Overview & Reviews

For the 2012 Mazda 3, a newly optional 2.0-liter engine debuts and it delivers both more horsepower and higher fuel economy than last year's 2.0-liter engine. (The old 2.0-liter as well as the 2.5-liter engine is still available.) This year also brings several new trim levels, expanded availability of the hatchback body style, slight revisions to exterior and interior styling, and additional standard equipment for most trim levels.

• Stylish, well-equipped interior
• Extra utility of four-door hatchback.
• High fuel economy with optional 2.0-liter engine
• Precise handling
• Impressive list of luxury options

• Ride might be too firm for some
• Cabin and trunk not as large as those of competitors.

User Reviews:

Showing 11 through 20 of 75.00

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  Good car after 2 months - 2012 Mazda Mazda3
  By amoozed - August 24 - 12:10 am

  Quite a nice ride so far. Im averaging 30 mpg 50/50 city/highway. My question for those pushing 40 mph-how do you drive 60 mph on the freeway? I live in San Francisco, CA, and you will literally get run off the road for driving under 70 mph on the freeways here.

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  Best of Both Worlds - 2012 Mazda Mazda3
  By mandowen - May 11 - 10:28 pm

  This car will serve different needs, depending on your mood. If you are feeling economical, the fuel efficiency is great. I got over 41 mpg on a recent road trip. If you want to have some driving fun, the car is very responsive and, although I have the automatic, you can flip it into manual mode for more control. The hatchback is very roomy and I recently brought home my sons dorm refrigerator in it. Great car!

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  Really nice car and great fuel economy - 2012 Mazda Mazda3
  By moog555 - May 9 - 2:32 am

  I have been driving this car for a month now. The fuel economy in this thing is really incredible. Ive had five Honda civics in the pass... but this little Mazda beats them all !!!. Also handles the road really nice.. This Sky-activ engine is super smooth and refined... The value in this car is hands down unbeatable.

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  44.6 mpg!!! - 2012 Mazda Mazda3
  By caloyski - February 21 - 7:03 pm

  İ have the new skyactiv automatic with 6,000 miles now. Recently, wife moved to a new work and still in process of relocating---in short i travel 180 miles and 5hrs per day, 80/20 mixed highway/city driving at 60mph in highway. İ got 44.6 mpg! İ didnt rely on the trip computer, i did manual math to be sure. İ love this car, handles so well. A bit tight in space, but if you wanted space, go buy an suv and gas up always. Lol. İ drive a 1999 crv same route, i get 22mpg. Transmission changes are so smooth, wow.

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  LOVE this car!! - 2012 Mazda Mazda3
  By kachok - November 2 - 3:05 am

  I got my Mazda 3 hatchback a few days ago and I absolutely love it! Crazy good mpg in town and on the highway (52.9mpg@55mph and 44.0mpg @70mph) all the power I ever wanted, fantastic handling and plenty of room for me and all my gear. I work at another brand dealership, and am willing to deal with the ridicule of my boss and co-workers to drive my 3, it is the perfect car for me. I drive all kinds of cars every day, and the Jetta/Civic/Corolla/Elantra just dont stack up. Only the Focus SE and Dart Ralley compare, the Dart is not offered in a hatch and I have had bad luck with Fords so it was an easy choice for me.

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  I got the skyactiv mazda3! - 2012 Mazda Mazda3
  By caloyski - September 18 - 5:16 am

  I love the new skyblue for skyactiv---a real standout from the silver, white & black cars you see on the road. I considered the new elantra, it was a sleek car and gets great mpg like the 3, but I was still biased towards the reliability of japanese cars. And the civic & corolla looked so plain---they were everywhere. I have read some user reviews here about the sound they hear from the engine is a problem. When not used to something, it doesnt neccessarily mean its broken. It has a new engine, so dont exepct old school appeal. It may make more noise to warm it up than a standard gas engine, but after that its great. I tried the new impreza w/ cvt, the sound was weird but not broken.

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  Love it !!! - 2012 Mazda Mazda3
  By snowman80 - August 16 - 9:26 pm

  I purchased this car last week while looking at a mazda3i basic.The dealer didnt have what i wanted so i ended up test driving this model instead. needless to say i fell in love with it.Good power for a 2.5, responsive steering great clutch and shift feel.i highly reccomend this car to any dailey commuter looking for something classier looking then a Prius with more spunk. im averaging 30mpg right now which is better then advertised.

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  I love it - 2012 Mazda Mazda3
  By kylejj - August 8 - 12:20 pm

  I traded in my Honda Civic for this car and I am now a Mazda guy after loving my Honda. I test drove and researched many of makes and models, but ended up finding Mazda was just a better car and then the price made it even better. The car is a blast to drive and I do drive very hard, but still return an average of 34mpg for 50/50 city/hwy driving. The car handles great, but does have a tight suspension where I feel all the bumps, but that is because the roads in Indiana are awful. The controls are great and easy to use. (no navigation). There is plenty of room for 4 adults and our luggage. I love the versatility of the Hatchback.

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  2012 Mazda 3 with 1200 miles on it now. - 2012 Mazda Mazda3
  By sirturkey - April 22 - 6:00 am

  I got my Mazda 3 when it had 15 miles on it, and now it has around 1200. I love this car. I upgraded from a 2004 Passat. The SKYACTIV-G engine truly performs. Ive been getting a combined 34.8 mpg with mostly city driving but with a few long distance bouts. On my distance trips, Ive been getting 40-44 mpg at around 70 mph. I generally drive like a grandpa but its difficult NOT to accelerate quickly in this car! The seats are not nearly as bad as what other people say. Im 60 and they fit me rather well. As for the complaints about the interior controls, I find them rather intuitive. In regards to weird noises from the engine, I havent heard anything.

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  buy one - 2012 Mazda Mazda3
  By sorento2006 - April 20 - 1:44 am

  just took delivery yesterday of my graphite grey sedan with fog lights,spoiler,bose,sunroof.when i took it for a test drive,going over 60,the computer showed 41.6..wow !on the 30 mile trip home,got 47.8 at 63mph.the ride is tighter than expected,but much better than the 2008 amanti i traded in for this car.lots of features & wow factor.thanks mazda