2010 Mazda MAZDA3 Consumer Reviews

Mazda3 Sport HB (no bose, no tech pkg)

Written by: David on 11/09/2009

Vehicle

2010 Mazda MAZDA3 s Sport 4dr Hatchback (2.5L 4cyl 5A)

Review

Best overall package in the segment. Driven the Golf, Civic, Corolla, Camry and used TSX and it trumps them big time. They all have prices around $20,000. Handling, ride and comfort are great. The route I drive has some bad section. It absorb and bumps and cracks well with confidence. Running on smooth road has no road noise at all. Noise on bad road are not bad also. No squeak and rattle. Price is reasonable and the hatch is very useful. Engine is very powerful, but sacrifice fuel economy. This is not your car if you expect 30+ mpg. It is not as smooth as the Toyota 2.5L. But better than the others. Rear seat room is plenty unless you have 2 6-footers front and back.

Favorite Features

1) A car for people enjoying driving. 2) Standard bluetooth and good voice control 3) Nice gauge design with clear instrument. 4) Great sport seat with a lot of adjustment. Cloth material is comfortable. 5) sliding center arm rest. 6) Stock sound system is decent unless you like to crank it up.

Suggested Improvements

1) Better radio FM reception with RDS. But I noticed all the cars I tested above have medicore FM reception even with upgraded system. 3) A la carte options. I want leather seats but don't care about Xenon and other stuff in GT. 4) Less wind noise. But all car I tested have bad wind noise.

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Undervalued and Awesome

Written by: 2010mazda3 on 11/09/2009

Vehicle

2010 Mazda MAZDA3 i Touring 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5A)

Review

I purchased my Mazda 3 two months ago over the Honda Civic. The gas mileage is a little lower but the power difference is amazing. The car feels like it should be valued at about $10000 more than the sticker. So far I love it.

Favorite Features

Bluetooth Audio/Phone, Display Console, Key Fob

Suggested Improvements

The only negative aspect is the center console. I've had a few small items fall into it such as a penny and a chapstick tube. It should be better fitted.

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2010 Mazda3 Hatchback

Written by: twebb on 11/07/2009

Vehicle

2010 Mazda MAZDA3 s Sport 4dr Hatchback (2.5L 4cyl 6M)

Review

Great car for the money. It has good power and a hint of exhaust note that make it fun to drive and it handles well. The updated styling looks good, and the hatchback is convenient for hauling small loads. The only slight drawback is the fuel economy - I'm averaging 24.2 mpg w/ 2500 miles driven. I suppose if it had 20+ less horsepower and was slightly smaller like the Civic it would be better. I'll take fun to drive and a couple less mpg.

Favorite Features

Bluetooth, blue ambient lighting, sporty styling, hint of exhaust note.

Suggested Improvements

None (yet).

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Mazda 3

Written by: Becky on 11/05/2009

Vehicle

2010 Mazda MAZDA3 s Sport 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 6M)

Review

I have owned my Mazda 3 for three months now. I noticed immediately that the paint chips off very easily. Today, I have more than 20 large paint chips on the side panels with no explanation. The dealer examined it and has told me it is simply from road debris. I have owned many new cars and have never had one lost its paint so easily. The paint used is not a quality paint. The dealer will tell you after the purchase that you need to buy a costly paint protection package to keep the paint in good shape. $22000 later, I have a car that looks pretty bad and has lost value because of the chips. Also, the dealer is having to replace the dash because it was black, but turned milky white.

Favorite Features

Cute car. Like the bluetooth feature. That is about all the good I can say.

Suggested Improvements

Quality paint should be used. Better quality materials inside would be nice.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Love this car

Written by: BS on 11/04/2009

Vehicle

2010 Mazda MAZDA3 s Grand Touring 4dr Hatchback (2.5L 4cyl 6M)

Review

I got Bose and Tech pkg. Nav is small but easy to use. Love the advance key that's the main reason I got Tech pkg). The seat is comfortable for me(but they can be too hard and narrow for a lot of folks). Power is good (not as great as the Speed) but enough for me. Rear passenger room/hatch area is much smaller than my 2003 Matrix. Suspension is on the firm side which is what I like but I would like the car sit a little lower. The wheel gap is very big with a SUV look. Manuel transmission is easy to operate and shift smoothly. Just there's a groaning noise when the car start moving from 1st gear. It's not super quiet but I think it's reasonable (change the OEM tires may help)

Favorite Features

Adaptive Front headlight, comfortable seat, firm but supple ride, tight steering, very nimble, overall solid, high end feel and good built quality.

Suggested Improvements

Don't care much about those clear tail lights. Change 6th gear ratio for lower RPM on HWY. More bass on BOSE. Navi speak street's name, lane assist etc. Move the auto headlight to last setting. More storage room. Cup holder too deep for general use. Dead paddle (foot rest). More room in the rear.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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My Mazda hasn't disappointed

Written by: Cheryl on 11/02/2009

Vehicle

2010 Mazda MAZDA3 s Sport 4dr Hatchback (2.5L 4cyl 5A)

Review

I was really apprehensive about trading in my trouble-free manual Camry, but I couldn't be happier with the Mazda 3 Hatchback. It's a blast to drive, the seats are comfy, and I'm pleasantly surprised with the gas mileage. I have a smile on my face every time I get in the car!

Favorite Features

Seats, center information panel, Bluetooth, road handling, gas mileage, heater and air conditioner (either set on very low will do the job).

Suggested Improvements

More color options for the interior, a coin holder that is usable.

5 out 5 people found this review helpful

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Zoom Zoom!

Written by: ML on 11/01/2009

Vehicle

2010 Mazda MAZDA3 i Touring 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)

Review

This is the 3rd Mazda I have owned, and although it's only been a few weeks so far I doubt that I'll have any regrets. I compared the 3 to all it's competition VERY closely before buying, and the Mazda was just plain more fun to drive. Most cars in this class have similar features (see Corolla, Civic, etc.) but if you are going to fork out THOUSANDS of dollars for a car you might as well get something that's actually FUN to drive too! Before this car I had an 08 Pontiac G5, and I never really liked it. Right from the start it just had WAY too many issues. (I bought a "NEW" car to DRIVE it, not to make repeated trips back to the dealer for "warranty" repairs!) Sorry GM, but I'm done. ZOOM ZOOM!

Favorite Features

Fun to drive, interior and exterior styling, handling, driving position, (Did I mention fun to drive?), telescopic wheel is nice to have, and the sunroof/bose pack is icing on the cake.

Suggested Improvements

Being picky here, but... Although there IS an "idiot" light for engine overtemp, (and it supposedly will flash to warn of increased temp before going fully lit to signify overheating), a REAL temp gauge would be much better. I'd like to be able to monitor the engine temp... Wouldn't you?...

6 out 6 people found this review helpful

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Way above its class...

Written by: omz2302 on 11/01/2009

Vehicle

2010 Mazda MAZDA3 s Sport 4dr Hatchback (2.5L 4cyl 5A)

Review

So i have owned this car for about 4 months now. A fully loaded GT hatchback. I gotta say that mazda has paid attention to EVERY little detail in this car. When you enter the car, even before turning it on, the dials begin to illuminate slowly and the air conditioning controls pulse as the screen on the car reads "zoom-zoom". It just gets you excited to even press the ignition button. You hear the car rev, a pleasant tone is played and the cars headlights move around to calibrate. LOVE it! Try test driving this car at dusk, thats when all the cabin details in this thing can show off. Handling is good, i feel like the hatchback version does have more body roll, but thats what you get.

Favorite Features

Interior lighting and details, the BOSE system actually has active noise canceling in the cabin - you can turn this feature off and here a LOT of extra wind noise while driving, so it definitely works. Seat warmers. sirius radio. Exterior details.

Suggested Improvements

I wish the navigation system would default the CITY you are in, as it only defaults the state and i have to enter the city with every destination which is tedious since you have to use the toggle switch to do it. Not too confident in the engine, gets confused when you suddenly push it.

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performance in a hatchback

Written by: MnMazda on 10/29/2009

Vehicle

2010 Mazda MAZDA3 s Sport 4dr Hatchback (2.5L 4cyl 6M)

Review

Recently purchased Mazda 3 hatchback with 2.5 liter engine and 6 spd manual transmission. After 1000 miles of local use, we took a 4000 mile driving vacation through the Rockies and Arizona/Utah. For two people, the cargo capacity of the hatch was great. The car performed flawlessly, with plenty of power in the mountains, and easy cruising at 75+ mph on the freeways. Our average mpg over 4000 miles was 29.5, most miles at freeway cruise. Handling was crisp and confident in the mountains, and comfort was very good on long driving days. Plenty of power and speed in freeway passing situations. The more that I drive this car, the more I like it.

Favorite Features

2.5 engine has plenty of power, and is smooth and quiet at 3000+ rpm freeway cruising speeds. The car's style makes a statement, and I think that the smiling front end is destined to be a classic, like the famous Austin Sprite. Handling is superb. Fuel economy is good for such a quick car.

Suggested Improvements

The Yokohama Avid tires are performance rated, and handle great. You will hear more road noise, though, especially on rough pavement. I'm not sure that a quieter tire would give the performance that the Yokohamas do.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Zoom-Zooms Past Other 3s... ;)

Written by: patchmonkey on 10/28/2009

Vehicle

2010 Mazda MAZDA3 s Grand Touring 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 5A)

Review

I've managed to put nearly 5000 miles on this car in the three months I've owned it - it's just that much fun to drive. I have the fully-loaded (navigation, leather seats, AFS headlamps, etc.) model - and my girlfriend thinks that it's hilarious that I literally smile and go "I love this car" every time I push the button and turn it on. It's a winner in every sense - and beats that "other 3-series" car on price, features, and...well, everything.

Favorite Features

Nav, Bose Sound, Moonroom, Heated mirrors, led tail lamps, keyless entry/push button start, Bluetooth integration including audio streaming, heated seats, rain sensing wipers, auto on/off headlights, tire pressure monitoring...pretty much everything.

Suggested Improvements

I'd like to see the GPS allow voice command (something a little faster than the flick-switch currently used) and more technology integration - but this is the most loaded car as it is in the class.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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