I’ve gone years now without a car, I refused to buy one in town, every used car dealership around me is sketchy as hell, i’ve finally settled down after gathering my chips for year and decided that i’m gonna buy a used blue manual Mazda 3 Touring. I’m really really excited.
I know a lot of people say the design is old and they are looking ahead to the new design....but I still love the look of this design. I had my 2006 Mazda 3 for 12 years and still liked how it looked. And now I have my 2018 Mazda 3 and I think it will continue for many years to make me smile when I see it.
Hey Teeter... I am still driving my 2006 Mazda3 2.0L 5speed manual and am now shopping for a new car to replace it. I still enjoy driving my car and am afraid anything new will not be as much fun to drive. I am considering another Mazda3 or a Mazda6 and would want the 2.5L NA engine with manual in either one. And I would have no problem with buying my 2006 model again if it were new! I have been very happy with my 06 model and still like the body style a lot. My questions for you .... What size engine do you have? Is yours an automatic or manual? Did you test or compare the Mazda6 to the Mazda3? Did you test drive any other cars for comparison? Thanks...
Mine is 2.5L, GT trim (Canada), automatic. I didn't test Mazda 6. I didn't test other cars, but I have rented enough in the past to know I didn't want Honda, Toyota, Kia, Hyundai, VW, etc. They just didn't handle as smoothly and aggressively as Mazda 3 does. I did some research on BMW 3 series and Audi A4 but didn't test them. I couldn't see paying almost double for a little more HP. My GT trim gives me a really nice looking car with a lot of features. Eternal Blue Mica color in the body design looks so great.
Picking up my GT 3 hatchback with winter tyres 5 yrs bumper to bumper warranty for $34K Canadian. That's bullshit the Elantra sport better handling or faster my friend got 2019 that's why purchased Mazda GT3
@@teetertotter5787 funny,I just got one picking up this Friday. GT3 hatchback with winter tyres/rims with 5 yrs bumper to bumper warranty at $34K Canadian also Micra blue
Agreed. I really like this body style of Mazda3. I bought a 2018 Touring 6M sedan with Bose sound and moonroof in late December 2018. This is my second Mazda3 in this body style. Traded my 2014 Mazda3 for this new 2018 Mazda3. Glad I got one of the last before the 2019s are released.
Great review! Thanks Alex! On the other side, the commenters saying "slow", or "lacking" etc..people who read these comments need to understand, that everyone is coming from a different experience. Neither the Mazda, nor any of the competition is either slow or ugly or lacking, if you're coming from a 15yr old car. Pick any of them, you will find all of them waaaay better than anything just 10yrs ago! And those, who drive or driven a more expensive luxurious or sports car, not sure what they are doing here. Their opinion don't matter, we're talking about cars that cost brand new $18k-$24k, not $40k. Don't listen to the nit-pickers, they probably don't even own a car to begin with.
I've owned 2 Mazda3's and have absolutely loved them. Every time I ride in a Corolla or Elantra I realize how good it really is. For taking long trips there's never anything we have to leave behind due to the hatchbacks phenomenal space. My girlfriend has the sedan and has never had any issue with not having enough trunk space. There's plenty of room. My 2016 with the 2.0 was rated at 30city/40hwy/32comb. I have averaged 35.6mpg after 22k miles. I usually get 45 on the hwy so not sure why they decided to lower the estimates. I looked into the i-eloop system and I believe they ended that option with the 2017 model. I had it in my 2014 and it worked real well. Averaged 36.1mpg overall. Great review, thanks!
Blake Swan Im not into sedans, and the new GT doesnt appeal to me. If I had to give up my 3 I'd go with the 2019 Corolla hatch. I had a Hyundai vehicle with the 1.6T in it and it was terrible. I got rid of it for my first Mazda3 because it was night and day quality difference, handling so much better, and it felt quicker. If I ever own a Hyundai vehicle again it'd be a Genesis.
I agree. Mazda3 may not produce test score records but during real drive it easily beats all competition in category "I want to drive it daily". I actually like my 2011 better vs new ones. 2L Engine in my is smoother. Power steering is electric-hydraulic and I like gear box operation of pre-skyactiv. The noise levels are from tires. Original Bridgestone tires were noisy. I put Pirelli p4 and car is quiet now.
Black Swan. I drove Elantra Sport. It is fast and good looking. But it has so many drawbacks. Fist and most glaring - interior. It looks rental grade, even though it has standard collection of soft-touch materials. The controls - knobs and switches in Elantra feel cheap and outdated. Clutch. Clutch calibration is just not near Mazda quality. In Mazda it is so precise, the uptake, etc. Steering in Elantra nicely weighted but no road feel like in Mazda. The shiny part - brakes. Elantra brakes are great. Gear box operates pretty nicely too. It is quick car. But hey, I don't like Mazda3 dash either. This is why I 've got Mazda6 MT. It is nearly perfect. I just don't like the gear spacing
He's not wrong about the "feel" of the Mazda3 driving experience (as abstract as it sounds). Every time I think about trading in my Mazda3 for another car, I end up backing out after the test drive. I think I'll just wait until the 2019/2020 Mazda3.
@@Adrenochrome I just got the hatchback 3 GT with winter tyres and 5 yrs bumper to bumper warranty for $34k all in tax included at zero percent financing 6 year's. Picking up this Friday can't wait! That's Canadian dollars
@@Adrenochrome many insiders say that Mazda obsesses over suspension bushing durometers, leaning toward the firm side. Harsher? Probably. Better? Ohhhhh yeah.
As soon as you drive a Mazda you will know what he means by "the feel" (mainly on the Mazda 3, Miata and the CX-5, 9), its something you dont get in any other car from the competition, Mazdas are known as luxury cars in a budget mainly for this reason
Alex. I watch and truly appreciate your reviews. That said, please stop placing your "logo" on the test vehicles. It ABSOLUTELY RUINS the aesthetic of the vehicle and is a terrible distraction. Anyone watching your video already knows who you are especially with your unique intro that has your logo. Please, stop
I love this car. And I say this living in Germany, where japanese cars are getting more and more popular. This car has the least depreciation from all sedan/hatchback cars in this class. Even with a 20k km drive, you loose about 12-13% of the value when it was new. I really hope they get it right with their new 2019 engine and design because that will be a killer...
I have a 2018 Mazda 3 GT with the tech package. I love it, I almost feel I don't deserve this car because it's so nice! Overall, I give my car an A. It's a joy to drive. I would recommend it to anyone. The interior is on point! Also, I think if you shut the sunroof cover it can help with your road noise. Every time I see a reviewer complain about any car's road noise usually has the sunroof shade cover opened. Also, the road noise is on the same level as my prior car, a 2014 Honda Civic EXL with the 17 inch rims. If anything, I felt it was louder.
My girlfriend used to have a 2017 hatchback and I also had a 2014 Civic at the time (EX coupe) and didnt find it particularly loud by comparison, but then again Civics used to be quite a bit louder inside than the newer gens. I think a few pieces of dynamat in the front doors and maybe some around the wheel wells would go a long way to reducing highway ambient noise and tire roar.
Just purchased the hatchback 3 GT picking up tomorrow. I've rented all the high end compacts at just over 32K out the door. Overall I found the Mazda best,what sold me was the 5yrs unlimited millage warranty. My friend purchased 2017 Honda SI he even thinks my Mazda is touch better, after having problems with his gearbox ( Automatic). That's Canadian prices.
To all these folks saying that this model is dated...well it is an older design but when you consider what's important it's a very good car and is still competitive even when you remove price.
What I like about the Mazda3 is they include a manual transmission option with all trim levels, not just the base or middle one. Not many manufacturers do that. In fact I wonder why Mazda can’t do that with the 6. I hope they keep it this way with the redesigned 3.
Bought a 2017 mica blue 2.5L 6spd manual touring HB. Wish they put the automatics dashboard in the manual. Have no idea why they didn't do the big center tach in the manual. The manual's dashboard is all wrong. However, I bought winter wheels and Firestone Indy 500 tires for the summer. Now this car handles a brakes like a real hot hatch. I do like the fact it's got very decent response w/o forced induction. For the $19.125K I paid, there's nothing else I can think of that's better. This is my 3rd '3.' This one feels much more like a entry level Audi.
May i commend you on the degree of informativeness that has been given in this audio/visual. It IS definitely in depth and hugely assistical. Thank you for the footage. Immense aid to me. Well done. 8 out of 10. 👍🏼
Just bought a 2018 Mazda 3 Hatchback Sport and I cannot rave more about this car. I absolutely love it. Before I get people telling there's faster cars around this price point: drag racing was not an influencing factor when I decided I wanted to spend $19k on a car. I was looking for something affordable, reliable, and fuel efficient. In other words practicality was my number one concern and the hatchback delivers as promised. It is all that I mentioned while looking good and putting a smile on my face. The car has adequate power for merging on the highway and is a blast to push through corners/curvy roads. Keep in mind this is all with an automatic. I was going to go for the 6 spd manual but I deal with LA traffic to and from work and could no longer bare it with a manual so I opted for the auto. If you're looking for something practical that is more than just an appliance I would definitely recommend the mazda 3.
For anyone else considering the Mazda3 with the larger wheels (18"), consider swapping them out for the smaller ones (16"). I did that, and the ride is definitely better. I also dropped ~8 lb per wheel.
Back in 2003-2008 i had a protege5 and use to race around the santa cruz mountains at night. Very tempted to get a new mazda3 hatch manual and try to relive my ricer days
Road noises can be improved with other tires. Mine came with Yokohamas and they are very noisy. Switched to BFGoodrich summer tires and the loud drop drastically
Why does power even matter ? 80% of the cars in this class don't even go over 200hp. This car is already one of the most powerful in it's class. if you care about power look at an elantra sport that makes 201hp.
Very happy with my 2018 Touring hatchback model that I just bought. Got it for nearly $8K below MSRP with the premium package, brand new with 22 miles on it.
When watching reviews, it is critical for viewers to understand if the reviewer is being paid by the car maker. It is advised to state in the video if the work is compensated by Mazda.
Just leased my second Mazda 3 two weeks as my lease on my 2015 3 was up in November. I leased a 2018 3 Grand Touring and I love it. All the features that come with it and Mazda to me is under valued. Everyone talks about a Corolla or Civic but the Mazda 3 to me is better. With the sport mode the 3 does move.
There are 2 things to like about the Mazda 3 that are not being mentioned - no CVT Transmission and no Turbo. The CTV gets better gas mileage but if and when a problem arises you have to replace the transmission because NOBODY WORKS ON THEM. A Turbo is a real power booster and can transform a vehicle BUT when a Turbo starts to age it will become apparent that performance has a price and this will have an effect on the resale value. So Mazda's conventional 6 speed Automatic if you change the transmission oil as recommended will last much longer. The lack of turbo power will be addressed in the new gas diesel engine and gas mileage should lead the segment.
For heads-up display, I think I would prefer the little plastic panel. Anyone that has had to replace a windshield for a vehicle with the other type of HUD will note how much more expensive it is and how you rarely get a clear image after.
This is a very underrated consideration, especially if your car loan is paid up and you drop to a less comprehensive insurance plan that doesnt cover windshield replacement, or sometimes just a percentage/top dollar amount. Large pieces of glass can be quite expensive, and they arent simply large pieces of glass these days. No matter how careful you are, it only takes one big truck kicking up a rock from it's trailer wheels.
15:30 I had to sell my '16 iT hatch after a year or so, mainly because of the horrid ride quality and lacking tech (poor GPS, no Android Auto). Had sporty cars before and like a sporty car and ride, but this one transformed every single pebble and thicker crosswalk road paint into a kick in the spine. That said, I think Mazda has the BEST looking exterior designs and an excellent driving experience in its cat. It also had great mpg.
I agree. I had a 2015 and the ride was utterly horrible. And the infotainment crashed every day. I owned the car for about a year before throwing in the towel -- but not before trying new and expensive lightweight wheels and ultra high performance tires -- which didn't help much.
I also had a 16 itouring hb. Loved pretty much everything about that car. But my biggest issue with it was exactly what you pointed out it’s terrible ride quality. Couldn’t appreciate the Bose system that came with it or have an enjoyable time with other occupants in the car. So I traded that in for 18 cx5 and now am able to enjoy what Mazda has to offer in their vehicles. A higher command of the road is a plus too.
The GT comes with Smart Brake support which is the auto-braking. The Smart City Brake support just helps you to reduce your speed in event of a predicted collision. I have the Touring and it comes with that. Hope this helps
Agree. This and the cup holder location. I've tried the 2019 and 2018 back to back and I prefer 2018 for its good suspension. I just get attracted by 2019 for its look.
With all said and numbers calculated, once you drive it, somehow, no other car is that good for driving. Mazda3 you can push. The harder you push the better it stays on the road. Alex gone nuts - what Corolla? 1.8L corolla - the cow on wheels?
Thanks. I was also considering the Elantra GT Sport and the Chevy Cruze Diesel Hatchback. The Cruze would have drawn me more if I lived in the country (or if it were cheaper. $28,000MSRP is high for a compact) and the Elantra only had one model in 300 miles and it was grey. Not my preference. My first choice Mazda was Deep Crystal Blue Mica, but the only one in 300 miles sold two hours before I had decided on my purchase. The dealer had to pull some strings to get me the red one and I have no regrets. This red is the best out there from any brand.
I checked that car at NY auto show. What really turned me off was middle storage console, it's very shaky when you push it around with your hand or elbow.
Edward P You'll find it to be a common trait in many cars today. The reason why? Crash protection design. If this was rock solid it could crack and cause lacerations on the legs.
Better to buy this one because the next generation Mazda3 will have a torsion beam rear suspension. It's apparently because there are fewer points of NVH, which really means that Mazda can cheap out even more now on sound insulation.
for 2018, they stopped including that i-LOOP thingy as it was hardly a purchased option, hardly improved on gas mileage...have the '17 gt hatch, and disagree on the ride quality of B- , should be B+ or A- for this compact vehicle, yes with the 18 inch rims...
Are Mazda3 transmissions reliable? I saw some owners complain about their transmission failure. It's kind of dangerous especially on the highway. Long term owners of Mazda3 or other Mazda models, please kindly share your experience.
@@CinnamonHero Hello! sorry for the LATE reply!. Alright, let me tell you guys my thoughts on 24 months of ownership. I am not a professional reviewer, just your typical commute person driving 25 miles in each direction for work. Gas mileage for ME, has been eh. 30 bucks equals to 250-280 miles, full tank. The body is a ding magnet. I had an issue with a seal on the axle on the driver side making whistle noises, it took me about 3 trips to the dealership, and sounding stupid to prove my point. This more than anything will be something I will keep in mind when purchasing another car (bad experience). Yes, it was fixed but drove about 10k miles with that noise. AN important thing to NOTE... I also have a 2016 Mazda basic everything.. which include 2.0 liter and the smaller rims. The drive is smoother, the steering wheel is smoother, and gas mileage is superior... by far. The BOSE system rattles my door like there is no tomorrow. Man... I just went on a rant here... With that said.. I bought this car for $18.1 and added the extended warranty up until 100K. I didn't buy the Honda Civic because the one I wanted that was comparable was 23.5 k and up.. I thought the savings was substantial enough. All in all.. the car looks nice, seems like resale value is good, would I purchase it again? USED, yes I would at a good price. NEW? probably not. I regret not going with the Camry. After a while all you want is something that doesn't give you any stupid problems. Sorry if I deterred you. You asked for my complaints. lol oh yeah and no mechanical issues as far as the engine. The transmission needed a sensor replaced early on around 15k miles. Shit, I just realized the car has has a few issues in comparison to my 16 Mazda. 16 Mazda 2.0 liter, 9/10 rating for me. 18 Mazda 2.5 liter 6.5/10. There you have it.. shoot me more questions if you have them lol (yes, grammatical issues everywhere. I wrote this while watching tv!) Have a good day!.... Oh yea what car did you end up buying!?!?!?
@@seanr.7349 Hello! sorry for the LATE reply!. Alright, let me tell you guys my thoughts on 24 months of ownership. I am not a professional reviewer, just your typical commute person driving 25 miles in each direction for work. Gas mileage for ME, has been eh. 30 bucks equals to 250-280 miles, full tank. The body is a ding magnet. I had an issue with a seal on the axle on the driver side making whistle noises, it took me about 3 trips to the dealership, and sounding stupid to prove my point. This more than anything will be something I will keep in mind when purchasing another car (bad experience). Yes, it was fixed but drove about 10k miles with that noise. AN important thing to NOTE... I also have a 2016 Mazda basic everything.. which include 2.0 liter and the smaller rims. The drive is smoother, the steering wheel is smoother, and gas mileage is superior... by far. The BOSE system rattles my door like there is no tomorrow. Man... I just went on a rant here... With that said.. I bought this car for $18.1 and added the extended warranty up until 100K. I didn't buy the Honda Civic because the one I wanted that was comparable was 23.5 k and up.. I thought the savings was substantial enough. All in all.. the car looks nice, seems like resale value is good, would I purchase it again? USED, yes I would at a good price. NEW? probably not. I regret not going with the Camry. After a while all you want is something that doesn't give you any stupid problems. Sorry if I deterred you. You asked for my complaints. lol oh yeah and no mechanical issues as far as the engine. The transmission needed a sensor replaced early on around 15k miles. Shit, I just realized the car has has a few issues in comparison to my 16 Mazda. 16 Mazda 2.0 liter, 9/10 rating for me. 18 Mazda 2.5 liter 6.5/10. There you have it.. shoot me more questions if you have them lol (yes, grammatical issues everywhere. I wrote this while watching tv!) Have a good day!....
Also, no mention of 2018 Subaru Impreza especially that hatch in my opinion is easily the sweetest deal in this segment if you are not too much into speeding your vehicle
Considerably louder on the highway than Civic or Corolla so keep that part in mind. To me that is the deal breaker as 20k territory doesn't warrant such discomfort.
One more "Con" under the Chevy Cruze is the depreciation rate; it simply doesn't hold its value nearly as well as the Japanese brands or even Hyundai. Just ask any used car dealer.
Honda is a really good looking car and a reputable company, but their discounts and Incentives are lacking and the price high if you want leather. You get much better discounts for the Mazda and in the end it's a better looking car inside and out.
I'm pretty sure 0-60 doesn't mean anything at all between mile lights in a city or a quarter mile stretch. I'm pretty sure straightline speed isn't that important. I have a 2014 3 I GT hatch and literally I'm the only one in the car really. This thing is perfect for me and honestly the quality in the 3 with the piano black and leather everywhere is great over all the other entries. In 2014 this was leading. Think of the car when it started. Not what it is now. This thing is still one of the best cars to drive on back roads. It really is a drivers car. In Michigan I don't see as many new ones, so I feel somewhat special driving the current gen around, especially the hatch. Yeah the mid level below the S Touring is probably the best option. The 2 Liter is still pretty great to drive. I had my mother's 2006 Ford escape with the v6 in it and honestly both have almost the same steering response and handling. It's tight and fun. Almost to the point where it's deadly. Lol anyways that's my input.
I Agree with you Alex. The C and D pillars are to thick it may affect rear visibility and it greatly affected the overall look of the car. I think Mazda was trying to compete in cargo space capacity where the older mazda3 lost to the Hyundai i30 705 litres to 572 in trunk space. They want to achieve high practicality while maintaining their sleek design without having to resort to a boxy shape. Just my thought. I didn't see ventilated seats and a wireless phone charging option, rear A/C vents plus automatic lift gates what's Mazda thinking? do customers have to ask them like they did in the case of android auto and apple car play before they give it?
Yes I did. 2018 top of the line with standard transmission. Had to wait awhile to get it because the stick isn’t a popular option on the Grand Touring hatchback. Very satisfied. Was hoping Mazda would reintroduce the Speed3, but couldn’t wait any longer.
@@ZebryMC No issues, I'm very pleased with the purchase. Bought it through CARVANA and drove 300 miles to pick it up. I previously had a 2008 MazdaSpeed 3. Not as many thrills, but the 2018 Mazda 3 has plenty of zip.
To me, 3 looks outdated. Although I used to drive one and enjoyed the driving, the lack of rear room and car play is the deal breaker for the future purchase.
I'm wondering if the 0-60 time of the 2014 vs 2018 was due to the older test being done in normal mode and maybe sport mode for the 2018? Just a thought. Anyway, I own a 2018 Mazda 3 and I love it except for overly aggressive seat bolsters. They made the front seats for 140 pound teenagers, but I'm getting used to them with time.
Man do i wait for the 19 models which i hear arnt being released untill Janurary. Or get a 18 with all the discounts going on them. Wonder how much is being changed on the 2019 besides the engine
Just bought a fully loaded Mazda 3 Grand Touring hatchback with 6-sp m/t over this past Presidents' Day weekend. Soul Red with the Parchment interior. MSRP was $26,690, I got it for less than the True Car price at $23,190. I wanted something to stand out from the sea of Civics, Corollas, and Elantras I see going to work every day. Beautiful car with a beautiful interior instead of the butt-ugly Civic. And I didn't want to wait for the 2019 only to find out they watered them down with torsion bar RS and no more manual tranny. Love my new 3.
I got nearly 30% off a 3 that the dealer didn't even have in stock. They had to make a trade to get it. Secondly, the new one with the all-new SPCCI engine will have unknown reliability. SPCCI is complicated and adds a whole new level of complication to engines where if one temperature sensor faults, the system will have to revert to normal spark ignition until the sensor is replaced. I love the concept, just the unknown makes me want to wait until it is a few years old.
They are offering me $4k off the bat. Should I go for it? Top of the line gt hatch with premium pkg. Or should I pay an extra 2k for a civic hatch sport touring? I'd miss homelike garage opener and blind spot monitoring not sure if I should live without them
I would go for it. I went with a touring hatch manual which requires the sunroof and Bose system. It msrps at 23k and they discounted it down to 19k. Can't get a Civic hatch for that.
TheKaisarwilhelm the mazda3 I'm looking at I got quoted at ~23,500 and the civic hatch sport touring was around 25. However is it worth spending extra when the civic actually had less equipment then the mazda? Yes the mazda3 is getting old but aging well but the main complaints against it is lack of space. The mazda has heated steering wheel, blind spot monitoring and homelink garage door opener, a real automatic transmission, more comfortable and sporty seats, Bose audio (those are the main things I wished the civic had). However the civic is quick, handles better, has more space and in general just doesn't have those small things. I want to hear your opinion
@Alex On Autos, the 2017 Astina (we have the hatch variant, bought in 2018, which has all the specs you listed for this vehicle and is the highest end trim in Australia) does have electric lumbar support. It’s quite strange that Mazda would make such a difference between trims officially sold across the globe.
I really like the in-depth comparison that Alex does to the Mazda’s competition. Most other reviewers don’t do this. I myself am a Mazda fan, but we must acknowledge that they are falling behind with the 3.
I’m looking to get this car but so far people have told me to avoid Mazda, would appreciate any thoughts as I’m not really a car person LOL. mainly looking for a used car, relatability, and something that still looks nice/nice to drive
Conceptually, the iLoop is every bit as much a mild hybrid as the new FCA system, it's just capacitor based. In practice it's more of an auto start stop system that can help with the initial shove. A very mild hybrid?
Thanks Alex for this review. Curious what you think, Mazda 3 Sport vs. Impreza Hatchback. Unfortunately, you don't compare these two cars in the video. Thanks!
I'd rather get this over a civic hatch since the mazda had more equipment such as blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert. The civic just lacks some features. I don't care much about the Lcd gauge cluster either nor the turbo
The Hatch back is more attractive in my opinion. The sedan is a little "Bland" in the rear. Needs a little skirt or tail to make it look better. But overall the best looking car in its class.
I got the 2018 loaded mazda 3 ...7 months ago. it was the best car ever. Amazing how the review's have gone from ..:superb...to now average. I just don't buy into the hype for the new Models. These reviews are like CNN ... Fake News - Fake Reviews,
Now that there are issues with Honda's turbo 1.5 engines, i think i would prefer the mazda 3. The only thing i didnt buy mazda 3 is the space. Esp me now with 3 kids. Honda blew me away with space and engine. Hyundai was pricey and not trusting their engine yet. This may be the safest choice
No way the Civic is better than the Mazda3. My ex had a top of the line Touring Civic. The car rode very low to the ground and the sound system sounded like it was playing from a deep well. Had an echo to it. Also, his Civic developed a problem with surging on the highway at cruising speed. It was almost like the engine was misfiring. I'll take the Mazda any day to the Honda.
I’ve gone years now without a car, I refused to buy one in town, every used car dealership around me is sketchy as hell, i’ve finally settled down after gathering my chips for year and decided that i’m gonna buy a used blue manual Mazda 3 Touring. I’m really really excited.
Hey did hope you’re well ! How’s the car been treating you these few years later ?!
I know a lot of people say the design is old and they are looking ahead to the new design....but I still love the look of this design. I had my 2006 Mazda 3 for 12 years and still liked how it looked. And now I have my 2018 Mazda 3 and I think it will continue for many years to make me smile when I see it.
Hey Teeter... I am still driving my 2006 Mazda3 2.0L 5speed manual and am now shopping for a new car to replace it. I still enjoy driving my car and am afraid anything new will not be as much fun to drive. I am considering another Mazda3 or a Mazda6 and would want the 2.5L NA engine with manual in either one. And I would have no problem with buying my 2006 model again if it were new! I have been very happy with my 06 model and still like the body style a lot.
My questions for you .... What size engine do you have? Is yours an automatic or manual? Did you test or compare the Mazda6 to the Mazda3? Did you test drive any other cars for comparison? Thanks...
Mine is 2.5L, GT trim (Canada), automatic. I didn't test Mazda 6. I didn't test other cars, but I have rented enough in the past to know I didn't want Honda, Toyota, Kia, Hyundai, VW, etc. They just didn't handle as smoothly and aggressively as Mazda 3 does. I did some research on BMW 3 series and Audi A4 but didn't test them. I couldn't see paying almost double for a little more HP. My GT trim gives me a really nice looking car with a lot of features. Eternal Blue Mica color in the body design looks so great.
Picking up my GT 3 hatchback with winter tyres 5 yrs bumper to bumper warranty for $34K Canadian. That's bullshit the Elantra sport better handling or faster my friend got 2019 that's why purchased Mazda GT3
@@teetertotter5787 funny,I just got one picking up this Friday. GT3 hatchback with winter tyres/rims with 5 yrs bumper to bumper warranty at $34K Canadian also Micra blue
Agreed. I really like this body style of Mazda3. I bought a 2018 Touring 6M sedan with Bose sound and moonroof in late December 2018. This is my second Mazda3 in this body style. Traded my 2014 Mazda3 for this new 2018 Mazda3. Glad I got one of the last before the 2019s are released.
Great review! Thanks Alex! On the other side, the commenters saying "slow", or "lacking" etc..people who read these comments need to understand, that everyone is coming from a different experience. Neither the Mazda, nor any of the competition is either slow or ugly or lacking, if you're coming from a 15yr old car. Pick any of them, you will find all of them waaaay better than anything just 10yrs ago! And those, who drive or driven a more expensive luxurious or sports car, not sure what they are doing here. Their opinion don't matter, we're talking about cars that cost brand new $18k-$24k, not $40k. Don't listen to the nit-pickers, they probably don't even own a car to begin with.
I've owned 2 Mazda3's and have absolutely loved them. Every time I ride in a Corolla or Elantra I realize how good it really is. For taking long trips there's never anything we have to leave behind due to the hatchbacks phenomenal space. My girlfriend has the sedan and has never had any issue with not having enough trunk space. There's plenty of room.
My 2016 with the 2.0 was rated at 30city/40hwy/32comb. I have averaged 35.6mpg after 22k miles. I usually get 45 on the hwy so not sure why they decided to lower the estimates.
I looked into the i-eloop system and I believe they ended that option with the 2017 model. I had it in my 2014 and it worked real well. Averaged 36.1mpg overall.
Great review, thanks!
Yes, i-eloop was removed as an option for the 2017 refresh. The sales rep at the dealership said that they abandoned the idea in favor of Skyactive-X.
The Adventure Mazda try the Elantra Sport, very competitive to the 3 I think
Blake Swan Im not into sedans, and the new GT doesnt appeal to me. If I had to give up my 3 I'd go with the 2019 Corolla hatch. I had a Hyundai vehicle with the 1.6T in it and it was terrible. I got rid of it for my first Mazda3 because it was night and day quality difference, handling so much better, and it felt quicker. If I ever own a Hyundai vehicle again it'd be a Genesis.
I agree. Mazda3 may not produce test score records but during real drive it easily beats all competition in category "I want to drive it daily". I actually like my 2011 better vs new ones. 2L Engine in my is smoother. Power steering is electric-hydraulic and I like gear box operation of pre-skyactiv. The noise levels are from tires. Original Bridgestone tires were noisy. I put Pirelli p4 and car is quiet now.
Black Swan. I drove Elantra Sport. It is fast and good looking. But it has so many drawbacks. Fist and most glaring - interior. It looks rental grade, even though it has standard collection of soft-touch materials. The controls - knobs and switches in Elantra feel cheap and outdated. Clutch. Clutch calibration is just not near Mazda quality. In Mazda it is so precise, the uptake, etc. Steering in Elantra nicely weighted but no road feel like in Mazda. The shiny part - brakes. Elantra brakes are great. Gear box operates pretty nicely too. It is quick car. But hey, I don't like Mazda3 dash either. This is why I 've got Mazda6 MT. It is nearly perfect. I just don't like the gear spacing
He's not wrong about the "feel" of the Mazda3 driving experience (as abstract as it sounds). Every time I think about trading in my Mazda3 for another car, I end up backing out after the test drive. I think I'll just wait until the 2019/2020 Mazda3.
I just traded in my 2014 for a 2018, nothing I tested had the same feel, so I went with mazda again
@@Adrenochrome I just got the hatchback 3 GT with winter tyres and 5 yrs bumper to bumper warranty for $34k all in tax included at zero percent financing 6 year's. Picking up this Friday can't wait! That's Canadian dollars
Ross damn! I got my18 Too model sedan with tech package out the door for just shy of 27k and that’s $CAD. You. Sir need to learn to negotiate.
@@Adrenochrome many insiders say that Mazda obsesses over suspension bushing durometers, leaning toward the firm side. Harsher? Probably. Better? Ohhhhh yeah.
@@ross5506 how did you get 0 percent financing?
As soon as you drive a Mazda you will know what he means by "the feel" (mainly on the Mazda 3, Miata and the CX-5, 9), its something you dont get in any other car from the competition, Mazdas are known as luxury cars in a budget mainly for this reason
I agree it is has a very attractive design. The Corolla is the ugliest of the bunch, imho.
Earl Painter - Your mother is much uglier. 😂
Harambo found the Corolla owner. sorry bud.
Rohan Iyer - You mad bro?
Earl Painter the new VW Jetta is super ugly but the Civic has all beat in the ugly department
Earl Painter - Corolla? Really? 😂😂😂 Might want to go get your eyes checked out.
After driving my 2018 Mazda I feel that the other cars feel like arthritis machines.
?
I don't know any regular car trunk you can stand at 21/22" suitcase up in.
This is true
The Nissan Sentra could
Alex. I watch and truly appreciate your reviews. That said, please stop placing your "logo" on the test vehicles. It ABSOLUTELY RUINS the aesthetic of the vehicle and is a terrible distraction. Anyone watching your video already knows who you are especially with your unique intro that has your logo. Please, stop
I was wondering WTF that was. thanks
I love this car. And I say this living in Germany, where japanese cars are getting more and more popular. This car has the least depreciation from all sedan/hatchback cars in this class. Even with a 20k km drive, you loose about 12-13% of the value when it was new. I really hope they get it right with their new 2019 engine and design because that will be a killer...
I have a 2018 Mazda 3 GT with the tech package. I love it, I almost feel I don't deserve this car because it's so nice! Overall, I give my car an A. It's a joy to drive. I would recommend it to anyone. The interior is on point! Also, I think if you shut the sunroof cover it can help with your road noise. Every time I see a reviewer complain about any car's road noise usually has the sunroof shade cover opened. Also, the road noise is on the same level as my prior car, a 2014 Honda Civic EXL with the 17 inch rims. If anything, I felt it was louder.
My girlfriend used to have a 2017 hatchback and I also had a 2014 Civic at the time (EX coupe) and didnt find it particularly loud by comparison, but then again Civics used to be quite a bit louder inside than the newer gens. I think a few pieces of dynamat in the front doors and maybe some around the wheel wells would go a long way to reducing highway ambient noise and tire roar.
Just purchased the hatchback 3 GT picking up tomorrow. I've rented all the high end compacts at just over 32K out the door. Overall I found the Mazda best,what sold me was the 5yrs unlimited millage warranty. My friend purchased 2017 Honda SI he even thinks my Mazda is touch better, after having problems with his gearbox ( Automatic). That's Canadian prices.
To all these folks saying that this model is dated...well it is an older design but when you consider what's important it's a very good car and is still competitive even when you remove price.
What I like about the Mazda3 is they include a manual transmission option with all trim levels, not just the base or middle one. Not many manufacturers do that. In fact I wonder why Mazda can’t do that with the 6. I hope they keep it this way with the redesigned 3.
This didnt age well 😢
"Wild and adventurous"
Ever the statesman, Alex...
Bought a 2017 mica blue 2.5L 6spd manual touring HB. Wish they put the automatics dashboard in the manual. Have no idea why they didn't do the big center tach in the manual. The manual's dashboard is all wrong. However, I bought winter wheels and Firestone Indy 500 tires for the summer. Now this car handles a brakes like a real hot hatch. I do like the fact it's got very decent response w/o forced induction. For the $19.125K I paid, there's nothing else I can think of that's better. This is my 3rd '3.' This one feels much more like a entry level Audi.
Sandy the big tach only comes in the grand touring trim level
For it's price..truly a thing of beauty..
hope they don't hide the dual exuast on the 19 model
Yeah what was up with that on the last of the 2014-2018 models, albeit only the sedans thank God
May i commend you on the degree of informativeness that has been given in this audio/visual. It IS definitely in depth and hugely assistical. Thank you for the footage. Immense aid to me.
Well done. 8 out of 10. 👍🏼
Just bought a 2018 Mazda 3 Hatchback Sport and I cannot rave more about this car. I absolutely love it. Before I get people telling there's faster cars around this price point: drag racing was not an influencing factor when I decided I wanted to spend $19k on a car. I was looking for something affordable, reliable, and fuel efficient. In other words practicality was my number one concern and the hatchback delivers as promised. It is all that I mentioned while looking good and putting a smile on my face. The car has adequate power for merging on the highway and is a blast to push through corners/curvy roads. Keep in mind this is all with an automatic. I was going to go for the 6 spd manual but I deal with LA traffic to and from work and could no longer bare it with a manual so I opted for the auto. If you're looking for something practical that is more than just an appliance I would definitely recommend the mazda 3.
For anyone else considering the Mazda3 with the larger wheels (18"), consider swapping them out for the smaller ones (16"). I did that, and the ride is definitely better. I also dropped ~8 lb per wheel.
Did you also get fatter tires?
Does the dealer offer that?
Back in 2003-2008 i had a protege5 and use to race around the santa cruz mountains at night. Very tempted to get a new mazda3 hatch manual and try to relive my ricer days
Road noises can be improved with other tires. Mine came with Yokohamas and they are very noisy. Switched to BFGoodrich summer tires and the loud drop drastically
Patiently waiting for the 2019 model.
That would be a stunner I'm sure.
rear suspension will be torsion bar, not independent suspension..
Early reviews of the test mules claim the torsion bar suspension is tuned well, at least as well as the current independent suspension.
wow, seriously ? That sounds like a terrible decision for a company that prides itself on handling since it certainly doesn't go for power in the 3.
Why does power even matter ? 80% of the cars in this class don't even go over 200hp. This car is already one of the most powerful in it's class. if you care about power look at an elantra sport that makes 201hp.
Very happy with my 2018 Touring hatchback model that I just bought. Got it for nearly $8K below MSRP with the premium package, brand new with 22 miles on it.
Everyone is thinking, "looks", "feel". How about reliability? Have they improved the weaknesses from previous models?
its top tier mate never has a problem in my 9 year owner ship. abused it to death.
you can really see where the market is at right now, Mazda refreshed the CX-5 before the 3.
so glad i purchased this car.
When watching reviews, it is critical for viewers to understand if the reviewer is being paid by the car maker. It is advised to state in the video if the work is compensated by Mazda.
I think the new front ends on the Mazdas is nice. I hated that stupid grin they had for years on the previous body style.
Alex, in 2019 we can see the Skyactiv-X Mazda 3， which has 190 horse power with supercharger.
By far the best car review channel. Deciding between a Mazda3 and Civic, glad I found your channel.
Just leased my second Mazda 3 two weeks as my lease on my 2015 3 was up in November. I leased a 2018 3 Grand Touring and I love it. All the features that come with it and Mazda to me is under valued. Everyone talks about a Corolla or Civic but the Mazda 3 to me is better. With the sport mode the 3 does move.
I own a Mazda 3 GT and it by far out performs any Hondas. Smooth drive and it's quite safe. Love that they have high quality sensors for safety.
I love this Mazda 3, I can't wait to buy mines. But the 2019 model oh my gosh the hype.
There are 2 things to like about the Mazda 3 that are not being mentioned - no CVT Transmission and no Turbo. The CTV gets better gas mileage but if and when a problem arises you have to replace the transmission because NOBODY WORKS ON THEM. A Turbo is a real power booster and can transform a vehicle BUT when a Turbo starts to age it will become apparent that performance has a price and this will have an effect on the resale value. So Mazda's conventional 6 speed Automatic if you change the transmission oil as recommended will last much longer. The lack of turbo power will be addressed in the new gas diesel engine and gas mileage should lead the segment.
Just bought a 2018 GT hatch at a great discount.
From what I heard, it's better than the 2019 hatch.
For heads-up display, I think I would prefer the little plastic panel. Anyone that has had to replace a windshield for a vehicle with the other type of HUD will note how much more expensive it is and how you rarely get a clear image after.
This is a very underrated consideration, especially if your car loan is paid up and you drop to a less comprehensive insurance plan that doesnt cover windshield replacement, or sometimes just a percentage/top dollar amount. Large pieces of glass can be quite expensive, and they arent simply large pieces of glass these days. No matter how careful you are, it only takes one big truck kicking up a rock from it's trailer wheels.
15:30 I had to sell my '16 iT hatch after a year or so, mainly because of the horrid ride quality and lacking tech (poor GPS, no Android Auto).
Had sporty cars before and like a sporty car and ride, but this one transformed every single pebble and thicker crosswalk road paint into a kick in the spine.
That said, I think Mazda has the BEST looking exterior designs and an excellent driving experience in its cat. It also had great mpg.
I agree. I had a 2015 and the ride was utterly horrible. And the infotainment crashed every day. I owned the car for about a year before throwing in the towel -- but not before trying new and expensive lightweight wheels and ultra high performance tires -- which didn't help much.
I also had a 16 itouring hb. Loved pretty much everything about that car. But my biggest issue with it was exactly what you pointed out it’s terrible ride quality. Couldn’t appreciate the Bose system that came with it or have an enjoyable time with other occupants in the car. So I traded that in for 18 cx5 and now am able to enjoy what Mazda has to offer in their vehicles. A higher command of the road is a plus too.
Does this 2018 car come with Automatic Braking at high speeds with the Grand touring not just low?
The GT comes with Smart Brake support which is the auto-braking. The Smart City Brake support just helps you to reduce your speed in event of a predicted collision. I have the Touring and it comes with that. Hope this helps
@@RealKevGotEm thank u
@@tebanjose6928 you are welcome :). Do you have or planning on getting ome?
It's a great car. I love Mazdas.
2019 = solid rear axle. I just bought a leftover 2018 Touring at a huge discount to get the better suspension.
Agree. This and the cup holder location. I've tried the 2019 and 2018 back to back and I prefer 2018 for its good suspension. I just get attracted by 2019 for its look.
With all said and numbers calculated, once you drive it, somehow, no other car is that good for driving. Mazda3 you can push. The harder you push the better it stays on the road. Alex gone nuts - what Corolla? 1.8L corolla - the cow on wheels?
OMG I've been waiting for this review for four years! I just bought one anyway soul red touring hatchback manual. I LOVE it!
Good choice!
Thanks. I was also considering the Elantra GT Sport and the Chevy Cruze Diesel Hatchback. The Cruze would have drawn me more if I lived in the country (or if it were cheaper. $28,000MSRP is high for a compact) and the Elantra only had one model in 300 miles and it was grey. Not my preference. My first choice Mazda was Deep Crystal Blue Mica, but the only one in 300 miles sold two hours before I had decided on my purchase. The dealer had to pull some strings to get me the red one and I have no regrets. This red is the best out there from any brand.
You made a great choice. Love that car especially in red!
I checked that car at NY auto show. What really turned me off was middle storage console, it's very shaky when you push it around with your hand or elbow.
Edward P
You'll find it to be a common trait in many cars today. The reason why?
Crash protection design. If this was rock solid it could crack and cause lacerations on the legs.
Edward P yout buying a car based on center console size? God there is no hope for cars with these idiot buyers
Yesss finally you reviewed the facelift version!
Better to buy this one because the next generation Mazda3 will have a torsion beam rear suspension. It's apparently because there are fewer points of NVH, which really means that Mazda can cheap out even more now on sound insulation.
The premature brake shit for all Mazda’s suck but by god if this wasn’t the best car ever made I would be lying
for 2018, they stopped including that i-LOOP thingy as it was hardly a purchased option, hardly improved on gas mileage...have the '17 gt hatch, and disagree on the ride quality of B- , should be B+ or A- for this compact vehicle, yes with the 18 inch rims...
hawaiiguy1 I agree.
Are Mazda3 transmissions reliable? I saw some owners complain about their transmission failure. It's kind of dangerous especially on the highway. Long term owners of Mazda3 or other Mazda models, please kindly share your experience.
Man I just got an 18 Mazda 3... such a pleasure to drive. Any questions for future buyers let me know. Got mine in eternal blueeeee
Hey, going to a dealership today with the 18 mazda 3 in mind. Any complaints after 9 months? Any big mechanical issues with yours? thanks!
Hey could we have a update on your experience?
Chris hey did you end up getting Mazda 3
@@CinnamonHero Hello! sorry for the LATE reply!. Alright, let me tell you guys my thoughts on 24 months of ownership. I am not a professional reviewer, just your typical commute person driving 25 miles in each direction for work. Gas mileage for ME, has been eh. 30 bucks equals to 250-280 miles, full tank. The body is a ding magnet. I had an issue with a seal on the axle on the driver side making whistle noises, it took me about 3 trips to the dealership, and sounding stupid to prove my point. This more than anything will be something I will keep in mind when purchasing another car (bad experience). Yes, it was fixed but drove about 10k miles with that noise. AN important thing to NOTE... I also have a 2016 Mazda basic everything.. which include 2.0 liter and the smaller rims. The drive is smoother, the steering wheel is smoother, and gas mileage is superior... by far. The BOSE system rattles my door like there is no tomorrow. Man... I just went on a rant here... With that said.. I bought this car for $18.1 and added the extended warranty up until 100K. I didn't buy the Honda Civic because the one I wanted that was comparable was 23.5 k and up.. I thought the savings was substantial enough. All in all.. the car looks nice, seems like resale value is good, would I purchase it again? USED, yes I would at a good price. NEW? probably not. I regret not going with the Camry. After a while all you want is something that doesn't give you any stupid problems. Sorry if I deterred you. You asked for my complaints. lol oh yeah and no mechanical issues as far as the engine. The transmission needed a sensor replaced early on around 15k miles. Shit, I just realized the car has has a few issues in comparison to my 16 Mazda. 16 Mazda 2.0 liter, 9/10 rating for me. 18 Mazda 2.5 liter 6.5/10. There you have it.. shoot me more questions if you have them lol (yes, grammatical issues everywhere. I wrote this while watching tv!) Have a good day!.... Oh yea what car did you end up buying!?!?!?
@@seanr.7349 Hello! sorry for the LATE reply!. Alright, let me tell you guys my thoughts on 24 months of ownership. I am not a professional reviewer, just your typical commute person driving 25 miles in each direction for work. Gas mileage for ME, has been eh. 30 bucks equals to 250-280 miles, full tank. The body is a ding magnet. I had an issue with a seal on the axle on the driver side making whistle noises, it took me about 3 trips to the dealership, and sounding stupid to prove my point. This more than anything will be something I will keep in mind when purchasing another car (bad experience). Yes, it was fixed but drove about 10k miles with that noise. AN important thing to NOTE... I also have a 2016 Mazda basic everything.. which include 2.0 liter and the smaller rims. The drive is smoother, the steering wheel is smoother, and gas mileage is superior... by far. The BOSE system rattles my door like there is no tomorrow. Man... I just went on a rant here... With that said.. I bought this car for $18.1 and added the extended warranty up until 100K. I didn't buy the Honda Civic because the one I wanted that was comparable was 23.5 k and up.. I thought the savings was substantial enough. All in all.. the car looks nice, seems like resale value is good, would I purchase it again? USED, yes I would at a good price. NEW? probably not. I regret not going with the Camry. After a while all you want is something that doesn't give you any stupid problems. Sorry if I deterred you. You asked for my complaints. lol oh yeah and no mechanical issues as far as the engine. The transmission needed a sensor replaced early on around 15k miles. Shit, I just realized the car has has a few issues in comparison to my 16 Mazda. 16 Mazda 2.0 liter, 9/10 rating for me. 18 Mazda 2.5 liter 6.5/10. There you have it.. shoot me more questions if you have them lol (yes, grammatical issues everywhere. I wrote this while watching tv!) Have a good day!....
Also, no mention of 2018 Subaru Impreza especially that hatch in my opinion is easily the sweetest deal in this segment if you are not too much into speeding your vehicle
Great video and needless to say I agree that it's at the top of its segment. Thanks for sharing!
Great video, most thorough review out there for Car Reviews. Thanks!
Mazda is the best
Jason Wang at what?
Blake Swan - Nothing. Literally. Except attracting pissed off fangirls who enjoy getting to know their local Mazda mechanics regularly. :)
@@DeadofWinter321 really I have a business by far Mazda GT3 is best in reliability. Turbo Burns out motors by 200Ks and CVT look at the facts
Jason Wang Mazda= RUST
Sounds like a real bargain. Unfortunately I'm not a fan of Mazda's quality of materials. But very good competitor in its segment.
Considerably louder on the highway than Civic or Corolla so keep that part in mind. To me that is the deal breaker as 20k territory doesn't warrant such discomfort.
One more "Con" under the Chevy Cruze is the depreciation rate; it simply doesn't hold its value nearly as well as the Japanese brands or even Hyundai. Just ask any used car dealer.
Honda is a really good looking car and a reputable company, but their discounts and Incentives are lacking and the price high if you want leather. You get much better discounts for the Mazda and in the end it's a better looking car inside and out.
Better looking than its successor especially as a hatchback.
You looked crammed in that back seat! 😂
I'm pretty sure 0-60 doesn't mean anything at all between mile lights in a city or a quarter mile stretch. I'm pretty sure straightline speed isn't that important. I have a 2014 3 I GT hatch and literally I'm the only one in the car really. This thing is perfect for me and honestly the quality in the 3 with the piano black and leather everywhere is great over all the other entries. In 2014 this was leading. Think of the car when it started. Not what it is now. This thing is still one of the best cars to drive on back roads. It really is a drivers car. In Michigan I don't see as many new ones, so I feel somewhat special driving the current gen around, especially the hatch. Yeah the mid level below the S Touring is probably the best option. The 2 Liter is still pretty great to drive. I had my mother's 2006 Ford escape with the v6 in it and honestly both have almost the same steering response and handling. It's tight and fun. Almost to the point where it's deadly. Lol anyways that's my input.
Thanks for this video. Very helpful in my deciion making.
I Agree with you Alex. The C and D pillars are to thick it may affect rear visibility and it greatly affected the overall look of the car. I think Mazda was trying to compete in cargo space capacity where the older mazda3 lost to the Hyundai i30 705 litres to 572 in trunk space. They want to achieve high practicality while maintaining their sleek design without having to resort to a boxy shape. Just my thought. I didn't see ventilated seats and a wireless phone charging option, rear A/C vents plus automatic lift gates what's Mazda thinking? do customers have to ask them like they did in the case of android auto and apple car play before they give it?
Wow. That was one of the most complete and thorough reviews I’ve watched. Going to buy a used 2018 Mazda 3 and this was very helpful.
Did you buy it?
Yes I did. 2018 top of the line with standard transmission. Had to wait awhile to get it because the stick isn’t a popular option on the Grand Touring hatchback. Very satisfied. Was hoping Mazda would reintroduce the Speed3, but couldn’t wait any longer.
@@jeffpowers6476 So you got a manual? have you had any issues with it so far?
@@ZebryMC No issues, I'm very pleased with the purchase. Bought it through CARVANA and drove 300 miles to pick it up. I previously had a 2008 MazdaSpeed 3. Not as many thrills, but the 2018 Mazda 3 has plenty of zip.
To me, 3 looks outdated. Although I used to drive one and enjoyed the driving, the lack of rear room and car play is the deal breaker for the future purchase.
I'm wondering if the 0-60 time of the 2014 vs 2018 was due to the older test being done in normal mode and maybe sport mode for the 2018? Just a thought. Anyway, I own a 2018 Mazda 3 and I love it except for overly aggressive seat bolsters. They made the front seats for 140 pound teenagers, but I'm getting used to them with time.
Full of facts, great review. The car is very attractive, but I’ll wait for the 2019 model.
Man do i wait for the 19 models which i hear arnt being released untill Janurary. Or get a 18 with all the discounts going on them. Wonder how much is being changed on the 2019 besides the engine
Just bought a fully loaded Mazda 3 Grand Touring hatchback with 6-sp m/t over this past Presidents' Day weekend. Soul Red with the Parchment interior. MSRP was $26,690, I got it for less than the True Car price at $23,190. I wanted something to stand out from the sea of Civics, Corollas, and Elantras I see going to work every day. Beautiful car with a beautiful interior instead of the butt-ugly Civic. And I didn't want to wait for the 2019 only to find out they watered them down with torsion bar RS and no more manual tranny. Love my new 3.
I got so anxious when he was explaining while driving.
Why some ppl consider anything below Premium “on a budget”, is totally beyond me.
The all-new Mazda 3 is coming out soon. Don't buy the current one unless you are looking for a big discount.
My local dealer is discounting them by 20%.
I got nearly 30% off a 3 that the dealer didn't even have in stock. They had to make a trade to get it. Secondly, the new one with the all-new SPCCI engine will have unknown reliability. SPCCI is complicated and adds a whole new level of complication to engines where if one temperature sensor faults, the system will have to revert to normal spark ignition until the sensor is replaced. I love the concept, just the unknown makes me want to wait until it is a few years old.
They are offering me $4k off the bat. Should I go for it? Top of the line gt hatch with premium pkg. Or should I pay an extra 2k for a civic hatch sport touring? I'd miss homelike garage opener and blind spot monitoring not sure if I should live without them
I would go for it. I went with a touring hatch manual which requires the sunroof and Bose system. It msrps at 23k and they discounted it down to 19k. Can't get a Civic hatch for that.
TheKaisarwilhelm the mazda3 I'm looking at I got quoted at ~23,500 and the civic hatch sport touring was around 25. However is it worth spending extra when the civic actually had less equipment then the mazda?
Yes the mazda3 is getting old but aging well but the main complaints against it is lack of space. The mazda has heated steering wheel, blind spot monitoring and homelink garage door opener, a real automatic transmission, more comfortable and sporty seats, Bose audio (those are the main things I wished the civic had). However the civic is quick, handles better, has more space and in general just doesn't have those small things. I want to hear your opinion
@Alex On Autos, the 2017 Astina (we have the hatch variant, bought in 2018, which has all the specs you listed for this vehicle and is the highest end trim in Australia) does have electric lumbar support. It’s quite strange that Mazda would make such a difference between trims officially sold across the globe.
Best car for the money.
Came very close to buying one, didn't because its larger than expected and I find it hard to see and know where the car is.
The 2019 version is gorgeous!
Great car to drive. The USB ports are bollocks, though. They won't keep a level charge on a phone if you're using maps.
After owning a bmw series 1 and now owning a Mazda 3 2015 the masda wins for me
I really like the in-depth comparison that Alex does to the Mazda’s competition. Most other reviewers don’t do this. I myself am a Mazda fan, but we must acknowledge that they are falling behind with the 3.
I’m looking to get this car but so far people have told me to avoid Mazda, would appreciate any thoughts as I’m not really a car person LOL. mainly looking for a used car, relatability, and something that still looks nice/nice to drive
I am confused, so you cannot adjust the driver's seat forward and backwards?
Can you do a 2019 INFINITI QX50 FULL REVEIW?
I’m taking Mazda all day
Conceptually, the iLoop is every bit as much a mild hybrid as the new FCA system, it's just capacitor based. In practice it's more of an auto start stop system that can help with the initial shove. A very mild hybrid?
Since this Mazda 3 has a RWD proportion, it totally deserves such a chassis, just place a Miata underneath and voila a poor man's BMW 3 series.
I'm looking at a 2018 MAZDA MAZDA3 Touring 6 speed manual trans. Great video.... thanks. :)
will they make a mazdaspeed version?
Then it could be called the ...
Mazda Mazdaspeed Mazda3
Great reviewer. Subscribed.
Thanks Alex for this review. Curious what you think, Mazda 3 Sport vs. Impreza Hatchback. Unfortunately, you don't compare these two cars in the video. Thanks!
I'd rather get this over a civic hatch since the mazda had more equipment such as blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert. The civic just lacks some features. I don't care much about the Lcd gauge cluster either nor the turbo
Would like to see a review done on the mazda 6 2.5t
The Hatch back is more attractive in my opinion. The sedan is a little "Bland" in the rear. Needs a little skirt or tail to make it look better. But overall the best looking car in its class.
Just the opposite with the 19, the sedan is better looking than the hatch.
this was so helpful. thank you
I wish our top trim here in Canada includes that full body kit.
Now you need to do a full review on the Mazda 6
I was expecting this to be like 20 minutes... You got me dieing on this treadmill 😫
Steven Joe 30 mins on a treadmill is too much? maybe it’s for the better then.
Change the playback speed to 1.5x
I got the 2018 loaded mazda 3 ...7 months ago. it was the best car ever. Amazing how the review's have gone from ..:superb...to now average. I just don't buy into the hype for the new Models. These reviews are like CNN ... Fake News - Fake Reviews,
Now that there are issues with Honda's turbo 1.5 engines, i think i would prefer the mazda 3. The only thing i didnt buy mazda 3 is the space. Esp me now with 3 kids. Honda blew me away with space and engine. Hyundai was pricey and not trusting their engine yet. This may be the safest choice
No way the Civic is better than the Mazda3. My ex had a top of the line Touring Civic. The car rode very low to the ground and the sound system sounded like it was playing from a deep well. Had an echo to it. Also, his Civic developed a problem with surging on the highway at cruising speed. It was almost like the engine was misfiring. I'll take the Mazda any day to the Honda.
Is anybody driving the 6speed manual with the 2.5 naturally aspirated motor? And if so does it have cylinder deactivation?