Mazda3 Topic Hub

Road Test Review – 2023 Mazda3 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus – Mazda’s Lone Sedan Still Has Charm And Performance

Mazda is in a very interesting place right now. The Japanese auto giant has always been known for offering buyers a unique blend of value and performance. However, changing sales dynamics and a surge in SUV demand have forced Mazda to alter its sales plans, with the company putting a greater emphasis on SUVs. That has come at the cost of some of their sedan entries, with the Mazda6 being axed a few years ago. The 2023 Mazda3 is now the lone sedan entry, but does the compact four-door still have the magic needed to help it retain its enviable …

Jan 25, 2023 Read more

Road Test Review – 2021 Mazda3 Hatchback AWD – The Ultimate Winter Toy

Are you an enthusiast that’s been waiting for Subaru to release the updated WRX? While Subaru has so far been quiet about when it will do that, the folks at Mazda are hoping that you will perhaps embrace their alternative, the 2021 Mazda3 Turbo. This spirited Mazda has always been a favorite here at Car-Revs-Daily, and the company has finally mated the new engine to the 3’s all-wheel-drive system. But is this proverbial match in heaven a true four-season contender capable of bringing the fight to the Subaru? We were eager to find out. Exterior Styling Still Has The …

Mar 22, 2021 Read more

Road Test Followup – 2020 Mazda3 Hatchback AWD – By Carl Malek

The Mazda3 is the spirited underdog in the compact car segment. When the current generation model first made its appearance back in 2019, it was perhaps the most comprehensive effort yet at making the budget focused 3 into a true contender in the segment. With expressive exterior design, a cabin that blurs the line between luxury and affordability, and a chassis to envy for. The Mazda3 certainly had a head start in its quest to dethrone the Volkswagen Golf from the top of the sales charts. With such a strong start for 2019, what could Mazda engineers do to help …

Jun 09, 2020 Read more

2019 Hyundai Elantra Sport – Road Test Review + Drive Video

Hyundai’s global Elantra sedan brought fresh style and tech details for the 2019 model-year and this Elantra Sport trim is at the top of the range. Pricing for the Sport comes in at about a $24k base that is well above the $18k stickers for some of the cheapest Elantras out there. For that extra cash you get a big upgrade in power, style and equipment, as you might expect. Swapping from the default four to the turbo 1.6T with 201HP brings along an extra 52 ponies and standard 7-speed double-clutch automatic. A stick was briefly offered but the Elantra …

Dec 09, 2019 Read more

2019 Mazda3 Hatchback – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis

We recently tested the all-new Mazda 3 sedan, and with its premium feel and refined road manners, called it the best Euro sedan for the money right now. Not bad for a Japanese brand, eh? Well, Mazda seems to always serve up a hatchback on the 3 as well, to give those who want more practicality with a larger cargo bay, but the vehicles are usually pretty similar. (If you wanted a high-performance Mazda 3, the MazdaSpeed 3’s were built on the hatchback, but they haven’t done that in a while.) So, we were excited to test the all-new Mazda …

Nov 12, 2019 Read more

Road Test Review – 2019 Mazda3 Hatchback AWD – By Carl Malek

In the world of hatchbacks, few have had the underdog effect that the venerable Mazda3 has had during its long run in production. While the Volkswagen Golf has reigned supreme over the segment, the Mazda3 has been a persistent underdog, a potent disruptor that always aimed to try and snatch the top spot from the talented German. While the Golf always managed to ward off these challenges thanks to its superior, interior craftsmanship, and more polished engines, the 3 bided its time, and gradually improved some of its flaws. But with the departure of the recently axed Ford Focus from …

Sep 22, 2019 Read more

2019 Mazda3 AWD Sedan Review by Ben Lewis

A lot of people love European vehicles. The quality, the ride, the design, the feeling that you’re in something special – it’s all good, and it’s all there. So, we often get asked, “what’s a good entry-level European sedan?” Well, the best Euro sedan for the money right now is… the 2019 Mazda 3. Yes, the Mazda 3. We’ve just spent a week in the all-new Mazda 3 sedan (a hatchback is available, too), and it is impressive. Now we’ve always liked the 3 – a lot of enthusiasts we know who’d like a BMW or an Audi end up …

Jul 29, 2019 Read more

2018 Mazda3 GT 5-Door – Road Test Review w/ Perf Drive Video

Want to know the true reason why nobody should suffer driving a car they don’t love? And also the reason why car shoppers are fools to make up their mind online instead of on the test drives? The shining example for both is the delightful 2018 Mazda3 GT. Here is a car that will hit 35-mpg on the highway and keep your payments easily below $300 a month. All while having truly fun performance and actual torque to keep you ahead of traffic! Driving the Mazda3 for a week is like a slap in the face or a dunk in …

Jun 11, 2018 Read more

2018 Hyundai Elantra GT Base Automatic – Road Test Review + 2 Videos

There are cars that are simply better than they have to be. They go beyond just beating their obvious rivals and into another level of long-term partnership potential for their drivers. Such is the case with the five-door Hyundai Elantra GT. This variant of the best-selling sedan shares much of its drivetrain cabin, but none of its exterior or platform design. It enters a market segment that has more strong rivals than ever. Focus and Cruze hatchback might be easy to beat. But how about the new Civic Sport 5-door, Mazda3 and VW Golf? Those are some seriously good global …

Nov 07, 2017 Read more

2017 Mazda VISION COUPE and KAI Concepts Bow in Tokyo

You know I really wanted this scoop because all these came from Mazda’s Japanese media site! The new Vision Coupe is a breathtaking, cab-backward look at a future Mazda sedan. Its sharky nose and pert tail are almost like an MX-5 saloon car! In the best ways. The KAI is a look at the upcoming Mazda3 refresh. It takes sleek, slinky curves to a new level. A fully shrink-wrapped package with sport stance like a Golf R. But with half the roof. Both stunning. Watch this space for updates and real photos once the cars debut on stage at the …

Oct 24, 2017 Read more

2017 Mazda3 Refresh – First Look By Anthony Fongaro

Mazda has had an extremely successful compact car in their lineup with the Mazda3. It has won awards ranging from Car and Driver’s prestigious 10Best list to winning comparison tests for its ride quality, comfort, and interior. Since the current-generation Mazda3 has been out for three years, it is time for it to once again raise the standards in the compact class. Looking at the exterior, the 2017 Mazda3 receives minor changes to the vehicle’s KODO – Soul of Motion design. These include a bolder grille, available LED headlights and tail lights, and a redesigned bumper for the …

Aug 21, 2016 Read more

Road Test Review – 2016 Mazda 3 i Grand Touring Sedan (6MT) – By Carl Malek

With the recent surge in CUV sales, it is easy to forget that the compact car segment is still one of the hottest segments in the automotive market. From the Ford Focus to the venerable Toyota Corolla and Nissan Sentra, the segment has a wide range of talent to choose from. Bucking the trend is the 2016 Mazda3 which has always offered buyers a spirited driving experience in a sensibly priced package. But has its stellar road manners blunted the 3’s ability to rise above established compact car benchmarks? Looking at its exterior styling, it appears that the 3 is …

Jul 11, 2016 Read more

Update1 – 2016 Mazda CX-5 Goes From Good To Great

The Mazda CX-5 just went from one of the best crossovers available to perhaps the single best under $30,000. The changes for 2016 include a freshened exterior via a more premium dark-grey grille in a smaller shape, dark-accented wheels and more body-colored accents. Stylish new LED lighting in a cool and expressive design are standard front and rear, plus LED main beam headlamps for the first time. These Adaptive LED Headlights are part of a suite of new safety tech for the CX-5 and a redesigned cabin infotainment setup. Mazda MZD, this new tech package has a larger screen and …

Feb 07, 2015 Read more

Houston Auto Show Debuts – 2015 Mazda3 Ti Edition Rocks Gloss-Black Body Styling

The new Mazda3 Ti Edition joins a revised Mazda6 and CX-5 on Mazda showroom floors early this year, but had an advanced outing at the Houston Auto Show. This fall, the Mazda range gets really thrilling: the new 2016 MX-5 and hot CX-3 will join in the Zoom-Zoom fun. Production-ready with a window sticker, this new Mazda3 Ti Edition jazzes up the exceptional Mazda3 with some really cool style additions: titanium metallic wheels are joined by a sweet body kit all around in contrast gloss-black. The lower splitter, side sills and rear diffuser are all a pure and silky dark …

Jan 23, 2015 Read more

Best of Awards – 2016 Mazda CX-5 Goes From Good To Great

The Mazda CX-5 just went from one of the best crossovers available to perhaps the single best under $30,000. The changes for 2016 include a freshened exterior via a more premium dark-grey grille in a smaller shape, dark-accented wheels and more body-colored accents. Stylish new LED lighting in a cool and expressive design are standard front and rear, plus LED main beam headlamps for the first time. These Adaptive LED Headlights are part of a suite of new safety tech for the CX-5 and a redesigned cabin infotainment setup. Mazda MZD, this new tech package has a larger screen and …

Nov 21, 2014 Read more

2016 Mazda CX-3 – Gorgeous World Debut in 90 Photos + Specs and USA Arrival Details

The all-new Mazda CX-3 is easily one of the best-looking small crossovers on the planet. And it is not a concept. This is the real-deal CX-3 coming to take on the Honda HR-V, Fiat 500X and Jeep Renegade. Where the CX-3 is unique versus the three min-trucks above? It is one that men and women alike would love to own for its sporty style, amazingly wide and low stance, and cutting-edge LED lighting. The above vehicles are fairly emasculating and hard to imagine loving as a testosterone-making gentleman. What the CX-3 represents is another amazing vehicle from Mazda — after …

Nov 19, 2014 Read more

Update1 – Road Test Review – $32k 2015 Audi A3 Sedan 1.8T FWD

Updated 6.23.14 with 40 New Photos 2015 Audi A3 Sedan Review The Audi A3 family is pretty massive for 2015 – with the new sedan just the first in the offensive that will include the A3/S3 Cabrio, A3 Sportback and Sportback Hybrid, an S3 sedan and even the Q3 mini SUV. So there is alot riding on this compact exec’s shoulders – not least the expectation that it might be overpriced and under-amazing. But that is not the case in the slightest. What we discovered after flogging Audi’s latest machine around Lake Lanier, Georgia last week is a fun, peppy …

Jun 24, 2014 Read more

Road Test Review w/ Pricing and Specs – 2014 Mazda3 Grand Touring

We were amazed with the all-new 2014 Mazda3 from the moment we laid eyes on it – especially the slinky and low-slung sedan variant that just arrived this Spring to Mazda dealers nationwide. After some joyful driving of the loaded 2014 Mazda3 s Grand Touring model, it is clear that the praise we shared in the “2014’s Smartest Compact” article was not sufficient. This might be the best car on the market in general, with no caveats for size or price. It is that good. I am struggling to convey how outstanding a machine it is in all regards — …

May 07, 2014 Read more

Best of Awards — 2014 Mazda3 Sedan and Hatch — The Smartest Compact Car in America

The Mazda3 is an amazing, incredible achievement. While preparing this article, I could not help being stunned by these tasteful, unique and attractive designs inside and out. Both the 5-door and the brand-new four-door sedan are extremely good-looking and sophisticated cars from all angles. I thought to myself — is this the thinking man’s BMW or VW Golf? As I moved further into the specs, I realized — this is just a brilliant package up and down the range! Automatic, manual, small engine or big: the Mazda3 just nails every single category or theoretical competitor I can think to name. …

Feb 20, 2014 Read more