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Zippy but refined
David Tate , 03/22/2018
updated 10/08/2020
2018 Mazda 3 Touring 4dr Hatchback (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
80 of 81 people found this review helpful
After spending the past number of years driving large SUVs, I finally made the leap back into a smaller, sportier car. I’ve considered other smaller cars over the years, but none really piqued my interest for one reason or another. I wanted a driver’s car but wasn’t really wanting to pay a premium price. I also wanted a practical car but didn’t want to sacrifice performance and pure fun. For me, the Mazda 3 is a perfect amalgamation of what I’ve been looking for. It’s sporty yet refined, small but not minute, and practical but not boring in the least. It handles way better than anything in it’s price range. The fuel efficiency rivals some hybrid cars. The interior is flawless. The seats envelope the driver perfectly and lend a feeling of mutual comfort and secure fit. For the price, the engine is quick enough. Sure, I’d rather be in the 250 HP range, but that would require a compromise in aesthetics or a price increase of at least $15k. At this point, I’m extremely pleased with my purchase. Do your own research on this car and compare it to others in its price range and above. For pure driving experience and design, you won’t find anything comparable. Highly recommended. Update Oct 2020: still loving this car. It still drives as great now as the day I bought it. I ending up buying my daughter the CX 30 and she loves her car as well.
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Practical and fun are not mutually exclusive
Michael Gallegos, 07/14/2018
2018 Mazda 3 Sport 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 6A)
40 of 40 people found this review helpful
Just bought a 2018 Mazda 3 Hatchback Sport and I cannot rave more about this car. I absolutely love it. I was looking for something affordable, reliable, and fuel efficient. In other words practicality was my number one concern and the hatchback delivers as promised. It has plenty of cargo space with the rear seats folded down. It supplies all that I mentioned while looking good and putting a smile on my face. The car has adequate power for merging on the highway and passing. It is also a blast to push through corners/curvy roads. The cars handles extremely well and the powertrain is eager to play while in sport mode. I consistently exceed the EPA estimates for MPG. I'll usually get around 29-31 MPG in the city and 39-42 mpg on hwy (with free flowing traffic going around 65 mph of course). Keep in mind this is all with an automatic. I was going to go for the 6 speed manual but I deal with LA traffic on my daily commute and could no longer bare it with a manual so I opted for the auto. If you're looking for something practical that isn't an appliance I would definitely recommend at least test driving the mazda 3.
Great Car at this Pricepoint
Matt, 09/25/2018
2018 Mazda 3 Grand Touring 4dr Hatchback (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
33 of 33 people found this review helpful
Was coming out of a C Class Mercedes and wanted a hatchback for less than 30K. My list of desired attributes was quite long, and the Mazda 3 checked every box save one, which I’ll get too later. The car is built for those who enjoy driving and that can’t be emphasized enough. Just sitting in the drivers seat informs you that everything is engineered with the driver in mind. Out on the road the engine is responsive, the steering direct, and the suspension is a sheer delight. The interior is beautifully designed and better than most anything at this pricepoint. Further, everything works as designed. The Bose stereo is quite nice and a must have. I got the premium package so every safety feature imaginable is on the vehicle. Most of these I didn’t have on my 2015 Mercedes. The blind spot monitoring is my favorite safety nanny, just disable the audio notifications or it will drive you nuts. After driving over 1600 miles I’m averaging a little over 31 mpg, which is quite nice for a car this sporty. The front seats are very comfortable and fit both me and my wife like a glove. The suspension is firm and with the 18 inch wheels you can feel some bumps. But on balance the ride is superb. My 89 year old mom is quite comfortable In either the front or the back. The only negative with the car is road noise, which has been documented quite well in the professional reviews of the car. I took 2 extended test drives to make sure it was acceptable as a daily driver. On most surfaces it is just not a big deal, and in fact compares favorably with higher priced cars. And understand, I was previously driving a Mercedes. But on concrete surfaces the road noise is definitely transmitted into the cabin. The overall positives of the vehicle far outweigh this one issue though. Drive for yourself and be the judge. For me, it’s a great car to drive and a steal of a deal in the compact class.
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Very happy
Ron, 12/18/2017
2018 Mazda 3 Touring 4dr Hatchback (2.5L 4cyl 6M)
32 of 32 people found this review helpful
Just the right combination of performance, saftey, space and reliability. Its big enough to carry my gear but small enough to park easily in the city. I cant beleive I am getting well over 30 mpg in a 50/50 highway/local mix. Id buy it again in a heartbeat.
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Mazda, The Gerpanese Car Company
Bill in GR, 04/02/2019
updated 10/07/2019
2018 Mazda 3 Touring 4dr Hatchback (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
21 of 21 people found this review helpful
Mazda is for people who appreciate a fine-quality feel of things, but not the price premium which often accompanies owning a car from a prestige European brand. The 2018 Mazda3 Touring has many upscale touches and features, and feels distinctly German in engineering and execution, but with a healthy dose of Japanese practicality and reliability thrown in, for a reasonable price point. For instance, each time I show off my 2018 Mazda3 5-door Touring, the first comment is invariably, "Wow, this interior is amazing," followed by, "It feels just like my Audi, except there's no check engine light." The controls are well-placed, have a nice weight to them, and operate precisely. The steering wheel is especially nice in a car of this price and category. Over all, the interior presentation, tight panel gaps, and precision operation make this car feel more European than Asian. Toyotas may be bulletproof, Hondas may be as smooth as sewing machines, but Mazda has character which is something other than generic Japanese car. I have received comments on the exterior styling along the lines of "sporty and Mercedes like". At a little over $17,000, the car looks smart to me, not just attractive. Getting the Touring package netted me 18" wheels, heated seats, Apple Car Play, and a host of the most important active safety features Mazda has to offer - though it does not include HID or LED headlights, which is regrettable. In fact, as the price climbs, the value proposition starts to diminish a little bit with the Mazda3. Grand Touring models exceed the prices of other manufacturers' competitive offerings, which is fine if you are looking primarily for safety features, comfort and "specialness". But at those loftier prices, the Mazda's lack of a turbocharged engine, (like its competitors'), is noticeable. While the 2.5 liter inline 4 is capable, it is no powerhouse, and must be revved to be fully exploited. Mid-range passing punch is notably subdued when compared with a turbo 4 cylinder. However, if you do not like the idea of a smaller displacement, turbocharged motor, Mazda3 is one of the last on the market with a larger displacement, naturally aspirated four cylinder. The upshot is, with the 2.5 liter, the Mazda3 is adequate, (at sea level). I have not driven a 2.0 liter for reference, but I can guess subpar would be a good adjective. The pretty styling means some compromise to utility, over a Golf or Civic. Both have more accommodating back seat areas for parents of kids in car seats, and Uber drivers. In the final analysis, the utility, storage and ingress/egress were good enough for my needs and use of the car. Your mileage may vary. My 2018 Mazda3 hatchback is largely as impressive or more impressive than Audi A3 or Mercedes A Class, for a mere fraction of the price. I highly recommend putting a Mazda3 on your comparison list and go drive one.
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