To anyone concerned about the reliability of the MHEV battery, the hybrid one, not the 12v. Mazda use the Toshiba SCiB Lithium-Ion battery pack. This is one of the most robust and reliable batteries out there. It's used in automotive, aeronautical, marine and heavy industry applications. The battery is designed to retain up to 80 percent capacity over 20,000 charging cycles. To put that into context, if you drove your car four times a day, so four charging cycles, the hybrid battery would be good for 14 years.
One of the best and most comprehensive car reviews I have watched. Felt as close to being there and driving the car as I think possible. Very, very impressive. Other car reviewers take note.
Looks are out of this world. When I saw this hatchback, I and my friends thought it looked amazing. I might end up with two cars. MX-5 and Mazda 3 hatchback hybrid in my life. Mazda had won over me with its looks. No other car manufacturer attracts me like Mazda does. When I go on street and have 'wow, that car looks gorgeous", it is often Mazda. I'm very fortunate that my dream cars happened to be Mazdas. Cars which I can realistically one day afford rather some supercar which costs hundreds of thousands.
Looks very premium with all the features that you'd possibly want in a car for an affordable price. It even offers a head-up display. I don't think any other manufacturer has that on their affordable line up. And ofc it comes with a manual transmission. I couldn't ask for anything more. I think Mazda really nailed it with this car. I hope they continue making affordable and feature packed cars like this. PS That was an awesome review. Very detailed. Much appreciated.
I just found your channel Richard. A much better review content for those technically minded and more interested in how modern systems in vehicles actually function. Your explanations/information on how the ISG stop start and radar assisted following behaved and the mpg statistics were perfect. Excellent.
Got this car as my first car, gt sport tech highest trim and it's absolutely beautiful in my opinion and drives like a champ. Couldn't be more impressed.
Your green arrow moving skills are out of this world, good job. Also, don’t feel bad I think most people would try to align the air vents. Mazda has to realize that billions of people have OCD to some degree
i own a usdm '21 turbo and, despite being absolutely in love with the thing, i can report that the radar has told me to "BRAKE!" inappropriately twice. however, that's only happen at one specific bit of awkward road. i've noticed that the reverse camera's "someone's behind you" detector has been a bit overzealous, so (considering the spot where it told me to brake) that aspect of the software seems to be what caused the warnings. only checked this video out to see what the rhd versions were like, but you're a fantastically thorough reviewer! great to see someone who appreciates cars not trashing a hybrid system
A proper every day/person test far better than silly behavior like throwing away parcel shelves and stupid comments trying to be funny. Just a clear review that has made me check this car out. excellent.
Lovely car the new 3. Had a late mk2 Mazda 3 and currently driving a 2018 Mazda 2. Hoping to get a new 3 or possibly CX-30 in the near future. Always love the feel of the controls in a Mazda. Personally I would opt for a 3 with the 18" wheels though, to enhance the already handsome looks further. Good review.
So my dealership told me that for some reason the 18 inch wheels are only summer and winter you have to have 16 inch unless you got a AWD version. So I have it like that and I must say that the 18s are more fun on curvy country roads but the 16s are more comfortable. Its quite hard with the 18s.
@@TheDude50447 Good bit of info there, dude. Tell me, if I buy a Mazda 3 with 18-inch wheels, can I get them replaced with 16-inch wheels? If so, any idea how much that'd cost me in the UK? Thanks, dude.
@@Proudarse im not sure honestly. I know you can order 16s but you gotta pay obviously. If youre ordering the car new idk if theres an option for 16s instead of 18s. I bought mine as a dealership car during covid. It was meant for test drives but there were no test drives because of covid. So i got a 7k€ discount for a car with no miles. The flip side was i had to take it as it stood there.
I love how enthusiastic about the Mazda3. I love my 3 and I love talking about it. There is so much good to talk about in it! Professional! thank you!! :)
I have a 2019 Skyactiv-G Sport Lux in the UK and I have achieved 52mpg in this car on a trip to work. That commute is 15 minutes urban and 10 minutes dual carriageway. I've been above 51 MPG quite a few times on that commute and I live in a hilly area. I used to have a little 1.2l 3 cylinder Polo, and from what I can tell, this car is getting just about as good MPG, if not a little better, despite being much heavier and much more powerful. I think Mazda have done a great job with this 2.0L setup and compared to other cars I've driven on work trips, the Mazda 3 is buttery smooth. I'm pretty sure my glove box does have a felt lining though.
@@Proudarse the "e-" versions are the newer names for the mild hybrid powertrains, from what I remember the e-X has an extra 5hp and a few other improvements over the original X.
love these measurement units two hand-widths and one fist :D Also after watching the other reviews. This car looks stunning. The interior is awesome and the outer look also quite sleek
I'm a fan of its looks - it's quite striking and different. And they do really stand out when you see them. Typical of Mazda for just doing things a bit differently. Great in-depth review 👍
Hi Richard I have just come across your channel and watched some of your videos on the mx5 I'm looking in the near future of buying one. Anyway about this car I have a 2019 Skyactive X saloon. I've owned it a year now and on a 500 mile round trip to Alton towers in the summer the car averaged 52mpg, the trip was 98% motorway with the cruise control set to 70mph also had to use the air con quite a bit as that was an unusually hot day, I was really impressed with this economy. I love the tech in my car particularly the bose sound system with the sub in the back shelf, the dial in the centre which works everything on the screen (much easier than having to use a touch screen) and the adaptive LED headlights. (gt sport trim) but like many others the black trim around the gear leaver and other places always looks dirty and is prone to being scratched. It's a bit of a shame they gave you this lower spec model to show off on here, the bigger wheels and dark grey or red paint work look so much better.
A really excellent review. Very comprehensive - I've subscribed because of the detail you go through on aspects of cars which potential buyers are particularly interested in....Keep up the fantastic work.
Very good review. I bought a 2022 Sport Tech a few weeks ago and it is fantastic. I knew of the weak points as I thoroughly did my research but the 360 cameras for reversing etc make up for poor visibility, especially on reversing and I won't be carrying passengers in the back seat too often. It's very comfortable to drive once you find your position and the tech is just fantastic. I came from a 2010 Mazda 6 and the technology at first was a bit overwhelming - still getting used to it. The 18 inch wheels do mean the the ride is a bit bumpy but not overly so. I did accidentally open the car from the fob in my pocket and didn't know which meant the lights were on and the battery was running low. Other than that I find little to be negative at the moment.
@@taylorthrall7321 I do a lot of city driving so a bit under 40 mpg. I have had to do longer trips on the motorway in 6th and you very easily get close to 50 - it really opens up on the motorway.
North America sells a Mazda 3 with a 250 horsepower 2.5 litre turbo 4cyl. It’ll do 0-100kmh in 5.5 seconds (making it faster in a straight line than a Ford Focus ST or Volkswagen Golf GTi). But it’s electronically limited to 208kmh.
What impresses me is the leather over all the car surfaces which is usually just hard plastic which often looks cheap. This car still has plenty of it in more out of sight areas. However, this is not a premium model. The fact that a mainstream car has a level of luxury to compete with luxury brands is impressive in its own right.
Another great review. I really like the look of these Mazda 3s. Reminds me a bit of the ‘fastback’ version of the late 80s/ early 90s with the pop up headlights. I always thought they looked very stylish, and it’s good Mazda seem to have followed this idea with something more interesting looking than a Focus or Astra. I have yet to see a saloon version in the flesh, but I like the fact that Mazda continues to offer them despite knowing they will sell in small numbers in the UK. For some, a saloon is a better fit than a hatch. My father has recently bought a 2020 CX-30 automatic so I enjoyed your recent video on that. The symmetry between the 3 and CX-30 is clear, as the dash and features are essentially identical. It’s encouraging that you returned such respectable mpg figures. Just shows that a bigger engine that’s not working as hard can be economical. Interestingly it’s the polar opposite engine set up to my Suzuki Baleno boosterjet, which has a lot of low down torque from the turbo (and an impressively linear power delivery, rather than the sudden rush of power I experienced in the turbocharged one litre Micra my partner used to have). Did you find the 3’s power delivery fairly smooth and progressive? The 3 seems to suit silver. Thanks again for an interesting review.
The power delivery of both the Skyactiv g and Skyactiv X is very smooth with a gradual increase in pulling power as the revs rise. The Mazda 3 saloon is my favourite looking segment C car, although that's my opinion of course.
I bought one last year and love it, the interior in particular is what sold it - much nicer than the Skoda Scala and SEAT Leon I also looked at. Oh and that gearbox is so good. Having lived with it for a while the only things I can fault is the windscreen which mists up a lot and doesn't clear as quickly as previous cars I've owned. The other being the auto fold mirrors freezing in position, another thing I've not had issues with before.
That's interesting, thank you. I'm not sure if you do already but leaving the AC on keeps the moisture down in the car. The aircon pumps uses very little energy in the winter as it doesn't work very hard. I'm not sure if cars without climate control get on demand ac pumps though.
@@RichardFanders the issue is the aircon is awful in this car. The source being I've owned one for 3 years. Also the wing mirrors freezing also has affected me.
Very clear and engaging review of the Mazda 3. Thanks for that! A little confusing about engines. Here in Sweden there is no 122 hp engine. Instead, there is a 150 hp, in addition to the 180 hp mentioned in the video.
@@magnuspersson1433 I bought the 122 bhp and I am quite happy with it. The power curve is very similar to the 180 bhp before 4k rpm, but it is clearly capped after this point. Some people that bought the 180 bhp are disappointed because it is still not a "sporty" engine. Even the vendor told me that it is not groundbreaking in terms of acceleration. The 180 bhp is supposed to be more economical in highways, but not in town. This engine option was almost 3k€ more expensive so I didn't think it was worth it for me.
Amazing review, i hit subscribe within a few minutes...you ain't kidding when you said a detailed review! Thank you for the upload.Can you remind me exactly which trim level you used for review? Thanks.
Fantastic review! Went through all the features of the car and did tests on all the features and mpg. These cars are fantastic when you compare them to the equivalent Ford Focus. So much more kit included on these cars and far nicer inside.
Love the look of this car,the quality interior is on a par with my Volvo V40 and if I was in the market for a new car I would be tempted by one of these especially with the Sky X engine..
I want this engine and transmission in the MX5 RF. The MX5 is about 800 lbs lighter. The MPG would be 60+ and the power to weight/performance would improve tremendously!
Car & Driver chose the new Civic as the overall winner, however they said the Mazda 3 has a better automatic transmission, and many prefer the Mazda stereo speakers. The most recent Consumer Reports magazine owners surveys have the Bronco Sport and Tucson as the most reliable for taller vehicles this size, however they are a new enough design to not know anything about how well they hold up after 200 thousand miles. I like the Carsthatlast RUclips videos for older vehicle reliability.
Lovely review. I still really wish the diesel engine emissions would be lower, because the torque i get from my remapped 1.9 multijet (just under 400Nm) is just unbeatable by any "reasonably" efficient petrol. That pull in 6th gear was just ridiculously slow For reference, driving normally out of town or on the motorway, I get 5.5 to 6l/100km or 51 to 47 uk mpg and about 7 to 7.5l/100km or 40 to 37 mpg in the city with a 1600kg wagon
I need to buy a M3, but I'm not sure which engine to choose. Could someone please tell me what's the difference between Skyactiv G, e-G, X and e-X? Thank you.
Very good review. I ve came back to watch it again. Prob be nicer if the engine had a bit more torque but the gear shift looked nice to use so i guess you just have to drive the car an not be lazy.
The engine is the only concern for me, being used to the torque heavy diesel punch I'd worry about having to rag this petrol unit, does it get a bit harsh?
I have the e-Skyactiv G …..I’m getting average 54mpg. Had mine 10 months and done about 8500 miles. Cylinder deactivation happens in 4th at 30mph and in 5th between 35-40 mph. I don’t find it works while using cruise control.
54mpg? I reckon you are dreaming that's better than even the manufacturers claim and that never happens, I had a 2015 2.0l skyactiv G and driving very carefully averaged 41mpg overall with around 50mpg on a long run. I currently own an e skyactiv x 2021 and average 49mpg overall after 3000 miles so I doubt in everyday driving you are getting near 54mpg, 43 maybe at a push, are you talking about a steady motorway run? as that's the only way a 2.0L G will get anyway near 54mpg.
The interesting to know about the cruise control. Thank you. I guess because it's more of a constant power. I found 2 cylinder mode only really work when I was nearly completely off the gas.
This is a standard spec SE-L/SE-L Lux Better to show the GT sport Tech, with privacy glass and better alloys and interior features like leather heated electric seats and wheel. But nonetheless an amazing car to drive no matter the spec 👍🏻
You mentioned in one of your other videos about the Ford Ecoboost being smooth, are you able to review one of them if you get chance? It's ok if not. I bought one (65 plate Fiesta Titanium) and it is a great car would just love to see your opinion.
When you drive this Mazda3, did the gearbox and clutch feel odd, as it you never know what gear you're putting the car into? Did the car also sound almost like a tractor with it's engine? That's how I felt. It was a very very lodu car at any speed... Do you agree
I’m torn between the manual and automatic transmission. I know the manual is a blast to handle but for city driving I reckon the automatic is just more convenient
@@RichardFanders I use neutral out in the country and very specific spots in town with the skyactiv auto transmission with my 2013 3 to save fuel. Per the service manual it's allowed to tow in the forward direction in neutral with all 4 wheels on the ground so for me that's the green light. The transmission programming is a little more guarded than it needs to be regarding using its clutch in the first few seconds after going back into gear but it otherwise fully cooperates with that. I also use the "manual mode" to shift down for braking; currently 200K miles on original brake pads. Best car I've ever driven.
Hey Richard, Great video. I have the same car but I am still confused about the radar cruise control systems. I drive in Europe so it’s basically in Kms. I found some videos but most of them are done on automatic gears. I found your one with Manual shift. It would be great if you can just reply to this message and let me know. I know how to activate them and set up the speed but I had to keep my foot on accelerator to keep it going on a motorway and when I took my foot off the pedal it started slowing down. Pls do let me know I have a trip coming this weekend and would love to use it on the motorway .! Thanx in advance.!
Just noticed now that because of brexit, UK cars no longer have that blue stripe in the license plate. Something I hate about this car since it came out is that huge C-pilar.
You can still have the blue strip if you want, it just has a union jack flag instead. I have it on my cars, I think it looks quite cool. I must admit I didn't like the C pillar, it reminds me of a hyena, but it has grown on me, I really like the saloon, especially with a lip spoiler on the boot.
Brilliant review. How did you find the clutch work in stop start traffic? I have a lot of traffic on my commute and despite being a proud MX5 ND owner, i find I'm fairly exhausted after the drive home through rush hour. Despite being very loud on the motorway it's the town driving that I find is the most testing in the MX5 with the short gear ratios. Being 6ft4 doesn't help either! Don't think I'm ready to give in to automatics quite yet! Thanks.
I also own an ND and I've found the clutch in both very easy. I use neutral when ever possible though so I rarely ever hold the clutch down. I come off it as soon as possible.
@@RichardFanders thanks, think it's probably my long legs and the regular gear shifting that I'm finding the issue. Good point re using neutral more though, something to bear in mind.. I've also tried skipping gears occasionally to reduce the number of gear changes. Could that damage the transmission in any way?
Fantastic review! Personally, I'm not a fan of the futuristic exterior though. The glossy plastic is a bit of a let down in the interior. Aside from that, it's a solid car.
“Take note Mat Watson” had me cackling
It was funny but carwow budget is bigger to destroy stuff
Don't we just love RUclips community? Everyone gets everyone's references 😂
Dude, you should keep doing this. You have the good charisma and knowledge of a good auto reviewer.
To anyone concerned about the reliability of the MHEV battery, the hybrid one, not the 12v.
Mazda use the Toshiba SCiB Lithium-Ion battery pack. This is one of the most robust and reliable batteries out there. It's used in automotive, aeronautical, marine and heavy industry applications.
The battery is designed to retain up to 80 percent capacity over 20,000 charging cycles.
To put that into context, if you drove your car four times a day, so four charging cycles, the hybrid battery would be good for 14 years.
Sexy stuff - thanks pal
One of the best and most comprehensive car reviews I have watched. Felt as close to being there and driving the car as I think possible. Very, very impressive. Other car reviewers take note.
Who can do a review of the car better than a driving instructor. Excellent review!
Love the design, timeless yet modern. Will age well as one of the best styles around.
Looks are out of this world. When I saw this hatchback, I and my friends thought it looked amazing. I might end up with two cars. MX-5 and Mazda 3 hatchback hybrid in my life. Mazda had won over me with its looks. No other car manufacturer attracts me like Mazda does. When I go on street and have 'wow, that car looks gorgeous", it is often Mazda.
I'm very fortunate that my dream cars happened to be Mazdas. Cars which I can realistically one day afford rather some supercar which costs hundreds of thousands.
Probably the best review I've seen of the mazda 3 and I've seen about 30.
To me, this Mazda 3 is the best-looking car in every category and price range.
Looks very premium with all the features that you'd possibly want in a car for an affordable price. It even offers a head-up display. I don't think any other manufacturer has that on their affordable line up. And ofc it comes with a manual transmission. I couldn't ask for anything more. I think Mazda really nailed it with this car. I hope they continue making affordable and feature packed cars like this.
PS That was an awesome review. Very detailed. Much appreciated.
I just found your channel Richard. A much better review content for those technically minded and more interested in how modern systems in vehicles actually function. Your explanations/information on how the ISG stop start and radar assisted following behaved and the mpg statistics were perfect. Excellent.
Got this car as my first car, gt sport tech highest trim and it's absolutely beautiful in my opinion and drives like a champ. Couldn't be more impressed.
You got this as a first car? Damn where you work 🤣
This guy is loaded
What sort of MPG have you gotten using this on both normal roads and motorways/highways?
Dayum son, buy me one? I'll give you £5k to help out.
@@taylorthrall7321 He gets about 89 MPG, or so he's mum told me. Hahahaha 😂
Great review mate, good level of detail and watchable delivery. So many reviewers have super-annoying un-watchable personalities
Your green arrow moving skills are out of this world, good job. Also, don’t feel bad I think most people would try to align the air vents. Mazda has to realize that billions of people have OCD to some degree
this is the best mazda 3 review ive seen!
i own a usdm '21 turbo and, despite being absolutely in love with the thing, i can report that the radar has told me to "BRAKE!" inappropriately twice. however, that's only happen at one specific bit of awkward road. i've noticed that the reverse camera's "someone's behind you" detector has been a bit overzealous, so (considering the spot where it told me to brake) that aspect of the software seems to be what caused the warnings.
only checked this video out to see what the rhd versions were like, but you're a fantastically thorough reviewer! great to see someone who appreciates cars not trashing a hybrid system
A proper every day/person test far better than silly behavior like throwing away parcel shelves and stupid comments trying to be funny. Just a clear review that has made me check this car out. excellent.
Lovely car the new 3. Had a late mk2 Mazda 3 and currently driving a 2018 Mazda 2. Hoping to get a new 3 or possibly CX-30 in the near future. Always love the feel of the controls in a Mazda. Personally I would opt for a 3 with the 18" wheels though, to enhance the already handsome looks further. Good review.
So my dealership told me that for some reason the 18 inch wheels are only summer and winter you have to have 16 inch unless you got a AWD version. So I have it like that and I must say that the 18s are more fun on curvy country roads but the 16s are more comfortable. Its quite hard with the 18s.
@@TheDude50447 Good bit of info there, dude. Tell me, if I buy a Mazda 3 with 18-inch wheels, can I get them replaced with 16-inch wheels? If so, any idea how much that'd cost me in the UK? Thanks, dude.
@@Proudarse im not sure honestly. I know you can order 16s but you gotta pay obviously. If youre ordering the car new idk if theres an option for 16s instead of 18s. I bought mine as a dealership car during covid. It was meant for test drives but there were no test drives because of covid. So i got a 7k€ discount for a car with no miles. The flip side was i had to take it as it stood there.
@@TheDude50447 Appreciate it bud, I think I will just stick with the 16's.
I really enjoyed the part with you talking to a GoPro, with the benefit of hindsight knowing fully well the file ended up being corrupted
That was so frustrating. Not the first time the hero 9 has let me down. The hero 7 is more reliable.
@@RichardFanders are you going to be reviewing some more premium vehicles too?
I love how enthusiastic about the Mazda3. I love my 3 and I love talking about it. There is so much good to talk about in it! Professional! thank you!! :)
I have a 2019 Skyactiv-G Sport Lux in the UK and I have achieved 52mpg in this car on a trip to work. That commute is 15 minutes urban and 10 minutes dual carriageway. I've been above 51 MPG quite a few times on that commute and I live in a hilly area. I used to have a little 1.2l 3 cylinder Polo, and from what I can tell, this car is getting just about as good MPG, if not a little better, despite being much heavier and much more powerful. I think Mazda have done a great job with this 2.0L setup and compared to other cars I've driven on work trips, the Mazda 3 is buttery smooth.
I'm pretty sure my glove box does have a felt lining though.
Thanks for sharing, that's damn impressive. Can you please tell me what's the difference between Skyactiv G, e-G, X and e-X? Thanks
@@Proudarse the "e-" versions are the newer names for the mild hybrid powertrains, from what I remember the e-X has an extra 5hp and a few other improvements over the original X.
@@SparrowEEEThanks Sparrow, appreciate it
love these measurement units
two hand-widths and one fist :D
Also after watching the other reviews. This car looks stunning. The interior is awesome and the outer look also quite sleek
This guy's brilliant, well done chap, brilliant review, I really enjoyed that.
I've just bought the Mazda 3 2020 sport my wife has a Mazda 2 my son has a Mazda 2 sport I rest my case. fabulous make of car👏
Best design in his class, and more importantly no small downsizd engine!
Excellent review, best one on Mazda 3 I have seen so far. In the NZ market they only do autos so jealous of the manual.
Thanks, just bought one and your review was really very informative.
I'm a fan of its looks - it's quite striking and different. And they do really stand out when you see them. Typical of Mazda for just doing things a bit differently. Great in-depth review 👍
@8rick1ane 😂
Great review as always...Thank's a lot for your help mate.Cheers from a Portuguese guy that lives in Switzerland 👍🤝
Hi Richard I have just come across your channel and watched some of your videos on the mx5 I'm looking in the near future of buying one. Anyway about this car I have a 2019 Skyactive X saloon. I've owned it a year now and on a 500 mile round trip to Alton towers in the summer the car averaged 52mpg, the trip was 98% motorway with the cruise control set to 70mph also had to use the air con quite a bit as that was an unusually hot day, I was really impressed with this economy. I love the tech in my car particularly the bose sound system with the sub in the back shelf, the dial in the centre which works everything on the screen (much easier than having to use a touch screen) and the adaptive LED headlights. (gt sport trim) but like many others the black trim around the gear leaver and other places always looks dirty and is prone to being scratched.
It's a bit of a shame they gave you this lower spec model to show off on here, the bigger wheels and dark grey or red paint work look so much better.
I don't like shiny black plastic. It is possible to get it coated with paint protection film though.
A really excellent review. Very comprehensive - I've subscribed because of the detail you go through on aspects of cars which potential buyers are particularly interested in....Keep up the fantastic work.
He may or may not have a few women locked up in his mum's basement, against their will, but you can't deny that he's a good chap of sorts.
Wish they offer manual in every trim level in the US.
Very good review. I bought a 2022 Sport Tech a few weeks ago and it is fantastic. I knew of the weak points as I thoroughly did my research but the 360 cameras for reversing etc make up for poor visibility, especially on reversing and I won't be carrying passengers in the back seat too often. It's very comfortable to drive once you find your position and the tech is just fantastic. I came from a 2010 Mazda 6 and the technology at first was a bit overwhelming - still getting used to it. The 18 inch wheels do mean the the ride is a bit bumpy but not overly so. I did accidentally open the car from the fob in my pocket and didn't know which meant the lights were on and the battery was running low. Other than that I find little to be negative at the moment.
What sort of MPG have you had out of this skyactiv-g engine?
@@taylorthrall7321 I do a lot of city driving so a bit under 40 mpg. I have had to do longer trips on the motorway in 6th and you very easily get close to 50 - it really opens up on the motorway.
Brilliant review, mate 👏🏼. No gimmicks. Especially the performance part. Thank you👍🏼
Just watched this. Wicked review. Keep up the good work.
Glad you enjoyed it!
North America sells a Mazda 3 with a 250 horsepower 2.5 litre turbo 4cyl. It’ll do 0-100kmh in 5.5 seconds (making it faster in a straight line than a Ford Focus ST or Volkswagen Golf GTi).
But it’s electronically limited to 208kmh.
Sounds like a nice motor, the car's chassis feels it can handle that.
Now that's what the UK needed! 😔
@@uk7866 I agree. It’s a shame it’s only limited to North America.
But if it comes to Europe, it should be limited to 155mph.
All going well i hope to buy a Mazda 3 hatch next week, looking forward to it. Thanks for your review.
Brilliant car. The saloon is a worthy look too, bigger boot and more slippery through the air.
Really good review! Keep making more!
Much better than Matt review 😌 keep it up!
Such a handsome motor.
At the moment I'm thinking about getting the X version of the 2023 Mazda 3. You just get a lot for the money.
What impresses me is the leather over all the car surfaces which is usually just hard plastic which often looks cheap. This car still has plenty of it in more out of sight areas. However, this is not a premium model. The fact that a mainstream car has a level of luxury to compete with luxury brands is impressive in its own right.
Another great review. I really like the look of these Mazda 3s. Reminds me a bit of the ‘fastback’ version of the late 80s/ early 90s with the pop up headlights. I always thought they looked very stylish, and it’s good Mazda seem to have followed this idea with something more interesting looking than a Focus or Astra. I have yet to see a saloon version in the flesh, but I like the fact that Mazda continues to offer them despite knowing they will sell in small numbers in the UK. For some, a saloon is a better fit than a hatch. My father has recently bought a 2020 CX-30 automatic so I enjoyed your recent video on that. The symmetry between the 3 and CX-30 is clear, as the dash and features are essentially identical. It’s encouraging that you returned such respectable mpg figures. Just shows that a bigger engine that’s not working as hard can be economical. Interestingly it’s the polar opposite engine set up to my Suzuki Baleno boosterjet, which has a lot of low down torque from the turbo (and an impressively linear power delivery, rather than the sudden rush of power I experienced in the turbocharged one litre Micra my partner used to have). Did you find the 3’s power delivery fairly smooth and progressive? The 3 seems to suit silver. Thanks again for an interesting review.
The power delivery of both the Skyactiv g and Skyactiv X is very smooth with a gradual increase in pulling power as the revs rise. The Mazda 3 saloon is my favourite looking segment C car, although that's my opinion of course.
Fuel consumption indicator on the speedometer is not useless, that one shows the average MPG while the one on the left is for the instant consumption.
Thank you, I realised that later in the video.
Great thorough review! Now I can't decide between the Mazda Skyactive X mild hybrid and the Audi A3 e-tron...
Excellent review. I'd love to see you review the Skyactiv X version.
I love the look of the Mazda. Lovely car something id love to have
Love your videos Richard always so informative!!🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩
That s actually a really good review well done
brilliant review mate👍 nice looking car for sure
Remarkable review @Richard.
I might get one if they still make them by the time I need one. They look like great family cars.
Will you buy the Skyactiv X sedan?
They are very good.
I bought one last year and love it, the interior in particular is what sold it - much nicer than the Skoda Scala and SEAT Leon I also looked at. Oh and that gearbox is so good.
Having lived with it for a while the only things I can fault is the windscreen which mists up a lot and doesn't clear as quickly as previous cars I've owned. The other being the auto fold mirrors freezing in position, another thing I've not had issues with before.
That's interesting, thank you. I'm not sure if you do already but leaving the AC on keeps the moisture down in the car. The aircon pumps uses very little energy in the winter as it doesn't work very hard. I'm not sure if cars without climate control get on demand ac pumps though.
@@RichardFanders the issue is the aircon is awful in this car. The source being I've owned one for 3 years. Also the wing mirrors freezing also has affected me.
What sort of MPG have you had out of this skyactiv-g engine?
@@taylorthrall7321 average has sat around 45 for the 2 1/2 years I've had it
Mazda have been killing it
the most useful and helpful review od mazda3 I have ever seen. and I saw a lot! thanx. by the way- lovely accent ;)
Very clear and engaging review of the Mazda 3. Thanks for that! A little confusing about engines. Here in Sweden there is no 122 hp engine. Instead, there is a 150 hp, in addition to the 180 hp mentioned in the video.
Maybe you don't get the Skyactiv X. That's the engine with about 180 bhp.
I think the 150hp engine you have is the same as the 122hp, but the 122hp has its power capped around 4K rpm.
@@noreluss Probably true. We still have the Skyactiv X engine, but not many people seem to be buying it…
@@magnuspersson1433 I bought the 122 bhp and I am quite happy with it. The power curve is very similar to the 180 bhp before 4k rpm, but it is clearly capped after this point.
Some people that bought the 180 bhp are disappointed because it is still not a "sporty" engine. Even the vendor told me that it is not groundbreaking in terms of acceleration.
The 180 bhp is supposed to be more economical in highways, but not in town. This engine option was almost 3k€ more expensive so I didn't think it was worth it for me.
The lights have a very similar profile to the Mazda Logo. The front of the car is basically one GIANT Mazda logo if you squint a bit.
Thank you for makeing a car review video that is all about the car and not about you... Take note Mat Watson
Well done. Like your presentation.
Amazing review, i hit subscribe within a few minutes...you ain't kidding when you said a detailed review! Thank you for the upload.Can you remind me exactly which trim level you used for review? Thanks.
Thank you, I'm sorry I don't remember but I think I recall it being second from bottom.
@@RichardFanders Thank you.
good video with lots of detail well done I have subscribed
great review..i owing this model and absolutely love it..
Fantastic review! Went through all the features of the car and did tests on all the features and mpg. These cars are fantastic when you compare them to the equivalent Ford Focus. So much more kit included on these cars and far nicer inside.
looks so good as silver
Love the look of this car,the quality interior is on a par with my Volvo V40 and if I was in the market for a new car I would be tempted by one of these especially with the Sky X engine..
Love your attention to detail. It did 70 mph at 2250 in 6 gear? If it did, that’s quite high. I’d have expected 2k
Would prefer a manual handbreak, better rear visability, no piano black and the smaller wheels on the higher trim levels. Still looks good.
Very good and informative review hope to get a sport lux in red very soon 😃
I didn't know adaptive cruise control was even a thing with manual stick, there must be some genius design inside...
It just cuts out when you get too slow for the gear. It recommends you change gear before it cuts out though. If you change it continues to work.
Excellent review!
I want this engine and transmission in the MX5 RF. The MX5 is about 800 lbs lighter. The MPG would be 60+ and the power to weight/performance would improve tremendously!
I would say the engines in the MX5 are more fun. But mild hybrid would be nice.
Car & Driver chose the new Civic as the overall winner, however they said the Mazda 3 has a better automatic transmission, and many prefer the Mazda stereo speakers. The most recent Consumer Reports magazine owners surveys have the Bronco Sport and Tucson as the most reliable for taller vehicles this size, however they are a new enough design to not know anything about how well they hold up after 200 thousand miles. I like the Carsthatlast RUclips videos for older vehicle reliability.
We don't have the new civic in the UK yet but I am looking forward to it.
Excellent review :)
Looks clean
It sucks that Mazda here in our country doesn't have a manual option even on low variant models.
Most here are manual.
Lovely review. I still really wish the diesel engine emissions would be lower, because the torque i get from my remapped 1.9 multijet (just under 400Nm) is just unbeatable by any "reasonably" efficient petrol. That pull in 6th gear was just ridiculously slow
For reference, driving normally out of town or on the motorway, I get 5.5 to 6l/100km or 51 to 47 uk mpg and about 7 to 7.5l/100km or 40 to 37 mpg in the city with a 1600kg wagon
That's is the downsides of the engine. Modern turbo petrol engines also have huge torque very low down.
I need to buy a M3, but I'm not sure which engine to choose. Could someone please tell me what's the difference between Skyactiv G, e-G, X and e-X? Thank you.
I love mazdas!
Great review btw.
I like to line up the air vents too. Even in the back of Ubers!🤣
Very good review. I ve came back to watch it again. Prob be nicer if the engine had a bit more torque but the gear shift looked nice to use so i guess you just have to drive the car an not be lazy.
The shape of the car is a little bit weird for my liking but I love the interiors .
Richard I've driven the previous gen Mazda 3 and feel it's a lot faster than it's claimed 0-60.
Keep doing grate job!!!
The engine is the only concern for me, being used to the torque heavy diesel punch I'd worry about having to rag this petrol unit, does it get a bit harsh?
Loves being driven hard, but it has no torque.
I have the e-Skyactiv G …..I’m getting average 54mpg. Had mine 10 months and done about 8500 miles. Cylinder deactivation happens in 4th at 30mph and in 5th between 35-40 mph. I don’t find it works while using cruise control.
54mpg? I reckon you are dreaming that's better than even the manufacturers claim and that never happens, I had a 2015 2.0l skyactiv G and driving very carefully averaged 41mpg overall with around 50mpg on a long run. I currently own an e skyactiv x 2021 and average 49mpg overall after 3000 miles so I doubt in everyday driving you are getting near 54mpg, 43 maybe at a push, are you talking about a steady motorway run? as that's the only way a 2.0L G will get anyway near 54mpg.
The interesting to know about the cruise control. Thank you. I guess because it's more of a constant power. I found 2 cylinder mode only really work when I was nearly completely off the gas.
@@RichardFanders I also forgot to say I’ve had a vast improvement using 97RON fuel….E10 I have definitely noticed reduced consumption.
This is a standard spec SE-L/SE-L Lux Better to show the GT sport Tech, with privacy glass and better alloys and interior features like leather heated electric seats and wheel.
But nonetheless an amazing car to drive no matter the spec 👍🏻
This was the car they currently had.
You mentioned in one of your other videos about the Ford Ecoboost being smooth, are you able to review one of them if you get chance? It's ok if not. I bought one (65 plate Fiesta Titanium) and it is a great car would just love to see your opinion.
I may do in the future. Thank you.
@@RichardFanders Thanks Richard, your videos help me with anxiety also. Keep up the great humble work 👍
Its a great car overall but i wish they hadnt replaced the Multi-link rear suspension with a torsion beam
To be fair, it handles well.
7:58 Take note Matt Watson 😂😂
No "conclusions" resume section... that's better to be there I think.
When you drive this Mazda3, did the gearbox and clutch feel odd, as it you never know what gear you're putting the car into?
Did the car also sound almost like a tractor with it's engine? That's how I felt. It was a very very lodu car at any speed... Do you agree
I’m torn between the manual and automatic transmission. I know the manual is a blast to handle but for city driving I reckon the automatic is just more convenient
That has to be your decision. I find using neutral when possible makes driving a manual round town more enjoyable.
@@RichardFanders I use neutral out in the country and very specific spots in town with the skyactiv auto transmission with my 2013 3 to save fuel. Per the service manual it's allowed to tow in the forward direction in neutral with all 4 wheels on the ground so for me that's the green light. The transmission programming is a little more guarded than it needs to be regarding using its clutch in the first few seconds after going back into gear but it otherwise fully cooperates with that. I also use the "manual mode" to shift down for braking; currently 200K miles on original brake pads. Best car I've ever driven.
Very good review
Hey Richard,
Great video. I have the same car but I am still confused about the radar cruise control systems. I drive in Europe so it’s basically in Kms. I found some videos but most of them are done on automatic gears. I found your one with Manual shift. It would be great if you can just reply to this message and let me know. I know how to activate them and set up the speed but I had to keep my foot on accelerator to keep it going on a motorway and when I took my foot off the pedal it started slowing down. Pls do let me know I have a trip coming this weekend and would love to use it on the motorway .! Thanx in advance.!
Just noticed now that because of brexit, UK cars no longer have that blue stripe in the license plate. Something I hate about this car since it came out is that huge C-pilar.
You can still have the blue strip if you want, it just has a union jack flag instead. I have it on my cars, I think it looks quite cool. I must admit I didn't like the C pillar, it reminds me of a hyena, but it has grown on me, I really like the saloon, especially with a lip spoiler on the boot.
Brilliant review. How did you find the clutch work in stop start traffic? I have a lot of traffic on my commute and despite being a proud MX5 ND owner, i find I'm fairly exhausted after the drive home through rush hour. Despite being very loud on the motorway it's the town driving that I find is the most testing in the MX5 with the short gear ratios. Being 6ft4 doesn't help either! Don't think I'm ready to give in to automatics quite yet! Thanks.
I also own an ND and I've found the clutch in both very easy. I use neutral when ever possible though so I rarely ever hold the clutch down. I come off it as soon as possible.
@@RichardFanders thanks, think it's probably my long legs and the regular gear shifting that I'm finding the issue. Good point re using neutral more though, something to bear in mind.. I've also tried skipping gears occasionally to reduce the number of gear changes. Could that damage the transmission in any way?
Those types of consoles are hard on tall people.
Fantastic review! Personally, I'm not a fan of the futuristic exterior though. The glossy plastic is a bit of a let down in the interior. Aside from that, it's a solid car.
Looks fun to own.
i’m 19 should i get this or mazda 2 sport, both 2018 onwards, coming from a car with 66 bhp so want something responsive, reliable and convenient.