It's 10 grand less than it's european competition, far more reliable, far cheaper to fix. But the American upper crust ignores it, because it lacks the proper "badge?" God help us...

"Virgos can get well-organized" Finally, a car reviewer who really understands me

Mazda really has the best red paint in the business

"Humans have a hard time re-orienting themselves once a perception has been solidified." Damn, that's a poignant statement.

I enjoyed my time with the Mazda 3 turbo. Looks incredible! Drives great! Manual trans would make it nearly perfect.

It does not need a touch screen. I've adapted to it within the first week. I got into a car without the control knob and missed it. You quickly figure out the muscle memory of the control system.

People always say Mazda’s are good but I rarely see any of the new ones I actually like them 😔😊

About 6 years ago, a family friend of mine cross shopped one of these with a used 328i, so the comparison isn’t too far off. They ended up getting the BMW, but the fact they considered buying a brand new Mazda really says something about the brand.

Always enjoy your reviews. Thanks Tom.

I borrowed one of these from Seattle's University Mazda for an hour a couple months ago. Even around town, this thing was such a blast. Really great, responsive transmission. Plus a good horn, and a spare tire?! This thing has it all. Apart from what it doesn't. Still, at the top of my list for cars to consider once my TDI's warranty runs out in a few years. Also: I quite like the rotary knob controller. Once I got used to the control, I found it more comfortable than leaning into the screen.

I remember seeing this model in person, on stage at my last car show. As you mentioned, the color is very nice.

Extremely popular in Canada!

The comments on this particular video are really awesome. Great work and dialogue between multiple posters. Love this channel!

I hope people buy this so I can buy it used in like 10 years LOL

I’m always so happy when Minnesota gets a shout out, hello from Minneapolis!

Bought one last week, exceeds my expectations daily. It's just a great car, period.

This is a better looking car than the intended rivals from BMW and Mercedes. Add the reliability and savings and this is a winner! l actually like the design of the 3 sedan over the hatch in this case.

With you on the tangible,feel,of,a,mechanical shifter..Another Tuesday with Tom..thank you..👍👍

Won’t miss what you don’t have - a very good point.

If I remember correctly the screen used to be touch sensitive on older models but only when the car was stopped.

Just bought a 2018 mazda3 hatch. I’m a believer in this brand. If I had twice as much money I’d have gotten this one. 😅

I drive the manual hatch (non-turbo) of the new 3, you really can’t go wrong with these cars. Great review Tom!

Another great review, Tom. I concur on the claustrophobic rear window & blind spots in the hatch. I bought the turbo sedan.

U speak well and clearly, informative review

Love the reviews you do, always learn something too. Hope you get your hands on more Audis. Have you considered doing a shootout of the major music streaming platforms in terms of real sound quality?

Best review of the Mazda3 I've seen yet!

I am done with Honda Mazda here I come

I LOVE the fact that Mazda stays with true automatic transmission. This made my friend's car buying so easy. All other options had CVT so went with cx5. And guess what, Mazda also had the best features with best looking interior even. Mazda offers alot for the money imo. No I don't work for Mazda or know anyone who works at Mazda.

The Mazda 3 hatch is nearly pornographic in that soul red paint. It's the only paint color I'd buy on any Mazda model. Excellent review and production quality as always, Tom!

Mazda has always been about what the driver involvement is about. I had an RX-7 and loved that car. The Rotary was well, but the handling, comfort, and balance was everything I wanted. My friend had a Mazda 6, and I loved that car. The ride was a European taught and a touch firm for us 'Mericans, but the steering and control feel is amazing. Mazda for me is the better dark horse that does not get enough love. Sure Subaru is my favorite overall and Toyota because my friends love cars they can count on. I told a friend not to buy the Cherokee but the RAV4. He had Prius already and loved it. Well, don't stop a good thing, RAV4 Hybrid. He was excited about the prospect. Why not? Mazda for my heart of driving, Toyota for my peace of mind driving. Kind of my favorite metric cars with many in between. Hyundai and Kia are stepping up and really making a difference. Honda is safe, but Toyota for me does that already, so Honda is in there but just not as enthused as I used to about them. Now if they bring back an S2000 or something then my respect quotient goes back up for them. Mazda is tweener I love when I care about the drive, and not just getting there.

I own one, and while I agree with your assessment, it puts a smile on my face every time I drive/look at it.

Tom, when you say e-shifters are no fun, I believe you. The thought of you running after a rolling car yelling, "come back . . . you're not paid for", gives me the heebie-jeebies.

Center knobs and buttons save lives, touch screens don´t. Well done Mazda!

Great review!

Thanks for showing us it has a spare wheel in the boot, a rare thing these days.

I enjoyed the 2019 2.5 AWD Hatch until the motor was destroyed by a careless employee at supposed quick oil change while shopping at Costco. Once that issue was resolved, I stepped up a 2021 3 AWD Turbo and it’s definitely been fun, Winter in Canada was great with it, handled beautifully in some tough snow storms. I know not everyone loves the styling but I love the look and the fit & finish on the exterior is well done and the interior looks beautiful. Only a few minor issues with sensors needing replacement but other then that this is a fun car to drive and In my opinion looks real nice in the sun with great curves. Thanks for review.

I think the soul red crystal is a great color, but this model looks better in that wet cement color, with the red leather interior. IMHO That makes the interior far less dark feeling.

I am buying one of these as my first car as a working adult. Definitely excited!

Great video. Thinking about swapping from my rowdy veloster n to this more tame and refined mazda 3. The ride quality on the veloster is so hard for a daily. How does this one stack up? And - how are the paddle shifts in the mazda? Are they quick or slow and delayed?

I got one of them and the best part of it is that on the door sticker it says made in Japan , no other country makes better cars than Japan , I am so glad they stopped making them in Mexico with very low quality control

Thanks for this review. I sure wish Mazda would give you a plainer Select or Preferred model - all the car companies tend to give you the upmarket model so they can showcase the more expensive model. I came off a 1996 Camry to buy a 2010 Mazda 3 iTouring sedan which I'm looking to replace. The CX-30 seems to be more plentifully in stock than the Model 3's so I started looking at that. The biggest complaints I have about the 2010 have been the noise level, and the limited trunk space (espec. compared to the '96 Camry). Although I have a bike rack, I miss being able to throw a bike inside the car - easy to do with the Camry, just barely doable with the Mazda3. I was surprised to learn that the 2021 Model 3 hatch has more cubic feet of room with the back seats folded down than the CX-30 has. Makes it hard to understand why people demand SUVs or CUVs - just to sit higher on the road? My reluctance to a hatch used to be that you couldn't hide your gear in the trunk. The cargo covers they have nowadays seem to have addressed that.

I've been liking Mazda's design direction for a few years now.

Hi Tom, I am picking up a subtle vibe that suggests you have some doubts Mazda's transition from cheap and cheerful to Premium Lite® may not succeed.

Still got my 2020 and loving it 😂..

I'm very happy with my turbo 2021

Great review, Tom, thanks. As good as this car is and looks (though I still think the previous generation Mazda 3 looks better), I can't really stomach the price. Is the value really that far above a Toyota, let alone a Hyundai? I don't really think I could get that question out of my head, unless the test drive blew me away.

What a great review.

- 👍👍 great video. My vintage Mazda has bad torque steer also. I think I need a new cv axel.

Having owned three Mazdas since 2010 I can assure you that I do like the mechanical shift for the transmission however I currently own a 2017 Chrysler Pacifica and I have to tell you the reasons why you listed for why you like the mechanical shift is the same reasons why I like the rotary shift I know without a doubt without even looking at The rotary where Park is where reverse is and we're driving. The only drawback between the two is the rotary I wish would allow me to at least use paddle shifters or do manual shifting I do miss the manual shifting of an automatic transmission.

Nice reviews Tom but I'm still waiting to see you reviewing the Mercedes benz c class 2021 model n bmw 3 series as well as Audi 3 series the 2021 model pleeeeasee

Going to be test driving the Mazda 3 Turbo and the Kia K5 GT. Also thinking about waiting for the Corolla Hatch R or new Golf R. US market just needs more hatches.

Mazda is the best

I really like this car's looks.

I have the 2020 Hatch the non touch screen works perfect when using Mazda's own interface, I use Android auto and when u start using that you need a touch a screen It's just very difficult to use without it

My dad and I just bought my mom a brand new Mazda3 Hatchback non turbo on 5/18 so I wonder how much faster the turbo will be!

No rear vents is strange - every 3 model (bar the base model) here in Aus has them. And a ‘premium’ maker would include them, as well as things like gas bonnet struts, 8 gears, a pano roof, folding mirrors, rear heated seats, two rear map pockets and so on. Otherwise, I love it!

I have a 2018 Mazda 6 GT with the same motor. It has been a great car and it returns on average 35 mpg on the highway. Of course it is only FWD, but I don't drive like an idiot. And yes, that average is with the car doing about 73mph. Great car. No doubt this 3 is fantastic too. One thing that makes me quite happy is that my 6 was about $8000.00 less than this Mazda 3. A steal, IMHO.

Hi. Can you use a higher octane fuel than what is recommended by Mazda on a 2020 Mazda 3? I was told by the dealership to stick to 91 octane. Nothing more. But i see on your video that you have 2 different power outputs depending on what fuel you use. Thanks

Car looks beautiful

Mazda going Upmarket. Translation: _"We're going to ignore our core customer base of buyers, and try to appeal to those in a higher tax bracket who have absolutely no interest in our offerings at all because we're not an established Luxury brand."_ Brilliant! Here's the thing, it doesn't matter that this Mazda 3 easily outperforms a front-wheel drive Audi A3 in terms of power, handling, and style. Doesn't matter that the 3 is literally a better compact car than the A3. Consumers who are seriously looking at an A3, or any Luxury brand compact car, are not even going to glance in Mazda's direction. Meanwhile loyal Mazda customers, such as myself, are going to either not be able to afford this Mazda 3. Or, will get angry at Mazda for being tossed aside; and will spend their hard-earned money elsewhere. While I love my V6 Mazda 6, I was looking to get into a slightly smaller vehicle that at least equals its performance. Well I'm not putting myself into debt simply to support a company that has decided that it's too good for me or my money. So, I'm seriously looking at a front-wheel drive KIA Forte GT, instead. But yeah.... Mazda should keep trying to cater to compact Luxury brand buyers who think that they're too good for a Mazda. Again, Brilliant!

Great review Tom! I Have a gen1 MS3 and a part of me feels grown enough to appreciate a car like this, though it is toned down. But it IS also quieter, and rides much better, despite the incremental loss in acceleration. I am still on the fence about the loss of a manual though!

Maybe it's just the lighting, but man, @8:35, that fuel door really sticks out like a wart. No matter, thanks Tom as always!

Mazda is now an alternative to Lexus/Acura more than BMW/Audi.

Beautiful

Touch screens while driving don't make sense. Its dangerous and difficult to use because of movement of driving - either user directed movement or due to the road. The knob makes more sense, and the designs of apple car play and android auto need to adjust to this because touch screen in cars wont make sense until we have cars that drive themselves for a majority of the time.

Hey Tom, please review the new Subaru Outback Wilderness Edition.

I wish the red leather interior was also available with the Soul Red paint.

I get some Volvo P1800ES vibes with those rear quarter panels... Not a bad thing. But, they should have better glass area in the back, like the P1880ES, instead of the upswept rear windows and tiny back hatch window.

If it comes in a manual I’ll definitely get it.

Call me crazy but I think Mazda should give hybrid powertrains

This is as close were getting to speed3. Enjoy it.

I decided to buy the 2.0 naturally aspirated version of this car at the end of the year

I had a 1997 Protege and love it. I can barely fit inside this Mazda3....no sale. And it weighs nearly 1000 pounds more than the Protege.

I would definitely look at this before an Acura; not sure about BMW.

Great reviews. What were you thoughts on Saabs? Would have loved to watch you review those.

Got the 2016 Mazda 3 love it will have to wait for this one to drop in price. To much for what it is.

Interesting that you mentioned a lack of a automatic stop/start system on this car. Seems like one or two other models recently also didn’t have those Tom. Have you asked why that may be? And this has high pressure direct injection, a turbo and EGR. All items that can cause headaches way down the road at 100,000+ miles. Just sayin.

Shocked it doesn’t have rear seat air vents

A really nice car! But I agree that the initial point of contact with the car - the doors - sound really cheap, something that I am always reminded of every time I get in or out of my daughter’s 2020 sedan Premium. So I think that premium car buyers who consider this car might be turned off by that.

Yes a real shifter!

“It makes sense for the brand to be like the Jeffersons and move on up”🤪😂🤪 If anything we the fans of Norman Lear are truly appreciative of this sublime comparison!

Well this definitely looks classier than a Type R.

Those torque numbers come from the relatively larger 2.4L...nice numbers. I personally think they need to look at the Mazda branding if they want to compete with the Germans...thinking Lexus and infinity, but this costs money. Nice car..

Would love to see you test drive a vehicle on the freeway so that you can honestly tell us how quiet it is at faster speed other than your friendly neighborhood.

I have driven mazda forever there is nothing better you drive anything else you want to come back to the mazda 3 guaranteed

As a family man, I need vents, and USB port(s) in the rear. As a car enthusiast, I need at least a DCT.

Man, if someone would make this but give it some more bite in the styling (where the lines at?), a pano roof, more HP, manual transmission... That'd be my next car. Any suggestions, Tom?

If Apple CarPlay is in the vehicle, are any map pockets necessary anymore?

Do you just return all those bundles of TP after filming? I would.

Hood prop rods are a pet peeve. More gears doesn’t equal a better transmission.

1:52 omg that rear door close sound is terrible! Like something out of the 1980s

Mr. Audet (CMO Mazda North America) needs to really consider bringing the Mazda6 wagon to US/CAN/MEX. Mazda could rule the long roof market and give ppl who want bigger than a '3, but don't want a CX-30,or CX-5. The' 6wagon is a fantastic looking car. But Mazda must learn from the past and make their wagon fast (2.3t only).

Is it available in stick. I have trouble with auto transmissions. Can you switch the speedo to kph, as well?

mazda need to make it with a 315 hp 340 tq engine. also implement launch control and different driving modes. they also need to put this engine in the miata without lowering any power numbers and finally an awd version. mazda could also storm the market with an affordable 2 door 2 seater mid engine awd vehicle weighing 2500lbs with athe 1.5l sky active an supercharge it. a good 200hp with 275 tq would be perfect.

Tom, did you notice any poor handling from the rear torsion beam? Other reviewers state that the torsion beam rear is a deal breaker and seems a step backwards from Zoom Zoom

Some Mazdas have weird pulsing LED turn signals.

My experience with Mazda is pretty dated, but as a guy who buys cars for long term ownership I've seen too many things fail prematurely. Engine mounts needing early replacement was an issue on my 2008 Mazda 3. As well as interior lighting elements failing (like the light inside a heated seat button dying after 4 years). This was one example of any little things failing before they should. I know there are still a few people like me who buy and hold cars for 8 or more years. Hopefully Mazda addressed their quality.

I can see myself only owning Mazda's for the foreseeable future.

So any possible tunes on the market yet that don't void the warranty?

This is my number 1. Lol but I can't go back to compact sedans. Too small for me