Mazda 3
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Reviews
Great first car
3 BK (2004-2008)I learned to drive in one of these, and only now, a couple of years of thrashing and bad changes later, is it starting to show. Clutch, though bulletproof, is definitely showing signs of abuse according to mechanic, but thats probably my fault! However, the radio, A/C, and cruise are all perfect, and engine is fine.
It's little engine is surprisingly torquey, and has no trouble shooting you off the line. It has crazy low-end shove, but more noise definitely does not mean more power. The brakes when we bought it were horrific, but changing the
... Read more pads made an incredible difference. HOWEVER, do be aware that these are very noisy cars, especially in the high revs. The build quality and features are what you would expect from a car this old and cheap, and the ride quality and suspension could definitely use some improvement, on bouncy roads it floats all over the place, and crashes and bangs whenever a crack or pothole meets it. Many spilt coffees have worked their way into the carpets. While the clutch is pretty light and does not need a lot to chane gear, the gearstick on the other hand is far too long. 1st is in the passengers lap, and you could get them to change from 1st to 2nd to keep your hands close to you. Reverse is tricky at times, and occasionally it falls out, but this may be an age-related issue. There is no overdrive, and it really does need it. Trying to keep up on motorways at 110km/h has the thing screaming like a jet engine. Lookswise, it definitely has aged, and the plastic inside is practically impossible to clean fully with houshold materials. The interior is black as black can be, and there are hundreds of holes and gaps where things can fall. On the upside, you can fit 5 people in there semi-comfortably, and the sound system (even on one speaker) is club-worthy, with window-rattling bass if you choose the right songs. The boot is deceptively cavernous, with plenty of room in it, perfect for eskies and dog-crates.
my best friend
3 BL (2009-2013)it has been such a good car to me and still is!
will drive it till it dies
Still worth owning
BN (Hatchback) Maxx Sport (2016-2018)I have previously reviewed the 2018 Mazda 3 with the Skyactiv G 2.0 litre engine and 6 speed automatic. Now having done 60 00 km and it being our main car (it use to compete with the BL 2.5 SP25 manual) and the Mazda2 (the newer car) it now takes on the family duties. I drove this car to Dubbo recently and it performed well and the transmission worked very well and it handled all that was asked of it. The luggage space accommodated our bags and other things and the car felt far freer than it ever has.
The headlights are ordinary but an upgrade
An enjoyable car to own and drive
BP (Hatchback) G25 Astina Manual (2019-2023)The manual Mazda 3 with the 2.5 litre engine with 6 speed manual transmission is a lot of fun, and can also be reasonably economical. Mine is a 2022 model, silver in colour with the red leather trim. I purchased this after carefully considering the i30 N-line as an alternative (it is a very good car!), but went with the naturally aspirated Mazda as I'd like to keep the car for a long-time, and turbo's tend to have more issues.
Strengths:
- It handles like its on rails, with reasonably comfortable ride
- Engine performance is strong
- Fuel e
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Reimagining OEM
BN (Hatchback) Neo (2016-2018)2016 BN Mazda 3 Neo with H&R coils and 18” CX-30 rims. These cars look awesome, are built to a premium standard and are incredibly reliable.
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Forget the Golf. If you just want a nice hatch minus performance.
BP (Hatchback) G25 GT Automatic (2019-2023)Very good value for money, very good styling.
Pro's
One of the best, if not the best interior design of its class.
Excellent handing dynamics.
Good steering feedback.
2.5 Litre is very punchy, great torque off the line.
Great head lights.
Infotainment is easy to use
Transmission is smooth.
amazing car...can't believe it's Japanese not European.
BP (Sedan) G20 Touring Automatic (2019-2023)Bought a new March 23 built mazda 3 for $35k driveway incl. $1k worth accessories and 2 complimentary service total 20k kms.
Don't know I got a good deal or not but happy with the car very smooth, low noise & perfect handling...just like other Euro. cars!!
Nifty all-rounder
3 BM (2014-2015)I've had my Mazda 3 for the past 7 years, using it nearly daily. What it lacks in acceleration, it makes up in a smooth, easy ride. Some don't like the centre console but for mine, it's a great feature that makes it easy to flip between functions while keeping my eye on the road. It certainly looks a hell of a lot nicer than rival models too.
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Decent car with good interior and looks, Lacks fuel efficiency
BN (Hatchback) SP25 GT (2016-2018)This review is from Sydney urban and you can imagine the bumper to bumper traffic here.
I am currently getting upwards 9.0 L/100 KM.
You can say its a sport model and hence the less fuel efficiency, but this is not really very sporty.
Even on Sport mode, you need to floor the pedal to maximum to get the power that you need. With the 2.5L engine, I thought this would be very good to reach 60KM/Hr in seconds, but that's not the case, the transmission is very slow from lower gears to higher.
If planning to buy just as a second car that doesn't get
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Great car but has problems with the automatic transmission due to faulty TCU.
3 BL (2009-2013)Bought a Mazda 3 2010 model. Was running great till 140000ks then the AT warning light came on and the car would stall and shudder. Took it to Mazda dealership twice they could not find the problem. I looked up Mazda forums and found all Mazda3 models from 2006-2013 have a problem with Transmission Control Module failure which cause the car to stall shudder and gear to get stuck. Finally had to pay 1050 to replace the TCU. There should be a recall on these models as it is a serious safety issue.
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Think carefully before buying
BP (Sedan) G25 GT Automatic (2019-2023)* Wheels are over $1300 each to buy new.
* The key shell when dropped may fall apart. If you lose one side, such as an accidental dropping of the key, Mazda parts will sell you the single piece for around $168. (There’s no badge on that side, no electronics. It’s an almost flat piece of plastic worth a couple of dollars at best). As a cheaper option, they will offer you the accessory replacement (in silver, rose gold or fake carbon) for around $80.
*. The mirrors often don’t open (e.g 3 times out of 10) despite the dealer not being able to replicate the fault.
So despite the car being nice to drive, cheap to service, economical and good dealer relations, I would think seriously about buying another one.
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Great example of fine Japanese car industry.
3 BL (2009-2013)Brought this zippy little get around a couple of days ago. 2012 SP20 SKYACTIVE Hatch.
After my trusty Toyota Aurion finally gave out the A/C and the mechanic said a very large number, I decided it was time to upgrade. I loved my Aurion, but being a 2008 model with over 200,000KMs on it, it wasn't worth getting it fixed.
My profile is that I have a 3 y/o and a 1y/o, don't really drive very much, so needs to be safe, still need some space and good on fuel. Trying to find something within my budget and that ticked the boxes was a bit difficult
... Read more at first, then I found this beauty. While I will admit that there are cars in the same price bracket and year that are maybe more luxurious or a bit more savvy, I came back to Mazda given I owned a 1995 323 Protegé that could run off the smell of a fart, and was so reliable, it probably would've outlived me. Mazdas of this grade may not seem like much to write home about, given they are pretty basic and simple, but they are super reliable, and cheap in servicing and repairs.Find out how Mazda 3 compares to other Cars
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Melbourne to Sydney Return
BP (Sedan) G20 Pure Automatic (2019-2023)How does the MAZDA pure Vision go on a long run? Can it do a 900 km 12 hour drive?
Most car reviewers may just drive a couple of hundred kms. The Pure Vision had been driven on 100 km round trip commutes. With 5000 km on the clock how would a 3 day drive go. The first day covered 350 on M, B and C class roads including single lane bridges, single lane bitumen and gravel. The car was responsive, AC worked well and the boot space in the sedan was terrific. Plenty of room for a extra large 30 kg suitcase plus other bags, drinks and food. Braking
... Read more was responsive on gravel shoulders and uneven roads. Day 2 was 6 hrs constant driving with the last hour stop start Sydney peak hour. The i-feature worked fine. It was easy to get used to. Day 3 was a hot day. Day and night driving. The temperature gauge was steady all day. Oil check at Albury was fine. Most driving was freeway around 100 to 110 kph. Acceleration obove 80 plus was smooth and effortless. Cabin and road noise was hardly discernable. An emergency braking situation was handled without a problem. Acceleration from zero was fast and smooth witout the jolt one gets from a turbo engine. The car sat on the road well and night driving was well lit without using high beam. Yes we were tired after a full day of driving but we felt safe. Driver fatigue, blind spot, emergency braking, lane departure warning and 360 vision all worked well.Fantastic first car
3 BL (2009-2013)This car has proven itself as a long distance vehicle. Two weeks ago I drove this vehicle from Sydney to Melbourne and back. While it does not have the latest tech, it still has cruise, bluetooth and many primary safety features not yet standard on many cars in 2010. Yes a 12 year old car with a 2.5 litre 6 speed manual capable of achieving between 6 and 8 litres per 100 kms with three adults, luggage and aircon which was more than capable in keeping up with the task and never lacking in power or torque. Yes it is noisy compared to today’s cars
... Read more and the ride is harsher but not overly uncomfortable. This is not our primary car but for someone it could be a great first car. Be sure to buy one withe 2.5 L engine that is an SP25 if your budget allows.
Mazda 3 Gt sp25
BN (Hatchback) SP25 GT (2016-2018)Fantastic small car with descent power. Quality cheap car.with great specifications. The midnight blue is beautiful but shows up a lot of dirt..
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... Read more 0 Search for make, model, body type Search pricing & specs Select make 2016 Mazda 3 SP25 GT Pricing and Spec Configurations 2016 Mazda 3 Hatchback SP25 GT Select engine & transmission configuration 4cyl, 2.5L Regular Unleaded Petrol, 6 speed automatic HATCH, 5 doors, 5 seats 4cyl, 2.5L 6 speed automatic 6.1L/100km (combined) 5 star safety rating 3 years/unlimited km warranty Interested in a Mazda 3? Current Offers Check Availability Get a Quote AllianzInsurance Quote You could expect to pay $16,400 – 22,880 based on third party pricing data. View all 2016 Mazda 3 models and configurations Read our reviews of this car Features & Specifications Features Base Features Dual Front Airbag Package Anti-Lock Braking Air Conditioning Adjustable Driver Seat - Manual Automatic Stop/Start Adjustable Steering Wheel - Tilt & Telescopic Ambient Temperature Display Aux/USB Input Socket 16 Inch Alloy Wheels Body Coloured Bumpers Body Coloured Exterior Door Handles Body Coloured Exterior Mirrors Bottle Holders - Front and Rear Blind Spot Monitoring Bluetooth Connectivity City Brake Support Forward City Brake Support Rear Cruise Control Cup Holders - Front and Rear Centre Console Box - Multi-Purpose Central Locking Remote Control Child Proof Rear Door Locks Child Seat Anchor Points Child Seat - Isofix Anchorage System Cloth Trim Cross Traffic Recognition Crumple Zone Front Crumple Zone Rear Digital Audio Broadcast Radio + Dynamic Stability Control Emergency Brake Assist Electronic Brake Force Distribution Electric Power Steering Emergency Stop Signal Forward Collision Warning FOG Lights - LED Glovebox Compartment Headrests - Adjustable on All Seats Head Airbags Hill Holder Halogen Headlights High Mounted Rear Stop Light Incontrol Apps Illuminated - Entry/Exit With Delayed Fade Instrument Panel Light Dimmer Engine Immobiliser Intermittent Wipers - Rear Intermittent Wipers - Variable Luggage/Cargo Area Light(s) Leather Gear Knob Leather Hand Brake Lever Leather Steering Wheel Multi Function Control Screen Multi Function Steering Wheel MAP/Reading Lights - Front & Rear Park Assist Paddle Shifters ON Steering Wheel Power Mirrors with Folding Power Windows Rear Centre Armrest Radio Data System Remote Fuel Lid Release Roof-Mounted Rear Spoiler Reversing Camera Rear View Mirror Auto Dimming Rear Window Demister Side Airbags Satellite Navigation Seatbelts - Height Adjustable Front Seats Seatbelts - Load Limiters Front Seats Seatbelts - Lap/Sash for All Seats Seatbelts - Pre-Tensioners Front Seats Seatbelts - Reminder for All Seats Side Door Impact Beams Split Fold Rear Seat Seatback Pocket - Front Passenger Seat Sound System with 6 Speakers Sunvisors with Vanity Mirrors Steering Wheel-Mounted Audio Controls Spare Wheel - Full Size Steel Wheel Trip Computer Traction Control System Torque Vectoring BY Braking Tinted Windows Voice Recognition System Additional Features SP25 GT This Model Adaptive Front Lighting System 18 Inch Alloy Wheels Driver Awareness Alert Driver Lumbar Support Daytime Running Lights - LED Dusk Sensing Headlights Electric Parking Brake Headlights - Auto On/Off Function Heated Front Seats Keyless Entry Leather Accented Upholstery Multi Function Display Power Front Seat Driver 6 WAY Power Exterior Mirrors - Heated Rear Lights - LED Rain Sensing Wipers Sunglass Holder Sound System with 9 Speakers Premium Sound System Sunvisors with Vanity Mirrors & Illumination Traffic Sign Recognition Injection/Carburation: — Engine Capacity: 2488cc Number of cylinders: 4cyl Fuel type: Regular Unleaded Petrol Fuel tank capacity: 51L Fuel consumption: 6.1L/100km (combined) Maximum torque: 250Nm Maximum power: 138kW
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Details
| Category | Cars and Hatchbacks | Cars and Sedans | Cars and Hatchbacks | Cars and Hatchbacks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $30,380 | $37,894 | $41,499 | $28,629 |
| Transmission | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
| Drive Type | Front Wheel Drive (FWD) | Front Wheel Drive (FWD) | Front Wheel Drive (FWD) | Front Wheel Drive (FWD) |
| Fuel Type | Petrol | Petrol | Petrol | Petrol |
| Wheels | 18" Alloy | 18" Alloy | 18" Alloy | 16" Alloy |
| ANCAP Safety Rating | 5 Stars | 5 Stars | 5 Stars | 5 Stars |
| Fuel Consumption | 5.3 L/100km | 5.3 L/100km | 5.4 L/100km | 5.3 L/100km |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 51 L | 51 L | 51 L | 51 L |
| Engine | 4 Cylinder 2.0L | 4 Cylinder 2.5L | 4 Cylinder 2.5L | 4 Cylinder 2.0L |
| Max Power | 114kW @ 6000rpm | 139kW @ 6000rpm | 139kW @ 6000rpm | 114kW @ 6000rpm |
| Max Torque | 200Nm @ 4000rpm | 252Nm @ 4000 rpm | 252Nm @ 4000rpm | 200Nm @ 4000rpm |
| Country of Manufacture | Japan | Japan | Japan | Japan |
| Manufacturer Warranty | 5 year(s) | 5 year(s) | 5 year(s) | 5 year(s) |
| Release date |
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People who have had problems with their automatic transmission should submit their reviews for Mazda to take corrective action.