Used 2012 Mazda 3 i SV Hatchback Review
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the 2012 Mazda 3 i SV Hatchback.
Most helpful consumer reviews
Nice carl
Tom bailey, Sheboygan, WI, 04/04/2016
2012 Mazda 3 i SV 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
Excellent valuel steering&a handling set this car apart from competition. Good. Power;plenty of room.
Good smaller car
retired; grandfather, Bradenton, FL, 05/16/2018
2012 Mazda 3 i SV 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
I'm a difference finder .. I find what could be better, rather than what's good or great. 2012 Mazda 3 -- i've only got 30,000 miles on it. ZERO mechanical issues so far. ZERO repairs or maintenance [except normal oil changes, etc.]. Visibility from inside is good. I'm retired and so rarely drive during busiest times on highways. Acceleration is what you'd expect from a 4 ... not … huge -- and mostly not needed anyway. I'm just on 6 feet ... yes, a Mazda 5 SUV would "sit" better for me. No, I'm not going to rush to buy one ... cost too much for a retiree. I do recommend that you get first quality tires; the original equipment ones didn't make over 27,000 miles. Truly good tires [Michelins or Pirellis] will improve your traction and handling. I chose the lowest model for the cloth seats -- this is Florida and I dislike having my back sweat because the seat is hot. Same engine technology ["skyactiv"] as in newer models. Overall, a fine alternative to a more pricey Toyota or Honda.
Wonderful Little Car
HB, Burbank, CA, 07/25/2019
2012 Mazda 3 i SV 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
This is a perfect, basic car. The design is really unique and stylish and the colors add to that. I've had mine for 6 years (purchased used) and have had to do zero maintenance on it apart from standard oil changes/windshield wiper blade replacement/ tire changes. It runs great, a little slow on acceleration up hills but for a 4cyl it does pretty well for itself. It drives effortlessly … and has great visibility. It does incredibly well on wet and slick surfaces. It's definitely a fun and comfortable car to drive, the steering/breaking/acceleration are very responsive. Fuel economy is pretty good, notice it's become less efficient over time. It usually gets about 30mpg city and probably more highway if it wasn't always stuck in LA traffic. The interior is very spacious, it fit a rolled-up mattress and smaller pieces of furniture. The sedan beats the hatchback in that respect as there seems to be a little extra length to work with (the seats fold down). The interior feels very light and open, though it does get fairly hot in the sun. The interior is very basic but user friendly. Little tricky to set-up blue tooth. Headlights work great and the windscreen and windows don't fog up like other cars that I've had. The fabric seats are really comfortable and easy to clean and there's a good amount of leg room in the back. The interior has help up perfectly even with sunlight hitting the dash and standard wear. Overall this car is super reliable. I drove it coast to coast with no stops in between and it didn't break a sweat. As for safety, mine was totaled when a driver ran a stop sign and I was unhurt. It definitely doesn't have a great resale value but that might work in your favor if you're looking to buy now, it will definitely last you a long time.
Edmunds Summary Review of the 2012 Mazda 3 i SV Hatchback
Pros & Cons
- Pro:Precise handling
- Pro:high fuel economy with optional 2.0-liter engine
- Pro:stylish, well-equipped interior
- Pro:impressive list of luxury options
- Pro:extra utility of four-door hatchback.
- Con:Ride might be too firm for some
- Con:cabin and trunk not as large as those of competitors.
Full Edmunds Review: 2012 Mazda 3 Hatchback
Edmunds Insurance Estimator
The Edmunds TCO® estimated monthly insurance payment for a 2012 Mazda 3 in Ohio is:
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