2012 Mazda3 SkyActiv Review - Finally, a Mazda3 that's fun and fuel efficient

Finally, a Mazda3 that's fun and fuel efficient
More of an all-new engine, than an all-new model, the 2012 Mazda3 delivers high fuel economy without many of the drawbacks.
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AutoGuide reviews the latest new cars with test drives, car comparisons and shootouts plus coverage of breaking auto industry news, auto shows, rumors and spy photos. Help shop for your new car with informative car buying tips and car recall news, and be entertained with feature stories, Top 10s and car review videos.
Produced/Shot/Edited by Chris Blanchette

[@youtubehub8190]

10 years later, still using this. can't believe it has more HP than some of 2021 non-luxury cars.

[@johnforneyify]

Compared so many cars in detail. Settled on a Mazda 3 Skyactiv. No regrets. Great car.

[@Kyu7]

Bought a Mazda3 i Touring with the skyactiv engine yesterday! I LOVE THIS THING!!!!

[@craigsoares3851]

How did it hold up long term? I'm thinking of buying one

[@Dyl_Cam]

@@craigsoares3851 I have 2013 Mazda 3 skyactiv 6mt with 74k miles, nothing changed except shifter linkage cable at my own fault. My buddy has a 2012 Mazda 3 skyactiv automatic with 175k miles and has also had nothing wrong with it. These are top notch reliability

[@alshabam]

@@craigsoares3851 They are tanks. Mine was in a front end accident and was able to drive back home after. Also no issues in the years after the accident. Only do oil changes and maintenance items. Still drives smooth after 8 years. One thing you gotta watch for is the headlight housings like to fade, but a detailer can polish them every 5 years or so.

[@rpere087]

this is quickly becoming my favorite car review show

[@MrPatriot1776]

Skyactiv is really the future of fuel-sipping cars. In a couple years, Skyactiv cars will be getting MPG comparable to a Prius or other hybrid; and at the same time, Skyactiv won't have the drawback of having TWO engines, like a hybrid, that need to be maintained and cared for, or an inflated price tag like the Prius that takes a decade of gas savings to pay for itself. Mazda rocks!

[@pilotavery]

This comment aged like milk.

[@yunghernando3946]

This didn’t age super well

[@nismofury]

Fun to drive. Zippy handles extremely well. Stays flat. 40mpgs. Its not boring like all eco boxes. This is the one to get for fuel efficiency with out sacrificing the fun factor.

[@wil48823]

I love Mazda. They've always been innovative - especially when it comes to engines. They're the Japanese Saab. :-)

[@1991stratplus]

Just got a Mazda 3 skyactic today, if you have any questions. Leather and loaded except no Bose and no Nav..

[@Ieysop]

Nice overview. Excited to see Mazda's new line up over the next year.

[@1991stratplus]

My wife mostly drives the car, she is happy with it. I have a 2007 3.5, 6 speed altima with bose and it definitely is louder and sounds better. But the Mazda3 3 sound system is still pretty good.

[@guitarist1990]

@TransformingGamers It is available in manual. He was driving a manual. The short parts with the automatic gearbox was just to show it while he was talking about how much it sucks. The Mazdaspeed3 is the performance model. The Skyactiv is for fuel economy. I don't understand why you would expect it to perform so well.

[@MrCodythegreat]

you forgot its also the nicest to look at most reliable and most comfortable. we bought a 04 mazda 3 made a mistake traded for a jetta now back to the 3 truley the best of the little cars. and also i took a whole cow and pigs worth of meat in my mazda 600ish lbs and the 3 took it like a champ i had a hard time physically fitting the cow in the jetta and it drove like a tractor it was so sluggish

[@richard165s]

Guys, in Canada and the UK, it is pronounced "Maazda", while in the US, it is pronounced "Mawsda". Colum Wood is Canadian, so that is how he pronounces it.

[@zoezzzarko1117]

Does anyone know the name of this blue color?

[@Crushercurtis702]

Shut up! This guy does a great job. This is free, if you don't like it, DONT WATCH IT!

[@syyyo]

love the new models and what their doing , i will get one when why 06 hatch falls apart. The only problem is that it's gonna be a long time. love my 06. This is coming from an audi driver all my life.

[@302yt]

The only complain I have of the Mazda 3 is the road noise.... it can get quite loud at times when road surface is rough.... else I just simply love driving this beautiful car ^^

[@Matt-vw9nd]

Have a 2011 Mazda3 with the 2.5 engine. Couldn't disagree with you more. For a car that gets 40 highway, it can't be beat by other cars in its class.

[@warmoviesboy]

The 2012 Mazda 3 Syactiv is a half breed of current and new. The newer Mazda 3 and CX5 to be released in the future will show the power of the new engine along with fuel efficiency.

[@steelers4srilanka]

Excellent video

[@57ttocs]

I love this car! the bose audio is great not the best ever but still amazing i think it is worth the money. I consistantly get 32 mpg with very little highway driving on the highway i get aprox. 41 mpg which is rediculous to me. My only complaint is the automatic transmission could use some improvement.

[@Erics5th]

Thank you for saying foot-pounds of torque instead of pound-feet.

[@sonnyday6830]

I heard they have excessive road noise....is this true?

[@michaelb7862]

Do you happen to know who made the Sports Automatic Transmission for the Mazda 3 SP20 SkyActiv BL Series using Mazda SKYACTIV-G 4 Cylinder, 2.0 Litre engine? Is it a Jatco Transmission? Also, given that the SKYACTIV-G is the 1st Generation of SkyActiv have there been any teething issues with the new technology?

[@XxMusashiYamatoxX]

its is for the CX5, Mazda will progressively introduce it to the rest of their models so one day ALL Mazda cars will use the SkyActive engine

[@danielpark94]

so 28/40? would this be a better buy than the elantra considering the fact that mazdas handle so well?

[@Rich_123]

@sammyvick123 Under the 'N' there is an LED display. In auto mode it shows 'D', in manual mode it shows the gear number.

[@jigsterify]

Man we get ripped off in Australia. You guys pay $19,000 we pay $29,000. We get ripped off with everything over here, the big companies know we will pay the big bucks

[@chosuriki]

Nice, can't wait for the CX-5 with Skyactiv.

[@JackScheuermann]

"Mahsduh"

[@codypolar6593]

Yeah, that ruined an otherwise good review for me too

[@zephyr2278]

@@codypolar6593 >5 minute long informational review >one subjectively incorrect pronunciation "BAD REVIEW"

[@codypolar6593]

@@zephyr2278 Lighten up dude!

[@blackseries99]

My next car.

[@DaveHerrer]

How is the sound on it without Bose?

[@jeffjames15]

Is this somewhere in Arizona?

[@karuven]

@MrKossportapro care to share any opinions on how it feels while driving? any issues so far? i'm considering a skyactiv mazda3

[@FranzKrammer4746]

real life the old 2005 base Mazda 3 I drive gets better gas milage...I get 30 city and 37 highway near a major metropolis on regular gas... I could get 40 if I drove more conservatively cruising near the speed limit, This was the model recommended for racing purposes because of its light weight..and high stability at speed also with the raises rear spoiler

[@bubble714]

Mazda 3 and the focus are the best as of now in my opinion. I'm looking at getting a 2012 focus or Mazda 3 manual. If anyone has experience with both cars with a manual transmission lemme know your guys opinion.

[@ezrahumane]

LMAO! at 3:13 some one zoom zoomed by his slow ass and it wasnt a Mazda.

[@filoIII]

HAAA!

[@FizzyMotors]

I thought the skyactiv-G (gasoline) produced 14:1 compression ratio, instead of 12. Correct me if I'm wrong.

[@xFReSHeReST]

i got a non skyactiv with the 5 speed, and having driven the skyactiv, id say the regular 2.0 is more fun. it pulls harder and feels more natural than the skyactiv,

[@mikeh5454]

Better mileage in the sky ✌🏻

[@nrborod1]

Nice small car that needs more user-friendly seats. Drove one and liked it but for the seats.

[@FizzyMotors]

I thought the skyactiv-G (gasoline) produced 14:1 compression ratio, instead of 12. Correct me if I'm wrong. ohh....it's because it doesn't have to 4-2-1 header. Sorry.

[@19nachito87]

@avro206 i completly agree but that would make to much sense.

[@DanielKeithMorrison]

Hi US citizens but.... U ARE THE ONLY ONES WHO SAY MAZDA THE WAY YOU DO LOL LOL. So get used to it. on a side note I can go 900km on a full tank at best. 30 litres can get me 540km at best.

[@alejandrogama7956]

DanielKeithMorrison How is pronounced then? Just asking to correct myself

[@DanielKeithMorrison]

As M-As- Da not Maus.

[@alejandrogama7956]

DanielKeithMorrison alright. Got it duuuuuuuuuuude

[@steveo21882]

DanielKeithMorrison that's how I say it dough

[@ChaossX77]

So... Then we're the only ones saying it right.

[@19nachito87]

how is the lineup confusing? the civic offers like 7 models... now thats confusing

[@sammyvick123]

Why does it only say P R N not D in the guage cluster?

[@wigglepickle]

What model is this? I touring? Grand touring?

[@temeriando22]

What kind of seats were they someone know??

[@TheGrassyBatter2]

Which trim?

[@goblinninja1234]

mazda 3 2012 video uploaded in 2011 im confusioned

[@DPalms309]

What will the hi-tech 40mpg engine do to the average cost to repair said engine? Would you trust edmunds.com's reviews? anyone answer, thank you!

[@swsCHEN]

@jakewestwn I say it as Mauzda but I'm going to assume the way the Japanese say it is correct, being Matsuda, which is also the name of Mazda's founder.

[@piscataway53]

At least he's better than the Bugs Bunny guy...

[@johnnyponny4]

LOL, the non-skyactiv 5 speed only gets about 8.8 to 9.4 sec to 60 mph. The 6speed manual skyactiv gets 7.8 to 8.4 seconds to 60 mph, and faster when the engine breaks in. The gears in the skyactiv are taller than the 5 speed, so it seems like the non-skyactiv is faster, when in reality, the skyactiv kicks its ass both in performance and mileage. You just need to know how to drive the car.

[@dlizzle]

@juggernaut494 improving from 33 mpg highway to 40 mpg highway is not a small increase

[@ccolivardia]

i was paying attention to the way he talks because he was pronouncing mazda weird and i noticed, a majority of the time , when he takes a breath , he says " uh" right before he starts talking , i think thats pretty funny

[@jakel3333]

The way he says Mazda threw me off

[@TransformingGamers]

If only this was available on manual, and if there were more horsepower( i will sacrifice a few miles, since it's STILL more than a current mazda 3 without skyactiv).

[@silverbrute750]

@mnguevarra cruze eco are advertise at 42 mpg, but from driving one, i cant tell they are not even close to that, ( how can somebody think a 3600 lbs car with a 1.4L that makes 138 hp could achieve a better fuel economie than a 2012 accent ? )

[@djbrissette]

@ratpie They do have 14:1 compression... in Europe :D because in north america we have shitty fuel compared to them... I think in europe they wont go lower than like say 91 while it's supposedly high in here

[@djbrissette]

@jrhAlpha3 Yeah they will come up with the new "Kodo" design philosophy with the new CX-5, which is sexy as hell! Why didn't they apply it to the Mazda3?!?!!??!?

[@GuruMeditationError]

The non-Bose stereo is average. Passable. I don't hate it, which is the best I can say for it. Just don't crank the base - some idiot (probably the salesman) did that to mine before I bought it, and I initially thought the stereo was terrible due to horrific distortion. Glad I thought to look for that before running out to buy new speakers.

[@blane237]

@sophisticatedmav If it weren't for Transmission and Sync issues the Focus would be a very good choice as well.

[@starmlb]

@jsiszero It's a bit faster and if you care about planet earth it uses less gas? It's also a great way to get the hatchback without stepping into the 2.5 engine.

[@umalicia1]

this guy did a great review! I am looking into buying a new car (between mazda3 or ford focus) Its such a tough decision! both of these cars seem wonderful! aha

[@avro206]

Mazda has rarely had more HP then a competitor. Last gen Mazda 3 was downgraded to 156hp and is worse on fuel, slower then a 2.4L Cobalt was. Same for the last gen Mazda 6--220hp while Honda and Nissan were more. Sky Active sounds great though---put the 2.0 in the Mazda2!

[@will8677]

The engine isn't the only feature that the iTouring models have over the iSport Models. There are more than what I'm listing but these are just examples: -Alloy wheels -Cruise Control -6 speaker audio w/Bluetooth over 4 speaker -Leather accents (Steering wheel, Shifter, etc.) -On-board MPG/systems monitoring computer These alone probably won't make up the price difference for some but the extra 7-8 mpg highway average was enough for me to trade in my 2010 "3" for a skyactive.

[@Coldakin]

um i dont want a car that smiles

[@b10matt70]

It looks like something a white high school girl would drive

[@clay7182]

Its sporty to me ..although its subjective

[@Dyl_Cam]

Gotta modifyyyyy gotta modiffyyyy

[@mnguevarra]

Really 40mpg? Civic gets 39mpg. Ford Focus gets 40mpg. Hyundai Elantra at 40mpg. Chevy Cruze Eco at 42mpg.

[@simpsonfan13]

@ccolivardia have to agree. it's pronounced mahss-dah not mass-dah. overall good reviews though.

[@EriclolXD]

this is the car I want to get.. I hope the front would look like cx-5.. but after a while the smiley face is like okay with me now lol.. although at first I was like the general public & eh about it.

[@lefiusleftnut9012]

.....but he's in California doing a road test for the Canadian market.....

[@joetojoe1]

@umalicia1 same two cars that i want and dont no which one to get

[@GTS300Coupe]

All that new hyped technology and only 155hp? YAWN.

[@perfectperfecto]

I pronounce it "Mazzduh"

[@851995STARGATE]

Your goddamn right the civic has been mediocre, Honda is too scared to make changes because they don't want to lose their old customers.

[@LorianandLothric]

It’s “mawzda.” You’re pronouncing it wrong

[@SimHarrison]

He's Canadian.

[@gsrstreetracing]

3:33 manual.. 3:34 automatic.

[@sleepyvash]

i have a 2012 skyactiv mazda3 and is not noisy like a truck, i have no rattles and by the way i travel a lot in this car. i have the mt the only problem that i see in this car is the passenger space.you really have no clue of what a cheap car is. get a ford focus and then youll see what cheap sedans are.

[@djbrissette]

@juggernaut494 maybe, but you get nowhere as much fun with a kia compared to a mazda. and we still have to see how reliable they are (both mazda and kia), and from what I've heard, let's just say that kia is far from amazing at this..

[@bluetommy77]

canadian's also don't say "Paaaahhhhhh-sta" like weird americans. get over it.

[@valerious1985]

@clanna2004 lol, it's actually a Pontiac Sunfire

[@DoYouThinkForUrselF]

skyactiv not on base models.....car industry is a joke

[@rainmouse2]

I rented one of these and it was interesting

[@ljp1942]

What do you mean ?

[@lozoft9]

Mazda is to Toyota as BMW is to Mercedes.

[@techdude6693]

@rickyguti sky blue

[@kyo215]

Starting from this generation all Mazda problem are gone ppl don't really know

[@austinphelan6374]

Not to be rude but it's Maooozda. Not mAAAAAzda

[@laurenlalo153]

but really $3,000 more for the skyactiv-g umm sorry not imprese

[@adriandure4627]

Lmfao 40 mile per gallon no bro I have a sky active and it’s not even close

[@reconsilver5961]

You saying it's higher? Lower? I own this car and it varies how I drive

[@Jake940T]

4:28 Never heard an American pronounce Z as "zed" before, other than myself xD

[@nos264]

skyactiv

[@BrianCanVideo]

Step 1) Pronounce Mazda like I'm Jeremy Clarkson. Step 2) ??? Step 3) PROFIT.

[@couldntthinkofagoodnamesoi8357]

Maahhhzda 3

[@letsgonow5641]

+Couldn't think of a good name so i guess this is it He might be Canadian..apparently thats the way the pronounce up there.

[@toteminnuendo3662]

ma-z-da?

[@johnnyponny4]

The Honda civic as of late has been very mediocre. The Hyundai Elantra has very overhyped mileage, and is not as fast or as fun to drive as the Mazda 3. Fuck the Elantra, screw Honda, the Mazda 3 is better.

[@AntonioBourge]

im here in 2024 oof

[@Yourheartjustglows]

Maaaazzshda.

[@michaelcaling]

because they're BOSE. :]

[@MrCodythegreat]

they probably had a hard time finding an american who had a clue