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 61 through 70 of 75.00

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  My 4th Mazda wagon - 2012 Mazda Mazda3
  By gregstl - November 5 - 5:41 pm

  Previously owned: -02 Protege 5 -08 Speed3 -10 Speed3 Many things remain the same through the years. Sporty handling, quirky but some how attractive interior, road noise, fun-to-drive, best hatch for the money, etc. What was new and enticing was the Skyactiv drivetrain and a Mazda3 getting over 30mpg.. let alone nearly 40mpg. Havent quite gotten there yet on average, but it seems possible. If you keep the RPM around 1800-1900 which is close to 60mph.. youll break 40mpg. After that it seems to dissipate pretty quickly. Youd be lucky getting over 30mpg at 70mph. At the end of the day, you can pick one of these up for under $17K brand new at some dealers. Best car made under $17K.

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  Computer MPG is off - 2012 Mazda Mazda3
  By jackstraw22 - October 18 - 1:15 pm

  Ive had this car for about 2 months and while I do enjoy driving it, Ive noticed the computers MPG is off. Ive checked it several times by filling up my gas tank, resetting the trip meter and then resetting the computers MPG. After running it for about 300 miles I filled the tank back up. I then divided the miles on the trip meter by the number of gallons I put in the car. My latest manual observation was 27.2 MPG while the computers MPG was 29.8. So far my driving has been about 90/10 city/highway, so Id expect the MPG to be low. But I would have expected the computers MPG to be more accurate. Its been off on every test Ive made.

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  Perfect Package..Everything you want/need!! - 2012 Mazda Mazda3
  By surfnjm3 - November 1 - 4:27 pm

  I purchased my Mazda about 4 weeks ago and put just under 2k miles on it. The car has been awesome! I am a car enthusiast and since I currently cannot swing the money for a BMW I landed on the Mazda. It is a drivers car and has all the feautures you want. Great sound (even the stock system without the bose is clear and loud), bluetooth is awesome with my phone and music and the interior layout of the dash and such are clean, sensible, and easy to use. I never thought I woudl get an automatic car but commuting with a manual is just brutal, but the dual-clutch on the mazda is the most responsive ive seen in a car under 21k. Take off the traction control and the car just begs you to drive it!

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  Very Impressed - 2012 Mazda Mazda3
  By ms_addy - June 27 - 7:04 am

  I spent a whole day with my father test driving cars. It was around 6pm that I had my chance to test drive my Mazda 3. Let me tell you, it is an awesome ride! I was trading in my 07 eclipse and looking for a four-dour under 20k. I tried hyundais and honda but I felt like I was driving a car for my mother. The mazda 3 I got had everything I wanted and then some! Im a young lady finishing College and needed something with good gas mileage without being weak and slow.

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  2000 mile review - 2012 Mazda Mazda3
  By zoomzoom2012 - April 20 - 1:21 pm

  Looked at the following Hatchbacks. All Subaru models Nissan Rouge GTI Focus Mazda 3 After looking at everything I was willing to buy, I purchased a 2012 I-touring with Skyactiv Engine and Auto Trans. This power plant it awesome. It is the smoothest I have ever driven. Power really comes on at 2800 to 3000 rpm giving me ability to choose gas mileage or Zoom zoom. The interior is Spartan but still an upgrade from my 2002 Wrangler. I really like the BT hands free phone function. According to the computer I am getting 32.1 MPG since buying the car, (50/50 hwy and city). I checked at the pump and my numbers came back 31.8, that to me is pretty good.

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  Great commuter car - 2012 Mazda Mazda3
  By cardriver15 - April 15 - 4:43 am

  After test driving the Civic, Focus and Elantra, I decided on the 3 because of that fun factor. It doesnt necessarily feel like an economy car when driving. Im getting the advertised 32-33 combined mpg. 40+ highway mpg is feasible if you stay below 70mph. Ive found 37-38mpg is more realistic if youre like me and tend to drive faster than 70mph on the highway. Its aged pretty good for an almost 3 year old design. I think newer designs like the civic and Elantra already look aged compared to the 3.

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  My Mazda is a Rocket Ship - 2012 Mazda Mazda3
  By jennypenny575 - January 21 - 6:34 pm

  Ive been driving a 2000 Ford Focus SE Sedan before this car, so you can imagine that most cars would be a vast improvement. Not so, my Focus was a great car, it had great pickup, decent gas mileage(23 mixed) and a rather comfortable ride. But my Mazda is a rocketship. I had wanted a Mazda3 back in 2008 when I was originally car shopping. I ended up with a 7 year old focus because the Mazda was out of my price range. So the fact that I have it now is even sweeter. After test driving the Versa, the Focus, the Fit, and the Elantra, it was pretty much a runaway with the Mazda. I knew it was the car for me 5 minutes into the test drive. Smooth driving, fun to shift, everything is great.

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  So far so good - 2012 Mazda Mazda3
  By jhunterk - January 13 - 6:26 am

  Have had the car for 10 months, 6k miles, 0 problem so far. IMHO, it is the best compromise among gas mileage, cosmetics, reliability, and a sporty ride. On highway, the 40mpg is spot on. The hatchback is super useful, once I was able to put FIVE dinning chairs in it. Very good lumbar support too. Con: The ride could be bumpy on crapy road because of its sporty suspension. Not as quiet as toyota, could use better noise isolation

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  the car that shutter. confirmed by mazda - 2012 Mazda Mazda3
  By some_guy1 - December 31 - 5:13 am

  The car is scary to drive. there is a shutter that mazda said should be there. It feels like a little earth quake. I didnt notice it when i bought the car but the first time it happened i got scared. On top of that the car slams into gear and has such a jerky transmission that i cant believe the car is not being investigated by the NTSB. as long as you dont mind a car that shakes and you hit your head because the throttle is all over the place this is the car for you. Me hindsight 2020 i wish i never got it. I cant be more disappointed with it.

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  Perfect Car - 2012 Mazda Mazda3
  By hbd2 - December 30 - 10:21 am

  I was planning on writing this great wordy review but after I thought about it I though, keep it simple. I have driven all manors of cars and owned mostly Hondas and Acuras with a Subaru thrown in there for fun. This is how I feel about the Mazda 3s GT. Its awesome in every way. The clutch, shifter, brakes, interior, exterior, stereo, suspension, mileage and ergonomics. It all just works and works very well.