New Mazda3.....first impressions

[MCompact]

I would love to have a new Mazda3 Turbo! I can’t get over the fact that it makes 320 lb-ft of torque! That’s more than the old Fox body 5.0s used to make! It’s too bad that Mazda doesn’t offer it with a manual and it’s too bad they got rid of the Mazdaspeed division. This car with a manual and a better suspension would have made a great modern Mazdaspeed3!

I actually held on to my 2007 MS3 a year longer than I intended because there were rumors that a new Mazdaspeed 3 was in development- with 300 hp, AWD and three pedals. Nope.

 

[wsar10]

I can't recommend Mazda 3 enough to people that want a reliable, fun little car. Back when Ford has the DCTs in the Foci I steered people to Mazda 3 all the time since we are a dealer for both. When people ask what we sell a lot of on Mazdas I always say "filters, brake pads, body parts since people hit them a lot. Occasional hard parts when weird thing happen, but mostly oil filters."

Ditto! I just cant sell mine.... I have the last of the true MZR and I just love the car it has hands down been one of the most reliable vehicles I have ever owned and I put several hundred thousand miles on it commuting. MAZDA really makes an attractive vehicle in almost all models, they really get it! They look nice, they have nice options, the cabins are a nice place to be, great reliability, great safety features.

 

[GaryMX5]

Yes, IMO the mazda3 hatch has some odd stuff going at the back with the huge C pillar, and TBH I don't really like any of the Mazda's pointlessly long hood styling for transverse engines? Looks like they could/should have an in-line 6 and be rwd! And also the pointlessly short rear overhang, just to lose cargo space?
Not that the styling is a deal breaker, I just like having the 35 cuft behind the rear seats for a couple bikes, too many pairs of skis, plus gear, and a kid or two, and get 35mpg, so only the CX-5 meets my checklist.

Having now had many of the Mazda offerings (and 2 CX5s) I would agree that the CX5 is possibly their best all around vehicle that can check a lot of boxes. But I highly doubt you'll get 35mpg out of one unless you have a lot of downhill driving. My 2016 (na) would touch 31-32 mpg on occasion but only at 60-65mph. At 70-75mph 28-30 mpg was the norm. My 21 turbo 26 to 28 mpg was typical on trips. It broke 30 mpg a handful of times (flat road trips thru in Ill, In, and Oh and 65mph or less). Head winds really killed the Turbo's mpg big time. If I remember correctly, space behind the 5's rear seat is only like 28 to 29 cf. (still ample for road trip luggage etc.). Drop the rear seat and you can carry all kinds of stuff. On one road trip I had two mountain bikes (wheels off naturally), 2 sets of golf clubs, and several duffle bags, small cooler, etc. back there. I was seriously thinking of getting another CX5 (before it grows up next year), but the CX30 has covered most of our space needs so I opted for a smaller more engaging ride (with better mpg), hence the 3 with awd.

 

[IndyIan]

Having now had many of the Mazda offerings (and 2 CX5s) I would agree that the CX5 is possibly their best all around vehicle that can check a lot of boxes. But I highly doubt you'll get 35mpg out of one unless you have a lot of downhill driving. My 2016 (na) would touch 31-32 mpg on occasion but only at 60-65mph. At 70-75mph 28-30 mpg was the norm. My 21 turbo 26 to 28 mpg was typical on trips. It broke 30 mpg a handful of times (flat road trips thru in Ill, In, and Oh and 65mph or less). Head winds really killed the Turbo's mpg big time. If I remember correctly, space behind the 5's rear seat is only like 28 to 29 cf. (still ample for road trip luggage etc.). Drop the rear seat and you can carry all kinds of stuff. On one road trip I had two mountain bikes (wheels off naturally), 2 sets of golf clubs, and several duffle bags, small cooler, etc. back there. I was seriously thinking of getting another CX5 (before it grows up next year), but the CX30 has covered most of our space needs so I opted for a smaller more engaging ride (with better mpg), hence the 3 with awd.

Yes, we got a fwd 2.0 mtx CX-5 here until 2018, and they did sell quite a few in Quebec. It's basically a lifted 2013 Mazda3 wagon and most of my driving is under 60mph. It's come down to that, or a 2015-17 Outback mtx, a mtx fwd sportwagen (maybe DCT with AWD), or just another 2018-19 Outback. Sportwagen is a bit tighter for space but probably will work.
It seems all the hatchbacks top out ~21 cuft seems like its going to be a struggle to fit things in, as the Focus has a tall large square opening too. Once the kids are gone, a Mazda3 hatch would work great!

 

[vwmaniaman]

We have a 2012 Mazda 5 with 159K on it now. It is a fantastic little van with sliding rear doors and a big hatch. With our grandkids and baby seats those sliding doors are a real asset. On the highway ours is getting just over 30mpg and 26+ in town. It will accelerate with that 2.5 that makes you think it has a V6. It will eat the front tires until you get used to the power it has. I have had to replace 2 rear wheel bearings and rear shocks but we are only on the second set of brakes and they are only half worn now. Our other Mazda is a 2014 CX 5 with the 2.0. It took some breaking in to get it to perform but its OK now. We take it on trips and it is getting 32mpg on the highway. Lots of room in the back and a really comfortable ride on the road. They are very well made. No plans to replace either one.

 

[Urshurak776]

Mazda 3 has cylinder deactivation, which kills the deal.

Not really an issue since 18-21 models. Mostly a software issue even then. Bad stigma for some reason in cylinder de-activation. Not warranted in my opinion.

 

[Dave Hess]

I bought a new Mazdaspeed 3 in July of 2007. It had several issues early on (all but one -an EGR valve-were covered by the warranty). I ended up adding a Mazdaspeed CAI, Koni FSD struts/shocks, a JBR rear anti-roll bar (set to 50% stiffer than stock, an E-Focus motor mount, and a Hypertech tune. When I sold it in January of 2016 at 158,000 miles UOAs showed the motor to be in excellent shape while the exterior and interior showed almost no wear. I'd buy a Mazda again in a heartbeat if they still made Mazdaspeed editions, but apparently the suits at Mazda considered the Mazdaspeeds "immature" and kicked them to the curb. Me, I believe growing old is inevitable- but growing up is optional; I'll take a manic hooligan any day over a "mature" alternative.
As always, YMMV.
View attachment 295416

I would have kept that Mazda.

 

[GaryMX5]

We have a 2012 Mazda 5 with 159K on it now. It is a fantastic little van with sliding rear doors and a big hatch. With our grandkids and baby seats those sliding doors are a real asset. On the highway ours is getting just over 30mpg and 26+ in town. It will accelerate with that 2.5 that makes you think it has a V6. It will eat the front tires until you get used to the power it has. I have had to replace 2 rear wheel bearings and rear shocks but we are only on the second set of brakes and they are only half worn now. Our other Mazda is a 2014 CX 5 with the 2.0. It took some breaking in to get it to perform but its OK now. We take it on trips and it is getting 32mpg on the highway. Lots of room in the back and a really comfortable ride on the road. They are very well made. No plans to replace either one.

About the same time as your 5 Mazda also had the RX7. I thought at the time, and still do, that it was on of the best looking crossovers Mazda made. I bet they could still sell that model based on looks alone. It was not, however, as efficient as the 5.

 

[Johnny248]

While I couldn't agree more I think the reason it's not popular is maybe because Mazda seems to limit how many it produces. It's not considered a volume car. My dealer had three on the lot that just arrived. Other dealers didn't have many more. My salesman said they could sell every one they get quickly but they are not allocated many at all. Mazda is pushing their Suv's especially the CX50 which is nice but to big for my taste now. Apparently big profit in those. Another reason is that the 3 was always a small (subcompact?) that has grown up and is not really marketed as being more upscale than other compacts. It puts the Elantra, K40/Forte, Sentra, Corolla, and some Civics to shame in terms of performance (191hp vs +/- 150 for many of the others). And with far better handling and a "real" transmission!

Mazda dealers are few and far between.

 

[GaryMX5]

Mazda dealers are few and far between.

That must be a regional issue. Here in the Denver area we have about 6 or 7 dealers with more in the communities not to far north and south of us. I have to say I have seen far more mazdas like cx5's, 30's and 50's here than most other major cities in my travels. Mazda awd's are closing in on Subaru's long time popularity here in Colorado.

 

[Patman]

Up here in my area there are 3 Mazda dealerships just within a 15 mile radius and even more if I expand the search to a 40 or 50 mile radius