Mazda 3 review (2014 to 2018) | What Car?

The Mazda 3 is a very good car, and well worth considering if you are after a family hatchback. The only issue is a lot of its rivals are also good cars - can the 3 be regarded as the best of a good bunch?

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[blinkinbadger]

Numb steering !!?? This car is known for having the best steering in its class

[George-nvri]

The most important thing not mentioned, reliability. The petrols don't have turbos, this combined with Mazda being in the top 5 most reliable brands means that this is a better bet over any other family hatchback and will cost you less in the long run.

[yorkiecob]

The Mazda will still be going when most rivals have been scrapped, rock solid build quality and engineering
I would buy one on reputation, repeat customer and looks

[YourCRTube]

First review _ever_ to define the Mazda steering as subpar. Weird.

[Bartee]

And what would those more rounded rivals be?

[timkudryavtsev]

I completely disagree about the steering. Mazda has the best driving dynamics comparing to competition. Period. I do not really know what Mazda you drove. However, i respect your opinion and it was a great video. Thank you

[LupusInfernum]

I have a 2016 Mazda 3, 2.0 petrol, 165ps, Sport Nav...I got it brand new 5.5 yeara ago and I have never had a single issue. I don't know what this woman was on...the steering is really responsive especially around corners.

[S-Ltd]

I've just bought a used one of these. Numb is not the way I would describe it at all.

[nateawzom]

The mazda is sportier than the ford focus

[Sxrhp]

I used to drive a Mk1 3 Sport and while not a Mazda fan boy it was a good handling, smart looking car with plenty of space & toys. It handled really well and that is why I'm looking at this latest model as my next car. Happy to dismiss this flat, rather underwhelming road test because there are better and more rounded reviews out there.

[S-Ltd]

3 years on from buying my 66 plate I've not had a single issue mechanically over 30k miles. My only problems have been with bodywork. Soul red is very thin and mine had picked up a few chips from the previous owner, just make sure you keep your distance from people to avoid this. Mine had also had a previous shoddy repair and developed a severe paint reaction resulting in the whole nearside needing a respray although thats not down to Mazda. The 120 has adequate performance for day to day driving and I'm still impressed with the handling and steering despite the bizarre statement in this video. I also own a mk1 mx5 and there's definitely a bit of the 5s DNA in the 3. It's also worth pointing out that the 118bhp version has actually been shown to be nearer 140bhp.

[atticstattic]

Nice presentation, bad review though; mentioning something else as a bench mark and then leaving what those comparisons might be up in the air is really pretty useless in a review.

[Ben-vjvk]

numb steering on a Mazda 3? she doesn't know much about cars...

[rahmann]

The mazda 3 is one of the best cars in it class. She is talking nonsense I would have one over any of its rivals the main reason cause it's Japanese.

[nateawzom]

Really? Numb and vague steering? Its arguably the best handling car and societies car in its class

[bighes]

Watching this in 2023 and it still looks so fresh like it's a new model while rivals have dated, and I'm damn sure it'll be more reliable after 10 yrs.

*Current gen 2 owner that'll be getting a gen 3 when I change.

[ragharamani]

I just bought one of these. Awesome car! ya the nav is annoying(hopefully fix that with an update), but I don't get where she gets sloppy steering from... its extremely nimble and precise and had great feed back from turns. Its got the same style of steering and suspension from the MX-5. 

[stuartpowell]

Just put a deposit down on a used 64 plate 2.2d Sport fastback. Great to see the glowing reviews in the comments!

[jamiep]

I like the New Mazda 3 as I think it is one of the best Compact Family Cars

[daffyduck]

You guys should teach top gear how to make a decent car and motoring program. Well done !