it (I got the pre-face lift with the BI-Xenon headlamps and the older HUD). I want to upgrade to the 2019 design but when I compare the two (at least on my market) it doesn't get the HUD and not even the leather seats and motorized adjustment, and it's got exactly the same engine, maybe with few tiny changes, and stiffer suspension than the out going model, it makes my wonder, why going for that model year..? and when you add the fact that in my market 2021 'high-spec' cars are costing the equivalent of 47,300AUD it adds a lot to think about
We owned one of these for about 3 years from new in 2021. Agree with most of the issues raised, especially the piano black plastics and the exterior paint being made of cheese. Our ten-year-old Territory had fewer stone chips than the Mazda by the time we sold it. One thing that caught us out was the cost of windscreen replacement - more than $1100 - because it covers the ADAS system which then needs recalibration. In the end we never really developed much of an emotional attachment with the car. This was perhaps because the driving experience, while fine in terms of ride, handling and NVH, was just too overshadowed by its shortcomings - largely the horrendous blindspots that made me feel like I was driving a bunker.
Previous gen Mazda3s have atrocious road noise, the latest gen is a considerable improvement. My gripes with latest gen: - Poor seat design, which manages to be too firm but also not supportive, especially over longer drives (can start to feel the seat frame despite average body weight). Hardly unique problem to this car, mind you. - Somewhat questionable driving position, especially for anyone even slightly above average height. This applies to most cars, but it's still a legit gripe. - (2.0L) Engine uses a lot of fuel when warming up, so mileage can be mediocre if you aren't always doing long trips. - Some interior surfaces are not durable, as shown in this video. Auto shifter knob is almost always worn on used cars. - Manual transmission never was available in my market. Good stuff: - I find the suspension is well balanced between comfort and handling. Firm but not harsh. I use aftermarket 17" wheels with a moderately sporty tyre; maybe the factory 18" are a bit crashy. - Driver inputs are quite progressive, predictable and cohesive. No jerky brakes or twitchy steering. While it isn't darty or go karty, it generally feels composed when cornering, so long as the road is good quality (torsion beam rear can be upset by potholes and small bumps). - Physical controls for infotainment & AC are /chef's kiss/. While there are some use cases for a touchscreen in a car, pretty much everything you would want to control while driving is better suited to a tactile interface. - Modern Mazdas tend to have excellent crash protection, and the 3 is no exception. Even when crash tests get upgraded, they tend to still get class leading results when retesting facelift models. This might partially explain the poor interior room that Mazdas are also known for. Setting aside any unforeseen reliability issues, the main reasons I would move on to a different car in the short term would be getting sick of the seat/driving position or just coming into a lot of money to afford something nicer.
I have a Mazda 3 SP25 BM sedan, amazing car, love it 🥰 I have also purchased a few bits and bobs from Automotive superstore, love them very much too, very user friendly outlet for car people.
The mirror actuators start failing because of water intrusion, the (bad) design allows for water to get in and play havoc with the electric motor/circuit. There is an updated part that supposidely fixes the issue, but for those with the original powered mirrors, here are some tricks that can help: 1. do not pressure wash the mirror directly 2. spray some silicone based lube inside the power mirror, that really helps, I managed to get a creaking one back into shape. 3. if the mirror is completely soaked, disable auto-folding before turning the car off so that it dries out safely.
Got a 2020 Mazda 3 hatch brand new. Rattling like mad after 1 year and after a few back and forth. Mazda told me not to expect Audi or BMW quality. Sold it after 4 years. Will never go Mazda again.
I've sat in plenty of other brands new cars as rentals for work and experienced horrendous creaking, my mazda3 has been creek free the entire time and Im at 55k miles now.
I'm a 2022 Mazda 3 2.0 Evolve owner. It's absolutely a nice car. It's reliable, has good interior quality, and is fun to drive. It provides reasonable and practical ADAS functions without annoying intervention. The only downside is the acceleration, which requires you to push the throttle hard when you want to overtake someone on the highway. Plus, you're encouraged to use premium petrol for its best performance.
I bought a used 6 speed 2015 Mazda hatch and drove it for a few years. I loved it but got rid of it to buy a sports car instead. A few years later, I got tired of paying for high insurance and lack of space/utility and here I am, back in a Mazda. They are great cars for the money and so smooth driving.
Thank so much for mentioning that bit at the end! I have since taken a loss and gotten rid of my BP Mazda 3 (with C.D)after multiple multiple issues/repairs and MUCH fighting and an engine replacement (at 8,000kms) I got a 2024 corolla hybrid and the build quality and rear independent suspension 👌, may not be as sporty as my previous Mazda's 😢 but after the last, reliability is really what I need.
I can verify most of this, especially the dealerships part. Mine delivered the car with interior damage and some other factory defects and to this day refuses to even look at them.
+1 on this! I drive a 2016 Mazda 2 DJ, and I gotta say it's one of the most fun cars I've ever driven. Not practical (I think it's got the smallest space for its class?), plus parts are a bit on the expensive side for its class. However, I can do 4.0L/100km on the freeway on it -- and it's not a hybrid.
Hi there I just wanted to say happy new year and happy holidays to everyone at redriven I'm in a 2012 Mazda 3 and 2025 is the year for an upgrade, I'm upping the anty and getting a Lexus IS300 h , thanks for all the entertainment in 2024 and I hope you guys keep growing and thriving in 2025
We have one, sits nicely next to our CX9. Replaced an Audi S3 that was due for a lot of maintenance. Got a $0 changeover. It's not fast, but it's a beautiful car. Hope to replace our CX9 with a BT50 soon.
i own a 2019 2.0 mild hybrid. Bought it new and have driven 80.000km. Love it. Not much trouble besides brakes and the paint but the dealership here in Iceland fixed the paint for free
As a former Nissan family we now own a 2 (2013) and a 6 (2018) and I must say the 3 is always on the radar too. I really love this make and for any future upgrade, Mazda will be high up the shortlist.
I have this generation Mazda with the 2.0L as a company car, it was the best car for the budget I had. It has all the usual complaints for a modern car,...fly-by- wire throttle that feels like it's not connected to the accelerator pedal, over zealous crash protection software, and that horrible lane departure shit they mandate for crash safety...other than all that, and the horrid blind spots, its a great little car, the handling is amazing when you push it hard. Absolute precision when you're pushing the limits.
Reset the MZD screen Press and hold until Mazda logo appears. These buttons are around the commander dial. Activate handbrake. Then. Press hold BACK + MUTE + NAV Release when Mazda logo shows.
the rear definitely pillar side view looks much better with the OEM wing (like on the turbo) or the Corksport wing. As an owner, I wouldn't want any other car unless I needed more space. It's a wonderful daily driver and it's been issue free for me at 55k miles now. I have the 2.5L NA FWD manual trans (US) and it's a great driving experience. The red leather look stunning (and makes the interior feel a LOT more open / cozy but spacious), the buttons / controls feel great, the audio is amazing after you break the speakers in (I didn't like the Bose speakers initially but after tweaking the settings and breaking them in now the bass response is much more even, feels great to blast some music and cruise around). My only minor complaints / issues with the car: - The paint is thin / chips with rocks (especially the soul red from what I hear) - The OEM batteries aren't great (mine only lasted 2 years) I replace it with an AGM battery and no issues since and starts up fast even in negative temps. - The OEM tires in the US are bad in the wet and snow (especially with manual trans where you're bound to skip the tires from a stop / breaking the tire grip). - The gloss black plastic in the interior scratches easily, I'm going to wrap mine soon or you can get more resilient plastic covers that look good to stick on top of it. - The wiper speed settings could benefit from an intermediate speed between the auto sensing speed and the min static speed. - You can only notice the rear torsion beam on really rough roads or in wet / snowy conditions which simply causes the rear to swing out (which I find fun especially with the manual transmission. I find this card harder to understeer, but it seems to love slightly oversteering in the wet way more than understeering). In normal driving on decent to good roads you really can't notice the torsion beam at all. It isn't at the same caliber as an independent rear but I still barely notice it even when I'm really driving the car hard unless Im on a really bad road surface. All these issues are VERY nitpicky for the most part, most of what he comments about in this video are either pretty uncommon or just very minor nitpicks. For the blindspots if you have your sideview mirrors set CORRECTLY there is no issue with seeing the blind spots. If you get the higher trims you can also get the blind spot monitoring to help. The overall general living experience with this car is problem free and it really is a fun casually sporty daily driver and it looks STUNNING from the inside and outside especially with that red leather interior. I love the rotary control dial, its effortless to navigate the screen with it, I love the heads up display (I didn't think I would but I look at the speed on there more than I look at the gauge cluster), and all this is coming from someone who ALSO owns a Miata, I think the Mazda3 is a perfect daily driver for anyone who also owns / wants a more sporty car or a project car. I did turn down the auto brake setting to the lowest setting, I've only had it come on 2 times for very good / understandable reason where I got VERY close to a car in front of me or a car slowed down drastically to make a right turn. but the default setting is a bit sensitive. I've had no rattles in mine even when I blast the bass from the Bose speakers. No issue with overheating in hot summers and my AC works great. I haven't had any of the other issues you stated, BUT I have seen the leather on my dads CX-5 wear a lot and his cx-5 is at 85k miles? (hes also owned two CX-5s now and has never needed any repairs other than normal maintenance like tires, oil, wipers, etc. the non-turbo 2.5l skyactiv-G engines are extremely reliable) My leather only has a very very minor wear spot on the right of the gear shifter.
Here in the northern hemisphere Mazda is known as a Rust bucket, they tend to rust very quickly and that is why they lost plenty faithful Mazda buyers from the 80´s & 90´s.
Only the older Mazda had this problem, the newer Mazda have some treatment to help them resist rust. However, regardless of what car you have, you need to keep redoing the rust treatment every year (or every 2 years for the thicker oils).
I was seriously concerned with that reputation when I bought my 2012, as I live in a region where roads are heavily salted half the year. Thankfully Mazda evidently addressed that issue.
I researched this when I was buying mine and what i came up with as information is that the rust issues are with cars manufactured before 2007. Mine is a 2006 mazda 6 but kind of still holds up :D
No but done Melb to Gold Coast, Melb to port Macquarie Adelaide. Friends have driven around Australia and u can get around on sealed road and don’t need a 4wd. If I want to go bush I will hire a 4wd. Having a full spare tyre means you can go anywhere of sealed roads and the Mazda is an excellent car to drive long distances and its petrol and can nearly get 800 kms per tank
I agree, that small space saver tyre in the Mazda 3 is ridiculous. imagine being 3 hours down the highway and have to put that on your car for the rest of the trip back.
Have a 2019 sedan in US with 2.5 liter NA automatic. The car doesn’t handle as well as a BMW 3 series, but has been fine. Had the TSBs (including AC) and tinted glass put in and the car is fine in the summer
I'll be ordering mine in the coming months in machine grey and I had already made up my mind to PPF it from new. Your comments on the paint being prone to chipping reinforces and comforts my decision to PPF it. I will also definitely PPF the piano black interior trims along with the instrument panel. There are pre-cut PPF available online for these interior trims, they are quite affordable. Thanks for this review, it was quite informative. I now know I will need a good dash reflector and take good care of my leather seats. 😅
Great upload, I have a 2017 BN Astina hatch and it's a fantastic car.. never had any major issues with it besides the folding mirrors and the rear camera sometimes which has been recalled.. not missing out on much going up to a BP, basically the same car in a new skin. If you're looking to get one definately get the 2.5L, while it's not a fast car by any means it goes when you want it to, especially in sports mode. It doesn't feel like a sluggish 4 cylinder.. it's quite comfy and enjoyable to drive, and has heaps of boot space and adequate room for passengers considering its size. I do love the sleek front end of the BP, but I can't say that I'm a fan of the rear end. If money permitted I would 100% have another Mazda as my next car. I think they have the nicest looking hatches and SUV's on the road, and they're very popular for good reason.
I have a 2017 astina hatch as well. My local Mazda has been nothing but amazing with warranty. Had the mirrors all replaced under it had the window switches all replaced under it. I have also done a few mods to mine and has opened the motor up a little to be quicker and more responsive. I definitely recommend upgrading the brakes on the grey models. Very easily to be cut off in.
@JoshuaOdgers I purchased mine used a little over 2 years ago, from a Mazda dealership .. I had an additional 3 years warranty but thankfully I never had to claim anything it's been really reliable.. I've read plenty of people getting their mirrors replaced even out of warranty and that's fair tbh, small things bring customers back. Odd that you had to get the windows switches replaced ? First I've heard of that.. did they all just stop working :/ Mine is completely stock silver hatch, but I've added the kuroi (copy) front lip and side skirts, definately made it look a little sportier. It's a beautiful car, it's got everything .. android auto, radar cruise, heated seats, heads up display, sunroof.. etc, there's nothing really more I need in a car so I'll probably keep it for a long while. What do you suggest doing to the motor ? Besides an intake and throttle controller.. I mean sports mode basically tightens up the responses alot, honestly it goes well enough.. my speed racer days are over, I've had multiple wrx's, SS Commodore, S15 Silvia and other cars .. the Mazda 3 was my "I've grown up now and just want something nice and quiet daily car"
@@chriskouvoutsakis536 the 2 back window switches that were in the driver side door just stopped working..they said the connection had just pulled apart that little to far and lost touch to work properly. I have done a full air flow upgrade. Performance tyres is a must. I also have Performance brakes in mine too. Next step is sway bar upgrades. I have heard and read they make the best modification to enhance what the mazda has to offer.
Mazda 3 SP23 2007, still a very nice responsive 5 door which I enjoy actually driving as opposed to merely operating. I keep the maintenance up to it and at 177k’s expect to keep enjoying for quite a while more.
I own a 2009 Mazda 3 SP25. It has the luxury pack. Yes the leather seats get fricking hot in the summer time, also really cold in winter, lol. The leather issue from mine clearly hasn't been solved to this day, or it's what leather does. Mine has that fading and has gone very firm. Apart from the few niggling issues, I love it. So awesome that Mazda put the 2.5 litre 5 cylinder Mazda 6 engine in the smaller car. 😁
You need to nourish the leather with a leather cleaning & care pack, otherwise the oils in the leather dry up when it’s parked on a hot day, and the leather goes firm & looses its suppleness. Too late for your one now, but at least you know why.
In U.S models, Mazda 3 mirrors actually do not have motors for fold-in. If you want to fold the side-mirrors in, you have to do so by hand. Also no backseat vents & no cover over the cup holders.
Bought a 2019 BP 3 Base AWD 2.5L N/A Auto, used with 77k on the dial. She has been flawless in the roughly 15k miles I've added. I cannot more highly recommend the BP Generation of Mazda 3 in either Sedan or Hatch flavor. Me, it's the Hatch that stole my car loving heart. It is the best looking car not just in its class, but among all consumer class cars, period. I've never owned a commoners commuter car that has broken so many necks, elicited so many long gazes, and brought questions and compliments about its form. And mine is also Soul Red, the best color out there right now, hands down. Nothing at all looks like it in a sea of muted greys, and dark metallic hues. Real Talk Torsion Beam: The BP has the best skid-pad numbers across all the generations except the Speed3 with their upgraded suspensions. Can we stop trashing torsion beam? 99% of the people that watch this won't ever know the difference - and if you do, all it means at best is: Tenths of a second, and more than likely that can be overcome by skill. It's a great handling, sporty, fun 'slow car to drive fast' car without being overbearing and making you tired. Zoom Zoom.
Definitely had issues with the paint also on my machine grey model, and would recommend protection film. Speedo cluster scratches very easily, so too does the centre black trim around the gear shifter. Both are basically impossible to clean because of how cheap the plastics are in this area. The dealership tried to tell me on multiple occasions that the paint thickness is totally normal, but anyone who works in a body shop knows Mazdas are known for their trash paint jobs. I had constant rattling issues from the subwoofer in my Bose equipped model. I also had electrical issues like weird engine lights, windows that would stop working and the camera would go sometimes too. I read somewhere that weird electrical stuff might have been related to the battery being too small from the factory (Just a heads up if anyone is experiencing similar issues). Otherwise a really great car and good value for money. The sedans look gorgeous, a lot nicer than the Corolla IMO
Thanks again for another superb video. Love your channel and the level of production and research that goes into it is first class. Is there any chance you could do a video on how to look after a used car from a detailing and engine maintenance perspective e.g. you mentioned scratching on console and dashboard glass, and would love to know which products you guys would recommend to avoid this plus other tips and products for ensuring maximum protection from our harsh sun and products that help maintain engine reliability etc. Regardless thanks again for all you do 😊
I bought a BN gen SP25 a while back and remembering really wanting to be able to sell it and upgrade to the newer BP. Now I guess that's not the case anymore for me, 2 years of ownership the BN have never let me down.
I’ve got a 19 g25 manual sedan near newy if you want a drive, the slightly different paint now makes sense, i think the previous owner had a little repair done and it hasn’t blended well
As always I enjoy your style of reporting format on used cars it's definitely a must for most car owners/buyers. Just a quick question though, I'm a Pom living in New Zealand and just wanted to know if the cars you are talking about relate to here as I believe a lot of the time Nz piggybacks onto Aus in terms of consumer products so in short are the cars showcased there more or less the same. Also are the roads similar or is there key differences. Thanks for any feedback, I will be checking back.😁
I have the exact same car, my steering wheel and gear knob are fading already, a bit overwhelming when trying to hit high speeds and the touch entry on the door handles sometimes don’t work to lock/unlock the car. And a few times the car doesn’t read the key inside the car. Also the infotainment can be really bad sometimes and have no audio when playing Apple CarPlay. Mirrors weren’t folding so Mazda changed them. Fuel gage on dash isn’t accurate
In previous gen original start-stop battery lasted me 8 years. And even then the car was starting no problem (it was winter), just the i-stop warning started to pop on the dash.
my good friend owns one of these gen 3. And my god they gotta be one of the best hatches I've been in(and i have been in alot) Beautiful looking car, really nice inside. Just bloody good overall IMO. his one had a sunroof which was also a nice feature. I own a Cx-5 and have owned a quite few mazada's in my lifetime, definitely my go too choice of car, looking at trading in and getting a mazda 6 as I like the wagons and the look of them too.
My biggest problem is the battery timer module. When you open a door, it is activated and a timer starts to run. Everytime you open/close the door, the timer starts over again. This will become an issues when you are cleaning your car, and mines died 2 times because of this. I know have a new battery, so i hope that that solves the issue, but i think it will drain, becasue when i'm cleaning the inside it will take me atleast 2 hours ;). If some of you have the same issues and have a tip how to solve this, it is much appriciated.
I've been waiting for this review!. I agree with the paint, the voice recognition and about contacting mazda australia. The car is great, my model is the g25 evolved sp 2023. fun to drive, good looking car , great value overall. Would I buy another mazda? the answer is yes. The competitors at the time of buying were a corolla hatchback or the hyundia i30 sedan. Both great vehicles but for the looks, the quality of the interior and 2.5 engine made me purchased it. My two favourite features are the headup display and the 360 view camera. That's me, for others that may not be the case. I'm happy to keep the car as long as I need as it has great reliability or sell it when the time comes. Thanks for the review.
I've always been a fan of the Mazda 3 but I'm still so sad they decided to move on from the MPS brand after the BL series 2. They had a real raucous and rough edged personality that nothing else in the market could really replicate. My first turbocharged cars I ever drove were a Mazda 6 MPS and a Mazda 3 MPS and they set me on the path I'm on now loving fast little cars. I'm sure having that sort of personality wouldn't gel with the luxury-lite that they go for nowadays but a part of my heart will always yearn for something like the Mazda 3 MPS gave me again.
The backseat is actually bigger than my last micro hatchback, and plenty big enough for 1 child, roadtrips, etc. In America adults almost never ride in the backseat. Most people here have giant SUVs and ride alone.
It is mentioned here that the transmission must be serviced regularly. But the dealership told me that the transmission does not need to be serviced. Does anyone know after how many kilometers the transmission needs to be serviced?
Driving a 2nd hand 2015 DL (sedan) chassis Mazda2 myself since 2019, been pretty reliable though paint got sun damaged due to daily use and outdoor parking during work hours
I previously owned a Mazda 2 Skyactiv, and it was a fantastic little car. It handled corners exceptionally well, far better than my Toyota Yaris when it came to handling. However, I’ve decided to stick with Toyota for its unmatched dependability and reliability.
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The 2.5l sky active comes with 2 cylinder deactivation to help with the economy.
I am on my 3rd '3. This car is amazing. This guy is just nit picking. Most fun to drive I have ever owned. And incredibly reliable. I could nit pick any car I have ever owned but I have never owned more than 1 of a brand. Couldn't recommend a car more than Mazda. Love it.
yea i agree just uselss nitpicking i watched 35 seconds of it and decided to just read the comments cause i own a 3 and a cx5 , and hands down one the most reliable cars i ever owned , its nice, its fast, its roomy for a hatchback, sounds mean when you put an exhaust on it, and the best thing about the mazda not only is it fun to drive but they have a normal 6 sped transmission on it unlike most almost all cars having CVT-TRASH TRANSMISSION
hats off to mazda for keeping that 6 speed, i rather keep that 6 speed transmission any day ovver a gearless transmission
2023 3 sedan, love mine. Best car I’ve ever had
I'm getting my CX-30 in about two weeks. I am so excited, I've heard so many good things about it.
Why don’t you keep the ones you have and keep getting new ones?
@@akgonen60I never thought much of Mazda 3 before till I drove one then got hooked. I bought an SP23 04 model a few months ago in great condition and k’s. I enjoy driving it every time even if it’s just to the shops. I don’t bother listening to music as the exhaust is quite satisfying. They sound great with an exhaust change. Yeah sure auto is faster and easier but I got manual for the fun factor. 20 years old and they styling still looks good today I reckon. Some cars don’t age well.
I must say as a Mazda aficionado (we have 5 in my household alone) I ADORE my BP Mazda 3. Is it perfect? No. But nothing is. As far as I’m concerned, it’s a fun to drive, gorgeous, luxurious, zippy run around which I love to drive. The styling of the hatchback is very polarising - and I vividly remember absolutely hating it when it first launched. But now, I think the rear end of the hatch looks fabulously chic. Very Alfa Romeo Brera-esque when compared side by side. An excellent review, as always. Looking forward to seeing the next Mazda feature on this fantastic channel!
Great input! Cheers mate
I have a bn sp25 gt. It's red and the paint is weak yes. But it is an insurance issue really. This video just sounds like lots of hating for no good reason when corrollas are more dull.
@@benhubert8925 You are wrong with the Alfa Brera. Mazda's design precedes the Alfa and is being anchored in Jinba Itai.
Honda had a designer (that studied in Italy) that stole Alfa-style for the 2009 Honda Civic.
Aussies hate Mazdas and Subarus. Upsets their sense of manhood~woof woof
Own a 2020 Mazda, best car I’ve ever owned. Zero issues apart from paint being prone to chips. Great car!
I feel u with paint chips. Seems like every day there’s new chips or scratch 🤣
agreed. they have beautiful paint jobs which really makes it hard for a lot of people to choose. the problem is that it is too thin.
I'm guessing that you have soul crystal red too?
@@shanemcguire3953 sonic silver.
Is it the turbo?
IMO this generation of the Mazda 3 has aged nicely. Generally speaking, these cars that look like they’ve come out of a sci-fi movie usually have about 3 years before they start looking dated. Mazda has a simple design that looks classy and sporty. No over the top styling. The front end is beautiful and looks like nothing else out there.
✌🏻👍🏻✌🏻
I like the look ... mostly. Can't stand the huge scalloped-out sides - makes every one of them look like they've been in bingle. Must be a nightmare for panelbeaters when they do need repair.
Thanks for the review Adam. The Mazda 3 (especially the 2.5 litre) stomps all over the Corolla for driving pleasure. The sunroof in the Astina, with the burgundy trim really lighten up the interior. The manual transmission is super slick - almost MX5 like. The sedan is a bit more practical (bigger boot, bigger windows in the back seat), and the hatch is more of a 4 door coupe.
With well adjusted mirrors the blind spots disappear, and the blind spot monitoring is very effective - with an alert in the HUD just in case your head check lets you down. The zoomed in drivers side mirror takes some getting used to.
One note: the safety technology is adjustable. You can change the settings to be less sensitive, and it will not beep, bong and brake unnecessarily. Some owners forget to read the manual....
Can you turn off the safety features? And does it stay turned off, or do you have to turn it off every time you start the car?
@@noseboop4354 I think every car reviewer should include this in their reviews.
@@noseboop4354 You can:
1) Adjust the sensitivity of Smart Brake Support and Blind Spot Monitoring permanently (Early, Normal, Late), and/or
2) Single button turn off of "ActivSense" (i.e. all ADAS) on every drive, or
3) Selectively Enable/Disable or configure specific systems (most of which is permanent - for example I have Lane Keep Assist set to visual alert only)
4) Set the Speed Limit Alert threshold (i.e. only warn on 0/5/10 km/h+) and alert type (audible or visual).
My system now provides no false alerts, but is still there to intervene if I stuff up. The only one that I significantly dislike is the radar cruise control (I prefer a set speed, and I will do any adjustments for traffic manually). You can turn it off, but it turns itself back on every restart.
@@RodneyW Thanks for all the info, good that it can all be toned down. I've driven a bunch of rentals with way too aggressive lane assist and emergency braking, it nearly caused an accident.
In America you can turn off every safety feature which is permanent until you turn it back on. This is one of the first things I did when I bought my gen 4 car is turn off the automatic braking I wouldn't trust it on any car. Also I've never had an issue braking myself.
I have a 2017 Mazda 6 with 170,000 miles. I love it! No issues. I recently changed the serpentine belt, valve cover gasket and spark plugs. Looks good and the Bose sound system is so good!
I love my manual Astina hatch new since 8/2019 and in my opinion the hatch looks heaps better than the sedan. The C pillars give the car a coupe like style and for those that criticize them live with. Before buying mine, my local dealer gave me a red/black GT Demo hatch for half a day. I will agree about the black interior feeling a bit claustrophobic and the GT didn't come with ungraded headlights and sunroof, 360 cameras. I went with the Polymetal grey with burgundy leather, had the full Kurio body kit and rims fitted. One thing to say ADAM if you know about the piano black plastic issues DON'T touch it or rub your finger over it as you have just added to the scratches (OMG its not rocket science) As an avid Mazda fan from 1981 I've had plenty of different models over that time and this 3 has to stand out up there with the best. Great review Adam and I love ya page. The manual with the 2.5 is the pick of the bunch if you can find one.
As a fellow BP manual driver - have you ever had issues with the iStop kicking in as you're lifting the clutch from a stop, causing the car to "stall"?
@@jeremybean-hodges6397 no as I turn the stupid thing off everytime I get in the car.
the piano black finish on our 10 year old Peugeot 208 is still flawless so its not hard to do
Mazda 3 2012 I have had for 12 years nothing ever gone wrong with it on replaced tyres and brake pads.Most reliable brand the older ones seem better built.
Yes same here
2012 model not the slightest of issues in admittedly only 200.000km
Only gripe is the arguably large amount of road nose at 100kmh on course surfaces, premium tyres do help a lot though.
Best car we’ve owned. Cant reccomend them enough
Had a 2004 and it was great, but very bad for NVH. I upgraded to a Peugeot 308 and much nicer car to drive and only slightly more costly for maintenance. I think the first gen Mazda 3 was the best. I really don't like the current one at all, very claustrophobic inside and ugly design IMO. Certainly older cars seem to feel more solid and durable.
The previous 2 models were way better than the current one. Mazda cheaped out on the rear suspension setup by using torsion beams
Same here, 2012 Mazda 3 Neo manual, still drives like new
Yes. I bought a 2012 Mazda 3 new, and it has been fantastic. It now has 126K miles / 202K km. I also sadly hit a deer over a year ago (deer ran off; I hope it survived) and insurance totaled it over a broken headlight, dented fender, and slightly creased hood. (Shop claimed the front end needed repainted). I test drove the newest version, like the one in the video, and was disappointed. The interior materials and tech were nice, but I didn't care for the driving feel and felt claustrophobic with the blind spots. So I repaired my 2012 myself (between administering IVs and caring for an ill relative at the time, so I was anxious and exhausted), passed the inspection, and am still driving it. Hopefully it'll last for a while yet.
YES I've been waiting for this vid! Gen4 Mazda3 owner here, went with the NA engine, hatchback, put nearly 30k miles (~48000 km for my friends overseas) on it at this point
Downsides with it? Well to add to the excessively hot interior claim, I live in Texas and we had a pretty brutal heatwave last year. Don't have a garage or roof to park it under, so even when I would put up my sunshield at the front (almost) every time I park, the sun visors started to sag when you bring them down and they loose their adjustability. Pretty annoying but at least they still sort of work. And yeah maybe it does depend on the climate you're in, but it's something to be mindful of if you live in the heat.
Other than that, I do wish it had some more oomph, but I guess I should have went with the turbo for that. Yes, the blind spots are hilariously bad, the paint chips are a thing, there are rattles on and off, the piano black section does scratch up...
BUT, this is easily the best car I've ever owned, the interior is so nice and the infotainment/controls are incredibly well thought out. Any time I get a rental car for work and I'm subjected to horrid interior controls, it makes me miss this thing even more. Beautiful exterior imo, extremely comfortable, can do long trips no problem. Steering in this thing is like using a scalpel, it's so precise, no vagueness at all. Truly love this car, and I'm going to keep it well maintained so I can drive it to the end of its days.
Thanks for the vids yall, big fan of the channel. Cheers from the US 🍻
I had a car with all black interior in the days of no aircon. Id have to open all the doors for about 5 mins to cool the seats so I could sit down without burning my arse.
4:09 That looks so much better.
I agree, glad Im not alone in thinking the rear looks so 'undesigned'. Makes the car look bald to me somehow lol
@@M4rk58 the rear looks really ugly and ruins an amazing car for me. i wish they took the hatch and stretched it to make the sedan. that would make the sedan look amazing. it would make the rear look like a 2016 cls but for this mazda.
I have a 2004 Mazda 3 SP23 5 speed manual, I love it, the car has that raw driving feeling that I miss about newer cars
I have the same , except a 2005. Still drives like new. The only expences have been routine maintenance and consumables. Still looking for a reason to sell.
Worked for Mazda in rockdale, had 48 thousand pages of Recalls on their portal, and charged over $400 just to change brake pads, Not talking about rotors and pads, Just Pads, might give you an indication of what the brands actually like, typical overpricing on servicing cost.
What brand doesn't do that though, I haven't heard of any that don't.
Bet a huge portion of those recalls are the diesels
That an indictment of corporate and dealership charging culture in general, not the cars themselves and certainly not Mazda alone.
@@mrsandman2185 BINGO!
I have a 21 awd turbo in the US…. I can’t say I’ve experienced any of these issues. It is the sedan, so the blind spots aren’t as bad as the hatch… I did cover all the piano black when I got it. Paint is the main issue mentioned that I have experience with… it’s really thin… almost 50k miles, still going strong
Why would it not be going strong? It’s only 50k miles on a car built in 2021
range rover won’t be on the road by then
Can't be hotter inside than sitting on the vinyl rear seat of the XC Falcon at the beach while wearing togs .......
Hahahahhahaa not wrong there 😂
And branding yourself with the seat belt
Remember "stubbies" shorts? Yeah, wearing those as a kid in the back of a Holden Belmont on a summer's day...
😅😅
Can also confirm from personal childhood experience that upgrading to a ZG Fairlane makes absolutely no difference, I swear I still have the burns :D
To fix the folding side mirrors, just spray some silicone spray onto the inside bottom corner of the side mirror housing, aiming for the motor on the respective sides.
Same thing happened on my CX-30 and in the past few months Mazda has come up with an improved mirror design you can get under warranty
The US market Mazda 3 is not equipped with motorized side mirrors.
@@haroldm4600mine are…. Unless I am misunderstanding
Mazda will fix that for free if you find the good Mazda repair dealer to do the paperwork.
My 2017 BN hasn't had this issue, BUT my wife's 2018 CX-5 had the passenger side fail about six months ago. However, our dealership was EXCELLENT. Despite the car being out of warranty, they replaced the actuators on both sides at no cost with the updated design.
Nice review and really nice to see the research that goes into each review. I have the 2023 Evolve SP Sedan (2.5l engine). A couple of comments relating the review:
Firm Suspension. Yes, it is a bit firm. But, coming from a Cerato GT, the Mazda 3 suspension is beautiful. The Rear suspension may be a Torsion Beam but you really can't tell the difference from IRS. Plus, the Torsion Beam is quieter and does not wear tyres anywhere as fast in the rear as IRS does.
The white interior in the sedan makes a big difference to the feel of the interior. I've been in the Hatch and the dark interior does feel more claustrophobic. Scratchy plastics are a real deal, so you need to take care.
You are spot on about not needing a touch screen. Mine has the touch screen and it only works with Android Auto. Even then, I find I almost never use the touch screen. The control wheel on the console is so much more convenient and intuitive once you get used to it.
Fuel economy, around town I get 7.5 to 8.00. That's not too bad at all.. not sure how people are driving to get over 10l/100
Nice to see you mentioned the safety gear slamming on the brakes on some steep driveways. That is annoying. But generally, the safety tech is not too bad or too intrusive.
Top tip - look for cars that have the Vison Pack. It has the 360 degree cameras that are mentioned in the review and the bigger head unit screen. The 360 deg camera is soooo handy for parking this car.
Interesting you said aircon is not too good. Mine is very cold and I have set it to 25 in summer. The temp setting is strange though as in auto mode it does seem to adjust to outside temp inconsistently.
Keep up the excellent reviews.
I feel like the new mazda 3 sedan are often overlook for some reason. The sedan are slightly cheaper and offer better practicality and still looks good too
the sedan is much nicer than the hatch. im glad i got mine with a manual gearbox
@@eyecontrol4900I got the 2019 sedan in the soul red with the 2.5L and manual it’s amazing
We have the sedan. Looks much nicer, has a huge boot and less claustrophobic inside.
Owner of an 2019 MY20 Mazda3 G25 Astina sedan in Snowflake White, approaching 42,000km. So far, I've been very happy with it (I was the second owner, bought it in 2022 with only 5,000km on it [fantastic, right?]). I actually think the sedan might be a better looking car than the hatch, I find the rear of the hatch to be a bit 'weird. It has been mechanically sound, with zero issues to report. One think I do notice is that yes, it can get a bit hot inside in the Australian sun, the aircon seems to do the trick. Another thing I've noticed is the paint. Even with the white, I have noticed a couple of chips in the paint. Not sure how easy it will be to correct this given it only being the white metallic/mica, but time will tell when I get around to addressing that. The Bose sound system in the Astina grade is truly fantastic, and gives my home theatre a run for its money. The leather seats have been very good to me so far. Around once every 3 months (sometimes more often) I'll get the car professionally cleaned, which includes proper leather cleaning and conditioning. It's kept the leather supple. Regarding rattles and creaks, I haven't noticed anything so far. Very thankful.
Fuel economy is good, but I think it can depend. The lowest I've managed to get the 2.5L engine on an open road, around 80-100km/h is 5.1L/100km. Overall I've been seeing a mix between 6.5-7.5L/100km (running it on 98 Octane). Servicing it has been reasonable, last service was under $400 (including a courtesy car of around $35). Generally driving it, I've found it to be pretty quiet, not much engine intrusion. I haven't found too much in the way of road noise, very easy to have a quiet conversation in the car. The performance from the engine is quite good, and I've found it to be quite entertaining at times, such as motorway on-ramp pulls. Sits comfortably at 2,000rpm at 110km/h, very little in the way of kicking down (perhaps only in some places on the Sydney-Newcastle Freeway, which is notoriously hilly). The safety systems have been good to me, generally acting when most appropriate. Very rarely it will give me a brake warning thinking I'm about to hit a car (it thinks that because a car is parked on a bend and I would hit it if I didn't turn), but that's a very rare case and almost never see it. The adaptive cruise works, lane keep assist works (and partly works as a semi-autonomous drive, though you're not really supposed to do that). Lights are fantastic. Thankfully haven't noticed any issues with the i-stop feature, or 12v battery dying.
As the car approaches 5 years old, I can generally say I recommend it, for those willing to own the BP series. I've driven the previous generation, which yes is also quite good. I think Mazda have really hit their stride after leaving Ford.
I love my 2015 Mazda 3 sedan it has a cool head up display and I can switch from automatic to manual and vice versa , I guess is the sport model , the best car I ever had 😊👍
Thanks ReDriven!! Happy new year 🎉
"Bey-once" from the "Children of Destiny"??? LMAO! 🤣🤣🤣
Another reason why the sedan is always better (haha) is that the boot space is substantially larger than the hatch for this generation, so if you don't need to transport bulky items but do need cargo space, the sedan would be a better fit.
Hi from Canada! We have a 2019 mis trim with lux package ( fake leather, sunroof, memory seat) we have a manual with the 2.5. we agree with what was said here: body panel that get ding buy looking at it. Piano black and cluster that scratch like pancake batter. And yes even after 2 software la update, the car still freak out sometime and smash the breaks.
On what was not discussed. The car came with 16" rim and it had some rebound on the road to which some of our kids would get car sick. We believe they under size the tires to create a gap with the gt. We now have put 17" wheels for summer and everything is better no oscillation on the road. Also the steering doesn't excessively load in curve. It was the best upgrade for this car.
We did have warranty claim issues where the tech advisor just don't right the issue down and say there no problems.
We don't have oil dilution issue but we change it at 6500km since after 5k we notice oil level start to go down and at 7500km the oil level light is triggered.
The Blindspot on the hatchback is ridiculed and the Blindspot monitoring need a free spot the size of a lorry to agree to a lane change.
Steering wheel dye is fading off and yes this car is so hot. If you leave with a warmed car from a parking lot straight in traffic. You will sweat.
But gas millage once you drive with the proper technique to trigger the cylinder deactivation is incredible and a flat 90km/h road we get 4.5L/100km. And when driven sportlly with the 17" it's very enjoyable.
Last car was a Audi A3. We consider we got 80% of the driving dimamic with plenty of luxury finish. And none of the mechanical failure. But I wouldn't buy it used. We feel that the finish degradation from 0- 100k km shows this car with start esthetically to fall apart withinn2 more years.
Brilliant critique, I live honda and I was considering mazda but it looks like both are now being reverse engineered to a price point. Which is a shame....
Have you changed the Blind Spot Monitoring "Alert Timing" to "late"? I find that this is the best setting.
@@RodneyW sorry for the late notice. Isn't the timing for the adaptive cruise and applies to the wanted distance of the vehicle in front of you?
@ The adaptive cruise is adjusted on teh steering wheel. To set the timing for Blind Spot Monitoring, you use the Infotainment system.
Settings -> Safety Settings -> Safety Alerts -> Blind Spot Monitoring Alert Timing. (Choose from Early, Normal or Late.). I have it set to "Late"!
@RodneyW I will check this. Could remove a huge irritant.
Great review guys!
Own a 2019 BP Mazda Sedan and have to say the ownership experience overall has been positive. On paper the earlier model does have the superior rear suspension layout, but unless you really test drive it on a sweeping bend with mid corner bumps you're not going to notice, Mazda has tuned the suspension well! I have had few issues with the air conditioner since the car was new, however it seems to be all good now. For prospective buyers try and obtain an early model GT or Astina as the Bose sound system is tops. The base stereo is only average.
I just wish Mazda Australia can get a hold of the 2.5T four with AWD which is available in other markets as that would be a great addition to the local lineup!
I had several of these as company cars while working at a Mazda dealer, and what a great little car! Loved them!
I'm on my 4th Mazda right now - it's previous gen Mazda 3. Got it for 8 years now. I wanted to change to something newer, but completely agree while this gen has improved interior quality, but rides worse, has less space in the back (definitely agree with being claustrophobic!)... And with the same engine has less grunt and worse fuel economy. You're better off with the older one!
But in the older one (BL series) the ABS module is a known failure point ( I’ve had mine fail ) and it’s particularly more common on the earlier ‘09-‘11 ones . About $1800 for a reconditioned one fitted. Do not go Down the route of getting a S/h one from the wrecker’s- I got one with 40% less mileage than my one had and it still failed. TCM is also a known failure, so get a reconditioned one and relocate it. But otherwise mines going strong at 328K klms, still on original starter & alternator!
@paulsz6194 not mine personally but we have a BL in family for quite a few years now (in general lots of Mazdas are and were in family ownership) and it's hmm okay, but not among best choices I would say but pretty reliable. Wouldn't get one now as the age becomes an issue. Best Mazdas were end of 80' (626 GD, 323F BG, 323F BA) but that's a bit old now. Skyactiv platform (3 BM, 6 GJ, CX-5 KF) is a solid bet. Also almost 300kkm on my '03 Mazda 6 GY when I was selling her! Bulletproof as well! My parents still have '02 6 GG in a such condition that nobody believes it's over 20 years old car.
@ well my first car was a ‘86 Ford Meteor, and then I had three KE Laser afterwards. Last one being a ‘93 KE2 Laser wagon. All were carby, not EFi so a little gutless for the time, but I did get the head shaved & ported on my last KE laser along with a 1.75 in, exhaust & extractors definitely made it more zippy. But they were very easy to work on & do your own servicing. Ah, those were the days! The 626’s / Telstars were nice for the late 80’s early ‘90s, a good alternative to a Camry.
If I had to buy another car it would be the Mazda 3.
But driving a 2017 Mazda 3 with now 100.000km, no issues at all with about 1 liter on 18km despite a BBRGTI tune to 170HP and upgraded -but harsh- Bilstein suspension and total disinterest in comfort and 'entertainment' system I think I'll stick with this one.
Gotta be real I think we keep hearing too many “owners complain of x” where x is something entirely subjective, like the interior gets too hot? As if everyone who owns a Mazda 3 lives on the equator?
Or can't use AC? Every car gets hot.
I own a 2009 Mazda 3 SP25. It has leather seats. They get very hot in the summer months, but I knew this before I bought it.
They're really cold in the winter too.
2016 car here. The interior heating up is not a “subjective” issue.
It can get really hot in there even in snowy Canadian winters. I can’t have the heat on too high in the winter when sunny or somehow you start to get super hot. This can happen on a sunny day without the heat on once up to room temperature. I’ve had passengers complain my car is like a “greenhouse” more than once, and I like a colder environment than most people.
I have a Mazda 3 evolve 2 2 L engine manual sedan that I bought in 2020 it was brand-new but they sold it as secondhand it only did 39 km and now I have done 56,000 km and still goes like it is brand-new the boot space is big and it’s good if you want to carry a lot of stuff I have told people the sedan is actually owe up better than the hatch cause you have more food space more rear legroom and those people that have complain about the car getting hot then put your air-conditioner on and your car will get nice and cool cause my air-conditioner works bloody good and another thing those people that have complain and whinged about the vehicle sounds like they are not happy with their Mazda 3 at all and me I love it it is the best car that I have ever ever bought since I’ve got my license and yes I would buy another Mazda 3
And yes I will say it is very easy to get a scratch but I have bought stuff to try and get rid of the scratches but I can live with it and another thing that has happened in the last month is my driver-side Mira the motor sometimes does not work and the Mira will not go out and the dealership wants me to pay for it but the car is still under warranty that is one thing that annoys me if a car is still under warranty that a simple issue that has happened should be covered under warranty cause this is the first time I’m trying to get something done under warranty but overall I’ve had nothing wrong with my vehicle what so ever
2023 BP. Interior is indeed hot (even with tinted windows) but I guess any black interiors are hot. My partner's CX5 is much cooler inside.
The only issue I felt in my Canadian Mazda3 was the battery. The damn battery just didn't last. Got it replaced by Mazda, the second one also failed. Finally bought an aftermarket one, hopefully this one lasts. Apart from that, I just love the car, gonna keep it forever.
As a proud owner of a 2.0 Manual 2021 Sedan in SC red, I have to say ReDriven are Amazing! They hit every point home and covered every aspect I can think of with this car accurately and truthfully imo.
However imo you would buy this gen over the previous gen due to the looks and the manufacturer warranty……these are the 2 main reasons I did. But you cant go wrong with either😁.
Great objective review! I own a 2019 model myself and I can confirm that both the positive and negative aspects you mentioned are true. Pro tip: buy one with the Bose sound system. It is awesome and you won't hear the potential interior rattles anymore 😇
My sister has an '07 Mazda 3 which she purchased new. Mechanically, not one single thing has ever gone wrong with it. Not a thing. The paint on the rear deck lid has started looking pretty tatty in the last few years, but the car lives outside, with the boot oriented to the North. She wants a new car but refuses go give up the Mazda until its done. Her mechanic reckons that she'll be waiting a while yet. And I forgot the most important part. It's an absolute hoot to drive. It is fun. But it's a bit noisy on the highway.
Has she got the sp23?
@@acendinganthony6737 No, unfortunately.
Thank you commenting upon the noise. Looking for a road trip car, and a quiet cabin is essential.
@@spliffbooth As much as I'm a Mazda fan, they tend not to be great as far as cabin noise is concerned. Honda Accords are a big step up. Any car you test drive, I'd highly recommend getting it out on some course bitumen at 110kmh on the test ride.
I've failed to do that in the past and been sadly disappointed later. It's not too much of an issue for me, these days, but I used to do the best part of 30k p.a. at highway speeds. Noise cabins are draining.
2022 GT Sedan Machine Grey. No issues. Paint seems fine. No chips or swirls. Any glasses in the sunglass holder rattle like crazy so I dont bother. Other than that. Very happy.
My dad has one of these in the 2019 model year. We had the chrome trims replaced under warranty, along with the seals inside the top of the front doors as they had split.
The chrome trims are very expensive if you have to pay so be very weary.
We had the digital center dial on the dash board replaced under warranty as there was a line running through the screen.
Apart from that, the car has been fantastic. We have the skyactive g engine. But it’s very economical on a run.
Far better levels of equipment compared to the equivalent Ford focus. None of those dodgey ecoboost motors either.
A simple fix for the centre console glossy black, you can get metal covers in a couple of finishes. Also, I think the owner has changed the DRL from halogen to LED
As a Mazda Owner this review is pretty much on the spot.
I own the BM Generation (Previous one) and in our market we get the G165 Engine, for a 2l engine I got stupid fuel economy figures (4.9l/100km for extra urban driving and about 8-11l/100km in city driving - and I love it (I got the pre-face lift with the BI-Xenon headlamps and the older HUD).
I want to upgrade to the 2019 design but when I compare the two (at least on my market) it doesn't get the HUD and not even the leather seats and motorized adjustment, and it's got exactly the same engine, maybe with few tiny changes, and stiffer suspension than the out going model, it makes my wonder, why going for that model year..?
and when you add the fact that in my market 2021 'high-spec' cars are costing the equivalent of 47,300AUD it adds a lot to think about
We owned one of these for about 3 years from new in 2021. Agree with most of the issues raised, especially the piano black plastics and the exterior paint being made of cheese. Our ten-year-old Territory had fewer stone chips than the Mazda by the time we sold it. One thing that caught us out was the cost of windscreen replacement - more than $1100 - because it covers the ADAS system which then needs recalibration. In the end we never really developed much of an emotional attachment with the car. This was perhaps because the driving experience, while fine in terms of ride, handling and NVH, was just too overshadowed by its shortcomings - largely the horrendous blindspots that made me feel like I was driving a bunker.
MX-30 is like a Mazda 3, MX-5 and CX-30 jumbled up together. I love it…
Previous gen Mazda3s have atrocious road noise, the latest gen is a considerable improvement.
My gripes with latest gen:
- Poor seat design, which manages to be too firm but also not supportive, especially over longer drives (can start to feel the seat frame despite average body weight). Hardly unique problem to this car, mind you.
- Somewhat questionable driving position, especially for anyone even slightly above average height. This applies to most cars, but it's still a legit gripe.
- (2.0L) Engine uses a lot of fuel when warming up, so mileage can be mediocre if you aren't always doing long trips.
- Some interior surfaces are not durable, as shown in this video. Auto shifter knob is almost always worn on used cars.
- Manual transmission never was available in my market.
Good stuff:
- I find the suspension is well balanced between comfort and handling. Firm but not harsh. I use aftermarket 17" wheels with a moderately sporty tyre; maybe the factory 18" are a bit crashy.
- Driver inputs are quite progressive, predictable and cohesive. No jerky brakes or twitchy steering. While it isn't darty or go karty, it generally feels composed when cornering, so long as the road is good quality (torsion beam rear can be upset by potholes and small bumps).
- Physical controls for infotainment & AC are /chef's kiss/. While there are some use cases for a touchscreen in a car, pretty much everything you would want to control while driving is better suited to a tactile interface.
- Modern Mazdas tend to have excellent crash protection, and the 3 is no exception. Even when crash tests get upgraded, they tend to still get class leading results when retesting facelift models. This might partially explain the poor interior room that Mazdas are also known for.
Setting aside any unforeseen reliability issues, the main reasons I would move on to a different car in the short term would be getting sick of the seat/driving position or just coming into a lot of money to afford something nicer.
I have a Mazda 3 SP25 BM sedan, amazing car, love it 🥰
I have also purchased a few bits and bobs from Automotive superstore, love them very much too, very user friendly outlet for car people.
The mirror actuators start failing because of water intrusion, the (bad) design allows for water to get in and play havoc with the electric motor/circuit.
There is an updated part that supposidely fixes the issue, but for those with the original powered mirrors, here are some tricks that can help:
1. do not pressure wash the mirror directly
2. spray some silicone based lube inside the power mirror, that really helps, I managed to get a creaking one back into shape.
3. if the mirror is completely soaked, disable auto-folding before turning the car off so that it dries out safely.
The designers got that rear metal slab on point i reckon, good looking hatch
Got a 2020 Mazda 3 hatch brand new. Rattling like mad after 1 year and after a few back and forth. Mazda told me not to expect Audi or BMW quality. Sold it after 4 years. Will never go Mazda again.
I've sat in plenty of other brands new cars as rentals for work and experienced horrendous creaking, my mazda3 has been creek free the entire time and Im at 55k miles now.
Have never heard or seen A SINGLE Mazda review like this, therefore I question this guy's credibility. 😊
I've been waiting for this one.Keep up with the good work guys
I'm a 2022 Mazda 3 2.0 Evolve owner. It's absolutely a nice car. It's reliable, has good interior quality, and is fun to drive. It provides reasonable and practical ADAS functions without annoying intervention. The only downside is the acceleration, which requires you to push the throttle hard when you want to overtake someone on the highway. Plus, you're encouraged to use premium petrol for its best performance.
I bought a used 6 speed 2015 Mazda hatch and drove it for a few years. I loved it but got rid of it to buy a sports car instead. A few years later, I got tired of paying for high insurance and lack of space/utility and here I am, back in a Mazda. They are great cars for the money and so smooth driving.
Thank so much for mentioning that bit at the end!
I have since taken a loss and gotten rid of my BP Mazda 3 (with C.D)after multiple multiple issues/repairs and MUCH fighting and an engine replacement (at 8,000kms)
I got a 2024 corolla hybrid and the build quality and rear independent suspension 👌, may not be as sporty as my previous Mazda's 😢 but after the last, reliability is really what I need.
I can verify most of this, especially the dealerships part. Mine delivered the car with interior damage and some other factory defects and to this day refuses to even look at them.
Name em and shame em.
Would you guys review the newer Mazda 2 they are pretty old platform but the facelift looks amazing.
+1 on this! I drive a 2016 Mazda 2 DJ, and I gotta say it's one of the most fun cars I've ever driven.
Not practical (I think it's got the smallest space for its class?), plus parts are a bit on the expensive side for its class.
However, I can do 4.0L/100km on the freeway on it -- and it's not a hybrid.
Picked up a used 2023 with the NA 2.5. Low mileage, runs great. Really really like it.
Hi there I just wanted to say happy new year and happy holidays to everyone at redriven
I'm in a 2012 Mazda 3 and 2025 is the year for an upgrade, I'm upping the anty and getting a Lexus IS300 h , thanks for all the entertainment in 2024 and I hope you guys keep growing and thriving in 2025
We have one, sits nicely next to our CX9.
Replaced an Audi S3 that was due for a lot of maintenance. Got a $0 changeover.
It's not fast, but it's a beautiful car.
Hope to replace our CX9 with a BT50 soon.
p.s - I also love that rear section that you hate, makes it's butt look big :)
p.p.s - awesome quality video!
What state are you in?
i own a 2019 2.0 mild hybrid. Bought it new and have driven 80.000km. Love it. Not much trouble besides brakes and the paint but the dealership here in Iceland fixed the paint for free
I got one and I only have 34,000km on it. Guess i dont drive enough
@@lilbladeknight my wife drives 100km every day on it for work so it racks up quickly
As a former Nissan family we now own a 2 (2013) and a 6 (2018) and I must say the 3 is always on the radar too. I really love this make and for any future upgrade, Mazda will be high up the shortlist.
I have this generation Mazda with the 2.0L as a company car, it was the best car for the budget I had. It has all the usual complaints for a modern car,...fly-by- wire throttle that feels like it's not connected to the accelerator pedal, over zealous crash protection software, and that horrible lane departure shit they mandate for crash safety...other than all that, and the horrid blind spots, its a great little car, the handling is amazing when you push it hard. Absolute precision when you're pushing the limits.
Smashing review as always Adam! Very accurate and entertaining. Love your work! Time for some motorbike reviews to add to the mix I reckon 😁
Thanks so much mate!
Reset the MZD screen
Press and hold until Mazda logo appears. These buttons are around the commander dial.
Activate handbrake. Then. Press hold
BACK + MUTE + NAV
Release when Mazda logo shows.
the rear definitely pillar side view looks much better with the OEM wing (like on the turbo) or the Corksport wing.
As an owner, I wouldn't want any other car unless I needed more space. It's a wonderful daily driver and it's been issue free for me at 55k miles now. I have the 2.5L NA FWD manual trans (US) and it's a great driving experience. The red leather look stunning (and makes the interior feel a LOT more open / cozy but spacious), the buttons / controls feel great, the audio is amazing after you break the speakers in (I didn't like the Bose speakers initially but after tweaking the settings and breaking them in now the bass response is much more even, feels great to blast some music and cruise around).
My only minor complaints / issues with the car:
- The paint is thin / chips with rocks (especially the soul red from what I hear)
- The OEM batteries aren't great (mine only lasted 2 years) I replace it with an AGM battery and no issues since and starts up fast even in negative temps.
- The OEM tires in the US are bad in the wet and snow (especially with manual trans where you're bound to skip the tires from a stop / breaking the tire grip).
- The gloss black plastic in the interior scratches easily, I'm going to wrap mine soon or you can get more resilient plastic covers that look good to stick on top of it.
- The wiper speed settings could benefit from an intermediate speed between the auto sensing speed and the min static speed.
- You can only notice the rear torsion beam on really rough roads or in wet / snowy conditions which simply causes the rear to swing out (which I find fun especially with the manual transmission. I find this card harder to understeer, but it seems to love slightly oversteering in the wet way more than understeering). In normal driving on decent to good roads you really can't notice the torsion beam at all. It isn't at the same caliber as an independent rear but I still barely notice it even when I'm really driving the car hard unless Im on a really bad road surface.
All these issues are VERY nitpicky for the most part, most of what he comments about in this video are either pretty uncommon or just very minor nitpicks.
For the blindspots if you have your sideview mirrors set CORRECTLY there is no issue with seeing the blind spots. If you get the higher trims you can also get the blind spot monitoring to help.
The overall general living experience with this car is problem free and it really is a fun casually sporty daily driver and it looks STUNNING from the inside and outside especially with that red leather interior. I love the rotary control dial, its effortless to navigate the screen with it, I love the heads up display (I didn't think I would but I look at the speed on there more than I look at the gauge cluster), and all this is coming from someone who ALSO owns a Miata, I think the Mazda3 is a perfect daily driver for anyone who also owns / wants a more sporty car or a project car.
I did turn down the auto brake setting to the lowest setting, I've only had it come on 2 times for very good / understandable reason where I got VERY close to a car in front of me or a car slowed down drastically to make a right turn. but the default setting is a bit sensitive. I've had no rattles in mine even when I blast the bass from the Bose speakers. No issue with overheating in hot summers and my AC works great. I haven't had any of the other issues you stated, BUT I have seen the leather on my dads CX-5 wear a lot and his cx-5 is at 85k miles? (hes also owned two CX-5s now and has never needed any repairs other than normal maintenance like tires, oil, wipers, etc. the non-turbo 2.5l skyactiv-G engines are extremely reliable) My leather only has a very very minor wear spot on the right of the gear shifter.
That's why I've wrapped the glossy plastic on my Mazda 3 BM with alcantara wrap. Looks much better and protects the trims perfectly
Here in the northern hemisphere Mazda is known as a Rust bucket, they tend to rust very quickly and that is why they lost plenty faithful Mazda buyers from the 80´s & 90´s.
Only the older Mazda had this problem, the newer Mazda have some treatment to help them resist rust. However, regardless of what car you have, you need to keep redoing the rust treatment every year (or every 2 years for the thicker oils).
I was seriously concerned with that reputation when I bought my 2012, as I live in a region where roads are heavily salted half the year. Thankfully Mazda evidently addressed that issue.
@@noseboop4354so they still have the problem; they just lathered it up in some lubricant temporarily..
2012 Mazda 3 here, 153k miles, rust belt Midwest us car, no rust. The rusting issues went left with Ford
I researched this when I was buying mine and what i came up with as information is that the rust issues are with cars manufactured before 2007. Mine is a 2006 mazda 6 but kind of still holds up :D
Someone likes Mario... Little subtle stickers throughout the interior.. Saw a 🍄, 🍌 and a 🐢
🎉🎉Happy new year to my favorite UA-cam channel
I brought the 2019 mazda 3 sedan mild hybrid 1.5
118 house power.
Fuel consumption is wow. With a good body kits
Stunt bars
17 inch
Solid art
Very sensible review, good work!
Got a 2013 Mazda 6 tourer and wouldn’t change from that. Great car, full tyre can travel around Australia and so reliable.
Sorry full spare tyre I mean
Have you driven the 6 around Australia ?
No but done Melb to Gold Coast, Melb to port Macquarie Adelaide. Friends have driven around Australia and u can get around on sealed road and don’t need a 4wd. If I want to go bush I will hire a 4wd. Having a full spare tyre means you can go anywhere of sealed roads and the Mazda is an excellent car to drive long distances and its petrol and can nearly get 800 kms per tank
I agree, that small space saver tyre in the Mazda 3 is ridiculous. imagine being 3 hours down the highway and have to put that on your car for the rest of the trip back.
Have a 2019 sedan in US with 2.5 liter NA automatic. The car doesn’t handle as well as a BMW 3 series, but has been fine. Had the TSBs (including AC) and tinted glass put in and the car is fine in the summer
I'll be ordering mine in the coming months in machine grey and I had already made up my mind to PPF it from new. Your comments on the paint being prone to chipping reinforces and comforts my decision to PPF it. I will also definitely PPF the piano black interior trims along with the instrument panel. There are pre-cut PPF available online for these interior trims, they are quite affordable.
Thanks for this review, it was quite informative. I now know I will need a good dash reflector and take good care of my leather seats. 😅
Great upload, I have a 2017 BN Astina hatch and it's a fantastic car.. never had any major issues with it besides the folding mirrors and the rear camera sometimes which has been recalled.. not missing out on much going up to a BP, basically the same car in a new skin. If you're looking to get one definately get the 2.5L, while it's not a fast car by any means it goes when you want it to, especially in sports mode. It doesn't feel like a sluggish 4 cylinder.. it's quite comfy and enjoyable to drive, and has heaps of boot space and adequate room for passengers considering its size.
I do love the sleek front end of the BP, but I can't say that I'm a fan of the rear end. If money permitted I would 100% have another Mazda as my next car. I think they have the nicest looking hatches and SUV's on the road, and they're very popular for good reason.
I have a 2017 astina hatch as well. My local Mazda has been nothing but amazing with warranty. Had the mirrors all replaced under it had the window switches all replaced under it. I have also done a few mods to mine and has opened the motor up a little to be quicker and more responsive. I definitely recommend upgrading the brakes on the grey models. Very easily to be cut off in.
@JoshuaOdgers I purchased mine used a little over 2 years ago, from a Mazda dealership .. I had an additional 3 years warranty but thankfully I never had to claim anything it's been really reliable.. I've read plenty of people getting their mirrors replaced even out of warranty and that's fair tbh, small things bring customers back.
Odd that you had to get the windows switches replaced ? First I've heard of that.. did they all just stop working :/
Mine is completely stock silver hatch, but I've added the kuroi (copy) front lip and side skirts, definately made it look a little sportier.
It's a beautiful car, it's got everything .. android auto, radar cruise, heated seats, heads up display, sunroof.. etc, there's nothing really more I need in a car so I'll probably keep it for a long while.
What do you suggest doing to the motor ? Besides an intake and throttle controller.. I mean sports mode basically tightens up the responses alot, honestly it goes well enough.. my speed racer days are over, I've had multiple wrx's, SS Commodore, S15 Silvia and other cars .. the Mazda 3 was my "I've grown up now and just want something nice and quiet daily car"
@@chriskouvoutsakis536 the 2 back window switches that were in the driver side door just stopped working..they said the connection had just pulled apart that little to far and lost touch to work properly. I have done a full air flow upgrade. Performance tyres is a must. I also have Performance brakes in mine too. Next step is sway bar upgrades. I have heard and read they make the best modification to enhance what the mazda has to offer.
Mazda 3 SP23 2007, still a very nice responsive 5 door which I enjoy actually driving as opposed to merely operating. I keep the maintenance up to it and at 177k’s expect to keep enjoying for quite a while more.
The question I have is, what does the banana button do?
I came to the comments to see if anyone else noticed, Mario cart?
Have a 2015 mazda 3 2.0 manual. Never had any problems with it. Very happy with it
I own a 2009 Mazda 3 SP25. It has the luxury pack. Yes the leather seats get fricking hot in the summer time, also really cold in winter, lol.
The leather issue from mine clearly hasn't been solved to this day, or it's what leather does. Mine has that fading and has gone very firm.
Apart from the few niggling issues, I love it. So awesome that Mazda put the 2.5 litre 5 cylinder Mazda 6 engine in the smaller car. 😁
You need to nourish the leather with a leather cleaning & care pack, otherwise the oils in the leather dry up when it’s parked on a hot day, and the leather goes firm & looses its suppleness. Too late for your one now, but at least you know why.
you have to regularly condition leather in any car, just like you would a leather couch in your home.
@@murry001 I've never had a leather couch in my home.
I am getting one ASAP. I have the older version now, so it will be a good upgrade. I want a soul red BP Astina.
Just look out, Soul Red is SO easy to damage, can peel etc
In U.S models, Mazda 3 mirrors actually do not have motors for fold-in. If you want to fold the side-mirrors in, you have to do so by hand. Also no backseat vents & no cover over the cup holders.
Bought a 2019 BP 3 Base AWD 2.5L N/A Auto, used with 77k on the dial. She has been flawless in the roughly 15k miles I've added.
I cannot more highly recommend the BP Generation of Mazda 3 in either Sedan or Hatch flavor. Me, it's the Hatch that stole my car loving heart.
It is the best looking car not just in its class, but among all consumer class cars, period. I've never owned a commoners commuter car that has broken so many
necks, elicited so many long gazes, and brought questions and compliments about its form. And mine is also Soul Red, the best color out there right now, hands down.
Nothing at all looks like it in a sea of muted greys, and dark metallic hues.
Real Talk Torsion Beam: The BP has the best skid-pad numbers across all the generations except the Speed3 with their upgraded suspensions. Can we stop trashing torsion beam? 99% of the people that watch this won't ever know the difference - and if you do, all it means at best is: Tenths of a second, and more than likely that can be overcome by skill. It's a great handling, sporty, fun 'slow car to drive fast' car without being overbearing and making you tired. Zoom Zoom.
Definitely had issues with the paint also on my machine grey model, and would recommend protection film. Speedo cluster scratches very easily, so too does the centre black trim around the gear shifter. Both are basically impossible to clean because of how cheap the plastics are in this area. The dealership tried to tell me on multiple occasions that the paint thickness is totally normal, but anyone who works in a body shop knows Mazdas are known for their trash paint jobs. I had constant rattling issues from the subwoofer in my Bose equipped model. I also had electrical issues like weird engine lights, windows that would stop working and the camera would go sometimes too. I read somewhere that weird electrical stuff might have been related to the battery being too small from the factory (Just a heads up if anyone is experiencing similar issues). Otherwise a really great car and good value for money. The sedans look gorgeous, a lot nicer than the Corolla IMO
Pro tip: use a low stickiness tape to clean the plastics
Its a very nice car, Mazda 3 petrols are pretty solid.
You added the slight shoulder above the rear wheels and immediately it looks like a Seat Leon
Thanks again for another superb video. Love your channel and the level of production and research that goes into it is first class. Is there any chance you could do a video on how to look after a used car from a detailing and engine maintenance perspective e.g. you mentioned scratching on console and dashboard glass, and would love to know which products you guys would recommend to avoid this plus other tips and products for ensuring maximum protection from our harsh sun and products that help maintain engine reliability etc. Regardless thanks again for all you do 😊
I bought a BN gen SP25 a while back and remembering really wanting to be able to sell it and upgrade to the newer BP. Now I guess that's not the case anymore for me, 2 years of ownership the BN have never let me down.
UK viewer here, I have the 2019 saloon version and love it. We also don't get the 2.5 turbo, just 2 different power output versions on the 2.0
This is one of the rare occasions where the UK versions are the worst, a detuned 2 litre, - even the normal 2 litre is a bit gutless
I’ve got a 19 g25 manual sedan near newy if you want a drive, the slightly different paint now makes sense, i think the previous owner had a little repair done and it hasn’t blended well
As always I enjoy your style of reporting format on used cars it's definitely a must for most car owners/buyers. Just a quick question though, I'm a Pom living in New Zealand and just wanted to know if the cars you are talking about relate to here as I believe a lot of the time Nz piggybacks onto Aus in terms of consumer products so in short are the cars showcased there more or less the same. Also are the roads similar or is there key differences. Thanks for any feedback, I will be checking back.😁
Who put the Mushroom at the end of the stalk 😂 14:16
My Mazda 3 saved my sister life if it was a other reg car things would have been different.got it for its look and safety.
I have the exact same car, my steering wheel and gear knob are fading already, a bit overwhelming when trying to hit high speeds and the touch entry on the door handles sometimes don’t work to lock/unlock the car. And a few times the car doesn’t read the key inside the car. Also the infotainment can be really bad sometimes and have no audio when playing Apple CarPlay. Mirrors weren’t folding so Mazda changed them. Fuel gage on dash isn’t accurate
In previous gen original start-stop battery lasted me 8 years. And even then the car was starting no problem (it was winter), just the i-stop warning started to pop on the dash.
Great car, the 2.5 is the gem. Thanks guys, enjoyed the video.
my good friend owns one of these gen 3. And my god they gotta be one of the best hatches I've been in(and i have been in alot) Beautiful looking car, really nice inside. Just bloody good overall IMO. his one had a sunroof which was also a nice feature. I own a Cx-5 and have owned a quite few mazada's in my lifetime, definitely my go too choice of car, looking at trading in and getting a mazda 6 as I like the wagons and the look of them too.
My biggest problem is the battery timer module.
When you open a door, it is activated and a timer starts to run. Everytime you open/close the door, the timer starts over again. This will become an issues when you are cleaning your car, and mines died 2 times because of this. I know have a new battery, so i hope that that solves the issue, but i think it will drain, becasue when i'm cleaning the inside it will take me atleast 2 hours ;). If some of you have the same issues and have a tip how to solve this, it is much appriciated.
I've been waiting for this review!. I agree with the paint, the voice recognition and about contacting mazda australia. The car is great, my model is the g25 evolved sp 2023. fun to drive, good looking car , great value overall. Would I buy another mazda? the answer is yes. The competitors at the time of buying were a corolla hatchback or the hyundia i30 sedan. Both great vehicles but for the looks, the quality of the interior and 2.5 engine made me purchased it. My two favourite features are the headup display and the 360 view camera. That's me, for others that may not be the case. I'm happy to keep the car as long as I need as it has great reliability or sell it when the time comes. Thanks for the review.
I've always been a fan of the Mazda 3 but I'm still so sad they decided to move on from the MPS brand after the BL series 2. They had a real raucous and rough edged personality that nothing else in the market could really replicate. My first turbocharged cars I ever drove were a Mazda 6 MPS and a Mazda 3 MPS and they set me on the path I'm on now loving fast little cars. I'm sure having that sort of personality wouldn't gel with the luxury-lite that they go for nowadays but a part of my heart will always yearn for something like the Mazda 3 MPS gave me again.
The backseat is actually bigger than my last micro hatchback, and plenty big enough for 1 child, roadtrips, etc. In America adults almost never ride in the backseat. Most people here have giant SUVs and ride alone.
I have a friend who bought one of these and I noticed that bit at the rear that was forgotten about. It’s very noticeable.
It is mentioned here that the transmission must be serviced regularly. But the dealership told me that the transmission does not need to be serviced. Does anyone know after how many kilometers the transmission needs to be serviced?
I do a 'drain and refill' (not a transmission flush) every 70,000km.
@peeetah3133 Excellent, as a flush can put too much pressure on a variety of automotive parts/systems, ruining/damaging them in the process.
Driving a 2nd hand 2015 DL (sedan) chassis Mazda2 myself since 2019, been pretty reliable though paint got sun damaged due to daily use and outdoor parking during work hours
I previously owned a Mazda 2 Skyactiv, and it was a fantastic little car. It handled corners exceptionally well, far better than my Toyota Yaris when it came to handling. However, I’ve decided to stick with Toyota for its unmatched dependability and reliability.
I have a 2018 Mazda 2 1.5 Skyactiv petrol. Been totally reliable so far. Not one issue.
@@jdmguy44 that’s great to know!
04:31 Lada Riva enters the room and shouts: hold my beer 😂😅😊