Used 2010 Mazda 3 Sedan Consumer Reviews
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Fun to drive good looking sedan
I drove an 2006 Mazda 3 iTouring for about three years before buying my 2010 3s. This car definitely steps up the included features without doing much to the price. For under 20K you get a lot of power and a good feature set vs Honda, Toyota, etc. The ride is actually a bit louder than before but overall this is the same car I loved in 2006 with more features and refinements.
Buyer's Remorse Does a 180
I had considered replacing the timing belt on my 2003 Honda Civic and keeping it for another 100,000 miles but I decided, somewhat impulsively, to get a new car. I test drove the new Civic but didn't like the drive-by-wire delay when punching the throttle. Handling and acceleration are much enjoyed. Fuel economy is not that big of an issue - as long as it's in the same ballpark as its competitors. This is the first automatic I've owned in a long while. I'm used to it and I like it.
- s Sport 4dr HatchbackMSRP: $7,49587 mi away
- s Sport SedanMSRP: $7,99587 mi away
- s Grand Touring SedanMSRP: $4,500148 mi away
Fun Little Car
The Mazda has been a fun car to own. I have driven to Las Vegas and Arizona within the past few weeks and it has performed great.
After 12 years of a Miata...
As many others did I researched and drove a number of vehicles and settled on the Mazda for some fun factor. After the '96 Miata, the 3 took a bit of getting used to, far lighter feel in the steering, clutch, shifter. but I've adapted. On my 21 mile commute I am getting 33 mpg by paying attention and not invoking to much "fun factor." I am quite satisfied with the power from the 2.0 engine couple with the manual transmission. Interior layout is good, seating, something that takes a long road trip to judge is great. Yes,I would recommend that car.
I Love this car!!! it is Awesome! Great
I was in Real estate for many years and always drove the E Class Mercedes Benz, and honestly, This mazda 3, 2.5, has nothing to envy that car from Mercedes Benz, this Mazda 3 drives perfect, handles beautiful, saves gas, lots of features like, bluetooth,system ready for I-Phone tunes, and MP3, I-Pods, car looks better than any other car in its class, i drove the civic, sentra, corolla, and they look like old cars compare to this modern and advanced Mazda 3 , 2010, I highly recommend this car, it drives so smooth, and yet looks so sporty, there is no competition on its class! Run and lease one!
Worth getting (s GT 5/A Sedan)
First thing first, like most reviewers, I love my car. Second, you get what you pay for. Both good and bad. I have the Gunmetal blue mica. On my Mazda I have both the Moonroof/Bose package and the Technology/keyless entry/gps package. I also had mud guards installed. At face value, the mazda 3 exterior looks incredible. I'm sure I don't have to point out the details. Interior quality on bottom line models is horrid, but the top line models makes you feel like your riding in a Lexus. Everything that matters MOST, Mazda made to the highest of quality, yet Mazda cut corners in several other areas.
Are you kidding me?
I have been waiting for Mazda to come out with this car since last summer. It is everything I was looking for. I really like it a lot. The ride is smooth and quiet but firm. Some may say it is too firm but those people should be driving a corolla or civic. It accelerates well and has very little engine, road, and wind noise. On rough surfaces you have some noise from the low profile tires but nothing to be concerned about. Everything seems to be in just the right place. Big people need not apply as this car is just not built for them. It is obviously made for us smaller folks. I will post again after I have put some miles on it but so far so good.
2010 Mazda 3 iTouring 2.0L Auto
Being Camry owners for years, we decided to get something smaller. After reading Consumer Reports and many reviews of Corolla, Civic & Mazda 3, it was clear we should look at the 3. We really like the outside design and layout inside. Its classy and sporty. The back end and side lines are better looking than the '09, but I still think the front end of the '09 is better looking than the '10. The inside controls are all easy to get to and understand. And we enjoy the blue- tooth phone that comes with the touring model. We like the new shade of silver. Not too light, not too dark. The passenger leg room is a bit short in back. I would have liked a couple more inches for adults.
hard work paid off
After a long and drawn out process of research and haggling via e-mail after e-mail, it was all worth it. After weighing my options this was the best choice I could make. I traded in my 2003 corolla for it and love the upgrade. I was contemplating the VW rabbit or the mini Cooper but after reading consumer reviews and just looking at the cars itself, I decided to stick to the mazda3. I love the cabin and all the little features despite the fact that I just got the I trim. I also sprang for the moonroof and Bose system. Total luxury for a great price.
The most fun car I've ever driven
Hands down this is the most fun car I've ever driven. This car has actually made me look forward to my hour long commute every morning. The power is more than sufficient and the handling is excellent. The only drawbacks to this car are the two very minor recalls already issued (although my dealer was able to fix them both in under and hour) and the gas mileage.
Awesome car!
I have had my Mazda 3 for two weeks now and totally love the car! After researching which cars were good and what I liked, I narrowed it down to the Mazda 3 and Civic. When I test drove the Civic, it was sluggish and felt cramped inside. When I test drove the Mazda 3, I noticed the greater space and almost gave myself whiplash because the pickup was so good. I'm still getting used to the "smile" but I must say the car puts a smile on my face every time I drive it! I'm finding excuses to got out just so that I can go drive it some more! This is my second Mazda and I love them both (wife's is 2003 Protege with 145,000 miles). Mazda is at the top of my list for future car purchases!!
Just got my Mazda3
I really like the car. Gave my old Lexus ES330 to my sister (realtor) and she loves the comfort of the Lexus. Back to the car. Ive been shopping for a while. I wanted to get Civic sedan. But 2 things turned me off. The seat was hurting my lower back. Second, they were very proud so price was too steep for the amenities. Very responsive engine. Civic power cannot match. (Also test drove Insight. Insights power was dangerously underpowered). My Mazda 3 is not as powerful as G37 but it handles almost as well for so much less (0% financing for 60months too). Drive and power wise, the closest I can compare is my old 2000 Acura Integra. But Mazda 3s seat in much more comfortable.
Not your father's dull ride
If you think Corolla, Civic, Focus, or Sentra are your idea of good small cars than The Mazda 3s is probably too radical for you. It's sad that so many people do not consider Mazda3 when thinking of buying a small car. Style, handling, braking, fun factors are totally beyond what the other car makers have to offer. Yes, others may be more reliable and reassuring in that sense but it's a dull, practicle, for the masses products. Do yourself a favor, test drive a 3s and compare it with any other comparable makes. It's a little rough but that part of the allure and enticement.
For the price it's a good car!
This is a solid car and overall I'm happy with my purchase. The two problems that I have is that my driver seat SQUEAKS and I hate it! The other problem is that the clutch pedal does not seem to go down very smooth...though it does not affect the driving of the car. I will have to have them look into these problems. I got the very basic model as I did not have many options available to me for the standard (stick shift) transmission. This basic model did not come with power door locks or an alarm and I think that is ridiculous in 2010.
Nice car
We compared a few cars before buying it for my sons first car. Get average 29mpg. Manual shift is fun to drive. feels solid. Good Handling
The best Mazda yet
I am partial to Mazda. I have owned to many cars from American to Japanese. I love cars. This is my 4th Mazda. I love everything about it. My husband loves it to which is surprising. It handles real well and has enough pick up. As far as gas goes I haven't had it long enough to make a comment on that yet. The tech package is great. I have children and they have no problem with the room in the back seat neither do I. I always sit in the back to see where my knees are. I am 5'6" and i was comfortable back there. The trunk has good space to. I like the orange inside it lights up the dash rather well. The whole layout is perfect to me. I would recommend this car. you get alot for your money.
Driving a Dream
This car is everything advertised and more. I was considering the Civic, Accord, Camry, and Forte. One 3 minute test drive and I forgot how to pronounce the other cars. The body is sleek and doesn't look like any other car in its class. The interior is sporty, but drives like a luxury car. It handles the road like nobody's business. I sprung for the moon roof and upgraded Bose sound system; I am ecstatic I did. Every item on the dash is well placed. It even has a telescopic steering wheel. This car is fun to drive and a beauty to look at!
Follow Up (2nd review)
This is my second review on my Mazda S 2.5L auto. I think "everyone" should know this as I did not in my first report. I get City 19 mpg at "best". The most fuel I can put in the tank is 12.5 gallons in a 15.9 gallon tank and that's when the car has run out of gas. The dealership nor Mazda can tell me why I can only go 223 miles on one tank of gas though the car's computer estimates 364 miles at fill up. The Mazda Consumer hot line is worthless and a waste of time. If I had it to do over again I would have bought a Civic b/c this 4/5 day stop at a gas station is a total disappointment as was the dealership's and Mazda's response to fix the problem, other than that the car is fun to drive.
Great Car .. Fun to drive!
I shopped for quite a while before deciding on what I would purchase. This car surpassed all the competitors in handling, performance and overall value. So I purchased the 2010 Mazda3 iTouring a beginning of May. It now has 2500 miles on it and I love it. My mileage is averaging about 33 mpg. I am so surprised by the mileage since I expected to get about 26-28! Handling is really great! I cant say enough positive things about this car. I have owned many cars but this is by far my favorite. I have very few negatives as you can see below. This car is well worth the $$.
Control your drive
I got this car just 6 days ago but already felt compelled to write something. I have the touring i automatic and the engine gets you off the starting line very well. I love good handling in a car and this one delivers with precise steering, good road feel, holds center real well. I own the 2009 mazda 6 too and it's been fantastic. The 3 is sportier and I hope to have great driving experiences with it. The dealer was good to me and the price and financing were excellent.
Fun little car
I was initially looking at the Mazda 6. The salesman at the dealership found out exactly what I was looking for in a vehicle and suggested the Mazda 3 instead. I test drove both and have to say the Mazda 3 was much more funner albeit smaller but for what I need it was perfect. I have had a BMW 3 series a few years back and I would have to say it handles just as well as that vehicle for half the price. It's got a lot of pep for a small engine and actually looks very nice. I am very happy with my purchase
Great Little Car
Replaced a 95 Aerostar (my third) using CARS program. Have a 50 mile RT commute so 17 mpg to 34mpg was impressive. Drives like a Mazda ! I have a 90 Miata and have owned two other Mazdas over the years. Comfortable, tight and responsive. Had to search for a Crystal white with the Dune interior. I don't understand the black interiors that seem to be the norm in small cars. I live in a HOT summer area so every little bit helps. The back seat space is not an issue- if I need to carry more people I use my wife's 07 CRV. The build quality is every bit as good as our Honda and the fun factor far exceeds that of a previous Corolla. Its a great commuter at thousands less than its Japanese competitors
Welcome to Zoom-Zoom Nation!
Just got the car last night but consider I just had a 2008 Mazda3 i Touring for the past 2 years. I will come back & write a review after a few months, but 1st impressions. New Mazda3 is incredible! Handling, check! Superior fit and finish, check! Int/Ext Design, check! Turns heads, check! Bluetooth, check! Fantastic Bose radio, check! More power (167 hp compared to 148 in the 08), check! More Zoom-Zoom spirit & performance, CHECK! Makes me smile and want to drive, CHECK, CHECK, CHECK! This car is a pure joy to drive so far. I used to want a BMW 3 series, but I now look at those cars & think to myself. BORING! Sticker $23,645. Got mine w/roof for $19,900 + T/T.
Most fun I've ever had behind the wheel
This is by far the most enjoyment I've ever had driving a vehicle. I traded an '03 Mazda 6 for this M3 and have no regrets. The increase in horespower and better handling was apparent as soon as I took the car for a test drive. Highly recommended.
Thrilled
Just picked the car up last week, and am so thrilled with it. So much car for such a great price. Got the i Touring with the 2.0 liter engine, has plenty of pick- up. (Probably the shortest first gear ever, though.) Bose/moonroof package totally worth it- the bose speakers are great. I get constant compliments on the car. People love the new styling. The graphite mica is gorgeous when it's sunny out. I plan on running this thing into the ground- so hopefully reliability will be good.
Mazda 3 best in class!
The 2010 Mazda 3i Touring (Auto) is a really fun car to drive. It's has a very tight feel and handles extremely well. Although the ride may be to firm for some the driver really gets a feel of the road. The styling both exterior and interior crush the competition, (Civic, Corolla, Colbalt & Focus). The 3 is a little bit small in the drivers seat and prob would not be comfortable for 6'2" or taller drivers. The quality and set up of the interior controls are outstanding. The funnest and most enjoyable car to drive in its class...ZOOM ZOOM
I love driving.
I owned 2005 Mazda3 2.3 which was really good. I was eagerly waiting for the 2010 Mazda3 from last November. It has been upgraded on every aspect. It has enough hp and torque to enjoy a daily driving. My friend has Corolla, and she compared that boring Corolla to my new Mazda3. It is not even comparable. If you want to get a compact car or an entry luxury sedan, you should try new Mazda3. You won't be disappointed.
Classy
I got the new mazda3 for my birthday. It has been a very reliable, fast, modern car. I really love to get in and drive it every day. Everyone loves my car and always wants to drive it. its amazing on handling and sticks to the road, even in the rain. The lights in the car are really cool, and are fun at night, and the seats are very comfortable. The stereo system is also very sweet, and has great bass. I LOVE MY MAZDA3 <3
New User New comment
Have just got the car for 3 days. It is a car for my son to replace the Grand AM that he had driven for the past 5 years since I bought it in 95. I drive a 05 BMW 530i and an Outlander. test drive Jetta, Sentra, Corolla and he finally settled on this. I suggest <2.0 engine size, so Jetta was out (only 2.5l). Excellent handling, easy to drive, light steering, nice match interior and external color. Nice panel. Engine very powerful considering a 2.0 engine. Speed up smoothly, efficient brake. Not used to the zig-zag type auto gear shift. too early to comment fuel economy, still on 1st tank.
The Holy Grail
I finally logged 2000 miles and decided to run this pup up HWY north of SF and let me tell you this locomotive took off like Tony Dorsett when he won the Heisman and the engine was relaxed and suspension was just working like it was made to finally but never a tire squeal was a heard . I was not pushing this thing to see what it would do, I was dying it to see what it would do while I was still in a relaxed state, and that my fellow Mazda drivers was fast enough to have literally every single car move off to the right and let me pass without even trying. Effortless and incredibly balanced is all I can say - yes folks as near to perfect as any car I can say I have driven-
Love it!
Have had for a few weeks. Great in all ways. Can't wait to drive it. For my wife but I love to slip in. Seats are perfect for a small car, great support. Interior is gorgeous. A lot of fun to drive. Plenty of power. Handles like a Mazda. Not sure that you can get anything close in the price range. Bought it loaded, except nav.
Awed By Stock Handling
Performance: 7/10 is because this car is too underpowered as far as performance goes. I came from a 200hp Jeep and a 300whp turbo integra so this is more or less the slowest car I've owned (although at highway speeds+ the mazda would prob. blow the doors off the Jeep because of aerodynamics and gear ratios). Comfort: Nice interior, only thing I'd improve is move the armrest closer to the shifter. Fuel Economy: Impressive. I average 30MPG, and that's with mostly "city" driving. Fun To Drive: YES! Awe-inspiring handling for a stock car compared to my souped up integra with very aggressive suspension & tires, AND limited slip diff. If the engine note was louder it'd be just about perfect.
Love it!
This car looks and feels amazing! Handling is top notch, and the acceleration with the S is great. Even at high speeds the car has plenty of pep to reach down and enable easing passing on the highway. The styling is sleek and aggressive. As others have commented, the car gets mistaken for a Lexus IS 250, especially the rear styling.
Great price to value ratio
I love this car, traded a 99 Jeep Cherokee on the cash for clunkers program. no regrets so far, it's a lot of fun to drive and the fuel mileage is double that of the Jeep. Build quality seems to be excellent and the car has good acceleration and shifts smoothly and precise.
My experience with the new 3 GTI
I really enjoy driving my car everyday to work, since I'm not a long distance driver, I really want to go on a long trip on my car, cause It feels great driving it. My car as an annoying sound on the dashboard that the dealer hasn't been able to identify, it develops specially on hot temperatures, it really bothers me, but everything else is excellent.
Picked the Mazda 3 over the Volvo S40
It was time to trade my 2007 Mazda 3 & I was looking at the Volvo S40. The Volvo design was appealing & the size was similar to my 07 Mazda 3. I test drove the 2010 Mazda 3 Grand Touring and the Volvo S40. No comparison! Although I really liked the idea of owning a Volvo (safety & status), it really could not compete w/ the fun-to- drive feel of the Mazda. The sticker price for the LOADED (everything including navi & push-button start) Mazda was $25,900 while the Volvo (with some amenities but nowhere near the options) was $32,000. For the feel of the two, there was just no way to justify a $6,000 difference. And, the 2010 Mazda feels much better than its 2007 predecessor. I love this car!
Good for what you pay
This car for me, right off the test drive, no matter how much you try to abuse it, it won't let up. It will adjust to your driving style. I suspect that maybe if I have driven the manual version, then I could have done some real damage, but I didn't get the chance. Anyways, the car handling is exact and precise. The performance isn't anything spectacular, but it should be sufficient for anyone driving aggressively, kind of...Luckily, the car comes with a tremendous amount of features and interior design and layout to make it exciting, or fun in the least. You won't be disappointed if you just want a base car to mess around with, but if you want a true sports car, go for better models!
10,000 Miles After Purchase
We purchased our Mazda 3 to replace our old Ford Explorer. First road trip was 660 miles from Boise to Las Vegas. Comfortable (I'm 6'2"). Economical (38.65 mpg) (29mpg in town). Zoom Zoom! The car has been reliable and we're thinking of buying the hatch version now for our second car.
Blurry Window
My rear window is blurry as if there were plastic across it, and really can be noticed with ultra violet rays. My dealer agreed with me and checked on another vehicle and verified that was the same way. It is very annoying especially in heavy traffic when you constantly need to check through your rear view mirror. God bless you if you get migraines, it is actually painful. What about the safety factor, it is not a clear window. Where do I go from here, let me know your thoughts.
best in class
After consider all the different entry level sedans i decided on getting the Mazda 3S, and i couldn't be happier. The car is very responsive, and the suspension is tight like a tiger. Fuel economy could be a little better, but 20mpg in the city is not bad. The lights are bright, and the interior is very ergonomic and roomy. Looks and drives like a car worth 10k more.
Good Choice!
I've had the car car for one week now. Very impressed with it so far. 1st tank of gas got 27.5 mpg (mostly city). The next tank was a true all-highway trip and I got 34.5 mpg. So far, so good! Not even broken in yet. Tilt/telescoping wheel can interfere with speedo/tach if adjusted to how I would ultimately like it; have had to adjust my seating position to work around this. Seems like some tire noise compared to my old '98 cavalier.
Glad I 'passed' on the Civic..
Tremendous driving experience..it feels 'tight on corners, has a lot more zip than my Tiburon and gets great mileage. Only owned it for a week but I am extremely happy that i opted for the Mazda rather than the Civic. I bought with my heart and not my head, but now my head agrees :) First tank of gas averaged 31 mpg.
2010 Mazda 3 Grand Touring Sedan
I've owned the car for about 8 mos and put 20K miles on it. I ordered the car with audio and tech packages (bose and nav system). Car handles great for its class (suspension is a little soft for my driving style, though). Ride is good, but not great. Road noise seems excessive. Gas mileage has been good for me. So far I've averaged about 27 MPG (about 90% highway miles). I can get 30 MPG if I drive less aggressively, so I think it's very good. My wife really likes the car, too. Now she says she wants to replace her SUV with this car. I give the car high marks for its class. Compared to others in its class, the Mazda 3 wins hands down in my book.
Most Bang For The Buck
Test drove this and a Civic and handling and pick--up were like night and day. I was looking for something that got good gas mileage, but yet could still get out of its own way. This is this car! Pick-up is good and handling is exceptional. It hugs the road great and I was actually impressed with the lack of road noise. This is a compact Mazda, not a Cadillac CTS; there is going to be road noise. I'm 36 years old and starting to feel the miles in a car and after a 300 mile trip yesterday I don't feel that bad. This car is loaded with little perks which I think are cool. Overall I have no regrets and feel comfortable with this purchase.
I LOVE my new Mazda3!
I cannot convey how much I LOVE this car. I bought it in Velocity Red with dual heated leather seats, 6 disc in dash cd player, bluetooth capability, you name it....and all for under $23000! I love this better than my 2003 Honda Civic EX coupe, which was a manual transmission. Too much stopping and starting to get the manual where I live, but I don't care. Smooth ride, every option is easily accessible to the driver. Gets much better MPG's than my Pacifica AWD, so I'm happy! Fun and sporty, what more could you ask for??
Zoom Zoom for sure
Compared to every other vehicle in this class, I could only find one that compares favorably with the Mazda3 (Forte with the 5 speed ECO package). Everything else seemed a bit outdated, and not have as many features standard. That may change in 2012 with the new versions of the Civic, Elantra, Focus, and Cruze. The Mazda has the best ride, great handling, solid feel, and a knockout interior.
Better Than a Honda!
I love this car! I was choosing between a Honda Civic sedan and this car and after test driving both at the same price I was so excited to buy my first Mazda after owning a previous Honda Civic.
Great Upgrade from my Ford Focus
My quest for a new car started at the beginning of the year. I went to the Denver Auto Show and the Mazda 3 caught my eye. Up and until this car, I had always purchased/driven either a Chevy or a Ford. I tried to like and purchase a Chevy Malibu but I just could not stop looking at the Mazda 3. It is fun and easy to drive. The interior cabin is absolutely amazing. I love the exterior lines and design, they look fantastic. It is easy to mistake this car for BWM both in design and performance. My commute to work is so much more fun. Best car for the price in this class.
Outstanding value
I purchased a 2010 Mazda 6 for my wife earlier in the summer -- loved it so much I decided to get a 3 (2.0 i Touring) for myself, as I wanted a little better fuel economy given I drive around 300 miles a week. So far, I'm averaging around 34 MPG, which is exactly what I wanted. Was looking at a Honda Civic, but for the money, you simply can't beat the Mazda: a car that has excellent fuel economy, comes standard with too many features to count, all for less than $21k? Great car -- highly recommended.
Fun Pocket Rocket
Excellent performance & handling. Surprisingly good mpg, I average 29 mpg. Fun to drive baby! Cons: speedometer/tac display view blocked by steering wheel(design flaw); small gas & odometer gauges seem almost an afterthought. Single high note horn is pathetic. No engine temp/oil gauges. And why would you put the fuel filler cap on the Right side of the car!!??