The 2023 Mazda3's Engine is so Clever it Makes EVs Redundant
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Today on the channel, I drive the Mazda3 - equipped with the firm's incredible e-SkyActiv-X engine. What is it all about, how does it work - and does it deliver the goods? Join me today and find out!
#Mazda #Mazda3 #skyactiv
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Mazda being criminally underrated as always
Weird how easily Mazda is forgotten when people are car shopping. Shocking that I see more Nissans on the road than Mazdas.
@@JP-li8fx Unfortunate that was your experience. I have seen loads of rustbucket older mazdas, especially in Quebec where the earlier gen 3 and it's older brother the Protegé were extremely popular. But a lot of 3s from ~2010 and later are still intact and on the road here in Ontario, Canada.
What is its rating?
@@JP-li8fx Weird. My 2012 Mazda 3 doesn’t have a bit of rust.
@@JP-li8fx maybe stop buying 15 year old second hands…. Fyi: I live on the coast and been driving Mazda’s for the kast 20 years / 700.000km’s. Never ever had any issue with them, let alone seen any rust whatsoever.
Naturally aspirated, small, efficient, good-looking, and a manual transmission? That's an enthusiast car right there.
"Good-looking" .. Really?
@@bob-wo3ir Yep... compared to other hatchbacks through the years it does look quite good.
Yep, just a huge shame they’re absolutely awful to drive. I’ve had a mk2 and mk3 Mazda 3, and the steering in the current one is just woeful, totally disconnected and no feel at all.
I was inclined, initially. But the manual option in the States is very limited. Also, visibility is crap.
@MRJAMMYDODGER101 Steering surely can't feel more disconnected than a Volkswagen, so it'll be fine for most.
How refreshing to see a car maker not following the trend of the big central touchscreen and sticking to what actually works, physical buttons and dials. Thank you Mazda
A touch screen works. A CarPlay/Android Auto system using dials is criminally useless. You wouldn’t navigate via dials on your phone. The $200 unit I put in my car is better in every conceivable way. Deal breaker. The only reason I won’t even consider this otherwise very nice car.
@@Freshbott2 Having used both I don't like touch screens, they're much harder to use while driving. You're right a phone with a dial would be rubbish but there's a reason texting and driving is illegal.
I have a Mazda3. The dial is waaaaay more useful driving down the highway.
@@nicwolf1370 sure I like tuning through AM stations on my wireless receiver too 😬 But when I’m driving and I just wanna pull the map up, or pan or choose a playlist, I could fidget and look, fidget and look, try not to overshoot. Or I could press the app icon cause it’s just better. I’m glad you like it and I wouldn’t take that away from you, but it’s really obtuse. It showed up in tacky Audi’s in the early 2010s and they let it go. Thankfully Mazda has rendered this extinct in 2024 too.
Touch better and faster
Glad to hear you giving Mazda the credit they deserve for their spark-assisted compression-ignition engine. That is a major technical breakthrough in internal combustion, and has been a “holy grail” for engine designers for decades.
Too bad the results aren't anything special....
@@CreRay skyactive on a nigga!
But....still pollutes
@@think2023 polution is a meme, man does not affect climate change, but if you're so worried I know how to reduce your carbon footprint to zero, buy a rope and tie the noose!
@@think2023 unfortunately so does battery manufacturing for the time being
Mazda have done something really special with their paint jobs. It really makes their cars stand out. Whenever a car flashes past with a great paint job it turns out to be a Mazda.
well my daughters brand new mazda 3's paint job on the bonnet became seriously marked , paint discolored, took ages for them to ( reluctantly ) fix it as well.
It’s incredibly thin just looking at leave’s scratches.
You are joking right? They have some nice colours but the Mazda 3 next door has a paint job so bad I could paint it better myself, and I'm an electrician. Quality is shockingly bad. worst of any major manufacturer.
Dunno about the paint, but Mazda designs have always topped the other Japanese brands
There's a family with two newish Mazdas on my street. On both, the surface has peeled off the alloy wheels and they look terrible. Maybe they used an acidic wheel cleaner, I don't know
honestly, I think it's one of the most stunning cars on the road, especially with the red leather interior. The c pillar is so incredibly unique, and the profile almost looks like a shooting brake. I wish they would make a 3 door, and it really could look as good as a brera
The current Mazda design language is great. The rx vision concept is one of the best designs of the last few years and I love using it on gran Turismo because of it.
Mazda are also extremely reliable in all the surveys and the controls are largely very intuitive to use. The Bose stereo is amazingly good.
@@EvoraGT430 just don't ask the 2.2 diesel owners about reliability 😂
You buerk
As someone who loves Alfa's this is a much better looking car than a Brera. The Brera just didn't work. It looked nothing as good as it should have. The proportions were all wrong at the back and the front overhang was too long. This bog standard Mazda 3 looks amazing. If they did an MPS version of it, it would be incredible.
I have a 2012 Mazda3 skyactive with just shy of 200k miles on her and she runs great with only minor maintenance over the years. Amazing car, and it’s nice to see that the new generation not only keeps my favorite features, but improves on them.
I’m with you. I have an 09 with the 2.3 and a 13 with Skyactive. One at 149k miles the other at 109k miles. Regular maintenance is all they’ve needed. Plan on keeping them a long time. This new one is pretty nice looking too.
I’m on my 4th Mazda3, all autos. The performance and economy has improved on each one. My present car is a 19 plate, I’ve only still got it as only low mileage during covid and auto is not now an option on the lowest trim level. I’m in my 70s now and have been a car owner since 1965 and I think this is the best car I have ever owned,
It's a great car overall. Just completed a long road trip in it with my wife and young daughter. For me it was really fun to drive, for them there was adequate space, the trunk took a full sized suitcase plus several small bags (it can take up to 2 suitcases without folding seats), and fuel economy was great. The Bose Soundsystem was incredible too.
I love it as well. I won't ever buy it though. It simply doesn't fit me. Mazda always makes cars for shorter people so with me being 1.95 and also fat my head's stuck on the ceiling unless I put the seat in bed.mode
Yes, I always take our 2016 Mazda 6(same engine) i GT to road trips. Full tank of 13.6 gallons gets us 480-500 miles, at 70-80mph!!! It's comfortable, but I wish Mazda added more sound deadening insulation as an added luxury touch.
Looks like a good vehicle to transport Filipinos
@@napoleon950 the car is not for short people, you're just too tall. You have the solution, as you say - seat in "bed mode" - use it like that. Not a lot of cars where you won't need to lower the seat to the max to fit in. A buddy of mine is the same height as you and is always driving SUVs or minivans... not compact cars as he hates being squeezed in. So at that height, you're going to feel cramped in most compacts - just go for something larger.
How’s the handling at fast highway speeds?
A criminally underrated car that punches well above the competitors in this class on a few key things if you look at things other than just raw HP numbers.
Personally I found their materials terrible (squeaky leather seats, really?) and the driving experience was extremely average. At least to me, I drive sporty cars, but my father almost lost his shit at how incredibly hard the suspension is for NO reason. I think Mazda is exactly where it deserves to be. Doing well, but not a huge player. That is fine.
@A Z Hyundais are equally crap - even worse interiors AND crappy GDI engines that have had millions of recalls and they still can't get them right - people are waiting in line to get their engines replaced and are STILL NOT getting them done right. The other brands you name area great, though - as is Mitsubishi, and Honda, too.
@@tgb-vf4es hi, could you please provide some data on your claims.
@@Jurke92 google "hyundai gdi recalls", "hyundai fire recalls" ,"hyundai engine replacement lawsuits". You'll get all the data you need.
@@MaxxOnAMission How often did you change oil? And when did you buy it?
I think it's good we still have the choice. I owned two cars with downsized turbo engine, hybrid and now (after two testdrives) ordered NA Mazda with skyactive x. Even though the tech behind this engine is very advanced, power delivery is so oldschool and smooth. I think the issue is that many people after having experience with turbo engines are quite disappointed with amount of torque on low revs. For me this is not a problem and there is real fun to switch gears with this particular transmission. Also many Mazda owners that opted for skyactiv-x when it was released weren't satisfied - this new engine felt like unfinished project. Mazda added fixes and now it is pleasure to drive car with this engine.
I had a 2019 AWD sedan for 3 years and I miss it every day, at that moment the turbo version wasn’t available yet. So slick, so many tech features from factory at a unbeatable price tag. God I loved that car.
As a Mazda enthusiast for over 10 years I approve this message .
Mazda, especially the 3 of all generations, is a very common car here in Australia. We have had a 1994 Mazda 121 "Bubble" (1.3-litre, 5-spd manual, factory AC and power steering, 250,000-km/155,000-miles on the clock) for 15-years. It is a hoot to drive and has NEVER broken down on us - just the usual maintenance and services. My elder son now uses it as his first car and is hooked. They are a terrific car company, much appreciated here in Australia.
Literally
The idea of keeping a car for only 3 years as the example shown, specially being the car a Mazda, which are famous for being reliable and durable, is such an alien idea to me, I can not even grasp it.
Mazda is known for rusting to the bones, lol... Current ones are not bad, by any means, but things can still go wrong
@@AI-qd4vb they are? Nice of you to inform me of that. Thanks. Have a nice day.
@@AI-qd4vb never heard of that, had mine for 15 years, same with my VW's and the Mazda didn't rust at all.
@@TheAllMightyGodofCod I’ve owned over 10 Mazdas and none of them rust any worse than cars of similar age I find they tend to last longer than American cars and Hondas
I've got just over 200K miles on my 2013 '3 and the Nissan dealer I originally got it from texted me wanting me to trade it in, I let them know there'd be cold dead hands involved
A few weeks ago I watched your various Ferrari FF reviews and very nearly convinced my father that the new updated Mazda3 was the FF. To say we rolled around the floor laughing our heads off when you compared the Mazer to the Fezer was an understatement. Brilliant! Dad's got a top of the range model mind; Soul Red and Burgundy leather - very, very nice! As ever your observations are pretty spot on - no rattles mind. Get the manual because the auto is, shall we say, uninspiring, but it gets the job done smoothly. I think that pretty much sums it up, because in terms of its drivetrain and dynamics it is a safe but smooth operator. Yep these are good cars with an excellent dealership to back it up.
My mum bought a 2013 se-l, three years old with 30k miles for £9k back in 2016. 40k miles later it gives high 40s to the gallon and has needed nothing beyond servicing. Absolute bargain. Lovely car. This one looks even better.
She needs to start saving rear springs at 110k, and a clutch at 140k; tell her to put 5p every time she gets into the cup holder - should cover it
That MZR 2.5l engine is no joke. Even ay 70-80 mph, you can average 35-40 mpg on the highway.
I noticed some spell "mom", some spell "mum". Interesting!
@@ldmtag Mum English - Mom American! they get a lot of things wrong!
@@Mk1Laser I prefer to think the opposite way. MOther - MOm. There's no U in "mother". If what I was taught at school is correct (which is rare if pronounciation is concerned), that u also gives a very unpleasant to pronounce A sound that makes you feel open and vulnerable. I'm not that close with my mom to call her that. I try to not call her anything at all. I just speak while looking at her. Using names and nicknames is cringe, nobody likes to hear their name. I also don't get why "centre" is supposedly better than "center". Whenever I read "centre" I pronounce it centré🤣 But generally speaking I think both dialect are great in their own ways, both have cool words and phrases and word usage that I prefer over the other. And the coolest, most bad**s dialect (or is it just an accent?) is australian. It sounds very chill and somewhat funny, and if a young and attractive girl speaks it, it also becomes the se*iest accent!
I have had my 3 Skyactiv X now for 18 months. It’s been a genuinely pleasant experience. Its a slow burner , it doesn’t immediately set your heart on fire but slowly creeps into your affection . Still looks better than any other hatch in this segment too.
Can you elaborate on why it's "a slow burner?" Also, how is ownership up until now?
I rented a Maxda 3 saloon in the 2019 variant. Man it's a nice gear box for a front wheel drive car, and it sounds really good when you get on the revs. It fits my temperament fine that you have to get on it to make it go. And it was the most natural feeling car I've driven yet when it comes to city traffic. It was a bit lively on the motorway though.
I had a 323F V6 that was simply superb, it handled superbly on decent sticky tyres, and the wee V6 sounded lovely. Most hot hatches back in '94 couldn't keep up with it on twisty back roads, as the brakes were superb. I only swapped for a '97 Impreza turbo. Today my "bus to work" is a Polo GTI, but this looks like a likely replacement. Thanks for the review. D.C.
Hi would you recommend a mazda petrol
I’ve been a Mazda fan since in bought my MX5 RF a couple of years ago. Superb build quality and touches to detail that tell you it’s been made by car enthusiasts and engineers not accountants!
Always makes me smile when I see someone driving a MX5
My all time favourite car can't wait to collect mine in a few weeks time😃
I love my Miata. I really need a more practical daily but I just can't get rid of it!
Interesting to hear about the engine, I remember engineering explained's video on the engine a number of years ago now, and he was really raving about how revolutionary it was.
Mazda's styling, build quality and attention to detail are simply exceptional.
Everything about the back seat area is terrible. There's goes your attention to detail right out the window.
@@Abrahamhamham Everythings a tradeoff bro. The exterior design is by far best in class and very special, so the back seat is a little more cramped as a result. I myself have a wife and no kids so it really doesnt matter. However, every time I walk to and from my car I spend a few seconds to admire how awesome it looks. Worth it!
Mazda has always been so smart with their engines. They worked so hard with the Rotary Wankel, and made it so much better despite its birth defect. I have so much admiration for them and I feel they are underrated as heck.
Like the RX-8?
Small point I know, but who cleaned the cabin of this car before it was loaned to feature in a YT review? The door controls at 02:41 and the dash at 02:50 are particularly fine examples of their work😅.
I've noticed most cars on here are quite dirty. I appreciate they are likely viewers cars that traveled a number of miles so outside will be somewhat dirty, but this is no excuse for having dried up jizz on the speedometer.
@@Tree0fL1fe If your car will be featured on a popular YT channel, better clean it decently before. At first glance I was thinking, sjeezz what happened to my monitor it's so dirty (but it was not). I have a Mazda CX-3 as a daily driver, did choose it over the +/- equally priced 3 with the same engine / equipment.
@@Tree0fL1fe 🤣. He says somewhere in the video that this particular car was supplied by Mazda themselves.
I got the same car! So glad to watch you review it. I've been really enjoying this car for the last year and a half. First of all, I don't wish to contradict you, but the e-Skyactiv X engine is not actually naturally aspirated. It does feature a supercharger, which is extremely unusual in this segment. The supercharger is mostly used to ingest more air to allow for the SPCCI process to work, without necessarily producing more power out of that excess air, but it's present. At around 4000 rpm in first gear the supercharger whine is quite present and satisfying to hear. However, it is true that the engine feels like a naturally aspirated unit. Concerning the chassis, the torsion beam suspension is quite disappointing from a technical point of view, but I begrudgingly agree that Mazda did the right call. Those cars are still built to a price point and they just decided to put their money into the (stunning) interior and not on the suspension. Most users will prefer the nice interior, which they feel every day, to the suspension, which they won't feel at all. I have myself done some canyon driving with this car and its capabilities are still beyond my own, so, despite being an enthusiast, I don't mind the torsion beam to be honest. I agree that the manual gearbox is very pleasant to use. It does not blip on downshifts for you (which is understandable for this car, focused on luxury, moderate driving pleasure and efficiency rather than pure sportiness), but it does keep the revs up when you are upshifting, which is actually quite nice to have. Granted, the visibility is quite bad. My car has the extremely helpful 360º camera and I strategically place the passenger seat to be lined up with the B pillar, so I still can see a bit from the rear three quarters. For my use case, I use this car alone to do my short daily commute, buy groceries and do quite a few long journeys. The boot space is more than adequate for all my stuff on long trips. I do not mind the dark rear seats; if I am driving for some friends, they should be thankful I'm carrying them at all. All in all, this car is the first one I'm buying with my own money and I'm really enjoying it. I still admire how beautiful it is every day and, for me, it feels like my own Grand Tourer, despite it "only" being a hatchback. I would have gladly bought a true GT coupe, but sadly this segment has been wiped off, so I got what I thought was the closest thing to a GT that I could afford.
How have you been enjoying it for the last year and a half if this is a 2023 model?
@@italianjob4947 The current model launched in 2019
Thanks a lot for sharing. I positively envy you - congratulations! Might get a second hand in a few years.
@@italianjob4947 Yes, mine is a 2021 Mazda3. However, the car does not change much from year to year as long as there is no facelift or new model. The last full redesign of the Mazda3 happened around 2019. The only noticeable change between my car and Jay's is the pulsating indicator light. My car uses a slightly different rear indicator design and the indicators just go on/off without animation. Everything else applies to both cars.
@@luisrpa123 2021 e-X MT here too. My indicator light is also on/off, no pulse. Great review!
Brilliant analysis. Love the calculation of total cost of ownership. So often we forget to consider that.
The sawtooth pattern of the flashing indicators is so nice and pleasing to look at
I'm a huge fan of the Mazda 3 hatch. They've really done a nice job with it. Would be so cool if they made the turbo available with the 6 speed manual, but it's still a really nice car to drive around. Made in Japan added bonus. Cheers from NYC USA.
Mazda hates the idea of turbo. Thats why they always develop new technology within raw engine power. Honda on the other hand, loves turbo and they're very very good at it.
Hey it’s the Imperial Triumphant bass guy in the comments section! Cheers, Steve!
@@lovelynightmare1485 🤙🏻🥂🤙🏻
@@suhadonmez9548 mazdas with 2.5 turbos all over the place in north america and now cx90 3.3 turbo so not sure what are you talking about
@@robertduklus6555 Diesel SUV turbos doesn't count dude. Diesel engine is basically a truck engine, without the turbo it'll be extremely slow on takeoff. So yeah Mazda still hates the turbo discharger because of the turbo lag. They prefer raw engine power.
The Mazda 3 Skyactiv X (specifically the pretty saloon version) is one of my favourite cars currently in production. I sat in one not that long ago and I was blown away by the interior. It made the current A-Class which I have experience with feel cheaply-made and tacky. The Mazda felt like a quality product that’s going to last. I also love how clever the engine is. Personally I don’t care for power or speed but I very much appreciate the engineering that went into it. Overall I think that it really is a hidden gem in the new car market.
So happy that Mazda still put effort in designing N/A engine with new technology, no just putting on a big battery and turbo
They've already ditched that tech lol nobody bought it. Economically it was negligible
Quality product? Are you sure? I feel like maybe we have different standards but my 2021 hatchback has more rattles than my old 92 Integra lol. Once the head unit started bouncing around visibly and dealership basically told me "these cars tend to do that", I got rid of the car. Idk if I'll ever get another Mazda after that.
@@ayyyyeeee1403 Of course older cars are better, however the Mazda is soooo much better than the current Mercs and VWs I had the displeasure of experiencing
Had the previous 3 hatch manual and loved it. I now have a cx5 and it's the first automatic I've ever owned that I didn't wish was a manual.
Voice over JayEmm is so knowledgeable, great idea to switch to him for those details
Mazda produces some really good looking cars, especially when equipped with this striking Soul Red! It seems to me, that the features have been very well thought out, from the start/stop button that doesn't light up until you put your foot on the clutch to the pulsing turn signal (as you mentioned in the video). I don't think it's a bad thing that the Mazda3 doesn't have a touchscreen, as these rotary-push dials are easy to use and very intuitive. Personally, I prefer real, haptic buttons because it feels better and also gives better feedback (example: climate controls should in my opinion, always remain haptic as a button, as it is something as important as it is essential, which you should not be unnecessarily distracted from while driving). In this respect, I have always found Mercedes' MBUX multimedia system to be inferior, as it can be very distracting to operate.
The rotary dial in this car has made me realise I despise touch screens. The dial is in the perfect place (and is always there) and works very easily even on some of the busier CarPlay screens that you might encounter. I recently had to drive a car with a standard touchscreen and just didn’t enjoy it nearly as much.
@@MaleficRacing The BMW X3 F25 (facelift version), for example, shows that infotainment systems can also be operated very well without any touchscreens. The rotary push button was so intuitive and easy to use that I don't think any other carmaker could match it in terms of ease of use and distraction avoidance. I'm glad BMW still understands that real, haptic buttons are always the better choice (e.g., even in the 2022 BMW models, there's a rotary wheel-controlled air conditioning). I have no informations yet of the facelifts for 2023, whether the haptic buttons will partly disappear or not. But I assume they will stay, though. Why change a running system? For progress? In terms of usability this would be certainly a step backwards… Meanwhile, in a car from Lexus, you have to muddle through menus with a laptop-like touchpad just to turn on the heated seats. Extreme inattention and distraction are preprogrammed here.
Went for dragon red i20n because its so close to mazdas soul red
I have a Soul Red Mazda3. I have a set of winter tires on steel rims and decided to paint the rims red, knowing the risk is that if it is too close but not a perfect match it will look bad. By luck it is almost a perfect match. Turns out that the colour Mazda calls 'Soul Red' is sold in rattlecans by Tremclad under the name 'Red'.
FYI: Diesel engines don't compress an air and fuel mixture, they only compress air and inject the fuel after compressing the air (where an otto engine would ignite the mixture via a spark). It is one of the reasons, why diesel engines need such high fuel injection pressures, as they aren't able to use a mixture and thus can't use a clean and total combustion, so the injection pressure is used to create a mist of fuel as good as possible. The Skyactiv X compresses a lean mixture of fuel and air, which isn't able to ignite from the mechanical compression alone and uses the spark plug to ignite the smal and rich fuel pocket, which in turn leads to a timeable and controlled rise in pressure and thus ignites the rest of the mixture at once. The benefits are a quality control instead of quantity control, near complete and near instant combustion, low to no heat spikes and thus higher efficienty even as a diesel engine (especially well shown in the NEDC, which prefers diesel engines over otto engines) while producing way less exhaust pollution. Regarding the powerband you could see it from the other side: A turbo charged engine with 240Nm usually doesn't get anywhere near 130kW, with few (maybe even just one) exeptions. In this regard you don't have to rev the engine but rather are able to use most of the torque in nearly the complete rev range, where most turbocharged engines just offer the rev range but won't deliver the torque over the same rev range. You could for example compare the rev range of 90% peak torque to see this. With same peak torque figures (torque is the limit for mechanical applications) most turbo charged engines underperform compared to naturally aspirated engines in both terms of peak power and arithmetic mean torque. 120kW is the least one should expect from a gas engine with 240Nm, which just shows, how bad most turbocharged engines are. In return those turbo charged engines tend to be a bit more fuel efficient, especially in the NEDC. The Skyactiv X on the other side combines the even better fuel efficiency of a diesel engine with the arithmetic mean torque of a naturally aspirated engine, netting you more power per torque while consuming less than turbo charged gas engines with about the same peak torque and technics like cylinder deactivation and miller cycles.
Still, it will be banned in Europe in 2035.
@@ronaldderooij1774I think they are changing it.
Do you know if this applies for the sky active g
@@ronaldderooij1774 you really think they will still be making this car in 2035? Because there was never any plan to disable selling of used cars.
Bought a GT Sport trim last year and I couldn't be happier with it. It's head and shoulders above everything else in that price bracket.
I had my mazda3 for 2 years now and i totally agree with the frustration you get with the blind spot of this car. To stop the vibrations coming from front windows you Just have to lower them a little bit, in Winter It could be a problem but no rattle and very low air turbolence coming from outside
The new hatch back design is gorgeous (but they’ve been great for a while now). Nice and clean. Dual exhaust, great interior that looks much better than others in its class, available 6-speed manual. Superb! Thanks for the review!
i own a 2023 hatch with manual. overall great car but has little things as mentioned in the video that prevents it from being what it could. compared to its competitors it still wins out based on how you might drive the car. superb video and coverage. thanks for the insights
Here's an example of mazda design brilliance: if my car is running and i'm standing at the back, there is no way to open the hatch, even with the fob in my hand. I have to walk back around and unlock it with the door switch. This happens every time i drop someone off at the airport. Also cant get it open if the battery dies. My car battery died a few years ago on a road trip and I had to put down the seats and unload the whole back of the car from the front so that I could get to the compartment where I keep my jumper cables
No idea why Mazda does these things, so bizarre.
Just coming up to owning my Mazda Skyactiv X for a year, I absolutely love it, still smile everytime I get in it. Yes it has small faults but what car doesn't, nothing is perfect in this price bracket. Rear room is tighter than others but I'm driving so I don't care 😀 and too be fair nobody has ever complained when being sat back there. Feel economy is excellent, its comfortable, quick enough, fully loaded and looks stunning in Polymetal Grey with the black wheels. I'd definitely recommend people give the Mazda 3 a look.
What would be your average MPG?
@anthonyconnor1603 wife uses it for work in rush hour traffic and gets around 37mpg, I drove it on long run and got just over 55mpg.
So, tell us about the visibility? Is it really that bad (especially at rear view mirror and at the back in general). As many people moan about the bad limited visibility. Cheers 😊
@garikgarik1310 I'll be honest it's never bothered me, yes some other cars have better visibility, bigger rear windows but I've not had a problem, plenty of sensors and rear view camera to let you know if you are getting close to anything. Had it nearly 2 years now, just gone over 12000 miles and I've loved driving every one of them. Will definitely be getting another one so that's the best thing I can say.
James you seem to be quite surprsed by just how lovely this Mazda is - they've been doing it for years! 3, 6, CX5 etc, all just very, very good cars, quietly sold with none of the fanfare of the Germans. We have a 2014 3 bought in preference over Golf/Focus etc - its just 'nice' and all have a little teeny bit of MX-5 style spirit or zing to them.
Big big fan of these, Mazda for the past few years has been churnign out some lovely designs and innovative engines. Well done Mazda!
He's spot on about the rear passenger roof height and backup cam getting dirty. Do try the automatic with the flappy paddles. It gets better mileage than the manual, and you still get to anticipate gearing when you prefer, however it doesn't really let you engine brake as it revs the engine before switching gears, resulting in a short acceleration when you might have expected it to slow down. The same year they switched from multi-link rear to torsion beam, they added torque vectoring, which makes it handle damn near identically, while saving a bit of weight, cost, and supplying more cargo space. So it's not the step backward the host claims. Apart from empty talk about what is or is not an upgrade after having made it clear that he's no experience with any Mazda 3 model years, it was an enjoyable, well-produced review. Hopefully the host acclimates himself with the history of Skyactiv so he understands why it is used for the engine, trans, and body separately.
Torsion beam sucks ass
I can engine brake perfectly fine in my '3 but you have to do it in specific RPM ranges. When not holding the brake, you need to shift down around 1250 RPM (AC off) or 1500 RPM (AC engaged), but if you hold the brake a little as you shift the allowable RPM range is expanded up to around 2000 RPM. I also suggest to use the air conditioning as supplemental braking power; on mine it about doubles the braking when it's engaged.
Great presentation style. I like it. Quick, lively, no wasted words.
Ah man, I'm weirdly obsessed with the Skyactiv-X Mazda 3 (especially as a saloon) to the point where I was all over one whilst buying my 30th Anniversary MX5 last year, so I'm so pleased somebody else has noticed. Not watched this yet, but really looking forward to it when I do.
I'd noticed this model a few months back. Love the design especially the rear quarters and rear arch design. The front and rear lights are very cool too. I'm tempted.
I’ve owned my 3 for 5 months and it’s been a great car to own
Nice Mazda - I’d be tempted if I was looking for a replacement car - especially in the mild Hybrid guise. The body shell design is a winner for sure - hooked me straight away. I used to have a Mazda MX-3 Coupe 1.6i Twincam which I bought 5th hand in 2004. It was a 1998 model, one of the last off the factory line. Drove it till 2013 before part exchanging it. Nothing broke in 8.5 years of ownership. Regular servicing and the usual things like brake pads and tyres - that was it. The body design on that car was very attractive and the little coupe did have sportier handling than most would realise. It shared the same floor plan with the Mazda 323 Lantis series and though it was no Ferrari, the handling was guaranteed to leave a genuine smile on your face. Perhaps the most astounding discovery I made on my Mazda MX-3 was that Mazda had omitted to mention in its sales brochure that the MX-3 had passive rear wheel steer. I kid you not. I first heard this as a rumour and didn’t take it seriously. However, one day, racing up a ramp off the A406 and trying to beat the lights with a 90 degree right turn immediately after the lights, I didn’t decelerate hard enough and nonetheless committed myself to the right turn, expecting the MX-3 to wobble precariously as I took the turn way too fast. I had never done that before. I was shocked when the MX-3 took the 90 degree right turn at speed, as if it was on rails…!!! 😮 No wobble, no tail sliding, the tyres didn’t even squeal! I was reminded of a UFO / UAP suddenly doing an impossible 90 degree turn in midair without dropping speed. I was genuinely astounded….!!! It was only then I realised THAT was the Passive Rear Wheel Steer in action! Yes, I never did try it again, but I also realised why my MX-3 was in the same insurance bracket as a Mercedes C Class Saloon of the same era. I later went on KZhead and after some searching, found an original Mazda MX-3 TV advert that actually showed two Mazdas going through their paces to relatively cheesy music of the early 90’s. At one point, the advert showed the MX-3 going through a slalom - and right there, you could actually see the rear wheels turning slightly, repeatedly, as it weaved in and out of the traffic cones! I’ve mentioned this just to confirm Mazda do go the extra mile when it comes to handling on their vehicles like the entire MX series of yore and most of their existing cars too! Yes, I do miss my MX-3 (a.k.a. Blackbird). I believe it’s the only car I often dream about. No, I can’t watch that cheesy MX-3 advert on KZhead anymore. It’s like watching video footage of someone you really loved but lost when nature took its course. That video always brings a tear to my eye and a lump to my throat….😢. Yes, that’s what owning a Mazda does to you!
I bought a new mazda3 Had it a year its so fun to drive and looks nice inside and out. Very happy with it.
This might sound silly to some, but this is genuinely my dream car right now. I just love everything about its styling, inside and out. Sadly, a brand new car is something I'll never be able to afford. I hope they're reliable and age well, maybe someday...
These came out in 2020 look for one coming off a lease if you can. I have a 2020 and its been absolutely flawless.
The Mk10 honda civic is SO much better than this head to head, also has a better drivetrain punchier torque and power due to a really good EarthDream's Turbocharged VTEC system - and also has multi-link rear independent suspension which this car doesn't. That's more agile, larger, more spacious, more comfortable and offers a more spacious hatchback interior as well (which I think interior space wise honda crushed it!, it feels so nice & open you can easily spread your legs - which all hatchbacks suffer from) So the mark 10 is amazing to drive, a really good turbocharged 6-speed precise action manual & auto options available and handles really well at corners. Also just looks meaner, more lower & wider then the Mazda 3. In Direct competition, I think the Honda Civic 2017-2021 (MK10) is a better car, but Mazda is ofcourse more premium feeling but thats pretty much whats going for it - has more metallic and better quality materials. Otherwise the honda wins 🔥
If you don't mind an auto transmission, the AWD version is awesome.
Finance.
@@claygaudet2117 I'm currently financing a 15k Volvo and with all the monthly costs added up it's a bit more than I'd like to pay for a car as it is, unfortunately. I have a well paying IT job, but live in a country with low wages, so.
The exterior design, as well as the interior design are splendid! A sort of a modern Alfa 147, with a back remembering the Lancia Delta from the 90ies. Both cars I possessed in the past. The interior finish is pure premium! A delight in comparison to cheap plastic interiors of some so called "premium" manufacturers. Mazda is the design brand nr 1. Remember the 323F of both generations, MX-5, the jaguaresque and timeless Xedos6, the funny 121, the timelessly gorgeous latest RX-7, the absolutely unique RX-8 and so on. Ashame, that the car wasn't tidyed up before filming..
Yep, the 323Fs were brilliant. The second gen especially was an unbelievably good looking 4-door hatchback.
Visually it reminds me more of the Alfa Brera, especially the rear profile and headlight design.
Just got my new Mazda 3 g20 Evolve, and I couldn’t be any happier, I don’t think I will be upgrading for a very long time
Currently running the CX-30 (basically the AWD version of this) on lease. Had a CX-5 before that. Agree with almost everything said here - the feature set, economy and value for money are through the roof for Mazda, so much so that the few niggles can be accepted. The horses do like to hide away though, as said - and the CX-5 diesel was far more performant. Just got to decide which one to go for next - I need the AWD where I live, and it will be a Mazda again, so CX-5, CX-30, or maybe even stretching to a CX-60
Mazda 3 Sedan 2021 owner here, with the 2.0 Sky X engine and manual, from the video with GT Plus trim level, now at 17K kilometers after just over a year of ownership. I was looking at other car brands as well but one test drive away of a mazda 3 just sealed the faith for other options. Have not had a single issue nor do i understand the rattles I hear about, as we have pretty bad roads here, and am very allergic to any kind of such noises. Very low fuel consumption and good on the highways and long rides like the video suggest. Over all could not be more satisfied with it, looks, how it drives etc. Reverse camera on the sedan does not seem to get dirty that much. Beside that all on point, went for the sedan as its less dark in the rear, bit more head room and larger boot, so thx for the review !
My brother went shopping for a Q7 and came back with a Mazda. But I totally get why. It's a very nice place to be. Mazda are killing it right now!
And which one he bought ? CX-9 as similar in size?
@@VitaliyHTC Yes.
I rather enjoy Mazda's underated, under the radar reputation. They are sleek, capable, comfortable and more rare on the road. Lends an air of exclusivity and originality that suits me. I'm on my 3rd Mazda 6, and 9th Mazda all together. Keep 'em coming Mazda...
Can't believe I'm only just bumping onto this channel 👌💯🔥
I absolutely love my '21 3 Hatch with the 187hp G engine and my first auto trans in decades! It has become my favorite car I've ever owned.
Random comment but I'm so happy you mentioned the pulse indicators. I thought it was just me who noticed a Mazda cx-30 one day and I randomly thought "that's a nice, satisfying touch."
I swore I would buy the Mazda3 hatch when I first laid eyes on it. Wife didn't like the claustrophobic feeling behind the wheel and wanted the CX-30. But I stood my ground. We got the CX-30 !
lol
Happy wife happy life
@@TengkuFikri I'll be glad when that saying is resigned to the dust bin. That said, I may get a 3 hatch to replace the Protege5 I bought 21 years ago. My sister is leaning towards the CX-30.
We have a CX30 as our second car. I think it probably loses a bit of the driving experience being that bit higher up but it does feel roomier inside. It's a stunning car
@@TengkuFikri That saying really needs to die. Too many men actually believe it and get P-whipped. Besides, you cannot make a woman happy anyway, so choose you first.
you gotta see the paint in person to really appreaciate how beatiful the color is,i was so mesmerized by it
Did you sneeze on the dials James? 🤣 What a gorgeous car, they really should bring back the MPS moniker and make a road rocket version. That would be amazing!!
You really cracked me up now 😂I also noticed the dials.
Looks like protective plastic
The interior looked like the aftermath of a gay orgy :)
In the US they get an awd 250bhp version… they should bring that over
Glad I'm not the only one who has realized a crossover is worse than a hatch. I had a Jeep Patriot until I realized the Mazda 3 hatch has similar cargo space and didn't need the all wheel drive(but the new Mazdas do have that option), so I bought a Mazda 3 hatch. Great decision.
I'm finally getting mine in 4 days after almost a year of waiting. The highest spec in Malaysia is the Hi-Plus Ignite, though it is only a 2.0 engine and without the Bose sound system. Somewhat of a "rare" vehicle to see on the road here (Borneo), I'm glad I watched this video. JayEmm demonstrated a good balance of pros and cons and like what he said about the cons "none of these for me makes the Mazda-3 a bad car".. It is a good car hands-down, though not for everyone, it certainly fits my lifestyle..
I’ve had this car for almost three years. I can’t tell any difference with the torsion bar from my last Mazda that had the multi link. I don’t track race my mazda 😂. If I’m getting more space in the back and it’s cheaper to fix and am getting a better price off the bat, then the torsion bar setup is brilliant.
A very good review on a very good car. Only one criticism though….. the interior of the car was so dusty and dirty, unlike any other car review I’ve seen. All of the shiny surfaces, the top of the steering wheel hub, the driver’s window, the floor etc etc were in need of a clean prior to filming.
I was surprised how much I was thinking the same!
I have had the 2020 Mazda 3 skyactive-X for the last year and it has been amazing, more of a head turner than a golf!
Sitting up even just a little higher than other traffic changes drivers mentality a lot. When you are in a smaller car and see people coming your way, crossing the centerline, you think different things than if you are in a 2 ton SUV and looking at them from above quote come on and get it and quote for us is “OMG“ lol.
Bought this Mazda 3 in 2019 when it came out and it was by then my 3rd Mazda 3 but by far the most stunning. Even after 5 years now, I still stop and stare when it‘s parked and I get a good look at it. Absolutely stunning and as you said: The red is the best red I‘ve seen on the market in years! Even beats the slightly different red on the other Mazda models.
I remember back in 2018 in my bachelor's, I pitched the idea to my prof & guide that I wanna build a *HCCI engine* for my final term major project. He smiled and said you could do it but might not want to, given the limited time (~5 months) & more importantly the unwillingness of my teammates to do such an involved ("difficult") project. In fact they (teammates) rejected even the (pulse-) Jet bicycle idea I put forth after being inspired by Colin Furze!
🤓
Wooooow youre sooooooooo smart.
@@gavineyles3409 what a jerk lol
Couldn't agree more about crossovers - I can't stand them and I'm absolutely baffled that they've taken over the new car market! (I dirve an MX-5.)
Mazda has always been a hidden gem….they don’t advertise….but it has a huge fan base.
Picked up mine yesterday. Specs and prices are somewhat different over here in Australia, but thanks for a great review!
Mazda has perfected the body paint process ❤
Great review! You're hilarious and fair, and you hit on all the points drivers consider relevant. I'm a Mazda guy. I've always thought they have been great value cars.
In 1 minute and 20 seconds I deduced that you are an expert att reviewing cars. That crossover should've bought a golf thing was spot on
My 2024 model is arriving in 2 months, ordered the with the skyactiv-x engine that is supercharged for extra good MPG and also auto, mazdas auto box is a pure masterpiece, its a simple 6 speed traditional automatic that shifts smoothly and lasts the entire cars life. 2024 is a facelift btw with standard wireless charger and wireless android auto/apple carplay and some misc changes like allowing people to use the touchscreen if they please. Its a 2024 Mazda 3 Homura 186 hp e-skyactiv-x FWD Auto in Jet Black and my optional extras was studless nordic winter tyres on original grey 16 inch mazda rims for swedish winters + rubber floor mats + rubber boot mat and im paying 26300 pounds, this will be my 4th Mazda 3, started out with a Mazda 323 -99, bought a manual Mazda 3 -16 Vision R and "updated" to a Mazda 3 Sport -18 auto and now a 2024 gen 4 :) I've had rattles in my Mazdas but they fix it under warranty at the dealership for you and im so used to a clogged up backup camera so during winters i just wipe it everytime before i enter the car with my gloves.
The 2, 3, 6, MX-5, CX-30 are very beautiful cars, Mazda has some of the best designers
Enjoy it while it lasts. Mazda has a history of either hitting it out of the park or making it look like road kill. The FD variant of the RX-7 is one of the best looking cars of all times, but the original 121 and 131 look like they were designed either for or by Goofy. Then came the early 2000s Mazda 3/6 which still look like a million bucks today. Second iteration were butt fugly, and now we have these where the entire family looks like they're ready to do business at any moment.
@@andersjjensen based and correct opinion.
Mazda’s are honestly so underrated. The mazda6 i had recently i did 60,000 miles in the space of only a couple of years. Fantastic ergonomics, fantastic handling for the size of the car, really predictable. I miss it terribly even if the diesel engine had the worrying rising oil issue. The mazda3 is easily the best looking new hatchback around. Such a gorgeous design in and out. They really spent time behind the wheel of these things and it shows. They remind me of mid 2000’s fords which were amazing fun on the road.
I have the 6 also. 6 speed and the gas engine. Fantastic. I hope they replace it with the new inline 6 and RWD soon.
Didn't mid 2000s Ford use Mazda engines? Might be some link with that.
When i saw this in the road it was drop dead gorgeous hopefully it will be my first car in this specific shape
Great video and well commentated. I learnt a lot about the skyactiv system I did not know.
Can confirm, the Skyactiv automatic is not soul sucking and performs very well (best auto IMO that is not a ZF 8 speed)
I remember two years ago I was looking for a sensible hatchback as my first car, I was deciding on getting either a corolla or a previous gen civic. Then one day while commuting to work I saw the back of a Mazda 3 and fell in love. I got the car in red and absolutely love everything this car offers at this price point (32,000 aud in 2021), the only thing I wish this car had was a hot Mazda speed variant. Though this might have been a blessing in disguise as I got a beautiful marina blue Na Mx5 as my weekend fun car soon after.
@@mezzb I found out that the turbo ones are built in mexico hence why they are for the NA market only.
This guy sets the bar for high quality KZhead content delivery. Beautifully efficient and effective presentation, masterfully blended with entertainment value. I would not be surprised if Jay has no formal training and does not practice his delivery, it feels like natural talent. Well done.
This is why I like my previous generation car. You can also get a supercharger on it aftermarket which is really amazing
I have a manual 2019 mazda3. In the video you say, “you really do need to use the revs”. That was what drew me to mazda. Revvy thrills within road laws.
Me too. Yes, it really makes you drive the revs… there is very little low end torque… makes you a conscious driver.
Great video and thanks for pointing out the shortcomings that some reviewers have missed. The one thing that always puts me off the Mazda 3 is the ridiculous amount of shiny black plastic, especially on areas of the car that get grubby quickly like near the gear selector. Speaking of which, what happened to the display binnacle....that's gross.
Even worse than the shiny black is the carbon fibre inspired plastic inside, especially on the Mazda 2.
@@Hamachingo eww...fake carbon fibre gives me the heebie jeebies
I agree, he could and should have given it a good clean inside before filming. Looks disgusting.
I like it that mazda still build engines without a turbo. It minimizes problems a lot.
And 98% of Ⓜ️’s have NO CVT
I have a 2020 Mazda 3 Sedan with the X engine and have drove it for 60.000km. I love it, it is fast, fun, quiet and very frugal, my kids are still small so rear room is quite good, but I imagine it might be a problem if you have grown passengers in the back often. The boot is huge on the sedan, I can pack for any trip easily. 2 problems, the red paintjob, while it is beautiful it is very poorly protected and after only 60.000km the front is full of little holes that have punctured all the way to white undercolor (very anoying), 2nd problem is that the interior has a few spots with cracking sound, and the service guys tell me that it is very hard to fix since they would need to open entire center console to find those... and it is a shame really the car being so quiet overall you can hear the cracks even more... but all in all I am very happy with it, as is my entire family. Great car!
Even though this means nothing to me as an Alaskan, American, I still love the effort you have put into your content lately. If you could harness Andy Wilman's seamless vision of Top Gear and the Grand Tour, between voice overs and love footage, you would be crazy popular!!! Keep it up, old Chum?... Or whatever you Brit's say . 😂😂😂
"Old Chum" Not heard that for decades.....maybe since WW2! (And Chum is a brand of Dog Food..... so, "Old Chum" has somewhat lost its attraction...and my batman agrees.) Cheers!
I liked driving the Mazda 3 and it costs way less than the GTi in the USA, let alone the VW’s $4,000 required maintenance after 4 years which includes the DST transmission. However the Mazda 3’s rear three quarter vision was terrifying. That C pillar is huge and the B pillar was right in my line of sight every time I tried to change lanes 😟. I tried the Mazda 6 but it had a terrible blind spot too. I went with the Mazda CX-5. Never thought I’d be one of those people.
Sidemirrors eliminate the blindspot issue in most cars, i dont see why it was a big deal for you. Ive driven my fair share of cars and some with huge blindspots, using sidemirrors then rearmirror and some commonsense i never had issues changing lanes
That’s why it comes with blind spot monitoring 🤣
I own one absolutely love it esp the manual...best value in that segment period..also best looking! mines a 2.5
Morning Jay, most very useful info buddy as we are hoping to do this car later next year.....but the auto version. Hopefully you may get one to review. Excellent and informative feature.....many thanks Andrew 😊
My Mazda 3 is Deep Crystal Blue Mica a colour which really suits the car. I got a puncture at the end of last year on the dashboard I got a display of each tyre and its pressure in kpa including the one that was losing pressure. The car still came with a space saver tyre which in my opinion is still better than a tyre repair kit.
Unless you're on a road trip. Then you're forced to get your wheel serviced. Not a fan of the doughnut for that reason, but if you only use it for commuting, it's fine.
I bought an identical looking 22 plate Mazda 3 in Sport Lux trim (because I hate leather seats) with the SkyActiv X engine with the automatic gearbox. I've done 9000 miles in it, averaged 44mpg but have regularly achieved 53mpg. I adore the car, the driving dynamics, the interior which is nicer and higher quality than an A Class or A3. I'd recommend the car to anyone. I looked at all the 30ish grand hatchbacks and nothing came close to this complete package.
Hate leather seats? Bit strong isn't it?!
@@tastypymp1287 Not at all. I hate leather seats, cold in the winter, hot in the summer, and very low friction so you slip around if the seats are not very supportive. They look nice, but then they crack in hotter climates as well. Lots of journalists have expressed their dislike of leather in cars but if you like it, then you should option them. Horses for courses.
@Jaye O'Farrell Hate seems abit strong to me. Dislike perhaps, but hate?!
@@tastypymp1287 If you wish to argue semantics then crack on friend. But if it makes you happier, I generally dislike leather seats, and in certain situations like a hot day, I hate leather seats. But you can also insert disdain, loath, or any other synonym for hate.
@@JayeOFarrell Too much hate in the world Jaye....
Purchased a carbon edition hatch 2023, I looked at x1 and even a Macan … but this car and it’s price point Bose system crazy nice !!!
The rant about the Nissan Qashqui brigade in the first 45 seconds of this video was enough to warrant the thumbs up!! A proper, excellent review as well. Have to admit, MX-5 aside of course, I'm generally not a Mazda fan, BUT, whenever one of these current generation Mazda 3's drive past, my eye is drawn to it. It is a very handsome looking car, and miles ahead inside than any previous generation. If I was in the market just now for a new, petrol engined, small hatchback, it would seem wrong to not at least consider one.
I'm waiting on my second - love them. Enough 'sporty-ness' to make it a pleasant daily, and the fuel consumption is genuinely amazing. Great to have something that's not a golf. Or an SUV. You're correct on the minor down points - although I find there's enough tech on the GT Sport to help with the blind spots and it's leather interior makes it feel really classy, but the reversing camera is stupid and I'm still disapointed with the loss of independant rear suspension.
Been waiting for a Mazda3 review! I got a 2016 diesel model with leather seats, and the interior really is excellent quality! Quick enough and 50+ mpg urban driving (60+ on long journeys), I can't fault it! Given it only cost 12k 2nd hand when I got it with about 30k miles on.... such a good car :)
Keep on top of the maintenance! The diesels are absolutely notorious for failing and dealers are awful. It doesn't matter how good future cars are, I'm out.
I would love a diesel in canada. They just dont sell them here
Love my 2020. Loaded for less than my old Acura TL. Matches it for acceleration if you add a Roar pedal adaptor. Without that it is a noticeably slower and teh ride is stiffer than those expensive models, but the override pedal makes it fly and it's cheap in comparison so I'm happy with it. Not a single maintenance issue so far.
hi palindrome have you become a flat earther yet? If not I suggest watch a 13 part series called _What on earth happened_ by Ewaranon to learn that the earth is not a globe. I got it in my about tab.
I love my 2022 Mazda 3 GT Sport. Drove around 750 miles over the weekend and it's just a pleasure.