Is the 2025 Mazda 3 Turbo a BETTER sport hatchback to BUY than a VW Golf GTI?
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- Опубликовано: 9 фев 2025
- The Mazda 3 brings AWD & a turbocharger. On the outside you will discover 18in wheels, aero kit and sunroof. On the inside you will find a leather interior. Under the hood is a 2.5L turbocharged inline-4. Is the 2025 Mazda 3 Turbo a BETTER sport hatchback to BUY than a VW Golf GTI?
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videography: Steven Flood 🎥
38k with tax is over 40k.. crazy times we live in
Yeah, I really really like this car, but I’d rather buy a Lexus or Acura for that price.
Not including dealer mark up and loan interest
😊 11:16 11:16 11:16 y 😊 11:16
I got mine fully loaded for 36K OTD
Yes obnoxious pricing these days. But for a hatchback of this quality & reliability, I’d take it over a golf any day.
I’ve had my Mazda 3 Turbo for a couple months now. Love the car! Recommend putting an exhaust of some kind on it, makes the car sound way better.
I just picked up a ‘21 turbo sedan a few months ago. Did you install the cork sport 80mm exhaust?
@@dsledgend I went with the Borla S Type!
A Borla or Magnaflow exhaust would make it sound great. If you prefer a deeper mellow tone, go with the Magnaflow.
@@marvinmurakami8828 Borla S type has been awesome. Not overly loud but sounds great when you need it to
Loving mine too! Going to do an exhaust when I have the money, I also intend to do strut and tower bars to stiffen it up a bit and then maybe an intake and a good tune. I wanna hear that turbo haha.
Thank goodness that car doesn’t have a license plate on the front. I’ve seen them with the front plates in some states that have that law. It’s just not made for a front plate. It’s too beautiful!
I have a 2018 Mazda 3 GT sedan. It only has 24,940 miles on it as of today. It is a joy to drive. It is in mint condition. The leather seats are very comfortable.
Haven't started the video and I already know its going to be great video
It’s a stylish commuter vehicle with an upscale interior. It’s not a pretender and just does the job well but it’s no GTI
Need to bring back Mazdaspeed.
I have a soft spot for Mazda. My first car was a used Mazda RX3 and that little boxy thing was an absolute blast to drive. The first new car I bought was a Mazda Protege (long before they changed it to the 3). That car was fun too but unfortunately me and a huge buck had an unexpected rendezvous. Neither one of us fared well in that encounter.
Great review Joe ! Not much as changed from the 2024. Have my 2024 Red Soul 3 Turbo for about 10 month now, and loving it.
The display is actually 10.25 inch, which is a nice size and well integrated in the dash. Easy control with the knob, don't need touch screen which it still has in android auto/car play.
I don't find there's much blind spots looking in the back sides windows, with well adjusted mirrors and blindspot monitor/360 camera.
I agree on the side chrome, so I just deleted it with black vinyl wrap. Upgrading the wheel to 8.5" wide and 245 good grip tires and it's much more agile.
For the price: AWD, great looking and comfy interior, analog instrument cluster/gauges, analog heater control, nice exterior design, great colors and all the torque, it's well better then a GTI in my opinion and for my needs.
And air intake for turbo sounds, an exhaust and suspension mods will make it even better.
Id definitely go with the GTI if you’re looking for a bit of performance. Mazda doesn’t want to make this a performance car like the GTI, but I feel like the car itself wants to be. I wish Mazda gave this a LSD, thicker tires, etc to actually make it a worthy component.
This car is amazing in snow!
It’s packaged very well, giving you everything you need (not want) in a small hatchback form. Things like AWD, a nice interior, punchy turbo, and okay tech.
it’s also incredibly expensive for what it is, and outdated. You can get so many other vehicles priced around the same or even below that offer more or better. It’s still got an ancient 6 speed auto and solid rear suspension.
I was heavily looking at this car as I wanted a hatch with turbo and AWD. But man. It’s a hard sell at 38k. Dealers around me wanted closer to 40k. I ended up passing on the car and getting something else.
Wich car did you choose instead?
2:16 Amen.
As an owner I love to see those turns taken in spirit. Just do NOT attempt the same at below 40° F on wet pavement. The stock Turanza rubber isn't terrible in snow and summer, but it loses wet grip quickly as the temps fall. I'm looking forward to upgrading when they wear out.
My tech at the dealership told me the Continental
ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus are the ones to get.
@@gennaroscotti3289 yup they’re a massive improvement over the stock tires
Hopefully for the next generation they update the transmission to a 8 speed.
“Happy wife, happy wife!” LOL you’re the man Joe!
Sim-ps
An amazing car , google 0-60 times with this and that speed it’s similar and this car is very livable and more refined. Overall a very reliable car built and engineered in Japan and is an amazing choice for one of the last real hatchbacks in the US.
2025 Mazda 3 Hatchback: 20.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, and 47.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down
Note: 2025 Volkswagen Golf GTI has 19.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, and 34.5 cubic feet with the seats folded down.
Some people are pulling 4.9s 0-60 with over 300whp through tuning. It’s awesome to see those numbers along with the nice interior and grippy awd system.
Great daily driver for whatever the mood!
Mazda GREAT CARS !!
So underrated
Love this car but is not cheap and there are many things missing. No ventilated seats, no full digital gauge cluster and no AC, I mean it’s 40,000.
Wish it had ventilated seats but I could care less about full digital cluster, and no rear AC
Rear AC in a hatch lol
Love my 2024 Mazda 3 sedan!
2.5 liter engine. 250 Horsepower....320 lbft torque with a 6 Speed 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 Mazda is sticking to being a sports car!
I own a speed3, I wish the new ones had a manual turbo and then I would possibly trade in and get one but it’s just not worth it for the price. Still amazing cars and Mazda has come a long way with their interior quality.
A manual seems like a no-brainer, shocked they haven’t done one for it
@@johnsledge3942 They do have a manual but non turbo, you have to choose one or the other. Manual/ no turbo or Auto with turbo.
@@T6travels yeah, meant for the turbo specifically. I have one and kinda wish it was manual.
@ oh ok yeah 100% they really dropped the ball but not offering one, The NA version still looks like an amazing daily.
Turbo*
I believe you've made a mistake regarding the screen size. The Turbo model comes with a 10.25-inch display.
Another mistake too:
Starting with ‘24 and ‘25 models, it is actually a touch screen display and also has wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto.
However the touch screen ONLY works while using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto; Mazdas own system does not support touch input.
Since I’m always using apple carplay, it pretty much just always has a touch screen for me.
it doesnt take much to get the sound and more power out of these! A simple axle back muffler and full cold air intake and the car changes completely! The handling at the limit can be scary but I hear that is just a sway back change away from being perfect. Stock tires are trash and swapping those out makes a big difference as well! Now if they had awd for my Mazda6 GT Reserve I would be even more happy!
Some people are doing 4.9s 0-60’s with over 300whp through tuning. Lot of potential for power!
The interior is just next level in this car, makes a hell of a daily driver if you can get one for a good price.
I paid $30k for a 2024 Premium Plus with only 4,000 miles, and I am quite happy so far.
19:42 I don't think that blue car was too happy about that move 😆😆😆
Haha I was thinking the same thing!!
Joe and Lori and Steve keep up the good work real true and I love the video 💯
That red interior is amazing.
All physical interior controls, and the interior still looks a class above the GTI. I'll be happy when companies stop trying to gaslight consumers into thinking making everything a screen is "up market."
I do wish Mazda would FULLY commit to a performance Mazda 3. This is a very comfortable hatch, but it's not quite a hot hatch. Needs a manual, Billsteins, some 8.5 inch wide wheels, and a throaty exhaust.
What a timely review as I was just researching this sedan after watching the Miata review you did. 👍🏁
Having been married for 20 years When you said that word that starts with a C. I have to say that compromise wasn’t the first word that came to mind 😂
I watched your k5 review for about the same price. Which is the better deal. To me the k5 seems to be the better deal. Bigger and more features
I have a '24 Turbo. Premium Plus, Soul Red, with the full aero kit. First off, the Mazdaspeed comparisons can stop. That car was Dave Coleman's pet project ,a niche product that never sold that well despite all the fanboys online. This really is not an MS3 successor. The 3 Turbo is in reality a small GT car - think of it as a baby Kia Stinger and it makes a lot more sense. In sport mode and with TC off it is willing to play. It will rotate and will send power to the rear. With those aids on it is whisper quiet, luxe, and very comfortable. The driving position is perfect, low with your legs out in front of you. Like a GT car. Again, if you are thinking of this as a raucous highway missile like the MS3 you are looking at this car wrong. Fwiw with the AWD it is much faster than a Speed3 off the line and below 40-50mph, it just doesn't have the sense of theater that that car does.
You are correct James!
Sadly James is correct
I love when auto reviewers tell manufactures what the car should have or should not have. It's not like they haven't done a million focus groups, but the auto review is know better
That blue Kia soul wasn’t too happy about your lane change 🤣🤣
isnt it a toyota chr
I love Raiti's enthusiasm and reviews, but he's a horrible jerk of a driver in this video. He cut off a bunch of people, swung across multiple lanes without signaling, etc.
@MishtahPoog you have to look more carefully, he used the turn signal every time he changed lanes.
@@marvinmurakami8828
[18:12] Didn’t use (optional) turn signal for exiting the highway.
[18:40] Didn’t use left signal, despite cutting across two lanes (one of which was a solid white line) and making a left turn.
[18:48] No right signal when changing lanes right
[19:30] No right signal when exiting right (he signaled when changing lanes, but not exiting)
[20:13] No signal with right lane change (debatably optional)
@MishtahPoog i see the turn signal stalk move nearly every time. The only couple of times he doesn't use it exiting the freeway is because he's already in the exit lane. I don't know anybody who uses the turn signal when they're already in the exit lane.
The 3 is probably more reliable than the GTI, but has lost its DNA as a drivers car. The GTI with its proper chassis setup and a manual would seem like the more engaging drive.
No. It's still very much a driver's car. I have a '24 Premium Plus that replaced a full bolt on, 290whp Speed3. Wouldn't have done it if it wasn't a good drive. Sport mode and TC off and it's fantastic. The 3's interior is also on a different planet than the plastic fantastic MK8 GTI cockpit with its haptics.
It’s not a dedicated drivers car, but it still has many elements of it I’d say.
I call this car a compromise car in the best of ways; they didn’t fully focus on luxury, or fully focus on performance, or fully focus on style, but instead tried to balance all those things out into something that’s just great all around. It’s quiet and tame when you want it to be, but can really zip if you are feeling more sporty. Best of both worlds, as it were. (Or maybe not the best, but like 90% of both worlds)
Although a manual in this car seems like a no-brainer, can’t believe Mazda still won’t do it…
To be fair Joe the 2025 GTI mk8.5 has an all new 13" Infotainment with new software that's better than ever. And real buttons on the steering wheel.
One slight error with this video!!
It is actually a touch screen starting with the ‘24 and ‘25 models.
HOWEVER the touch screen only activates with Android Auto or Apple CarPlay enabled.
Since I use it in apple carplay mode all the time, for my use case, it absolutely has a working touch screen.
Did Joe really said "No Cap" haha, but yea that poly metal grey with that red interior was one of the main reason why I got a Mazda 3 hatchback 👌🏽
Gti DSG transmission is way moooore exciting than mazda's simple automatic, the trick is in transmission, not in hp numbers
Just paid off my 2021 hatchback turbo. Bought it used with 10k miles. It now has 25k. Total financed was 20k. Not buying anything for a few years. Crazy how much cars cost now.
The 6 speed manual is available in lower trim packages and FWD models for 2025.
I like this one and wish the manual was still offered in it. (Same for the GTI, alas.)
I wish so as well! Things have changed for the worse!
Mazda 3 is a nice daily but the hardware on the GTI is more compelling from performance perspective plus the GTI has more modification support than the Mazda.
i’d go with the GTI 100%
plus this thing doesn’t get ya any street cred. lol
@@FrequencyORDwho gaf about that? 😂😂😂😂😂
To be fair, the performance community is really starting to build for this car, and I’ve seen some pretty rocking ECU tunes recently making over 300whp.
If Mazda just got off their asses and added a manual transmission, I think way more people would take this car seriously. It’s a joy to drive and push to its limits with the predictive awd system, and the interior smokes the GTI in my opinion at least.
@ the manual in the speed3 and 6 is a great transmission and it was around in 2006. Those cars were 275hp from the factory.
It’s 10.25 inches display on the Turbo models and it is touchscreen on the wireless Android and CarPlay. From personal use I prefer the rotary knob to using touchscreen because it’s less distracting
I love my 2024 GTI 😊
It desperately needs an independent rear suspension and better transmission. A bit more power would be nice. Otherwise, it is a decent daily but no hot hatch in any way.
I drove both cars while cross shopping. If you want performance and driving dynamics go with Gti. If you want a GT feel and an engine with a lot of torque go with the Mazda. Also I found the Gti touch screen easier to use than the partial touchscreen and knob of the Mazda. You can’t go wrong with either.
lol that blue Toyota you cut off was not happy about it hahahaha
According to the internet you should be able to shut off the "pumped in engine sound" through the settings in the infotainment and shut off ("active sound design") .
2:40 so for all the people bitchin’ about the price…I’m hearing this is priced like the GTI, but specs like a Golf R (turbo AWD). But reliable. Sold.
I have a soul red 23 CX-5. it has more rock chips at two years old than my 2014 RDX had at 8 years old and 100,000 more miles. Mazda’s paint is crap, and I wish they could find my engine noise and fix it. other than that, I love it
Bring back the 25k fiesta/focus ST
prices are insane! today.
The rear seat air vents are under the front driver and passenger seats.
Approaching 200k miles on my 2012 Mazda 3 . Looking forward to my next Mazda !
That is so fantastic to hear Blaine! I appreciate you sharing that!
Oh man, I want Arby's now.
I like the design 👍👍👍
I’m diggin that color
ON THROTTLE HERE WE GO!!!
If you've driven a Mazda or have driven in one then you know their trims are clearly on luxury level. Sigh. If you are real enthusiast like Raiti then you have to love the Transmission and feel of a Mazda. It isn't duplicated in other cars. The gear ratios are much different and smooth than most Asian brands I've driven in. This car is clearly worth atleast 38 to 40k. It's a sports car. Sport cars have always cost this even in the 90s and early 2000s
That interior makes the price worth it.
I think this Mazda 3 Turbo looks super super stunning. Plz reply ASAP
I have a 2016 Mazda 3 it looks so much better, they really messed up side profile of 3 I hope a new model is coming
The horsey sauce comment got me 😂
I'll rather buy a used Lexus IS for 40k
$38,000, you can get a Hyundai ELANTRA N for less. Much better equipped too. Mazda is a luxury brand now and they have been for years.
Just bought a 25 Sedan. Love it. Touch screen is so overrated
Hey, Joe good review, nice looking car, however I need more horsepower MAYBE a v6 engine.😊😊😊.
Joe doesn't build cars
What’s better this or a civic hatch?
this!
Black Headliner Thank You!
A solid rear axel for that price is asinine. That's deal breaker. No rear seat vents or USB charging. Again, ridiculous.
I don't think you know what that term means.
thats a nice car too have
Are those cup holders in the engine cover?
Beautiful car
Is it faster than the 2.0t accord tho?
about the same ,depends of the grip
Mazda is bringing SPIRIT RACING in Japan as the new mazdaspeed brand but who knows if we’ll see anything in the US
"No cap." -Raiti's Rides
I rented this one for a week. Oh gosh! The performance was aweful!
I would prefer the interior on this with the terracotta instead of this red. I still hate non touch screen. The apple car play touch doesn’t always work on my wife’s cx5
Whats the point of having AWD and its an open diff?
Actual review starts at the 3:45 mark, after Joe unnecessarily explains what a Mazda is.
Better than a Honda Civic
Nah I rather go for Golf GTI with that price
The Mazda won’t be in the shop all the time.
I had a 2015 and i looked at this and backed off due to the price, skinny tires and infotainment wasn't as updated as I hoped for. Also the rear end has a roundish look compared to earlier models. Still a good car !! Mazda does interiors well. Thanks Joe and Steven 🤙🏼
Will this Mazda 3 make it to Australia ????
reminds me of my 2012 lexus ct200h. in the best way =)
No the golf gti is way better. Has a bigger screen, more features
The screen doesn’t bother me. But I want a sports car that can last and Mazda has much better reliability then VW
Makeover with a Std transmission 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
"I know Steven loves easy access."
I saw a review for another Mazda where the head unit becomes touchscreen when you go Android auto or Apple carplay, I wonder if these are the same.
The price is ridiculous just for Mazda 3 and not even a mazdaspeed which they should have made for this. That price is crazy
Re: the infotainment, I prefer a good functioning non touch screen over a laggy buggy touch screen interface. Looking at you Subaru
Damn my favorite car
If the front turn signals were the daytime running lights the front end would be even more elite among compacts. They could keep them yellow and keep them as turn signals but also as DRL. The headlamps as DRL is just lazy.
I think thats the new 10" Centre Display. 11:44 Not the 8.8".
38k is crazy!
Think I'll be in the market for a used MK7 or 7.5 Golf R, that cargo space and no independent rear suspension is kinda a deal breaker for me. Shame because this car is way prettier in my opinion, the designers went insane with this.
Don't the new turbos come with the 10.25 inch displays?
Yep
IMO Mazda makes the best vehicles for your $.
No hydraulic hood struts on a 37k vehicle? Mazda is so stingy
No touch screen and digital speedometer on a 2025 is crazy
its a touch screen for apple carplay, and the speedo is digital
The transmission is holding it back