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Spartan car with average appeal?
T Truehouse, 04/03/2019
updated 02/10/2025
2016 Mazda 3 i Sport 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 6A)
27 of 30 people found this review helpful
If you buy a used 2016 Mazda 3 iSport you will be a bit underwhelmed but satisfied, but you might not be thrilled by it. It IS a pleasure to drive, but perhaps only in contrast with my previous car of fourteen years. It feels a little larger and heavier than my spouse's 2006 Toyota Corolla (in fact the weight of the Mazda reminds me of my old 1995 Corolla). The steering is excellent. The seats adjust less easily and have limited settings. The driver's seat on the base model does not appear to be height adjustable and the curve of the seat seems to force you forward into a hunch. The acceleration is smooth, but if you need a fast response (emergency swerve for example) it might not execute as you'd expect. There is no "Sport" button on the base iSport model! However, if you "punch it" while highway driving, then you have the opportunity depress the accelerator (to the floor) a second time for increased acceleration, which I liked. Like many 4-cylinder budget cars, the A/C diverts power from acceleration (you'll hear it rev harder). Also, there is a gear-shift feature that sort of gives manual control over the transmission, but it's really worthless. I have tried it and the automatic transmission is better. It really seems more like a gimmick to make you feel as though you're driving stick (with no reverse for rocking). Cabin noise is considerable. The car sits extremely low to the ground and you should be careful to remember that the plastic front bumper could get hooked on a parking block or snow bank. If you are older or have back issues, you might find getting into/out of it a bit difficult. The brakes are okay. The general visibility is okay, and there is a backup camera, though I use the mirrors because the screen image is washed out and distorted. The "A" and "C" pillars are substantial and the rear passenger windows are small. The interior is dark and the rearview mirror sort of obstructs vision. I find myself actively looking around it. Most of stock technology in the iSport is mediocre and unimpressive. The stereo is very quiet and seems to calibrate the volume with acceleration (gets louder when you rev higher, drops when you de-cel). Because the cabin noise is considerable, you will most likely have to keep the volume up. I barely use the large media screen. When I tried to run an iPhone though it, I could not hear Google Maps turn-by-turn instructions. In fact, the link with the car seems to have suppressed the volume on the phone. When I plugged in an iPod, it will play, but the stereo interface does not preserve the settings consistently after you shut off the car. The bluetooth connection works okay for hand-free phone calls. I am not sure where the car's antenna is located (there is no "nub"). I really want to like Mazdas and their engineering ideas (fuel efficiency, lighter weight, higher compression), but I must say that I struggled to find reasons for keeping this car. It's not a very practical 4-door sedan (the back seat is cramped), it's not a sports car, and I didn't get the hatch, so the cargo space is limited. The gas mileage average is modestly higher than some competitors and its safety ratings are average. Oil changes will run (approximately) from $60-$90 (for full synthetic) depending on the shop, but, depending on your mileage, they are not frequent (2-3x / year). That said, the car was reliable and, in the end, that's all that I needed. UPDATE: Mileage exceeded competitors. I have driven a Toyota Corolla and a Honda CRV, and this Mazda beat both. In fact, this Mazda felt more substantial than a newer Corolla and its technology was on a par with the CRV base model. Moreover, the 2016 screen was superior to the base CRV's and maintenance menus were about the same. Plus, there's no turbo in the 2016 Mazda3 iSport, so you don't have to worry about oil dilution (like the CRV). Not much maintenance was required. When I owned it there was no visible rust or breakdown of electrics. It was generally comfortable ride for long distances. If you need a commuter car, this is a good option. UPDATE 2021: During the COVID pandemic, the used value of this car rose to $15, 200 (as of today; it was 13,940 in early July) because of low inventories at dealerships and demand for used cars. In fact, it remains at inflated prices for used vehicles. It averaged about 35-36 mpg in the city and were no issues yet (at 50k miles). UPDATE 2022: I sold the car to CARVANA in October of 2021, but not because there was anything wrong with it. We had another car and insuring and maintaining two cars while working remotely seemed unnecessarily expensive. Demand for these cars has risen and the used cost is close to the original MRSP. UPDATE 2023: Having sold the car, all I have are fond memories. Mostly, I recall it was comfortable, felt safe, had smooth transmission shifts, got good mileage, and it was a nice-looking car. I sold it at 50k miles and there were no issues. After I sold it, I bought a 2017 Chevy Spark which is the epitome of no-frills cars, but even the Chevy has better quality internet connectivity, screen interface, really clear backup camera, and a superior stereo. It has a terrible CVT and shifts clumsily, but it gets better mileage than the Mazda and handles about the same. The ride is harder and the seats are less comfortable, but for an inexpensive runabout it's what I need. Buying it made me aware of all the stuff I did NOT need on the Mazda such as power windows and mirrors. All that stuff adds weight and expense. I sort of wish cars would go back to basics and pass savings on to consumers, but I know that's unrealistic.
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Might as well be a BMW
Anna Lopez, 05/16/2016
2016 Mazda 3 i Touring 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 6A)
9 of 9 people found this review helpful
I was scared to go from a BMW to a Mazda but something pulled me to this car rather than buying yet another BMW. Seriously this car has everything you want in a car but more. It has a luxury badass look outside and in. It has blindspot monitoring, a backup camera, even has voice commands. When I drive this car I feel like a million bucks, I drive fast knowing I'm not wasting as much gas as anyone else is. Plus with gas at almost 3.00 i only pay $19 to fill up. This was my first new car and I was scared [non-permissible content removed], but having it now for 7 months, I love everything about it
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2016 Mazda 3 for sale near you
3 of 71 listings
- i Touring SedanMSRP: $14,9986 mi away
- i Sport SedanMSRP: $10,620In-stock online
- i Grand Touring 4dr HatchbackMSRP: $17,998In-stock online
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An awesome car
MedStudent, 06/12/2016
2016 Mazda 3 s Grand Touring 4dr Hatchback (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
9 of 9 people found this review helpful
As a medical student, I was looking for a great car that would hold me over for years to come- and I found it in the Mazda 3. Small enough for city driving, enough room for everything I could want to throw in the trunk. I mounted roof racks to the top for my tandem bicycle as well as my road bike- and I have zero complaints. The adaptive cruise control is great, the fuel economy is awesome, the sport mode makes for fun driving. I couldn't ask for more out of a car. Mazda won themselves a customer for life.
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2016 Mazda 2.0L I Touring sedan
Ron, 12/30/2018
2016 Mazda 3 i Touring 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 6A)
9 of 9 people found this review helpful
Been turning wrenches for over 35yrs ASE.. so I'll go off my mechanics view of this car .. over all the car is better than I expected for a compact car as it rides better than my 06 Lincoln LS sport touring sedan.. the size of the Mazda meets our needs as it's only me and my wife as for a family it may be a bit small but this 3 series is really nice has great handling - brakes - lighting - entertainment - excellent crash rating A+ Reinforcements in the body structure A+ under the hood you can see around the motor another plus unlike my LS you can't see crap ! As I look under hood as a mechanic I see everything and for me that's another plus! Can easily work on this 4cyl a/c waterpump alternator etc plenty of room and it has timing chain no belt drive an added plus for me not having to remove front cover to do belt and water pump etc . Getting good hwy mileage 35 mpg at 75mph , 40.1 below 65mpg .. as for road noise ? I and my wife have no issues talking to each at 75-80 mph as other have stated ? Only real issue I see later down the road - yrs is possible electrical issues like push button start keyless entry electric rack-in pinon steering all computer control etc all mfg are heading this way as you might say I'm old school lol ... For the money Mazda 3 is well built cornering is a breeze and the auto transmission shifts smoothly thru all gears. No it's not a sports car but the handling is better than I expected for a compact car ! Yes it's Mexico production car which doesn't bother me as Mazda has very strict high standards for production! most of the parts I install on American cars are either Mexico or china made ! And some American cars are made in Mexico as well
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More than Happy
Carlos M, 06/09/2016
2016 Mazda 3 s Grand Touring 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
9 of 9 people found this review helpful
It was a really hard decision .. Mazda 3 vs Honda Civic , I went to a Mazda dealer looking for the Mazda 3 I-Touring which I drove, after the test drive I wasn't satisfied at all with this car, nice ride, good handling but not enough power then I drove the Mazda 3 "S" what a big difference, I felt the power, response was twice better, acceleration.. If you are looking for fuel efficiency get Mazda 3 "i" if you want better acceleration more powerful engine you must have the Mazda 3 "S". I have been driving this car for 2 weeks I am happy to say I really love it. I drove the the new civic and I have to say it is a beautiful car but those cvt transmission .. those cvt transmissions are horrible.
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