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An excellent compact car with a few annoyances
DG, 03/28/2016
updated 10/03/2016
2016 Mazda 3 s Grand Touring 4dr Hatchback (2.5L 4cyl 6M)
69 of 69 people found this review helpful
REVIEW UPDATED OCTOBER 2016 AT 14540MI Pros: After clocking almost 14540 miles in this car, I can say without reservation that the 2.5 liter engine is excellent. It’s very smooth with linear power delivery and never leaves me needing more, as long as I select the right gear. Also, doing my own oil changes is very easy. The 6-spd manual transmission in this car is one of the best I’ve had in a compact car, but it can feel a bit notchy when going from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd, but I realized this was because I was trying to 'guide' the shifter, which isn't necessary. It has nice short throws and slides into the next gear almost on its own, if you let it! Ride/handling is firm, but not at all harsh. The 3 sGT is a very controlled and fun car to drive! Build quality and fit/finish are excellent throughout the car, on par with the very best. Although, road noise at speed can be intrusive, due to limited use of sound insulation. Styling is fantastic inside and out. It’s a very simplistic but upscale look and feel, reminiscent of a much more expensive car, although the upper trim on all 4 doors could be softer, especially the rear. Supportive and attractive seats, I love the contrast stitching The Bose Centerpoint sound system is the best sounding audio system I’ve ever had in a car, hands down. It offers excellent imaging and superior full range sound reproduction, particularly when playing lossless music files. It won't provide the kind of bass you get from a separate subwoofer, but it's a clean sounding system. The adjustable head-up display and the blind spot monitoring are great safety features that work very well, although I'd prefer a head up display that projects onto the windshield, instead of a popup of clear plastic, which looks a bit cheap. The BSM allows you to adjust the warning chime level or turn it off, which is nice. Fuel efficiency was not quite as good as I expected at the beginning but, as I suspected, it has improved markedly since break-in. I am now averaging 36 MPG in mostly highway driving, which is better than it's rated. Cons: The infotainment system is slow to start up, sometimes taking over a minute to display the home screen. It also has unstable smart phone integration, often not recognizing my Android phone when connected via USB, which is annoying because I prefer to play music over wire instead of Bluetooth, as the sound quality is MUCH better. It also sometimes has issues connecting to the internet radio and webcast apps on my phone. Also, too many of the systems core functions cannot be accessed while driving. I realize this is for safety, but it’s far more restrictive than most cars I’ve owned. And finally, there is no Android Auto or Apple CarPlay present, while most competitors are offering these features. Mazda could definitely stand to further refine this system. At highway speeds, the level of road noise can become fatiguing and intrusive after a while. Mazda clearly saved some money by eliminating sound insulation materials. The car doesn't retain accessory power when you shut off the engine. I sometimes like to finish listening to a song or a news story before exiting, but in order to do so, I have to turn the acc power back on by pushing the start button again. Every other car I've owned in the last 15+ yrs retains acc power for a few min (or until a door is opened) after engine shutoff. Not a major con, but still annoying. There needs to be a fog light indicator light somewhere on the dash board. The switch on the left stalk is hidden behind the steering wheel, so it is difficult to tell if they’re on or off. Not a major con, but it's a minor detail that never should have been omitted. The clutch has a much higher take up point than I’m use to. It doesn’t begin to engage until the pedal is more than half way out. I prefer a clutch that engages closer to the floor to facilitate quicker shifts. It may be somewhat adjustable, which I will investigate eventually. A non-leather seat option on the top sGT trim would be nice for those who don’t want leather. Something like Alcantara would be a great option. Also, a bit more bottom padding would be nice as well, as the seats can begin to feel hard after a few hours. Summary: I admit to being VERY nitpicky when it comes to my cars. I have high expectations that are rarely met. That said, I would still buy the 3sGT 5-door over any other compact currently currently offered. The only car I might have considered is the upcoming 2017 Honda Civic 5-door, but it won’t be available until late 2016 and I couldn’t wait that long. In any case, I’m very happy with this car and can wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone looking for an excellent compact car that will undoubtedly provide many years of fun and trouble-free driving.
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Excellent crash performance
Ash, 09/12/2016
2016 Mazda 3 i Sport 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 6A)
61 of 61 people found this review helpful
I was hit in the middle of the passenger side by a driver who ran a stop sign, hard enough that I spun 180 degrees and she continued on to hit a house across the street. I estimate she was doing 35-40 mph on a residential street and she never even touched her brakes. The Mazda3 was amazing. 2 days later I have a bruise where the seatbelt crossed my lap and another on my back where I'm assuming the seat supports pressed into me. That's it. No stiffness or soreness, no other injuries. The wreck honestly felt smoother than a bumpy roller coaster ride, although not nearly as fun. And when the air bags deployed, the car used my phone over the Bluetooth connection and called 911 automatically. I really liked my car. It handled well, was comfortable, fun to drive, attractive, and priced right. If the insurance totals mine out, I will be purchasing another Mazda3.
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2016 Mazda 3 for sale near you
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Mazda for Life
John Sannes, 10/24/2015
updated 10/31/2018
2016 Mazda 3 s Touring 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
40 of 40 people found this review helpful
I have previously owned 3 Mazda cars, just sold a 2013 Civic Si. What I really needed was a commuter car, and always liked the previous Mazda3, so I decided to try a new one. It's great. Comfortable on long drives, has a very nice stereo system in the GT (HD radio and XM). The GT has the Active driving display (HUD) which I really like. I'm not a big fan of the basic-basic dash layout, but the dash mounted infotainment screen gives you a lot of info (HD traffic, Nav, Text SMS, etc.,) The HUD also gives you Nav directions. Car does not perform like a Miata, but it is no slouch either. I have changed tires (and that made a good difference in how the car handles in tight corners). I love manual transmissions (and one is available), but I get into heavy traffic, and my wife can't drive stick. The shiftable automatic is great. Fuel mileage is very good for the size car it is and uses regular gas (avg. 32 mpg). If you are looking for a good all around car the 3 is a great choice; however, I would suggest that you don't skimp and get the bargain basement car hoping to upgrade parts later. I love the GT. UPDATE: 10/2018 25,000 miles (I used the O.E. upgrade and added Apple CarPlay - LOVE it. Sounds dumb but makes the car better by allowing Pandora and Waze to be placed on the Nav screen. Result? I don't like XM, I like Pandora instead. The problem with the 6-sp auto is that is that unlike a manual trans, you can't always tell what gear you're in by putting your hand on the shifter and when moving through traffic, I will lose count - and be in the wrong gear. Using the paddle shifter negates this. Problem solved. Trunk has more room than I anticipated and it's just a very easy car to live with. If only I could afford more than one Mazda at a time. I would buy a Mazda again in a minute.
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Very happy with my Mazda3
Surly Jason, 05/28/2016
updated 02/01/2018
2016 Mazda 3 i Sport 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 6M)
49 of 52 people found this review helpful
I traded my 2014 Accord for a basic Mazda3, 6-speed with the preferred package and am totally ga-ga in love over my Mazda. It's definitely smaller but it performs u-turns so much easier and is much more engaging to drive. I love the 6-speed transmission, too. I owned a 2009 Honda Fit for several years and it was a fantastic car which easily got 38 mpg and had tons of cargo space; it, however, always had the appearance of a kiddy car with a rollerskate-like appearance. The Mazda3 feels and looks more grown-up and sophisticated. I love the high quality materials, the tight seams on the car and how smooth the controls are. I also like the largish wheels and tires and appreciate the 6+ inches of ground clearance. My Accord, despite being a far larger car, had tires similar in size to the 3 and had lower ground clearance so I often scraped the air dam when going into or leaving parking lot ramps. I wasn't sure about the so-called "commander" knob on the 3 but with just three weeks of ownership, I've become used to the knob and really like it. I told my other half that this is likely to be the last car I buy for a long, long time and she didn't believe me. Well, I've already started looking at another car -- a slightly higher trim level Mazda3. I wouldn't mind having the dual-zone climate control or the keyless entry / keyless ignition. The only thing that seems weird to me about the 3 is how you need the key fob to get into the car but not to start the vehicle. I would really like to be able to not fumble in my pocket to unlock the doors. For reference, I considered the Mazda3 and also a Golf Sportwagen. Strange combination I'm sure you're thinking and you're right. I really wanted the larger cargo capacity of the Golf wagen and the little turbo gas motor was rated for much more power, however, the motor didn't feel nearly as strong as the ratings suggested. I drove the 3 and fell in love with the thing. The steering wheel and controls are right at my hands and the transmission is creamy-smooth. The motor seems to make more power than the ratings suggest and the car has a "let's go -- zoom-zoom" feel about it. The motor never seems to run out of breath and is so smooth and quiet. The VW salesperson asked me why I chose the 3 over the wagen and I told him the car just felt great and was "me." I think if you try one, you'll like it too. This is my 19th 4-wheeled vehicle that I've owned and easily my favorite. Only 3 tanks of gas (and just over 1,000 miles) but my average mileage on fuelly.com is over 38 mpg. I expect as the mileage accumulates and the motor breaks-in, this figure should stay the same or increase slightly. UPDATE: 7-23-16 I've now owned my 3 for a few months and just passed 4,600 miles. Despite the availability of cars for work, I choose to drive my 3 because I like it so much. Having lived with the car for a little while, there are some things I appreciate more and some other things that could be improved. The engine and transmission remain creamy smooth and quiet and over the past months, I've seen a high mpg of 42 and a low of just over 35: average is 37 mpg. The cabin remains quiet and comfortable. That commander knob I mentioned is easy to use but I do find myself wishing for a simple tuning knob. I just had my oil changed for the first time and it seems like the mileage has improved slightly -- a mpg or 2 on the highway. "surly's mazda fuelly" Would I buy again? WIthout reservation -- I love the thing. UPDATE: 1-28-17: over 14,000 miles and just had the oil changed for the 3rd time. The car seems to be loosening up nicely -- the exhaust seems a little more sporty sounding and the motor feels more willing to rev as the miles accumulate. No problems at all and I still love driving my little "go-devil." Mileage averages about 36mpg overall. Google surly's mazda fuelly for more stats. 7-30: over 22,000 miles -- love the car. Averaging 36 mpg. One of the greatest features of the car is the rain-sensing wipers. I've looked at other cars and few have this feature. I can't imagine NOT having them. The car has been a delight to own and to drive and I still recommend it. 1/2018: The Mazda was my favorite car -- loved the thing. Never a problem. Didn't like the dealer or Mazda. Never heard one thing from either about my satisfaction with the car or my sales experience. Mazda lost a customer because they didn't acknowledge me as a customer. Got a new Subaru Crosstrek instead -- feeling the love as an owner with email surveys about my satisfaction with the vehicle, with the dealer and welcome letters, acknowledgements of ownership from Subaru and from the dealer. Free maintenance, "encore delivery" service, donation made to ASPCA, complimentary car washes at the dealer. Nothing, ever, from Mazda other than postcards "reminding me it might be time for an oil change." Like I said, they lost a customer because I loved my car. Final mileage, about 29,900.
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Great alternative to the Audi A3
Andrew in Marin, 03/08/2016
2016 Mazda 3 i Grand Touring 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 6A)
15 of 15 people found this review helpful
I stopped buying Japanese cars a while ago. Despite the benefits of reliability and fuel efficiency, the Civic, Corolla and Prius were not fun for me to drive. I then tried a BMW 3 series which was a blast to drive but broke down too much and was expensive to fix. The Passat seemed like a good compromise but still had reliability issues and was expensive at the pump. Why am I telling you all of this? The Mazda 3 grand touring Sedan checks all the boxes for me. It's fun to drive (more so in the city than on the highway) It has a great infotainment system (Bose) and the interior reminded me a lot of the Audi A3 that I was testing (for $10k + more). The interior feels upscale, the acceleration is good and the handing is excellent. It feels much like my Miata from the 90's. My one concern is that I am not getting the advertised MPG which is one of the reasons for choosing this car. I am getting a combined of 28 MPG with modest driving. I had expected more like 33 MPG. The dealer says MPG will improve after 5000 miles (I'm only at 750). That seems like a long break-in time. Has anyone else experienced this? Overall, it's a great car.
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Love the car although it has it's minor negatives.
Mike A, 05/24/2016
updated 02/20/2020
2016 Mazda 3 i Sport 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 6A)
23 of 24 people found this review helpful
I have had the car for more than 3 weeks and put about 1,200 miles. Here is what I like and dislike: Likes: -Looks. Bought the "gray" which actually looks more like charcoal black. -Decent backseat room. Perfect for my teen kids. -Fuel Economy. Averaging about 33 MPG in mixed city/highway. I like in the suburbs but still deal with lights. Its not stop & go but its not true highway either. -Lots of standard features for the iSport. Rear view camera, bluetooth, voice commands, text reads. -Acceleration. Its quick. (**Update after a year of ownership, it is not quick. Not sure why the acceleration went down or why I said it was quick originally.) -Braking. Maybe because the brakes are brand new but it stops on a dime. -Money factor on leasing. *This is key if you are considering leasing. I researched a lot on this but Mazda offers competitive money factors. It is cheaper for me to lease the Mazda3 than say a Kia Soul although the Soul is cheaper.* -Warranty: Powertrain - 5 yr/60k miles plus 3 yr/36k miles roadside assistance (although I have AAA). -Reliability. Consumer Reports has rated Mazda as one of the most reliable brands. Dislikes: -Road noise. Not sure if it is the tires but the road noise is the worst and loudest. I thought my old 2013 Civic had a lot of road noise but this Mazda3 is load! -Seats a little uncomfortable. -Black interior. Looks nice but in the summer, black dashboard and black seats will make the car an oven. -Second week I made a wide right turn and heard a loud pop underneath the car. Then I started hearing metal hitting each other after hitting bumps. Took it to the dealer. They said everything was fine but did confirm the noise. After 3 hours, they said they needed to contact Mazda (this was on Saturday). Noise went away by Monday. Not sure if they fixed it unknowingly. Gone for now. Hope it does not come back but this is a big concern. -Interior Light brightness. There are only 2 options unless mine is defective. Its either bright or less bright. No in-between. Why? Never seen only 2 choices. *Update (after a year of ownership): Everything I mentioned above still stands except for the acceleration. One other item that I took the car to the dealer was when you hit the brakes hard (at slow speed), the car made a noise as if some metal was loose. Dealer determined the brakes were dirty. They cleaned them and noise went away. No issues besides that. I will update in another year. **Update (after 2 years of ownership): Had a recall where part of the rear brakes caused premature wear. I did get new rotors and pads for my rear brakes. Acceleration is not great and is worst with the AC on. I will have the dealer check it out in case there is anything wrong with the transmission. Car is OK but it is not really fun to drive. This is a lease and I will end up buying it in any case. Almost will exhaust the warranty. I have over 32k miles so far and its been only 2 years and 1 month. **Update (after 3+ years of ownership): Again, the acceleration is horrible on this car when the AC is on. The transmissions lags in shifting. No power, no torque. Have two other minor issues: 1) no way to set an audio alert when a text comes in; and 2) why can't my car beep when I lock the doors using my keyfob. You have to press twice for it to beep. Should be at the first press not second. Other than that, it is doing well. No major issues. Approaching 56k miles although its almost 3 1/2 years old. **Update (almost 4 years of ownership; 63k+ miles): Rear shocks need to be replaced; mechanic stated this is a little premature as they usually last 90-100k. Still has lack of power, torque so poor acceleration unless you manually shift gears. Tires are overdue for replacing. I replaced one set so need to replace next set. Overall, the original tires lasted me about 60k which I think is OK. Hoping this will last me another 6 years before I am able to replace this.
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Roomy, Sporty, GREAT fuel economy **and SAFE**
jeff b, 08/05/2016
updated 08/07/2017
2016 Mazda 3 i Sport 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 6M)
32 of 34 people found this review helpful
Whats not to like about a sporty hatchback that gets 40+ mpg? No, it`s not a muscle car, and it`s never going to be. Performance is what you`d expect from a 2 liter engine...maybe a tick more but nothing that`s going to push you into the seat. It scoots just fine. The seats are supportive and comfortable. Also, for me, the interior controls are fantastic. There have been some complaints about the ergonomics of the infotainment system and I honestly don`t get it. The screen is well placed and sized well enough. The controls are both on the steering wheel as well as the main control knob which sits comfortably right under your right hand. I read a complaint that the radio kept going up the frequency range after the user stopped clicking. Buddy, there are two settings for the radio. One of them is the "scan" feature. Turn that off and you get one station at a time. The rear view camera is nice and quite useful. I got the six speed manual transmission, and I love it. The clutch is very light and feedback is perfect for the vehicle. One great feature is the hill start assist. If you come to a stop on a hill, the car will automatically hold the brake for you to allow you time to engage the clutch without rolling back. Handling wise, it`s a win as well. Keep in mind you`re not in a ferrari. It has it`s limits but it`s got a sports car`s soul. The automatic windshield wipers are AWESOME. It`s not just on/off, but it also automatically adjusts the wiper speed according to how hard it`s raining. All in all, I am 100% happy with my 3. I took possession of it lock,stock, and barrel (no financing) and I don`t regret it one bit. I had my expectations in the right place and the car exceeded many of them. No, it`s not a race car. Yes, it`s exponentially more cool than a Prius and gets better mileage than a smart car. Plus, I`m a professional musician and my entire rig fits in the hatch. If you want a practical vehicle that`s fun and won`t make you feel you sacrificed your youthful exuberance for space and crappy fuel economy, this is a great car. I was in a terrible accident with this car not too long after my initial review. I was stopped, and rear ended by a car going 70mph. The rear bumper was pushed nearly into the back seat and the car was obviously totaled. I walked away from the crash with little more than aches and pains that you`d expect from such an impact, but I was still able to walk away.
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Great Ride and Handling
Mike Horstein, 07/14/2016
updated 01/27/2017
2016 Mazda 3 s Grand Touring 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
11 of 11 people found this review helpful
The 3s Grand Touring was an easy choice. It rides and handles beautifully. The steering is quick and precise, and the driver's seat is very comfortable. The transmission shifts are crisp, and are very responsive to accelerator pressure. In addition, the audio system is the best I have experienced, no doubt because of the Bose speakers. When stopped temporarily on a hill, you have 2 seconds to move your foot from brake to accelerator before the car begins to roll. The headlights, taking their cue from the steering wheel, swivel to point in the direction you will be going, rather than where the car is pointing. There are, however, a number of annoyances. The electronics (with the exception of closing the driver's window) are disabled when the ignition is turned off. It requires a separate operation to restore the audio. Three distinct operations are needed to select a station, instead of, for example, simply switching between a pair of AM and FM stations. I would have appreciated all four windows, not just the driver's window, operating with one touch. The numbers on the dash cannot be read in sunlight when wearing sunglasses. The blind spot monitoring is mostly an annoyance, forever warning me not to change lanes while I am doing so safely. The reason is that it only measures distance, and has no knowledge of relative speed. While the BSM feature can be disabled, it cannot be decoupled from the cross-traffic alert, a most desirable feature. To deal with this problem, I have attached a pair of blind-spot mirrors to the side-view mirrors, and rely on this combination to make my decisions. While I am satisfied with the 25 mpg (in primarily city driving), the range is a big disappointment. The manual says that the car has a 13.2 gallon tank; however, it functions as if it had only an 11-gallon tank. Both the gas gauge (an inconsistent discrete device) and the range indicator show no miles left when only 11 gallons are required to fill the tank. So I get no more than 225 miles from a tank of gas. I would much prefer the old needle, which was a true indicator of the gas remaining in the tank. Despite these complaints, I would buy the Mazda 3 again, because it is a pleasure to drive.
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Recent Owner, Not a Drop of Buyer's Remorse
nino scholz, 02/24/2016
2016 Mazda 3 s Grand Touring 4dr Hatchback (2.5L 4cyl 6M)
17 of 18 people found this review helpful
First off, it should be noted i have only owned the car for about 700 miles, so i cannot comment on reliability and such. I can say that there have been no problems so far, and the forums for the mazda 3 are NOT littered with threads about oil consumption and HG issues as some other car forums might be. Lets get the bad out of the way first: My car is the Grand Touring 2.5L 6speed Manual, so it's loaded aside from the tech package (which means no eloop or radar cruise). One of the features i really like on my car is the red light camera warning system, which tells you via voice warning that a red light ticket camera is ahead. It's a great feature, but on at least 2 occasions has gotten stuck, with the lady repeating herself 10-15 times before traffic starts up and finally it clears up. Quite annoying. Also, as with my previous Mazda, the lower door panels scuff easily. That pretty much sums up the negatives I have so far. The Good: First off, the interior on this car is excellent. It has a luxury feel all over and is feature packed. The infotainment works well and is intuitive, and also allows modifications via "tweaks" from the modding community so you can tailor certain things to your liking. Wi-fi functionality is even present, but hidden initially. The leather seats look and feel great, and the dash materials are high end and look great overall. I'm 6'3" and have ample head room up front. The LCD display for the infotainment looks a little out of place, but you quickly get used to it and realize it is in the perfect spot. The BMW inspired infotainment controls are instantly easy to use. The heads up display - it seems like a gimmick until you use it. It displays your speed and next turn for navigation, as well as other info at times. It is very useful on the interstate to keep you aware of your speed. This can be turned off or adjusted. Backup camera works well, blind spot chime can be turned down or off but works well, and the voice control is decent, although i'm still getting the hang of it. There is plenty of storage space, although the door pockets are a bit small and more cup holder than storage. The climate control is easy enough to use, but I personally prefer a simple 3 dial manual layout. Overall, the car allows nice customization through the infotainment center in allowing you to turn off and adjust features to your liking - example - the door locks can be set for "one touch unlocks all doors" or "press once for driver, twice for all". The driving experience is fantastic. You quickly forget this is a compact economy car. The 2.5 has plenty of pep. enough to chirp the wheels and put a big smile on your face. Power is adequate at all RPM's, and impressive when you have the engine in a sweet spot around 3.5K. You'll be pushed back in your seat if you are into that sort of thing. The car handles great. I've taken a country drive in the twisties already and it was all smiles. minimal body roll and confidence inspiring steering feel. The shifter has a very short motion. Initially, it was hard to tell 1st from 3rd, but I quickly got used to it and have not thought about it since. The clutch has a bit of a binary feel, but again, I quickly became accustomed. For casual driving, the car does not drift or require extra attention to stay on track on the interstate. Road noise is acceptable to good. I suspect new tires would help in that department, but it is certainly not an issue for me. Also nice is the fact that the engine does well in just about any rev range for daily driving - it's a bit of an "any gear will do" affair unless you really want to get on it. More than a few times i've found myself cruising around in 4th gear when i should be in 6th, because the car does not get loud or jerky. Even for interstate passing, downshifts are not usually required. There is enough torque in the low range for standard driving maneuvers. So far i'm getting around 30mpg mixed driving, and it seems to be improving with break in. I also do enjoy the car from time to time so my figures are far from optimal. All in all, I would buy another if this was stolen. I took the car on a 34 hour test drive before buying and that feeling has not changed - I love the car and am very happy with my choice. Mazda does make cars that are fun to drive, and they it well.
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Two Weeks In
sarge79usaf@yahoo.com, 03/05/2016
2016 Mazda 3 i Sport 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 6M)
10 of 10 people found this review helpful
I have always knew I would end up getting a Mazda3. I went from a 2003 Audi A4 1.8T Quattro that I purchased brand new, to this 2016 Mazda3 2.0. Other than losing all wheel drive and the peppiness of my modified Audi, this automobile is quite an upgrade for me. First off, there is instant power to the wheels, instead of waiting for the turbo to kick in at 3k RPMs. The cabin interior is quite nice, even though I went from leather to cloth. I at first scoffed the side impact avoidance system I went along with, but it actually helps with the slight blind spots this car has; however, the side impact indicators stay on a little too long after I am well past the mouth breather lingering in the passing lane... The entertainment system/Bluetooth connectivity is great and the sound is as well, even though I didn't go with the Bose premium sound. A little weird not having a CD player, but I guess they are a little dated now anyways. As I mentioned the Bluetooth connectivity is a no brainer, so no CD player needed at all for someone with an iPhone/Droid/or any other Bluetooth enabled device. The ride is smooth and handles corners extremely well, as well as the plethora of potholes the wonderful D.C. area has to offer. Speaking of potholes... I took this to New York and this Mazda3 handled their potholes as well like a champ. Overall, I am happy with this purchase, but a little dismayed at how much it would cost just to get the SD card for the GPS. I'll just stick with my cellphone.
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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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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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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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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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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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I used to drive a Tahoe!
JMK, 03/15/2017
updated 09/20/2017
2016 Mazda 3 i Touring 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 6A)
8 of 8 people found this review helpful
I have a 35 mile commute one way. For years I drove a Chevy Tahoe, and I finally got fed up with the gas mileage and parked it. I was looking for a bottom line entry level car to use as a basic high MPG commuter, without any significant bells and whistles. I drove a Honda Fit and Civic, Kia Rio, and Hundai Elantra. Settled on the Mazda 3 i-Touring hatchback w/nav. I won't repeat the same comments as others, but I completely agree with the positive reviews of this car. I have been amazingly surprised and happy with the choice. I'm a big guy, so leg room is very important. The Mazda 3 has plenty of legroom with the seat back, however, a negative is the entry. The rear pillar of the front door is ahead of the seat back, so I constantly rub against the weatherstripping getting in/out....wearing it out. Once inside, leg room and head room are great, but, I can't reach out the window to an ATM, without hitting my head on the top of the window. Otherwise, I'm really happy with this car, as it surprises me everyday with sportiness and comfort. Cloth seats are very tough and heavy duty, far more than any others I looked at, so no worries there. Basic bells and whistles are great for this price range. The center console control knob is just like a much more expensive German sedan, so you always feel like your driving something special. It truly has a German feel to the interior.....not Japanese at all. Interior finish (vinyl) is very heavy, and has a near-leather feel. The only complaint I have on the electronics is that the touch screen shows fingerprints too easily, very distracting in the sun, so I avoid touching it and just use the knob. The room in the hatchback is great....nearly as much as my Tahoe, plenty of room for groceries. With the seats down, it has an amazing amount of room inside. You would be surprised at what I have carried. Anti-collision warnings, blind spot warning lights, etc. are great but take some getting used to. They have saved me many times from changing lanes, or backing out of a parking space with a car coming at me. Overall, I couldn't have made a better choice. Update: A year later and still no problems. A completely trouble free automobile. Comfortable on long trips. Actually, the only thing that has caused a problem is the computer access hatch in the panel near your left foot. Occasionally, I'll kick it getting in/or and it pops open.....huge problem <snicker>. I change the synth oil every 5K just as an easy reminder.
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Girl Power in My Mazda 3 i Touring 6 speed
Phoenix, 07/02/2018
2016 Mazda 3 i Touring 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 6M)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
I really like my car, I have a 2016 Mazda in 6 speed. I saw it on the lot and fell in love with it. Now that I have it for a while I can say these are some of the draw backs: I do not like the bucket seat, I have to put a pillow behind my back to be comfortable and for some reason I think it is moving slower than two years ago. The MazdaUSA team is extraordinary, I had the interior middle console replaced because the buttons began to sick about three weeks ago. But I want to add that the console is user friendly and it feels like an extension of my hand (when it is not on the gear stick). I do great mpg on it, takes me about $30on a good gas day to fill up and I can get 455 miles (I keep it on range). For those who don't know what range is, the dashboard can display the milage in range, miles and some other stuff, but since I use the navigation I see 60 miles to home and I look at the dash and see 70 miles and know I am good. I gave the purchase and resale an ok grade because my car looks terrible, as soon as a little too much breeze touches it the panel lifts, I can actually see parts of the bumper lifted a little. Oh and it scratches easy too, but I must say it is a beauty when I wash it and clean it up. The inside air filter is great too, I have managed to keep the inside air cleanish. Next is the USB port, it is inside the glove box, and for a compact car that is inconvenient, I have wires stretching out for my charger and my darn navigation in between the the seats. They had a big space where that CD player is and a big enough space underneath it to put the darn USB, another pet peeve is the=at when I have the charger plugged in my headset gets the sound redirected to the car, so I have to choose talk or charge and play out loud. Next problem is that the noise that comes in the car when the windows are down is horrible and when it is up more horrible, I just keep the music on. What I love, the smooth shifting and the display is awesome, it even tells u when it thinks you should down gear. I love the sunroof and the foot rest, the cruise control is great too. The breaks are sharp and the blindspot monitoring is great. If I could choose the car again I would.
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Based on two months' ownership
Pete O, 11/01/2016
updated 06/01/2017
2016 Mazda 3 i Sport 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 6A)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
This car replaced a 2004 Toyota Matrix RX with a 5-speed manual, which I loved and had 256,000 miles on. The Mazda is a really nice car; comfortable and lots of cargo space. Fuel economy is good to excellent; I've been averaging around 40 mpg per tank, combined city and highway. My only complaints so far are some wind noise at highway speeds (though it's quieter than the Matrix); lack of a dome light when just the hatchback is open; it's not as easy to exit as the Matrix as it sits lower, and the "carpet" in the rear cargo area is pretty cheap stuff. The speakers could be a bit better, and the navigation voice is muffled, with no way of changing the tone to hear it more clearly. All that said, I like this car a lot, with easy Bluetooth connections, two USB ports and an AUX audio input. I'm a musician, and one of the selling points was the ability to get an upright bass into the car. The higher trim levels that have a sunroof are more difficult, if not impossible to achieve that task, which is why I went with the iSport.
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No regrets
Rebekah Wright, 03/08/2016
2016 Mazda 3 i Sport 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 6M)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
I wasn't happy about having to trade my Jeep Wrangler in on a car, but I'm glad I decided to drive the Mazda 3. I have to say I really like the car. I was worried we would feel like we were on top of each other but surprisingly there is plenty of room inside. For Louisiana roads the ride is very smooth. The sound system is awesome and I love the controls in the middle console. I love the look of the vehicle on the outside and inside. There is plenty of trunk room. I'm very satisfied with my purchase and will definitely look at other Mazda vehicles.
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Peppy
Claire, 08/30/2016
2016 Mazda 3 s Grand Touring 4dr Hatchback (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
I downsized from a mid size sedan. It's a little rough shifting in automatic when accelerating at low speeds (but I've always driven automatic cars). Loud on the highway which I may address by changing the hard tires and tiring up the radio. Acceleration is excellent and the car saved me from a potential bad accident the other day by helping me straighten out when a few cars had to brake hard on the highway. The interior is very comfortable and it definitely is fun to drive as others have said. Love it for city driving, not so much on long trips but overall very happy with the car.
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Best Car Since 1972
Chris Papas, 05/08/2016
updated 05/09/2018
2016 Mazda 3 i Sport 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 6A)
13 of 15 people found this review helpful
My very first car was a 1972 Datsun 240z, and I absolutely loved that little sports car. Since then I've owned two Grand Ams, an Escort, an Aztek, and a Focus. Every car since (except the Aztek) has been a good transportation vehicle. All have comfortable interiors. All do exactly what they are supposed to do - get you from point A to B. Some have had more feature than others, some more comfortable and some more stylish. None of those cars made me feel wonderful while driving it, until this Mazda 3. It drives like a little sports car, but it has four doors. It's interior is almost luxurious, but it only costs $20,000. And while looks are in the eye of the beholder, I love the way this car looks. I am what is called a "hyper driver" - someone who tries to get the most MPG per gallon. As an example, my 2008 Focus was rated at 28 city / 35 hwy, but I average 40.7 mpg in combined driving. After only a month owning this Mazda, rated at 30 city/40 hwy, I can say I'm hopeful this will be in the Prius range, as I am currently averaging 48.7 mpg in combined driving. But take this number with a grain of salt, my Focus had 112,000 miles on it, this car only has 500. I haven't had it long enough to talk about reliability, but I have had it long enough to find a fault - "Getting in the car". I'm average in height, 5' 7" and getting in, I usually rub against the seat cushion. It might not seem like much and that is because I'm really reaching for straws trying to find fault with this vehicle. UPDATE: 11-9-2017 (18 months of ownership) - I still absolutely love this car. It's only shortcomings are something that should be offered, but is not - a more powerful engine, and the top trim is NOT available with a stick shift. UPDATE #2: 5-9-2018 (24 months of ownership) - There is so much to love about this car. No issues what-so-ever. Too bad Mazda doesn't offer hatchbacks in their other models (other than SUVs).
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Fun-updated
Annette S, 07/01/2016
updated 07/10/2017
2016 Mazda 3 i Grand Touring 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 6A)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
I've only had it for a month so some of my ratings really don't apply but overall...I love this car. It's fun to drive. Looks great. The dash is laid out so logically everything is just where I would instinctively reach for it. It just feels good. Feels like Mazda is a best kept secret because you don't see the same car every where you turn like other brands in this class. A year later and I am still incredibly happy with my choice! Still fun!!!
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Great car for an Affordable price!
Rama, 03/18/2016
2016 Mazda 3 i Sport 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 6M)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
I bought this car recently and I liked it . It's got everything you want at an Affordable price . I've owned a BMW 535 before, but this car truly a great purchase! Honestly, everything is as good as a BMW but the front seats which need little work to enhance the driver's comfort.
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Chose a Mazda over another Honda
Mike Townsend, 06/23/2016
2016 Mazda 3 i Grand Touring 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 6A)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
The 2016 Mazda 3 iGrand Touring model has everything I could want from this style of vehicle. Safe, reliable, economical. With some great features including navigation and a bluetooth system that has better sound quality than my wife's Mercedes. And, it's fun to drive. All at a good price. Couldn't be happier with our decision
Great car, aweful bluetooth
M. Mayer, 08/12/2016
updated 09/26/2018
2016 Mazda 3 s Grand Touring 4dr Hatchback (2.5L 4cyl 6M)
16 of 20 people found this review helpful
The car is gorgeous, it drives great.The bluetooth was intermittently problematic from the beginning, then it got worse, not working at all. This is a known defect that has been going on for a few years on Mazda 3. Customer service from Mazda central is terrible. they make you come up to the service two times; one time to extract the bluetooth and get a part number, the next time they reinstall. It inconveniences customers, and they don't care. I'm now in the process of waiting for the new Bluetooth. 1st update in 2016: The dealership was very nice coming over to my home so I wouldn't have to drive up to the dealership a second time. They installed a working Bluetooth. OK .I'm updating my last review now again in September of 2017. Over the last year I've had intermittent problems with the interface between my iPhone 6 and my Mazda Bluetooth... the bluetooth device was not recognized, the names of the songs sometimes didn't sync, problems with Contacts, problems with Pandora link. So I was looking forward to my recent service appointment where I was told much of this would be fixed. After leaving the dealership the Bluetooth wasn't recognized. The Mazda employee, after his working hours, kindly tried to unpair and pair again the devices 2 times, unsuccessfully. So I called the Mazda Bluetooth company, and they suggested restoring original factory settings...still it didn't work. There are many other problems with the interface between Mazda and iPhones for example with Contacts and Pandora. After escalating I discovered that Mazda has been remiss in getting "Car Play" from Apple which would help with some of these problems; but I suspect the engineering problems go much deeper. If one looks at the problems of iPhone users with Mazda's on the internet you'll find hundreds of complaints; it seems Mazda should have addressed and solved these problems or else tell buyers about this upfront. Otherwise it's customer unfriendly and deceptive to think you’re going to have a functioning pleasant Bluetooth experience. I've spent numerous hours trying to find out how to remedy the problems. Mazda dealership has not been good recently in returning phone calls to let me know what is happening and how to remedy the situation. Mazda corporate has between 1/2 hour and 1 hour wait time to speak to someone (time that I don't have to wait); I can understand the long wait time if there are as many unsatisfied customers as I am. I'd say now in updating my review, "Mazda 3 Awesome Car, Awful Bluetooth!" OK its September 2018 and I'm updating my review. Same opinion: Mazda 3 awesome car awful Bluetooth. But good news for you, not me I understand that the new Mazda 3's coming next year will have the Apple Play installed and that they are beginning to bring those into older cars slowly. I haven't heard anything about when they will get to my 2016 car {Poor Communication from their corporate offices}. After three years of exasperation with intermittent problems with the Bluetooth that has taken hours of frustrated time contacting the dealership, their 3rd party unhelpful company etc., I imagine that enough complaints may have gotten them to do what was right for their customers and upgrade their Bluetooth system. It's not saying too much for their integrity that it's taken this long. But I still enjoy the car and will be grateful when they finally get to the 2016 Mazda 3 and upgrade their poorly engineered Bluetooth connection with my iPhone.
Best Commuter Value
Mike Nodine, 07/20/2016
2016 Mazda 3 s Touring 4dr Hatchback (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
7 of 8 people found this review helpful
The Mazda3 is the best overall value we found in a commuter car for the money. It does everything adequately or well and holds its value better than its competitors. It can do the occasional long road trip but like all smaller economy cars, there is a lot more road noise than a larger gas guzzler. The hatchback is like a small SUV with good gas mileage which we love. We bought a one owner top of the line S Grand Touring but had the dealer swap the larger wheels and tires out with the smaller rims from an I model which greatly improved the ride quality and comfort as well as reducing the road noise. 78 mph indicated is really 80 mph now, careful to not get caught speeding, but a small price to pay for all of S features with the I's ride quality. It is the perfect combination and we don't know why this isn't a Mazda factory option.
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Truly a Wonderful Vehicle
M Flynn, 02/11/2016
2016 Mazda 3 s Grand Touring 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
7 of 8 people found this review helpful
I've never owned a Mazda before but I am a huge fan of foreign vehicles and replaced my older vehicle with this Mazda 3. The Mazda 3 s grand touring has a feature that the other models didn't have - a sport mode. When engaged, it makes the vehicle feel and act like a 6 cylinder engine which is helpful when accelerating onto a highway. Never having owned a 4 cylinder engine due to concerns over lack of power, this 4 cylinder engine is surprisingly powerful even without using the sport mode. I like the huge amount of technology in this model as well and the entertainment system is first class. The car has a lot of leg room and storage areas in the interior as well as a good sized trunk. The ride is extremely quiet and smooth. All the safety features they've put into this model are impressive. If you want a really first class comfortable ride with all the bells and whistles at your fingertips, go for the total technology package on the car. Well worth it.
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Great car. Out of this world maintenance costs!
Quoizimodo, 08/15/2016
updated 12/16/2024
2016 Mazda 3 i Sport 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 6A)
9 of 11 people found this review helpful
Don't get me wrong, the Mazda 3 is a great car. However after 73000+ miles, I must sadly say that I would not buy any other Mazda in the future. Reason: Astronomical maintenance costs. The vehicle was serviced only by the Manufacturer's dealer ( the one in the SFV that sells high volume vehicles - G----N). Never had a vehicle that required beaucoup $$$ to drive daily. Will stay with Toyota.
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Zoom Zoom Florida to upstate NY
Chad, 10/24/2016
2016 Mazda 3 i Sport 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 6A)
9 of 11 people found this review helpful
Let's start off, we rented this car for a trip for 3 full grown adults for a trip from the Florida panhandle to upstate VT and mind you the ratings were prior to the car completely dying upon returning the car to the rental place. The trip went great, got out of its own way, held the road great, did amazing in the heavy rain and has amazing headlights, very easy entertainment system, good display, great mpg! We drove exactly 1568.3 miles and only cost us $88 in fuel! It was an amazing car until returning to Enterprise where it literally shut completely off and died right there in the parking lot! We weren't charged a fee for that, thank god, we never beat it and held every speed limit to a T, so for this to happen is not good!
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Decent rental for 2,300 mile road trip!
BlackCloud0351, 08/23/2016
2016 Mazda 3 i Touring 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 6A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
A very comfortable (in the front), quiet riding, somewhat fuel-efficient vehicle that I enjoyed having for an 8-day rental a couple of weeks ago for vacation with my son and his best friend. Had plenty of cargo room in the trunk for all of our bags/suitcases, along with numerous cup and drink holders for refreshments. Backup camera was very helpful in several situations, as was the blind spot alert (for me, the vehicle has terrible visibility trying to check over my left shoulder before executing a lane change, really have to get "into" the mirror to check clearance). Approximately 90% of miles driven were interstate, with easing into the throttle and the cruise set no faster than 73 mph, which returned just over 35 mpg on flat terrain (started and returned to FL going up to NW Ohio), dropping to 32-33 once we hit hills and mountains of VA and WV en route. City driving saw us getting 27 mpg, and our figures were calculated by dividing actual miles driven by gallons of gas put in, which also was consistently two mpg lower than the digital readout. I will admit that I was expecting a little more highway economy out of the small 2.0 SkyActiv engine, especially considering I am a very easy driver, my days of hot rodding long behind me. Still can't complain though, compared to what I would have gotten had we taken my 4WD, V8 powered '07 Sport Trac Limited! The only other negatives to mention, would be the lack of room for rear passengers. I'm only 5'7", and typically sit close to the steering wheel due to having short legs, yet my son's friend sitting behind me noted some discomfort after a couple days on the road, even with my seat moved as far forward as I had it, and there was no way possible for him to sit behind my son as they are both around six foot tall and, with both having long legs. The other issue was the USB reader, as it would not properly work with my USB card, only playing about 15 seconds of a song before freezing up (the card works fine in several other vehicles). Aside from that, the car gets a thumbs up and I'd definitely rent one again if I weren't going to have any rear passengers!
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Went with Mazada over Civic
Eric, 07/24/2016
updated 08/01/2018
2016 Mazda 3 s Touring 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
Decided on Mazda over Civic based upon Mazada seems a bit more responsive in steering and acceleration. Nice interior as well. Mazda navaigation system does not allow out of state address to be entered! Called Mazda USA and they confirmed this. No good reason why Mazda wouldn’t fix this terrible flaw in their nav system.
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Sneaky nice car!
Jim Kerrigan, 12/01/2016
2016 Mazda 3 i Touring 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 6M)
8 of 10 people found this review helpful
My Mazda3 sedan is on a three-year lease, that follows a three-year lease I had on a Prius 2. I loved the Prius, it was such a nice, smooth, comfortable and inexpensive to operate! The Prius is my benchmark for an inexpensive car you can take anywhere, and be happy going there. I liked the hatchback-type rear with drop down rear seats. Needing a replacement, I looked at Civic, Prius, and Kia, in addition to the Mazda. To be open about it, I like Mazda as a brand. I drove a Miata for ten years, and an RX-8 for seven. The Miata was the most fun car I ever had. I've had Boxter, Mercedes 500S, and a bunch of nice cars when they were new. For a follow-up to my Prius, I wanted a car with a lower payment. I only drive about 9,000 miles a year when I drive a lot. The Mazda 3 was my choice. It's nice looking, sleek, and has some of the newer technology, but not so much it's expensive. The features on my model with bluetooth, rear camera, and simple stuff. It's just a nice car, not fancy.
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Major Upgrade
JR Cain, 04/07/2016
2016 Mazda 3 i Touring 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 6M)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I leased my 4 door hatch 2.0 iTouring in January, so I cant comment on reliability. I've got the 6 speed manual and it includes all of the options excepting eloop, lane departure warning, and Adaptive CC. I was coming out of a Hyundai Veloster, and this was a MAJOR upgrade in just about every way imaginable. Build quality is the most striking difference between the two vehicles. Ive driven about 1500 miles thus far and I've averaged 34.4 MPG combined. For those who are struggling to meet the EPA's estimates, I suggest using the cruise control whenever you're on the highway.
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Thrilled
Mike, 07/04/2016
updated 01/13/2025
2016 Mazda 3 i Grand Touring 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 6M)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
This is a great car. If you have young kids not the car for you but otherwise very versatile with the hatchback. Good power great car mileage. Beautiful design. Tremendous value, Pretty much loaded up for 23k. I am now at 143k still running like a top. Now at almost 159k and absolutely no problems. Still runs and rides great.
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Excellent Car Outstanding Value
Tammy Nelson, 11/20/2016
2016 Mazda 3 i Sport 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 6M)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
This car combines all the economy of a smaller car with the fun & style I've not seen in other smaller cars. Excellent choice! I'm very happy.
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Best decision I ever made!
Karla Jett, 12/17/2016
2016 Mazda 3 i Sport 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 6M)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
The Mazda 3 is everything I ever dreamed of in a fuel efficient reliable car. Before purchasing I had done my research on line and was impressed by its #2 ranking given by Edmunds list of Best Fuel Efficient Cars of 2016. I preferred the look and price over the #1 car on the list (Honda Civic). The performance is exactly as the review stated, no lagging here. The Soul Red color is beautiful and I couldn't be happier!
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Best bang for your money
Debbie Terry, 02/21/2018
2016 Mazda 3 i Sport 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 6A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I had another Mazda 3 Sedan before purchasing the 3i Sport and believe it or not I was rear-ended in both vehicles. The first Mazda was struck dead center by an old Ford Bronco....the Bronco lost its grill and the radiator was spewing fluid. I had a 1 inch gash in my bumper but the stabilizer bar had to be replaced. I wasn't injured at all. The second accident was in 2016 with my new 2016 3i Sport. A Hyundai Elantra rear-ended me and then a F-250 pickup truck rear-ended the Elantra which shoved the Elantra into me again. I did have neck injuries from that one. The bumper was replaced and nothing else. The Mazda 3 is an incredible sturdy vehicle. I live in Brevard County in Florida and people love to stop in your backseat out here....I hope that no one else rear-ends me again but if they do I am glad I have a vehicle that can endure it.
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Frequent & Costly Brake Repairs
Dale, 11/08/2022
2016 Mazda 3 i Sport 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 6A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I was sold a new 2016 Mazda3 off of the dealership lot. However, I was not sold the expensive and frequent brake repairs that would come with it. I only have 63,000 miles on this car and have had my brakes depleted to metal on metal nearly every year. I have had my brakes replaced at least 4 times. Do not buy this car if you don’t plan on spending nearly a quarter of its value on brake repairs. Not worth it.
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Great Experience with the 3
Amit N, 10/10/2016
2016 Mazda 3 s Grand Touring 4dr Hatchback (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
We bought the S Grand Touring hatchback and love all the bells and whistles as well as the power and handling of the car. Great interior layout and good sound system as well.
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Mazda - Never Again
Calvin, 04/30/2019
updated 09/15/2020
2016 Mazda 3 i Grand Touring 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 6A)
6 of 8 people found this review helpful
April 2020 Update After refusing to cover the emission control system malfunction that was under warranty, the Mazda dealer eventually repaired the problem so I could have the car smog checked for the registration renewal. The ride has gotten worse and I feel every bump. Mazda recalled the touch screen on the dash and replaced it. They updated the software as they were replacing the screen and the old software became corrupt. Mazda charges to update the vehicle software and it can only be done at a Mazda dealer. They connect a flash drive to the USB in the car to upload the software. They also charge a lot to update the maps in the built in cumbersome Navigation which I declined as I can use my phone instead which is easier. Other manufacturers allow owners to download the software onto a Flash drive, plug it in, and update. A good car for going from point A to point B in town, but it isn't good for long trips on the freeway because of the roar from wind and road along with the seats not being supportive enough for a long trip. The terrible resale value has kept me from selling it and it is good for a second car to go to the grocery store as it always starts. Mazda customer service is still awful and I have the maintenance done at the tire store. I wouldn't buy another Mazda. Nothing but frustration dealing with Mazda dealers and Mazda Customer Care. Emission control system didn't last 50,000 miles. Interior noise is too high at highway speeds and the noise makes listening to the radio difficult without turning it up. Navigation system is difficult to use as the destination address has to be typed in line by line and Mazda wants $400.00 to add Google maps. I regret buying a Mazda and there is a reason the resale value is low. I got what I paid for. Update - September 2020 The struts and springs had to be replaced at 63k miles. Then the rear passenger side brake caliper broke and the part can only be ordered through Mazda for a high price. Mexican made Mazdas have different parts than the Mazdas made in Japan. The broken caliper and defective emergency brake caused the passenger side rear brake pad to wear down faster to 10% than the other brake pads as it was stuck on the rotor. The rear brakes had to be replaced.
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Love it...
Henry, 08/28/2016
2016 Mazda 3 s Grand Touring 4dr Hatchback (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
4 of 5 people found this review helpful
Coming from a Honda Fit, this is a great step-up in terms of, well, everything except for ease of parking, although it's still pretty easy to park. Roomy in the front and rear, with enough cargo room, plenty of power for me (184 hp engine), and looks great outside and in. Controls and navigation instructions take some getting used to but are intuitive once you grasp it. Bluetooth does take a while to connect on startup and only sometimes resumes my phone music for some reason. From what others say, the tires are crap in the rain and are noisy. MPG in San Francisco is 23 without the Tech Package not driving conservatively, but that's in line with what I got in the fit (85% of advertised mpg, tons of traffic/hills, etc).
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great car with fatal flaw
Eric, 02/12/2016
2016 Mazda 3 i Touring 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 6M)
8 of 12 people found this review helpful
Nice driving car with high quality interior. Good engine and handling. However, engine and road noise were VERY intrusive. This is the third time I've passed on a Mazda to buy another brand due to noise levels. Too bad Mazda has continued to neglect this. The clutch was easy to adjust too but didn't add any excitement to the driving experience. I would probably opt for the automatic with this vehicle even though I generally prefer manual transmissions.
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Glad that I got to drive this car for a few days
David Myers, 02/29/2016
2016 Mazda 3 i Sport 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 6A)
13 of 21 people found this review helpful
I just rented a base Mazda 3 sedan over the weekend - and I was pretty excited to get it, as I've always liked the way Mazda cars drive and I wanted to see if I like this one well enough to buy one. For me, the answer is no. Here's why: 1) I'm not crazy about the BMW iDrive-ish controls, and I don't like that the volume knob is down in the center console. However it is very much worth noting that having a knob, is a huge improvement over on-screen only buttons. 2) The back seat seemed cramped parents with a kid in a car seat. My daughter had a hard time getting out of her seat, onto the floor in the back seat and out of the car because of the lack of space between the seat and the passenger seat. Yes, moving the passenger seat forward would improve the situation, but not for everyone. 3) I really liked the idea of keyless start and being able to just keep the keys in your pocket rather than hanging on the dash, however for me, I wanted to be able to listen to the radio after I turned off the engine, and that was a two-step process I don't have to deal with in my own cars. Having accessory power for the radio (and the power windows!) is very nice to have. This car didn't have that. 4) The gauges on the dashboard were not all that easy to read at night - maybe I could've fixed that, however dimming the lights (or making them brighter) was not intuitive to me and I never got them changed. 5) This car seemed loud on the road and it could've been quieter; my wife said numerous times that it seemed like we were going much faster than we actually were on the highway. Maybe the sound was part of that issue for her, I'm not sure. 5) No daytime running lamps; all of my other cars have them, along with fully functional auto-lamps and for me, that is important as I see way too many, ahem, people, driving around at night with their lights off. What I did like a lot: 1) Great trunk space for a car of this size. 2) Sharp handling and I thought, much more than adequate acceleration for the 2.0L Skyactive engine. 3) Responsive transmission, including manual shift. 4) Comfortable seats - very supportive and easy to adjust. 5) Radio/Cruise/BT controls on the steering wheel were easy to use, and the wheel itself felt great with accurate feedback from the road. Overall, I'm glad that I got to drive one of these for a few days. I don't think that it's a great family car, however if it were just my commuter car, I'd have to drive it again (in a different, higher trim) before I'd be willing to rule it in or out.
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Great little car! Acceleration could be better...
Scott, 07/01/2016
2016 Mazda 3 i Sport 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 6A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Been leasing this vehicle since May of 2016 and so far I only have one complaint and thats acceleration. After driving the CX-3 with less horses and torque I feel like there is something more to be desired in terms of acceleration vs the CX-3. The CX-3 (which was a loaner while my car was being serviced) felt more spirited and quick to get up and go, when going back to my Mazda3 I didn't feel the sense of acceleration and I wonder why. Other than that this car is great and I am more than happy with it!
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Solid, Safe, Fun
Patrice DeVincentis, 09/26/2016
2016 Mazda 3 i Touring 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 6A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
This is the first non hybrid car I have owned in over a decade. No doubt I will be paying more at the pump, however, the ride is comfortable, the technology is easy to use and aides in safe driving, and the ride is comfortable. Driving is a pleasure!
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nice ride
Max Mahlke, 10/01/2016
2016 Mazda 3 i Touring 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 6A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
car is great
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great car and the price is reasonablef!
Renee Young, 02/07/2016
2016 Mazda 3 i Grand Touring 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 6A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I was trying to decide between the Mazda3 and the Lexus 200h. This car has all the main features I liked in the Lexus and I saved some $7000+. It is fun to drive - a lot of pep and I can't say enough about how helpful the blind spot detector is when I change lanes on a busy highway.
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New to Mazda -- VERY impressed
R.A., 08/12/2016
2016 Mazda 3 s Grand Touring 4dr Hatchback (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
My first Mazda. I think I'm hooked! Very impressive car. Handling is great. Interior is very nice for the money. I really like the exterior design on the 3 Hatchback. When it comes time to replace our Saab 9-5 Wagon, the CX-5 will be at the top of the list. Meanwhile, I'm trying to figure out how to justify buying an MX-5.
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My Last Mazda
Jess, 04/28/2017
2016 Mazda 3 i Touring 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 6A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
This is the third and most likely the last Mazda I will buy. I had a new 2008 Mazda 3... loved it! Had a pre-owned 2009 cx9 but not long after buying it from a dealer I needed new tires and brakes and enough little repairs that was annoying. i.e. Blower motor, So I decided to trade it in for a 2016 Mazda 3 because I needed something with better gas mileage. It was a loaner used by the dealer, had 4300 miles on it. Had it in for service twice within the first month, the front end was smelling and the blind spot monitor stopped working. Second service was because my rear brakes were making noises. Turns out it was a warped rotar and had been like that when I bought it. Third visit they replaced the front end struts, strut mounts and now power steering column? I believe. They have had it for two weeks now and it still isn't fixed. I've only had it for 3 months!!! They have been great about fixing all the the problems and giving me a loaner to drive BUT I feel like it should hold. Not a happy customer and this will be the end of my love affair with Mazda.
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if you only buy a new car once a decade...
Scott Harman, 11/28/2016
2016 Mazda 3 s Grand Touring 4dr Hatchback (2.5L 4cyl 6M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
This car has everything I was looking for in a vehicle- good gas mileage, a peppy engine (get the 2.5!), great traction and driving aids. Bonus points for having a sunroof, 18" wheels, a clear heads-up display that is actually useful, and a great sound system.
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