Mazda

My wife has been driving a 2014 Mazda3 for several years, and it has proven to be one of the most dependable cars she has owned. From daily commuting… Read more

to weekend road trips, the car has consistently delivered a comfortable and enjoyable driving experience.

One of the first things she appreciated was the sporty handling. The steering feels responsive, making the car easy to maneuver through city traffic and surprisingly fun on winding roads. Despite its compact size, the Mazda3 feels stable and confident at highway speeds. The suspension strikes a nice balance between comfort and performance, absorbing most road imperfections without feeling overly soft.

Fuel efficiency has also been a major advantage. The car regularly achieves excellent gas mileage, helping keep operating costs low. This has made it a practical choice for both everyday errands and longer journeys. Maintenance has been straightforward as well, with only routine servicing and minor repairs required over the years.

The interior remains one of her favorite aspects of the vehicle. The cabin design feels modern for its age, and the seats provide good support during extended drives. The controls are intuitive, and the infotainment system is easy to use once familiar with its layout. While rear-seat space can be somewhat limited for taller passengers, it has generally been sufficient for family outings and trips with friends.

Reliability has been outstanding. Even after years of ownership, the engine runs smoothly, and the vehicle continues to feel solid and well-built. The quality of the materials and overall construction have held up remarkably well, with minimal wear despite regular use.

Overall, the 2014 Mazda3 has been an excellent car for my wife. It combines reliability, fuel economy, enjoyable driving dynamics, and a comfortable interior in a package that continues to feel relevant years after its release. It remains a vehicle she enjoys driving and would gladly recommend to anyone looking for a dependable and engaging compact car.

I am extremely disappointed with both Mazda Australia and Mazda Melville Service. After several months of follow-ups, stress, delays, and absolutely… Read more

no accountability, the only thing I received was a repair invoice for over AUD $26,000 — for a car that is worth around AUD $20,000.

This is beyond unreasonable.

Mazda Melville Service keeps saying they are “just a franchise business” and take no real responsibility. Mazda Australia also refuses to help and simply says it is not their problem. The customer is left completely abandoned between the dealer and the manufacturer.

The most frustrating part is the complete lack of after-sales support. Once they sell the car, it feels like nobody cares anymore. No ownership, no proper customer care, and no willingness to resolve serious issues fairly.

I strongly encourage anyone considering buying a Mazda in Australia to first read the large number of customer complaints and consumer reviews online before making a decision.

My experience with Mazda has been one of the worst customer service experiences I have ever had in Australia.

A huge thank you to Mina and Ivan at Mazda Rockdale! After experiencing some initial issues with my remote key, Mina (the manager) contacted me… Read more

directly this morning to resolve it. Mina went the extra mile by sending Ivan to my home, and he fixed the key perfectly. I am so pleased with this quick and excellent outcome. Phenomenal customer care from Mina and Ivan!

Pros: Drives well, picks up speed. Good sized boot when the removable shelf is dropped. Petrol consumption is good approx 600kms to a tank. Lane… Read more

assist, blind spot are great.

Cons: If your short like me (1.51 cm) the headrest is uncomfortable as it is tilted forward and cannot be straightened (liftable in height yes, but front tilt angle changed, No). I have no support from my shoulders to the headrest which is pushing my neck forward. I've already had a chiro and osteo appointment after longer cross City drives.

For a short person, the highest seat raise is required, otherwise the side mirror units block full view of other road vehicles when looking right at lights waiting for green. I am sitting on a cushion to see over the actual side mirror unit.

There's no automatic locking system after you drive X minutes, which is disappointing. It was taken off this model. Crazy when we are living in a violent society. I am manually locking the doors by touching door switch which is very old school for 2025 car model.

My navigation system also isn't turning on automatically. I'm waiting for a Mazda software patch fix (advised as known to be problematic for some 2025 models by Head office). This is very disappointing as I purchased the car in January 2026 and was fobbed off initially with the excuse "oh, it's just this model you purchased". It's nearly May 2026 now and 4-5 months later I'm still driving around manually turning on navigation and re-doing it again after the car has been put into reverse.

To be honest this has been the biggest let down given it's my first ever experience at buying a brand new car.

Also design has only two front compartments to hide things. I don't like the middle compartment it's useless. The drink holder not too good either. I don't know where a passenger would put their hot drink in their hand easily? In comparison, my old 2011 Toyota Yaris had way better hideaway front design than this Mazda.

As a shorter female buyer/owner I'm 50/50 re this vehicle model. I wish I had looked at other brand options.

I find this Ute to have a lot of safety tec, the cruise control distance control is great, the lane keeping isn’t ideal on narrow roads bouncing… Read more

between the lines very unsafe. I fight it and it abruptly gets you off the white lines. So turning that feature off on narrow roads is a must and for avoiding pot holes. The high beam automatic sensing is always off can’t be trusted! My dual cab has fully enclosed aluminium tool box, with factory suspension would recommend an upgrade to have 300kg suspension upgrade and an extra leaf added for towing trailers. As is now very floaty and wears Tyers out quickly. Automatic gear box shutters some times when charging down in gears Ute has only done 58400kms / I get 10.5 per 100kms Ute is a diesel 4x2 dual cab. It’s used for work long trips, a lot of stop starts around town, get service done at recommend intervals, Ac is ok works best on full ball, no medium setting basically non existent. Heater is great! Easy to drive park, seats are very comfortable. controls on steering wheel useful and easy to navigate. Touch screen is hard to read and lint gets attracted to it a lot, A dial knob for the radio volume would be much better, mute bottom is quicker then pressing the volume button a million times. Overall it’s behaving its self for now hopefully nothing is wrong with the transmission as it shutters changing down gears sometimes.

After owning a BMW E39 525i for many years I was concerned about driving experience of moving to a front drive 2025 20th Anniversary Edition Mazda 6… Read more

2.5l turbo. First drive dispelled my concerns completely. The 6 is a real match with the E39 for ride, comfort and handling the steering and driving dynamics and the boot is huge. The 2.5 turbo engine is a revelation with bags of torque and more than adequate power with reasonable cruising fuel economy of better than 7l/100kms. The automatic transmission is one of the best I have ever experienced with almost imperceptible shifts and smooth power delivery and much better than most of the CVVT's out there. My purchase was based on the Japanese build quality of the Mazda (second to none), reliability, availability of parts and servicing. The interior of the 6 is spacious and a beautiful place to inhabit for long distance driving. Minor issues such as lack of traction control (careful with the throttle from a standstill on wet roads) and the age of the MZD infotainment system are minor irritations that one can live with. To borrow an old Jaguar marketing slogan "Grace, pace and space"

This is my third review on my April 2023 Mazda 2, white pure with a six speed manual with tinted windows and a few other inclusions such as LED… Read more

headlights (marvellous), lane keep assist, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert (fantastic). Ok so the plastics are scratchy and the infotainment system is small at around 8 inches but it is very clear. And cupholders in the back and centre armrest storage bin would have been nice (I fitted all of these items at much cheapter prices). However, the drive of this car is excellent, a beautiful six speed manual box that shifts precisely and a clutch that is so well matched that city driving is a breeze. Combine that with fuel economy that is consistent at around 6.5L/100kms as well as sharp handling and direct sterring and this car given its design age is truly fantastic for what it costs. However, the greatest improvement I have made to the car is the fitment of 195 instead of 185s still on the standard 15" alloy rims and what a difference. Ride is much smoother, road noise is reduced and handling in tight corners is much sharper. I throughly receomend upsizing. Overall a great car for the money, this si where the real value is, everything you need but note this car needs to be driven, you can't just lope along but as both a city and highway car it is truly fit for purpose.

I got this car last month to replace my recently bought Corolla (long story) and really like driving it. I had found the hybrid Corolla surprisingly… Read more

low on the road, and to get into, even though it was a dream to drive. Decided to go "local" for my next car and obvs wanted a higher ground clearance one...I got the Pure from Medlow Bath Mazda as it had everything I really wanted. No separate climate control, but I could live without that! It works perfectly, is very smooth and quiet on the road, the technology works well (although the voice control is not as good as Toyota's and needs a few extra commands) and is reasonable on petrol use. I had initially wanted a hybrid because they're whisper-quiet and they do double the distance before tank refill, but I since discovered that the batteries have a finite lifespan and are very costly to replace - so I was quite happy to go back to petrol! This is a perfect sized car for me, not too small and not too big. The only drawback is the low-set passenger seat, but it doesn't really affect me.

Owned for 5 months, and 10,000 kms. So far the Service was amazing from Cranbourne Mazda and the Car is amazing to drive. I drive mainly open road \… Read more

highway and the CX-60 is easy to drive . Just as easy around Melbourne city. I'm getting mid 7Ltrs per 100Kms (7.6) and getting better as the car wears in. Has an amazing interior, and the sound system has depth and quality. This really does deserve the Zoom Zoom

The perfect modern day roadster – This is Mazda’s golden child. For the past 20 years, the MX-5 has set the bar for what a sports car should be. And unlike other sports cars, it's… Read more

barely changed over that period in all the best ways. It hasn't gained weight, its wheelbase has hardly grown and it's still one of the best value sports cars you can buy today.

The MX-5 has always been more on the practical side of build quality. Everything is put together with great accuracy and a lot of plastic.

That means there aren’t any luxurious trims to be wary of when it starts to rain with the roof down, and it can weather those harsh Aussie UV rays in summer.

For $42,184 drive away, the MX-5 represents the best value for a convertible in Australia. This is the base model MX-5, and to be honest, it’s a fair price against competitors like the Toyota GT86 and Subaru BRZ.

The MX-5 is covered by a 5-year/unlimited kilometre warranty and has capped pricing for its first 5 services.

Service intervals are every 10,000km or 12 months (whichever comes first), and totals $1817 over this period.

MX-5s are notoriously reliable thanks to their simple engine design and lack of complicated parts, especially if you opt for a soft-top variant.

I’ll be honest: the MX-5’s sound system is lackluster. It does the bare minimum, but it’s not going to make you want to exclusively purchase the MX-5 for this reason.

What I was deeply impressed by was the integration of speakers behind the passenger seats. It allows you to listen to music with the roof down, and even make clear phone calls (with no complaints about wind noise from those on the other line).

Road noise is pretty obvious, but despite having a fabric roof, it’s still pretty quiet compared to the Subaru BRZ. However, passing external sounds can penetrate the interior more than a traditional coupe.

The naturally aspirated 2.0L engine doesn’t produce an addicting exhaust sound like you’d find on the likes of a Hyundai N car. Rather, it’s understated, with a deep bass and subtle overrun burbles. You could make it louder aftermarket, but I prefer the subtlety and raspiness of this engine - it reminds me of an old school Austin Healy roadster.

This car weighs just over 1,000kg, so it’s not going to take a lot to stop this thing. The brakes are quick to bite, but are easy to modulate for smooth day-to-day operation.

The MX-5 is now only available with a more powerful naturally aspirated 2.0L four-cylinder motor, producing 135kW and 205Nm!

For a car that weighs so little, this power goes a lot further than you might think.

This engine loves to rev through to redline, and it's rewarding to do so. You truly can have a lot of fun driving this car within the confines of the Sydney metropolitan area.

Even though Subaru worked hard on improving their naturally aspirated four-cylinder, this engine is just so much better. The lack of a turbo generates a more engaging drive and really suits the chassis of this car.

Not to mention, power is exclusively sent to the rear wheels, making harsh acceleration a breeze.

Outside of the Toyota GR Yaris, this is the best 6-speed manual I’ve driven this year.

The slick transition between gears was intoxicating, and clutch control came so naturally. Compared to other manuals I’ve driven, the 6-speed in here made the MX-5. I can’t imagine how the automatic would even be considered with a transmission so great.

Even in traffic and during low-speed manoeuvres, this lightweight transmission requires little effort to operate - not to mention that this is one of the lightest 6-speed manual transmissions ever built.

Mazda has a philosophy of the rider and horse as one. That’s exactly what I experienced in the MX-5. Firstly, you’re sat towards the rear wheels, with the engine and large bonnet leading the charge.

The roadster has a softly tuned suspension setup, making driving over harsh roads in such a low riding car far more bearable than a Subaru BRZ.

Once you’re hitting corners, the MX-5 comes alive. It’s reactive, predictable and playful. Steering feel is some of the best I’ve experienced ever, and allows you to read the road and tires through your fingertips.

Combining a lightweight construction, a rev-happy engine and a six-speed manual, you have the best driving experience for less than $100,000.

The lack of a turbo and the fact that it requires you to rev out this larger displacement four-cylinder means you’ll find the MX-5 to be a little thirsty on fuel.

I averaged just under 10L per 100km when driving around in the MX-5. It’s right on the money for a four-cylinder performance car. What I found obvious is that you could easily reduce that consumption figure, as long as you don’t lay into that throttle often.

This is a tiny car by modern standards. The interior is great for those who are 6’2” and smaller.

You have one of the best driving positions at your disposal, made easier to adjust to your body thanks to the inclusion of a telescopically adjustable steering wheel.

There’s a large rev counter and supplementary info in front of the driver, a basic touch screen slapped in the centre and a few buttons splashed around to control the air conditioning.

There’s nothing outstanding regarding the design, allowing you to have all the basics and simply focus on driving.

What really transforms the driving experience is the ability to quickly unlock the roof and throw it behind you at any given moment. You open up the light and remove the feeling of claustrophobia that the closed roof can bring. I certainly made the most of every clear sky that came my way.

Surprisingly, the MX-5 has been built to maximise every nook and cranny for storage and practicality. There’s a rear boot that’ll house 130L of space, a centre glove box between the drive and a tiny compartment under the driver’s elbow.

You could take a trip away in the MX-5, but you’ll need to ditch the hard shell suitcases for duffle bags and debate which pair of shoes to bring (no, you can’t bring both). But at least the MX-5’s roof doesn’t impact the boot storage at all, and when you raise it up, it provides an additional storage shelf.

Buy this thing if you love driving. That’s my reasoning to myself.

If you value the driving experience above all else, there’s a reason why the MX-5 is still regarded as the holy grail of pure sports car experience.

I love my Abarth 500, but the ND Mazda MX-5 is my next car for now. When I need to move on from my car, there’s nothing really as engaging, unique and encouraging to drive than the MX-5.

I can see clearly why it’s so revered, and it’s deserving of all of its praise. It’s so special that Mazda is carefully working on the NE generation to continue what makes the ND so great into the next generation. Sure, if you need more space, seats and features, there are other options out there. But nothing - aside from the Subaru BRZ - comes this close to a pure driving experience like this.

*Disclaimer - I work for ProductReview as their independent car and motorbike expert. I borrow new cars and motorbikes from manufacturers and owners to review. I am not paid or incentivised by these brands to post reviews. I write and create content to provide insight and information about any new or used vehicle I can get my hands on.

Phoned Mazda roadside assist with tyre failure at 2.23pm, was told RAC would come approx 90 mins.Spoke with Mazda again at 4.13pm. Rang RAC at 4.44pm… Read more

and was told 20mins to 1/2hr . RAC phoned 6.22pm, by this stage I had got family help,and had returned home. Not a good experience.

We looked around and asked for Matthew Fraser who was recommended to us. He was very polite, informative and professional. It is refreshing to… Read more

finally deal with someone that truly cares about customer service. We will definitely be collecting keys for our Mazda from Ryde soon.

Lovely looking car with lovely interiors. Nice and punchy inline 6 engine. Thats about it. If someone who is like me and is sensitive to noise,… Read more

please stay away from this car. There is a dashboard rattle for which I have made multiple trips to the dealership and it still rattles. Also the transmission is very noisy and makes weird noises during idle. Never driven a car in my entire life that makes these noises. Mazda says this transmission noise is "normal".

Steering feels very heavy at times which is good during high speeds. But during three point turns your arms get a good workout.

Suspension is not the most comfortable.

Glad this car is on novated lease. I'm sure I wont pay the residual amount to own such a poor quality car unless they fix these issues. Looks like quality control is non existent in mazda as all the loan cars that I got from dealership had rattles with less that 500km on the odo. For a 90k car we expect the best. And this is the worst!

Tried contacting Mazda Australia several times and all they do is respond with a pre made email that advise me to contact dealer. Is the dealer who designed the transmission or is it Mazda? I'm confused!!