The Mazda 3 Still Feels Like an Old-Fashioned Driver's Car — On Purpose
Both reviews frame this car the same way: a deliberate throwback to mechanical simplicity, wrapped in one of the nicest cabins anywhere near its price.
Illustration for editorial purposes
Going Against the Grain, Deliberately
While most rivals chase ever-larger touchscreens and increasingly complex hybrid systems, this car has stuck stubbornly to a simpler formula. Reviewers keep treating that as a genuine point of difference rather than a shortcoming.
Specs at a Glance
| Body styles | Hatchback, saloon |
|---|---|
| Engines | 2.5L e-Skyactiv-G (138bhp), 2.0L e-Skyactiv-X (183bhp) |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual or automatic |
| Size class | Similar to Honda Civic, larger than Toyota Corolla |
| Wheel sizes | 16in (standard) to 18in (higher trims) |
Full Review Summary
What Car?
What Car? recommended the standard e-Skyactiv-G engine with a manual gearbox over the pricier, more powerful e-Skyactiv-X, finding the latter actually feels weaker in real-world driving most of the time despite its higher headline output. They rated ride comfort as a genuine weak point, noting it fidgets more than class leaders like the Toyota Corolla and VW Golf, and specifically recommended sticking with the smallest 16-inch wheels to minimise that issue rather than opting for the flashier larger rims.
Autocar
Autocar praised the interior as potentially the car's standout feature, rating it as feeling more upmarket than some genuinely premium rivals despite the non-premium price tag. They found the innovative Skyactiv-X engine technology clever but never quite living up to its promise of combining petrol responsiveness with diesel-like efficiency, and preferred the simpler, cheaper Skyactiv-G for most driving. Their overall impression was of a car that deliberately preserves older-school mechanical tactility while still meeting modern safety and emissions requirements.
Strengths
- Genuinely upmarket-feeling cabin for the price
- Well-considered safety and multimedia systems
- Standard engine offers a pleasant, accessible driving character
- Distinctive styling that's aged well
Weak points
- Ride comfort trails class leaders, especially on larger wheels
- Pricier Skyactiv-X engine underdelivers relative to its billing
- Rear visibility compromised by styling-driven roofline
Who It Actually Suits
Buyers who want a genuinely distinctive, well-finished small car and value mechanical simplicity over the latest tech. Stick with the standard engine and smaller wheels for the most comfortable, best-value combination in the range.
Common Mazda 3 Parts & Costs
- Mazda 3 Alternator
- Mazda 3 Battery
- Mazda 3 Brake Discs
- Mazda 3 Brake Pads
- Mazda 3 Cabin Air Filter
- Mazda 3 Engine Mount
- Mazda 3 Exhaust System
- Mazda 3 Fog Lights
- Mazda 3 Front Bumper
- Mazda 3 Front Suspension
- Mazda 3 Fuel Pump
- Mazda 3 Grille
- Mazda 3 Headlights
- Mazda 3 Radiator
- Mazda 3 Rear Bumper
- Mazda 3 Rear Suspension
- Mazda 3 Spark Plugs
- Mazda 3 Tail Lights
- Mazda 3 Timing Belt
- Mazda 3 Wing Mirror
More Mazda Reviews
Watch the Reviews
Mazda 3 review ↗ (same video, watch above ↗)