Used 2021 Mazda 3 Hatchback Consumer Reviews
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Classy Looks, Cheap Rattlebox.
Michael, 10/01/2023
updated 10/10/2024
2021 Mazda 3 Premium 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
19 of 22 people found this review helpful
Bought a 2021 Mazda 3 based off my previous 2015 Mazda 3. That car was a dream. This car has been frankly a nightmare of interior rattles, one after another. Its from cheaply made plastic parts, and the rattles are in the same spots in most Mazda 3s of this generation. Dealership cannot fix the rattles as most are so deeply built into the dash that there is not much else to do but sell it and pray someone who cares about ride quality will not notice. Speaker rattles during driving, glovebox rattles, my infotainment rattles, my seatbelt receiver rattles, and some other weird rattles during acceleration behind my infotainment center. Havent been able to enjoy a single day in my car.
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This feels like a more refined VW GTI!
Gordo, 12/13/2021
2021 Mazda 3 Premium 4dr Hatchback (2.5L 4cyl 6M)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
This car has been such a hoot to drive! I moved cross country and sold my 2021 VW GTI manual; it was a second car that I didn't want to drag with me. After I moved and got settled in, I decided to look at a Mazda3 hatchback-I loved the styling and saw it also had a manual. I test drove it and fell in love! Great handling, it shifts smooth as butter, and is a very nice design overall. I added the larger spoiler from the Turbo model (it's a dealer accessory) and it looks absolutely sinister haha (black on black). This was to be my weekend fun car to drive in the country; my other vehicle is a Kia Stinger. As fun as the Stinger is, I find myself driving this Mazda everywhere more often. It does seem a little small on passenger room but I'm a single person so that doesn't really concern me.
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2021 Mazda 3 for sale near you
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- Premium 4dr HatchbackMSRP: $19,998In-stock online
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Very poor paint quality.
Fernando, 10/30/2021
2021 Mazda 3 Premium 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
34 of 42 people found this review helpful
With about 3500 miles and 1 year of ownership, my hood started to experience paint peeling from the rear edges of the hood (area closest to wipers). The car is parked in a heated garage year-round. Mazda has denied our warranty claims stating it is not a manufacturing defect, however, with just a little research you will see that Mazda uses a thin layer of water-based paint to cut costs and "reduce emissions". Too bad, since this car is okay otherwise. I just can't recommend it knowing the bare metal will begin rusting come winter.
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AWD is a nice addition, but also a step backwards
RichJ, 12/15/2022
2021 Mazda 3 2.5 Turbo 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
12 of 17 people found this review helpful
Having owned both a 2015s GT and a 2018 Mazda 3 GT hatchback it's probably easier for me to compare my current 2021 Mazda 3 AWD turbo hatchback to the previous years models than it is for many Mazda owners. There have been some noticeable changes over the past six years, most of which are improvements and greatly appreciated. A perfect example of that is the turbo in the 2021 model, which is what this car has needed for a very long time. No, it's not a Mazdaspeed, but it gives car a definite and much needed boost in performance and driving enjoyment. Contrast that to the rear suspension in the AWD model. As pitchy as the rear end was with the rear independent suspension in the FWD model, the switch to a fixed rear axle suspension in the AWD model can be positively brutal on pavement bumps and potholes. The driving experience improvement brought about by the addition of the turbo is often compromised by the solid rear axle, and it can make for a much less enjoyable ride. The reduction in rear cargo space in the AWD model is noticeable to my eye and not a welcome change. The front end suspension also seems to be less responsive and nimble than my 2018 model was, making for a bit less enjoyable experience. My 2021 model also has far more rattles than either of my two previous Mazda 3 hatchbacks. Other than those issues, I do enjoy my 2021 Mazda 3 hatchback and it still makes for a mostly enjoyable driving experience.
Great but...
L.G, 03/09/2021
2021 Mazda 3 Premium 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
44 of 77 people found this review helpful
I absolutely love everything about this car except the seats. They are awful. I didn't notice in the test drive and coming from a Toyota Matrix seat comfort wasn't even on my radar as I had never had a problem with car seats in the past (Matrix's have some of the most comfortable seats). I have had the car for two months now and still can't find a comfortable position to drive in for longer than 30 mins. The bolstering is really narrow and I find that it hits me in a weird spot making it uncomfortable for long drives. Unfortunately I can't make the seat work and will have to trade it in for something else. I wish they would make new car seats with less "hugged" sensation. Some of us don't want to be aggressively hugged by our seat.
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