The screen is indeed touchscreen but it disables the touch functionality when the car is moving!

I get my 2018 Mazda 3 later this week. The model is the hatchback 5 door with BOSE sound. I loved the test drive so I can´t wait to get it from the dealer.

Lovely cars these. My wife has had a couple, a 2004 1.8 Sport in black and a 2012 2.2 diesel Takuya. Both were lovely cars, never gave us any issues and were pretty engaging to drive. Driving positions in these were spot on, and at the time she had the 2012 model I had a 2010 Astra Elite - the Astra “felt” higher quality with soft touch plastics and heavier doors but the Mazda was definitely built better and had more technology. We haven’t had Mazdas for a good while now, but I quite fancy a new CX-30.

My 6 Speed Ford Fusion has 10 way with 3 memory seat adjustments. I love those convenience features! Mazda is amazing! The newly redesigned Mazda3 is jaw dropping. at least here for the USDM, probably the cheapest car available with a manual gearbox car with the most luxury features. It’s miles ahead the golf.

Great no nonsense review, thanks for posting

I bought a 2016 Mazda 3, 5spd manual and it's beautiful. I think I've got the barest of the bare features which is more than enough for me, the only real things I'd want to add in is an aftermarket stereo to have the screen

To correct you, we have the identical car. And it is a touch screen as well. Although most controls are better through the wheel.

I have a similar mazda 3, same engine but it's the restyled version from 2018 and I am very happy with it. Engine feels stronger than 120hp, whole car is quiet and smooth. Consumtion (mostly city) is around 7,5l/100km, combined 6,5-7. A few bad things I can say about, small fuel tank, only 37-40l from fuel warning light to full so the range is quite low, they could easily put a bugger fuel tank. A few plastic rattles, no temperature gaudge.

This car seem like a lot of fun and it looks pretty damn good aswell, my aunt used to have one of these but the generation before it and a auto

Got one this week and already love how it drives and looks. Is the same car as in the video with the only difference that is the saloon model. I don't think you need anymore power for everyday driving specially if you want to respect speed limits lol

Hey Richard! Really appreciate all your videos I have watched almost all your videos to learn and sometimes to calm my nerves and if you had been in Cardiff not Colchester would definitely have tried my best to have you as my instructor. Anyway, lo and behold have finally passed my test after ages of waiting and now it’s time to get myself a car but am stuck between the seat Leon and mazda3. I know you rate them both but wanted to know which you preferred if you really had to just pick one. I’m looking at the FR tech for the Leon and sport nav for the mazda3 and my priorities are fuel economy, reliability, and equipment. Again thanks for all the support you’ve given to the KZfaq community and I still to this day learn from watching your videos!

Which is more reliable and cheaper to maintain? Thank you

Can't wait to get one.

Considering selling up my old mx5 NC for one of these, feeling the need for the extra seats and room. Thanks for the review!

If I’m not mistaken, on these previous gen Mazda3’s have touch capabilities when you’re stationary, but the newer gen is completely controlled by the controller.

Really good review! Thanks! Golfs i find way overpriced on the second hand market. In terms of 40litre fuel tank in mazda 3 - in manufacturer specifications it says 50-51, Mazda 3 has a around 10l reserve until the fuel gauge catches it.

So the golf would be better for learners as it's easier to drive? I had the Mazda 3 gen before this one 2.2 diesel and it was a pocket rocket. A little go kart

I'm considering getting one of these as my second car, the 1.5 diesel. The spec is generous across the range

If I was looking for the most universal and fun car, I would choose Golf GTI/Leon Cupra. It is obviously different in the UK, but as Skoda is a home brand here, almost every privately owned car service is able to work with any "VW" car and the parts are much cheaper than on something like Mazda. I just got Golf 6 2.0TDi (2012) with basically the same trim as the Mazda (except electric seats) and I really love it so far, not great for short runs, but when it heats up, the 103kW pulls really well and overtaking in that is great.

Lots of useful information no one else is talking about. Thanks for the great review.

I know that if you can, mapping the 2.0 l petrol can give you a extra 50bhp on your engine. Helps give a better pull power.

I have a vw golf 1.5 bluemotion. I do like it, but I did wonder why my revs shot up so much compared to the polo that I learnt in. I guess it must be the turbo. I do like the fact that as the revs climb the turbo kicks in and suddenly I have a lot more power, thats a lot of fun lol

I love it l have 2015 diesel very good to drive

"touch screen" is a touch screen... but touch only works when you stop your car. Stops you from fiddling with it when you should be paying attention to driving.

I just bought this but realised too late it's the SE-L version of 2014 Mazda 3 so I've missed out on the inbuilt navigation. Is there any way I can get it as an add on? Is it worth getting or can I use the auto android app?

Just a heads up, the infotainment screen is touchscreen when the car is stationary

My Aunt has a Mazda 3 but it touch screen or you use the buttons

This car is perfectly better than golf but just the bonnet is exceptionally long and boot extremely short in comparison of ratio

Excellent skyactive petrol engine (don't know about diesel) with manual gearbox and steering. The only downside of this car is the weak anti-corrosion treatment, but it costs not so much if you can afford to buy this car. Afterwards you have a decent car for ages..

Nice sharing

Considering this over a new MK7 golf, would you recommend?

I have it with 2.2 l biturbodiesel and chipped from 150 to 212 hp.

AFAIK the screen is touch sensitive when the car is stationary.

It actually is a touchscreen. It just doesn't work while moving. Honestly you don't need it. The controls are way better than any touchscreen will ever be. I dont understand why every reviewer keeps saying the car is slow.... A 1,4 tsi 120 hp golf needs 9,3 seconds to 100 km/h, the mazda 3 120 hp 8,8 seconds. It's quite a lot faster. You just don't have the low down torque of a turbo car. It just asks for a different driving style if you want to go fast.

This video is weird. At this date I saw a notification that this video was released. When I pressed I said the video was not available and I thought If it gets change to public it will notify me again, nope

thank you :)

I have the mazda 3 sport 2015 and disagree with your comments on the brakes the brakes on mine are fine good and positive

🔥

Could you review a VW Tiguan please!! ☺️

Yes more reliable than a golf, cheaper on parts and more popular!

I traded in my woefully unreliable Peugeot 308 1.2 puretech 130bhp for almost the exactly the same car as this but without the leather and electric seats. I expected Mazda to be slower than the pug but despite the 118bhp and a higher kerb weight it's actually faster. It turns out Mazda downplayed the official power output and the 118s have been dyno'd at between 135 and 140bhp. There's a video on YT from BBR GTi which demonstrates this. I like the car but some areas feel a little cheap although they are well built cars. Maybe the full leather interior lifts them up a peg. They do drive and handle great, it kind of feels like a 5 door Mx5. It certainly has a similar "rifle bolt" gear change feel to my 1993 Eunos roadster. The other great thing about the 118 is that they can be remapped to 170bhp with BBRs starchip tune. It's the same engine as the higher power car but in a different state of tune. One last thing to note, avoid the diesels as they can be problematic and expensive to fix.

Mazda 3 is miles ahead of a VW Golf. Compare a bog standard Mazda 3 and a bog standard Golf, you get so much more in a Mazda, cruise control, speed limiter, sat nav etc. So much more for your money. The touchscreen is touchscreen but only when stationery.

IT IS A TOUCHSCREEN! Just doesn’t work when the car is moving for your protection

With one of these, at 120hp (it actually puts out around 135-145hp) Mazda lies lol, you merely have to hook it up to Forscan and recheck the second stage of power on the list of the module aka 165hp, disconnect the laptop etc and voila... more power AND torque. Mazda incorporated roughly two to three ECU maps within the car as they released "different versions" 100, 120 and 165... don't quote me on the 100 one. So yeah, get a cable and laptop, hook up to the car with forscan, edit the module and select Stage of power to the second one and you'll get 165-175hp with increased torque. Cheers

Why do you guys drive manual in UK?

after vw in quality yes ... pure raw performance ... no .. esp in the modified market

0:43 - you didn't check your mirrors before signalling! 😂

First

as a conclusion: Mazda 3: the perfect car for a Hobbit :)

Anything is better than the overrated VW Golf, the most bang average car I have driven.

Most of your info about the car is wrong please do more research next time