Overview & Reviews

Mazda has a tradition of building entertaining small cars, and the Mazda 3 fits right in with its sharp handling and engaging nature. But it's also a practical, affordable runabout that's available as either a sedan or a handy four-door hatchback. A Mazda 3 of any vintage is worth consideration, but the 3's interior quality has improved dramatically over time. Likewise, fuel economy has emerged as a real strength in recent years.

Introduced in 2004, the Mazda 3 has always been one of those cars that feels a little bit special when you get behind the wheel. Some shoppers might find the ride too firm, but if you like to drive, you'll probably take a shine to this compact Mazda. Passenger room is the same in the sedan and hatchback, but the latter offers more cargo room. If fuel economy is a priority, note that 2012 and later models benefit from updated engine technology that helps the car return significantly better mileage.

User Reviews:

• 

  Pretty Average - 2009 Mazda Mazda3
  By scottksu - November 12 - 11:04 pm

  Car looks great and handles well, but... The 2.0, 4 cylinder is low on power. I expected a bit more zip for a small car with almost 150 HP. Gas mileage below avg. for a car this size. Only get a few mpg more than my Toyota Camry V-6. Handles great, but ride suffers. If you like to feel every bump in the road, you will love this car. Replacing the OEM tires helps, especially with road noise. Interior design is nice, but materials are of average quality, which I expect for a car in this category. Developed a few noises & small intermittent rattles not long after purchase. Some I remedied, the dealer fixed one, some remain. A/C is weak & must keep on high during days over 90

• 

  Dissapointing - 2010 Mazda Mazda3
  By Diro - October 2 - 12:20 am

  I have had my Mazda 3 sedan for about 6 months. I wish I had bought something else but I needed a car so. The gps is sub par ( a tom tom is just as good) it needs a rear window wiper. Its under powered and hesitates at freeway speed when you need to accelerate quickly. The power Windows have already failed. The wheels seem to be wearing unevenly. All this mind you is a car less than a year old. Gas mileage is consistently lower than most estimates. Ok I live in California where I do mostly freeway driving. The ride is rough and somewhat noisy.

• 

  Mazda 3 Wagon horrible in Snow - 2007 Mazda Mazda3
  By JKromberg - April 22 - 6:03 pm

  I replaced my 2001 Celica with a 2007 Mazda 3 wagon. Based on the first snow of the season, the Mazda 3 is the absolute WORST performing car I have ever driven. I got stuck in 2 inches of snow in the dip at the intersection! I can not make it up a mild hill that everyone else was flying up. My old Celica drove like a tank compared to this. I hope the problem is only horrible tires from the factory. If not, anybody want to by a used Mazda 3 Wagon? I should also mention that during the summer, the air condition could not keep up. It was 100 outside and 90 inside. The dealer said it was working fine. The car does have the utility inside that I was looking for in terms of a wagon.

• 

  I like many things about this car - 2004 Mazda Mazda3
  By James Forte - March 5 - 2:00 am

  Coming out of a 98 Passat, I wanted more basic ride for my daily driver. The MAZDA3 is good, but certainly not comparable in attention to detail (but its $7K less!). I am happy with the fuel economy and design, although materials could be better. Mazda should be proud and has a car that competes with the base Jetta and Corolla. The real problem with this car is its brand. Nothing symbolizes second rate more than Mazda with its childish campaigns (please stop!). The goofy kid/song – argh! Fortunately for Mazda, the product exceeds its poor brand image. For me, I have to fend off all of my buddies who tease me about Zoom Zoom (it’s better than Suzuki!).

• 

  was sadly disappointed - 2014 Mazda Mazda3
  By mark394 - February 4 - 5:59 am

  Weve always liked Mazdas, this was our fourth, a 2014 mazda 3 Touring sedan, it could have been so good, but the front interior space felt cramped and a bit difficult to see out of, the rear seats were very difficult to see out of. The really ugly looking radio looked velcroed to the dash was a constant eye sore. Not sure if anyone else has been bothered by this but there was always an very annoying clunk sound coming from the suspension going over bumps. We traded it after four months for another new make :(.

• 

  Terrible Choice - 2012 Mazda Mazda3
  By lsmetan - October 31 - 9:21 pm

  We researched several cars for their gas mileage ability. We chose the Mazda3 Skyactive and within days of driving it off the lot and only realizing an average of 31mpg we were so disappointed. The extremely small trunk and back seat space only added to our disappointment. This car looks appealing, but is not in anyway functional. We are a family of four with two small children we previously drove a jetta and we along with baby gear fit in the jetta, not even close in the Mazda. Also our gas mileage was better in the jetta. After three weeks we pleaded with the dealership who allowed us a straight trade with a new 2012 VW Passat. We all fit & are happily getting 39mpg+ & its not a tdi

• 

  2007 Mazda3 - 2007 Mazda Mazda3
  By Bret - October 25 - 11:13 pm

  I have never had a backache in my life till I bought this car. Now I have a brand new car and I am hobbled over with back pain. What a joy that has been! The car handles well, and it is designed nicely, and really looks nice from the outside, but I just cant get comfortable in the seat. The MP3 Player jack has a slight hum when I connect it to my satellite radio and that stinks, plus the interior black paneling on the doors gets random black marks all over the place. Sometimes the brakes squeak. Not to mention Its been in for service at least once now in the three months I have owned it. The dealership was very nice and friendly, but I hate the car.

• 

  Not Satisfied - 2005 Mazda Mazda3
  By Tom - October 13 - 7:13 pm

  Seats are very uncomfortable on trips over 4 hours. Steering is too light, comes off center too readily and has too much oversteer. Switches are not easy to operate or intuitive. Rear cargo area has very limiting width. Dashboard displays are gimmicky. Engine, transmission and A/C are rather noisy. Owners manual is lacking on important details but abounds with information on overly elaborate audio system. Fuel consumption is mediocre. Clutch engagement is not easy from a start, especially on hills. Gear selection is difficult. I have driven manual transmissions for 40 years, this is the worst. Sorry I bought this car and will dump it in 3-4 years. It is highly over rated.

• 

  Gas Guzzler - 2010 Mazda Mazda3
  By Rich - October 13 - 11:43 am

  Ive had this car since June 2009 - it is the worst car for gas I have ever had! My gas light has gone on on avg. at about 183 miles driven! I do all local driving in Brooklyn , the same as my 96 Camry , which by the way got 345 miles per tank! The dealership refuses to acknowledge that the mileage is far below posted 24 mpg as does Mazda USA. This is the worst car to drive - I thought this was a fuel efficient car - no way. I have pictures of the trip indicator on dash to prove this. Do not buy/lease this car ever! Its absurd to think that a 4 cylinder car gets less than 200 miles per tank!

• 

  Buyer Beware nothing like the earlier models - 2015 Mazda Mazda3
  By Daryl Nitz - September 15 - 11:38 am

  The 2015 Mazda3 is a hassle to drive. It is nothing like the 2012 Mazda3. It is problematic. The radio/navigation does not work well at all. It can NEVER be turned off, just muted. It freezes up, restarts, deletes favorites, and is overall poorly designed. Mazda offers very little solutions. On top of this, the MPG is grossly inflated. I have not gotten over 30mpg ever in 5 months. I typically average 27-29mpg. The gas tank is smaller than the 2012, so total range is less than 400. The 2012 would have a range of 500-600. I am so disappointed that I let my 2012 go for this 2015.