Used 2010 Mazda 3 Sedan Consumer Reviews
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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.
Performance Economy Car
Wanted to get the Mazdaspeed3, but will be giving this to my daughter in a couple years...there went the Speed3. Great econ car with fantastic interior detail: Soft touch dash, great displays (except info display), & good seats. Even if you're budget minded, opt for the Bose system...regular stereo not up to par. Car is a blast to drive on the twisties, but not quite fast enough to get you in trouble...but plenty of power for fun. City MPG not up to other compacts,but the fun factor more than makes up for it. Fold down the rear seats, and you got plenty of room for hauling everyday items. Mini Cooper will handle a bit better, but cost a bundle more with less room. Best bang for $ out.
- s Sport 4dr HatchbackMSRP: $7,49587 mi away
- s Sport SedanMSRP: $7,99587 mi away
- s Grand Touring SedanMSRP: $4,500148 mi away
Could've been better
Bought almost 3 months ago, and while I like the style, I find it has little substance. I am very disappointed by the gas mileage. Averaging 21 miles in city and 29 on interstate. Should be better for a 4 cylinder. The automatic transmission is slow to respond sometimes. Rear seating is also a little cramp. Should have spent more time looking at other makes.
No keyless entry or alarm
If you want keyless entry and alarm upgrade to the turing model. If you are considering getting a mazda3, consider getting the model above the i sport. Overall, this is a really good car. Only other issues so far is this noise on the passenger side of the car, not sure what it is but will take it back to the dealership to have it checked out.
Amazing Car
This Car offers the best bang for the Buck. Inexpensive, and quick- Fully Loaded if you get the Bose/Moonroof/wheel-lock special- It is only $1,000 more, Other Companies charge much more for those Luxuries. Smooth Ride, Very Energetic Acceleration, Great Cornering, Gorgeous Colors to choose from. Very Sleek look, Makes you feel like you bought an expensive Import, without the headache of spending a lot of money.
Love it!
Major upgrade from 2007 Chevy Aveo. Far more powerful and nimble. All the bells and whistles. Two months after having it still very satisfied. One thing I thought of is how much safer I am and everyone else in this compared to my previous car or the SUV I used to drive. You can brake and accelerate quicker, and there is minimal body roll. You are in control of this car, whereas the SUV you are along for the ride. Just think of those Trucks and SUVs we all have to drive next to that need so much more room to stop and have to slow to a crawl to turn. This is a great vehicle. Great Job Mazda!
perfect marriage of tech and performance
I have bought the car after reading all the positive reviews on Edmunds. I l-o-v-e the car. The bluetooth music streaming rocks. It paired up with my ipod in minutes, the palm centro works flawlessly with the hands free. After voice training I can speak to the system even with moderate road noise and get it to work. The drive is awesome. Zips through the Washington DC traffic with a true sports spirit. Although a bit sad to not being able to buy the manual shift (marital issue), the clutchless manual does the job right whenever I need the extra zoom zoom. Turns on a dime. The handling is better than German models. Still have my 04 jetta and love it. The 3 outperforms my jetta.
Love my 3
Fantastic suspension, flexible engine, more features than are available on many cars costing a lot more, and decent room and fuel economy add up to a tremendous amount of fun and value. The car's only real shortcoming that I've found in six months and 9000 miles is that the stock Toyos aren't the best tires in the rain, but that's easily corrected.
Greatest Value for under 18K
You buy the 2010 Mazda3 because you are looking for a car that is under 18k, is practical, safe, economical, reliable, 4 doors and fun, period. I test drove the civic, corolla, subaru impreza, dodge SRT4 and Fit. I must say, the Civic ex came very close. I noticed that the civic had some real low end pep, better mpg, better interior, but in the end, the mazda3 seemed to have a suspension and road feel edge with the benefit of being a redesigned car that was engineered to be fun. A guiltless decision for a 35 year old guy who wanted a Subaru WRX.
Best Car I tested...and purchased
I test drove several cars, new and used. I must say that this was the most valuable (bang for buck) of the bunch. Very responsive handling, great on gas, and looks are appealing. Coming from a Tacoma its a big change, but well worth it in my eyes.
happy so far
I'm really enjoying driving my new Mazda. It combines sportiness with practicality while giving me around 30 mpg's. This Grand Touring model is flush with several high end features such as the adaptive xenon headlights, memory drivers seat, and auto on headlights and wipers. My wife insisted on heated leather which we have need for much too often here in Wisconsin. Am currently having an issue with the outside temperature thermometer which is very slow to adjust to the actual temperature. A small problem perhaps but frustrating all the same. It was just such gremlins that led me to trade my 2006 VW Passat for this vehicle in hopes of higher Japanese build quality.
Best car for under $25000
My mom bought this car for me yesterday. I have loved the mazda3 since the previous model came out. I am absolutely in love with this car. I test drove all the comparisons including ford focus, toyota corolla, honda civic, and vw jetta. This car deff stands out and is the best for your money in every department. The whole car feels like both a bmw and a mercedes in feel and quality of build. I got the gunmetal blue mica and it really makes the car shine! If you like a car where people look and ask you what it is, this is the one for you. I liked this car because it stands out in the parking lot, the design is amazing. The road feel is amazing and everything this car offers is amazing! a must!
You Must Buy a Mazda3
I bought my 2010 mazda for it's appearance inside and out. It takes corners sharply, ride is smooth, easy to handle, feels & looks sporty. Has awesome power. When I drive I feel like saying ZOOM ZOOM! I would recommend. 2010 has traction control which is an upgrade from prior models. Controls on the steering wheel is smart. Air Conditioner cools car down faster than I ever experience and it isn't too cold where you have to turn it down or off - just right.
No more Toyotas
I have had Toyotas my whole life and that is over. Having traded in my Tacoma (loved it) so my wife could have an SUV (Ford Escape) I was stuck in a Camry. BORING. Did some research and read reviews. Test drove Corolla Sport, Civic and Nissan Sentra. Never would have considered Mazda but I was looking for something sporty but not a "sports" car and I knew it as soon as I drove it that I found what I was looking for. Dumped my boring Camry and LOVE the Mazda 3. More room then any of the others and WAY sportier inside and out. Handles real nice and solid on the gas mileage. Pick-up could be better but once it is going everything is smooth.
Excellent car
Was planning on using our van on vacation when it blew a transmission seal. Loaded four adults (I'm 6'4", 230lbs) and a trunk load of gear and headed to the Adirondack Mountains. Brand new car with less than 50 miles on it, averaged 36mpg over 850 miles with AC on. No problem on the hills, even though loaded. Handles great, more comfortable seats than our Ford van. Tried a 2009 Honda Fit, but the Mazda has more power, handles, better, feels more solid and gets great gas mileage.
Love it
Bought the car less than 2 weeks ago and am really enjoying my first Mazda. It handles well and I love having a manual transmission again. I like the bold styling and the silver color I got. I like the functionality and features, and the seats are very comfortable. The stereo is great as well, especially with CDs. As noted below, I would prefer to have a taller top end gear akin to what the automatic enjoys - the engine really does not need so tight a gear spacing at the top end, in my opinion. But overall, I would easily recommend this vehicle.
Even works for the family
We've had our Mazda 3 for a little over 2 months now and we are very happy with our decision. We wanted something that was going to get good gas mileage and the Mazda 3 has lived up to that. We are constantly getting 30 mpg which is greatly improved from the 16 mpg we were getting in our SUV. We thought this would be a vehicle for commuting back & forth to work, but actually our 3 children, ranging in age from 14 to 2, fit in the backseat just fine (even with a car seat) so we use it for family outings too. It has great handling and acceleration.
I will help you decide..Buy it!
I've only had the mazda3 several days and I am very impressed. I was originally looking into the Civic and Corolla just for a commuter, but the exterior and interior style of the Mazda3 really caught my eye. It handles beautifully and you get a lot of car and options for the price. Many of the "expert" reviews indicate the ride is stiff, but that is just opinion. It's not a stiff ride. It's a nice tight sporty suspension that gets excellent mileage, even with the larger 2.5.
Fun Fun Fun
My little Mazda was a replacement for a Honda. This car handles much better and is more fun to drive. I chose the 2.5 because I was driving a 200 hp car and thought the car not have great pick-up if i chose the smaller engine. This engine has fantastic pick-up and handles well and best of all uses regular gasoline. The dash is very modern and it has ample lighting for night driving. The white/gray display screen is not attractive and does not match the other parts on the dash. It's like an alien screen. Also I would have liked a leather option but grey not black.
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.
Fine Wine
Like fine wine, the mazda 3 gets better with age and design. Wow, what a great car. I originally purchased a 2007 model and loved it. I recently traded up for the 2010 model. This is the only make and model I have owned on two separate occasions. It rides like a champ! Mazda is superior to Toyota, Nissan and Honda. The sales team at Cory Fairbanks Mazda made the purchase stress free without the "high pressure" tactics I have experienced in the past. Awesome vehicle!!!
Unreal ride
I just bought this car got a great deal, nothing down, 1 free month's lease payment, paying 41 months $225 lease, that is it my friends, gonna drive it for 3.5 years and buy it for $9.5K I had no idea how to drive stick and had a friend teach me less than a week, this car is the real deal for the price. The only thing that sucks is no power locks, and the HORN. This car rocks baby! ZOOM ZOOM
Fun to drive alternative to boring cars
Had a boring Toyota Corolla '08 for 2.5 years and was sick of it and its straining engine. Wanted to buy a sporty sleek car that looked different. For a decent price, you get more than you pay for. In my Mazda, I feel like I glide down the road, accelerate fast and turn corners effortlessly. I average 29-30 (city) mi/gal, which is competitive with other cars in its class. Interior is attractively lit red with glowing blue touches at night. Radio/dashboard display is positioned with driver in mind. Center console is curved and designed in a futuristic pretty way. Best money I ever spent! Mazda offering 0% apr for 60mo continuously and $500 cash back, so you get a great financing deal too.
Keeps me smiling
On paper this is not the car I wanted. I wanted a status symbol, something flashy and powerful. But the reality of my 7 mile commute (with 8 stop lights) made the ideal of some 300 hp monster seem a bit absurd. Enter the mazda 3 gt, fully loaded, it has all the gadgets I wanted, uses regular fuel, and costs a heck of lot less. Steering is nimble and quick. fit and finish is excellent. Good power, can chirp the front tires even with dsc on. I find myself grinning while driving. . . just because.Taking a corner at 40 mph, better than a latte to get the heart going in the morning. Drives like a smaller car, think miata with 4 doors.
It's a good car, not a great car.
Ive owned a few new cars in the last 7 years, and the only one I regret buying is the Mazda 3. Im not saying it was a bad purchase but I should have spent more time looking at the Honda and Toyota. The Mazda 3 has a powerful engine and a refined transmission that make it so nice to drive, but it comes at the cost of low quality interior materials and poor fit and finish. Features are plentiful but lack quality, thought, and purpose, and may even be totally pointless like manual headlamp leveling. I love the sporty feel and tight suspension, but some may find the ride noisy and rough. Finally, there is no coolant temperature gauge??? Whats up with that???
Great Car For The Money
I have had this car only for a few days... but it is Great! Since I was down sizing from a fully loaded SUV I still wanted all the comforts I could get. I got the sGT 5A with both the moon roof and Tech packages. I got it in automatic because of all the city driving I do. I like having all the toys I can get and for the price I paid, it was a steal. I got it for a thousand under invoice. The comfort and interior design are perfect. I took my girl car shopping the other day and I had a dealer from another manufacture tell me that he thought it looked great and he was going to get one. The car drives tight and firm just like a sports car. It's all about ZOOM ZOOM baby.
Love my new Mazda3!
I reluctantly said goodbye to my 11- year-old Saturn after repair costs became too great. I would have considered another Saturn but I have concerns about the future of the company. Since I know nothing about cars, I spent a lot of time here researching. Consumer reviews for Honda and Toyota were mixed but reviews for the Mazda3 were great so I decided to start my test driving there. After my first test drive, I didn't need to test anything else. I drove two hours to the only dealer who had the iTouring in gunmetal blue. I'm glad I did...the color is beautiful!
2010 Mazda3 i touring review
I just picked the car up yesterday so the relilability rating is a guess. But it has a nice interior design, good gas mileage, and the engine seems to have more pep than the civic ex-l I tested. I love the streaming bluetooth audio feature. With an iphone (or any other that has apps I guess) being able to stream pandora, or ESPN radio app, or AOL radio through the bluetooth it almost negates the need for satellite radio. I like the suspension (a little tight) and the sport shift is nice. A comfy, good gas car, with a little pep and nice enough look. So far so good!
Lives up to expectation
This car is as fun as everyone else mentioned. The handling is superb, power is ample--gets out of its own way. My mileage has been as high as 32 but averages 26 for mostly local driving. I own a 2009 Mazda 6 also--that car drives like a lexus, nice but doesn't have the tight handling feel of my 3. All the features in the car are smartly done-- most bang for the buck. Life's too short for boring cars and this one is not. The rear doors are pretty tight getting in and out so this is not the ideal family car (hence my 6 which is as roomy as a lincoln town car). The only drag is all the slow drivers in front of me, especially minivan drivers. If I had the 2.5 engine I'd be getting tickets.
Too soon to know
I love this car, but I haven't had it long enough to know how reliable its going to be. The seats are great, and its big on the inside. The speakers are good for stock. The only problem I have with it is that the paint seems like its very thin. I already have 2 chips on the hood, and 2 scratches on the passenger door. Its black and I guess that's to be expected, I had a charcoal grey car before and it didn't seem to scratch this easily.
LOVE IT
I have had my 3 for a year and I absolutely love it. I get anywhere between 30 and 35mpg never any less even when my oil change is coming up. It is a fantastic car.
Remarkable Car
Just got a fantastic deal at Duncan Mazda outside Blacksburg, VA. Purchased 2010 Mazda3 iTouring with 0% financing for 60 months and $500 loyalty cash for $16,500 out the door. It is a sweet ride with all the amenities. Our 1999 Mazda Protege ES has 259,00 miles and runs like a top although it has rust. Bottom line, the iTouring is the current generation of reliable, fun-to-drive and economical Mazdas. We compared ours to Honda Civic LX, Ford Focus SES, Suburu Impreza, and Toyota Corolla, and believe we got the best value.
2010 S Sport 6M 2.5L
MSRP+Moon/Bose+Tech Pack= 22,080 Amount Paid:20,300+T/T Compared with Honda Si, Civic, 2009 Mazda Speed3. More power than my old civic & about the same as an Si minus the scream of vtec. Much less power than MS3 but much better gas mileage. Uses regular gas! Have had acceleration that was anticlimatic & also accel that put you back in your seat. DSC perhaps? Some pretty large blind spots compared with my old civic. Better than the old models though. Not enough for a dealbreaker. Saw this in a lot when it just came in. Bought it at 15mi on odo. I put at least 8 of them on with 2 test drives. Inquire about it online before you go to a dealer. Much better prices.
Best small car out there
Researched a TON of other small cars out there including the Fit, Civic, Versa, Corolla, Psion, Kia, Cobalt, etc. This is the only one that offers all the safety features available for under $18K, including Stability control. Great mileage, fun to drive, awesome looks; it literally looks and feels like a baby BMW or Lexus. It's my first Mazda, but so far it feels like a keeper. You can literally option this car out very affordable, but we decided on a base iTouring. the bluetooth phone/MP3 player also ROCKS! Works with my iPhone 3GS like a charm!
great car
This is one, if not the best car you can get for under 17k. This car has plenty of acceleration for the average driver. Also, the comfort and handling of the vehicle is above average of a car in its class. Fuel economy is very good as long as you don't floor it around. Good luck with that. Highway miles per gallon at 75-80 are around 33-35, and in the city around 28. Gears seem to be a little short, but this car works well even at high rpms. Blutooth is quick and simple to set up and use,the stereo is great for stock, and the vehicle's build is solid and quiet.
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.
Fun on a budget
After five years of driving an F-150 I love driving and filling up our new Mazda 3. We wanted to replace the truck with an economy vehicle that is also fun to drive. So far we have no complaints.
Extremely good car- Both looks and Value
getting 30-37 mpg. Turns heads. Overhear people saying' that's what i want...' Only regret is that i could not get with sunroof when purchased and the ventilation is a bit strange without it. Otherwise a fantastic car and I was able to get at an unusually low price- so negotiate! You will not be disappointed in this car..
Love It
My college graduation present to myself. My first car was a 99 accord. I loved the accord but I do not regret my decision about the 3. I test drove almost every car in its class from civic to sentra and I can honestly say the mazda3 blows them all away. My advice to future buyers is pay the extra grand to get the s model because the styling is more refined than the lower models. And side by side there is a huge difference. People have actually mistaken it for a Lexus IS 250 from the back, which is fine with me!
Good car with a couple of minor issues....
I have owned my 2010 Mazda 3 Gran Touring 2.5L 6 speed since October of 2010. I recently hit 30K miles on it. It does have some minor workmanship issues. When it's cold, the instrument cluster rattles (which stinks if you have OCD). The front left speaker needs to be replaced. And now the front rotors are warped. The dealership told me over the phone this morning that in Colorado, warped brakes are a common problem, but they aren't going to do anything about it because it's wear and tear. Funny, I haven't had any "common" brake warping problems in my other cars I own, especially at 30K miles. Its a decent vehicle, but I have been reading up on the Dodge Dart.... just sayin'.
The Most Fun and Value in a Compact.
I had such a good experience with my 2004 Mazda 3s 4 door that I eagerly awaited the announcement of the 2010 version. Heard it was going to be released March 2009 back at Nov. 08 LA Auto Show. So a few weeks ago on March 8, I bought a 2010 M3 s 4 dr Sport with Tech and Moonroof/Bose packages. I am super pleased with everything, the fun to drive/performance and everything that made the previous gen. is all here, with a major amount of refinement and additional standard/optional features. If possible, consider getting both the Tech and Moonroof/Bose pkgs; the Tech pkg has several great features like advanced keylees entry, push button start and the Nav (small but vibrant screen).
Well Designed 3
After numerous mazdas I fell into another one. The new 2010 design was not all that catchy at first, but gradually grew on me until I broke down and just bought one. Very comfortable, sporty, and fits a family of 4 comfortably. Car seats work well in the rear. Very nicely engineered and designed transmission with 5 gears, little to no "shift-shock" almost feels like a CVT. Really cant complain at all. Great price and extremely high crash ratings compared to others. A++ Mazda.
More bang for your buck
Sold my 99 Volkswagen Jetta because it was terrible and upgraded to the 2010 Mazda 3...I car shopped for a while and the ratings for the mazda 3 were better than honda and toyota..I loved the new body style and felt it looked very professional and classy...comparing it to the look of other 2009 and 2010 cars out there..this car is on top! Both inside and out look way better than any other car out there...way more modern. I would highly recommend this car for anyone..I'm a college commuter and despite other reviews I get 26 mpg which I don't think is that far off from competitors and for the look of the car it's worth the couple mpg difference
Awesome!
Reliable!
Zoom Zoom
I have had my 2010 Mazda 3s for about 18 months now and overall I'm quite satisfied with some draw backs. I decided to spend a little bit extra money and upgrade from the iTouring to the Sport sedan. I think that the Mazda interior is very stylish and great quality. There are a lot of amenities packed into that little tiny car. The car has great pick up especially when you stomp on the throttle in third gear, you can really feel the torque.
Sweet3
This car has the highest in its class for safety, quality and reliability. This is my 4th Mazda, and i will continue to be a member of the Mazda family. The smoothness of the transmission, excellent fuel economy. Very Sporty, plenty of power out of the 2.0L MZR 4 Cylinder engine with 148 hp. Easy to get up and go in traffic. With small children safety is key, and this beat the CIVIC and COROLLA hands down. A++ Mazda! Don't compare apples to oranges, don't compare the Mazda price to a Honda or Toyota, You get a lot more than you pay for with a Mazda, especially this 3. So if you're looking to buy one, stop thinking about it, BUY IT
New Mazda owner
I purchased the 2010 model 3 after test driving the 2010 Corolla. I drove a 2003 Corolla for seven years and was impressed with Toyota and was prepared to buy another until I compared the Mazda 3 and the Corolla. The Mazda 3 is more stylish and has a better quality interior by far than the Corolla. The Mazda 3 has very good handling and pick up and fit and finish is excellent. The sporty suspension provides for a rather stiff ride but is not a major problem. More road noise than I am used to but again, not a major problem. It is too early for me to comment on reliability. I personally find the seats somewhat uncomfortable for anything other than very short trips.
Mazda 3 i Touring Great First Car
I bought this car for my teenage daughter due to safety,stability control,6 airbags, blutooth, and great gas milage for under $17500,but I have found it particularly fun to drive. This car exceeds all expectations. The interior is well laid out and the car is fun to drive period.
I love my new zoom-zoom ride!
I have always wanted a Mazda 3....when the 2010's came out, I knew I had to had one and finally yesterday we bought it!!!!! So far, I LOVE it! It's cute and fun to drive! I got the sunroof and Bose package and I think it was well worth it!
Mazda 3
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.