The Mazda 3 is SPECIAL & here is why! 2024 Test drive & review UK

Tish shows us around the Mazda 3 and explains why this model takes a simpler approach when it comes to modern cars.

Come and test drive the 3 at John Banks Colchester today:
Sales: 01206 677310
Service: 01206 677321
Parts: 01206 656212
Find us:
Mazda Colchester, Severalls Industrial Park, 3 Autoway, Highwoods, Colchester, CO4 9HS
Message us:

Track name: City beat

[nige-g]

Mazda all day long, we've had Mazda's for fifteen years.
Sooo reliable.

[chrisbwhittle]

I’ve just ordered a Mazda 3 Takumi Skyactiv X 6 speed manual 186 BHP in Polymetal Grey. I’ve added mats & spare wheel. It’s a very good looking car so much so it’s a replacement for my Alfa Romeo

[codenamenot]

I respect the commitment to filming this in pouring rain

[timhaslum]

I have the GT Sport and driven 50k in 18 months, its quiet, comfortable and not a single thing has gone wrong with it. All my company cars over the years have had issues, the Mazda really is a superb car.

[anthonygregg]

Great review Tish. I am on my 4th Mazda 3 and they are superb cars, drive effortlessly. The best thing about it is we have buttons for functions which makes me happy as I am not a fan of touchscreens. Cheers Tish.

[barrythomas]

I have the CX-5, best car I've ever had, and if I ever have to go smaller then this 3 is where I will go. Superb cars, Mazda, everything safely routed around the driver.

[RichardGibbard-up]

Love my Mazda 3. Great quality lovely to drive and lots of kit

[bondjamesbond]

Why do many people default to the over rated Golf when they can have one of these instead. I would have one of these over a Golf any day.

[raymondhunt]

I have the Mazda 3 e Sky active X 186 auto which is plenty fast enough and averages 48mpg.
The interior is really high quality and I love the looks. Surprised you don't see many on our roads.

[ladalout]

I have a 2022 compression ignition petrol Skyactive X in the same white colour as this and it looks absolutely superb. It's a car that has flaws like any other, but overall it's been faultless, the best car I've ever owned and overall has to be one of the most underrated cars on the planet. The driving experience is absolutely sublime, gorgeous gearbox, brakes, good steering, handling, astounding headlights and very easy to drive smoothly with rev matching software and instant throttle response. The ergonomics are also fantastic with physical buttons and no touchscreen to drive you insane, it will easily and regularly do an indicated 60 mpg on a longish run with a nice growl from the real twin exhausts, no fakery and great to see the twin trail of steam on a cold day! Downsides? It's awful to see out of and it can make it hard to position and judge the width and you have to rev it to access the power. It will really reward you if you do, it loves to rev but at low revs there's absolutely no grunt at all like you'll find with a turbo and I've got a few minor interior rattles here and there. But if you want something a little bit different with tons of extras compared to a Golf (my previous car) and Japanese reliability this should be on your shortlist. When you get used to the power delivery, you can exploit the tall first 3 gears around town and country and really make it fly, it's a proper driver's car that grows and grows on you. And best of all, it's available as a manual and it's not an SUV!

[birraebici]

beautiful looking car, Mazda has the best looking design!

[Nayland]

Just brought a Mazda 3 Exclusive Line Active X. Cant fault it so far. I dont have a family to support :-) so the passenger comfort that some say is cramped doesn't affect me per say. But the drive is fantastic - hardly any road noise, the gear shift is smooth as butter. I do wish however they would stop using the piano black trim. It scratches even if you just look at it.

[Proudarse]

Wow these ladies are killing it with these reviews, excellent work.

[Xavi-]

Hi Tish!
Another lovely day to do an umbrella… sorry!… a car test! 😂☔️🌧️
Mazda is a great make unjustly forgotten in some countries. It has good technology and great construction quality.

[jamesaughney]

Most reviewers love the Mazda gear shift and I agree. The only reason Im not driving one is that the car tax on the car I wanted was 710 euro a year in Ireland. v 200 euro for most hatches. However the Mazda 3 is on my shortlist when I change car. Love the buttons, dials and 'twin' exhausts.

[gregorysmithpsych]

I have had about nine Mazdas at last count. My 2014 Mazda 3 GT has 244, 000 miles on it and drives like brand new. I just drove it up the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina in Sport Mode and it sings! I also just bought a 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata GT RF, which I absolutely love so far. It has also already been on some of the twisty roads in NC and hugs the road so well that it almost drives itself. You cannot go wrong with these cars and the driving pleasure that you get for your money.

[roberttempest]

I think it’s the top pick in it’s class.

[thaggressor]

I recently bought a new 2024 Mazda 3 homura in platinum quartz. I absolutely love it.

[johnralston]

Great review, many thanks, hope to lease one very soon, your helped make my mind up what to choose, Thanks!

[conogrady]

A Hatchback with a Tishback....perfect car!💖😏