(ENG) Mazda3 SKYACTIV-G 2.0 165KM - Test Drive and Review

[@lionelandres4232]

This review is unfair. What models are you comparing when you say "european models" ? It isn't the same price range as a BMW or an Audi or even a VW with the same equipment, not at all ! Is there a word about styling, no, a word on driving postion and ergonomy, no, a word about handling, no, oh yes a kind of complaint on steering feeling an road bumps...Light is cheap ? no it isn't necessary true, light is right, that is true ! About the infotainment system, I can't understand people crying for 6 buttons to set their favorite radios ! WTF, are you changing it every day or every week ? In most of the cars you use it once and the rest of the time is just holding dust and making the interior look complicated for nothing. Forget about your buttons !

[@MarekDrives]

I'll be doing a review of 3 FL in a couple of months. I'll address your issues then. Bear in mind this review is a couple of years old. I encourage you to watch some of my more recent work. kzbin.info/www/bejne/e3PNlZ6DjdmhsLs

[@domzbu]

Personally I think it’s great to have light rear seats, to keep the car light. I hardly ever carry lots of passengers and if I did I would buy a bigger saloon or MPV

[@DronieUp]

If you want to save time, you can just choose your radio station then hold down the favourite button (star) then it will save it.

[@MarekDrives]

+gsh0ck3d See, in a normal car you pick a number, hold it, and it saves.

[@thebunnis]

Some of the parts such as rear seats etc that seem cheap are simply chosen because they are light. Making these cars lighter makes them handle better, faster, consume less fuel, and brings cost down which lowers selling price. Adding heavier higher quality rear seats defeats these purposes. You can't have it both ways. Making things fancier makes them heavier which makes the car require more power more fuel cost more money and less nimble handling. There are sensible weight saving measures employed throughout all Skyactiv Mazdas.

[@Edvard7777]

I really don't care if the backseat is not top quality, more important that the car is reliable unlike VW.

[@bratosin1]

Mee i have a vw new beetle 2004 250k km , zero zero problems in 12 years

[@chrishuber8930]

Bobby Brian yes it's the 5 cylinder right

[@bratosin1]

Chris Huber no 4 cylinders, zero problems in 12 years , i take care , only the best oil castrol and bosch filters and the best fuel, right now i have a bmw

[@chrishuber8930]

Bobby Brian yes it's true most people don't understand how to properly take care of their car and the my blame it on the manufacturer

[@whatname6703]

Thanks for your review! Lol i brought the car because of the space it has in the back, im 6"4 and this car has the best space of all the hatchbacks. Im loving the car so far its got lots of interesting engineering. And im glad i got the leather seats haha. In my opinion its the best cheap car with premium quality

[@lenniebruce]

+Gareth Wilson 'Cheap Car' - Maybe in USA/CAN but UK/Europe the Mazda 3 is pretty pricey. For a decent/worthwhile Fastback (sedan) in Sport Nav (GT) with leather, met paint, power seats etc. is only £23,000 (joking). We do get a nice felt material fitted to the underside of the bonnet which helps probably to reduce engine noise, look better and keep the engine bay clean. N Ireland buyers get mats, mudflaps and 1 years road tax with the purchase.

[@alibaba-np6pj]

Thanks for the great reviews. I really like that you also point out the negatives and shortcommings (other reviews on youtube seem almost like commercials). Also great that you compare features to competitors in class like auris and golf.

[@darknyte0]

I can't say much for the cloth seats as I upgraded to the leather GTS model. But to save your favorite radio station all you have to do is hold onto the STAR button until you hear a beep... much easier than all the fiddling you were doing. Also to tune to the next station just hold onto forward or backwards key on the drivers control.

[@MarekDrives]

I guess Mazda wants to make my life easier whether I like it or not ;)

[@alliancemad]

I drove the 120ps version in sport spec last friday 3/1/14 and loved it but I want to try the 165ps

[@THOMASTTWYFORD]

Really enjoyed your honest and rational review of the Mazda 3!! It is refreshing to see a reviewer point out the negatives. Taking fun out of the infotainment system made me smile. I hate to see inefficient and backwards technology. THANK YOU.

[@rkrim2008]

0:28 cup holders in the engine ! lolll

[@freddykrueger5503]

This is a great review. Its giving both the pros and cons of the car. The guy is giving good critique of the car.

[@adisharoni3265]

One of the best reviews of the new 3 on KZbin. Great job, Marek.

[@zkornilakis]

It seems the headrests are an extended part of the Skyactive technologies :)

[@dleivam]

great review.... somebody commented that octavia is the best, I disagree. I bought a octavia mk3 diesel dsg 5 months ago and I had a lot of problems. the steering wheel vibrates a lot, the trunk doesnt close, and other problems

[@yamahass66]

Sell it as fast you can. My pro top tip.

[@padraigmaca]

finally .. an honest down-to-earth review ... thank !

[@ShowMeWhatINeedToKnow]

Thanks for keeping it real Marek.

[@NemanjaGrujic]

You should compare a new Honda Civic with this Mazda 3. Honda Civic have the cheapest seats upholstery material/fabric and also identical fabric you can find on the door armrest. Seats fabric on this Mazda 3 are good and durable...

[@coolpatj]

i beg to differ with the infotainment system. i was able to navigate it easily first try. my only complaint with it is that it is hard to see under direct sunlight.

[@MarekDrives]

+coolpatj Good for you. I hate it even more every time I drive a new Mazda. And sat nav is irritatingly slow. It's a problem, when you really don't know a city, and if you don't make a turn, when sat nav tells you, you end up driving for miles before you can make a u-turn. The only solution is to get HUD, which repeats directions from sat nav, and to me it is more legible.

[@MrGagason]

Hey +Marek Drives could you comment on equipment a bit more. Here in Norway Mazda doesn't seem to be offering reverse driving camera or sensors on any levels. I would definately rather have that over the anoying multimedia system.

[@MarekDrives]

MrGagason Here in Poland we get reverse parking sensors on two top spec versions (SkyEnergy and SkyPassion). Front and rear parking sensors are on top spec SkyPassion. And I agree, I'd rather have parking sensors and an ordinary radio, than Mazda Connect.

[@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?

[@mesuttasdemir4618]

2017 mazda 3 review? Is it Coming?

[@pawballer1964]

Great review, I know its old but they still can be purchased.. Do you feel that the 120hp version its too slow? 165 mandatory?

[@MarekDrivesENG]

This was so long ago. Whatever I said in the review. This is next gen 122 hp for reference: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rIq6pJxtia51ors

[@pawballer1964]

​@@MarekDrivesENG Long ago but still helps. I know there is the eSkyactive G (already saw your video), but old is cheaper hehe.. For now just checking, thanks

[@lotus956]

Turbos are not good for small engines. Mazda got this right for a while with skyactive. They even know turbos are asking for trouble.

[@raimee81]

Hi Marek, this review and your Mazda 2 review were done very far apart. The tone of your 2 review is more positive than this, what are your thoughts comparing the the two models?

[@MarekDrives]

+Raimy Mohamad They are both relatively expensive, not the biggest in their class, both handle pretty good, but both may have some quality issues as far as interior is concerned. I'm not sure I'm more positive about the 2 than about the 3. Perhaps with the 2 I already knew what to expect, and the 3 was completely new for Mazda, when it came out.

[@uhu69]

Dziekuje bro! You are as funny as hell and your review is awesome! :)

[@fahmad7194]

Mazda choosing large engines is an interesting choice. How does the natural petrol engine compares to small turbo charge engines in European rivals? in performance and efficiency (mpg)? Thanks

[@MarekDrives]

The smaller the engine, the more fuel it will use at higher speeds and under hard acceleration. Mazda took a different approach putting a bigger engine in the car, but optimising it for low fuel consumption also in the the city. It is generally easy to reach Mazda's claimed fuel figures, whereas smaller turbocharged engines of the competitors are often optimised for test conditions, and these test conditions sometimes do not reflect real life situations. Real life fuel economy may depend on where you live, and how other people drive. In Poland we generally drive a bit faster, than limits allow, we are more aggressive. In the Netherlands on the other hand people tend to stick to the limits, because there are a lot of speed cameras, and penalties are relatively high. So it's easier to get good fuel economy in the Netherlands ;)

[@fahmad7194]

Thanks for your informative reply. From my experience, I agree with you that small turbo charged units don't deliver the mpg promised

[@SupaMaoriBroNZ]

Should have had the MPS turbo engine with the body shape.

[@songklodtra]

love your review style

[@sevecc]

Can we expect the FL 2017 Mazda 3 review?

[@MarekDrives]

Was there a face lift? I must have missed that.

[@sevecc]

yes sir! :) Please try to get one for a test. All the best for the New Year BTW :)

[@mickadatwist1620]

how on earth this guy has only 1k subs?

[@MarekDrivesENG]

This channel is literally 3 days old. I moved all the reviews in English from my formerly bilingual channel (Marek Drives, 240k subs) to this one. So it's about 1k since yesterday, when I made the official announcement. I hope to get more soon. If you like what you see here, please consider subscribing, and maybe tell your friends. Cheers!

[@torkialghamdi]

are you planing a review on the new 2017 Mazda CX 9 ? thanks

[@MarekDrives]

If/when it comes to Europe.

[@MFSRV]

Have your tried the facelift? What about the 1.5 petrol 100ps?

[@MarekDrives]

No, I haven't. I guess I should. Still, infotainment remains a deal breaker.

[@Paul-wj9wg]

Hi did you do the Test Drive of Renault Captur please,thanks.

[@MarekDrives]

It's coming next Friday. Stay tuned!

[@lachaussetteorpheline]

Hello, how come the 0-100 is the same than the Civic 182hp?

[@bratosin1]

hey marek ! what is the fuel consumption l/100km ? do u like more m3 or the new astra 14. 150hp ? i.m between this 2 cars , thanks man

[@MarekDrives]

I prefer the Golf ;) If you're careful you can get 6-7 combined.

[@bratosin1]

Marek Drives thanks man

[@felixlaupc]

so Mr. Marek, what car to go for this class?

[@MarekDrives]

Bare bone Mazda3 or high-spec Opel Astra.

[@edwardmazibuko3608]

Question...in a mazda 3 like that one, where do I find the sports button ???

[@MarekDrives]

It doesn't have one.

[@kptan81]

great review.... i find it entertaining.... nevertheless I am waiting for the Mazda 3 CKD version which should be out in a month or 2 in my country, which i still think its better than toyota and honda. over and out.

[@blackcarmafia]

This or Guilietta (diesel 2.0 engine)?

[@MarekDrives]

+blackcarmafia Definitely not Giulietta.

[@blackcarmafia]

Marek Drives Why not? With 2.0 diesel (140 and 170PS), no common faults are known and mazda 150PS is cca. 3000€ more expensive here in germany I know some may like visuals and interion of mazda better, i like Alfa on that side Any other drawbacks?

[@MarekDrives]

blackcarmafia Alfa just doesn't do it for me. I like the external looks, but hate the interior. Not that I particularly like the Mazda3, but out of these two, it would be a game of which I don't like less. And I don't like Mazda3 less, than I don't like the Giulietta. It's a matter of personal preference, nothing to do with rationality.

[@forestlee8646]

He really does complain a lot 🤣

[@Pusang_cheesemosa]

Is this 2015?

[@MarekDrives]

This is European 2013 model (US would call it 2014, but spec may differ between EU and US).

[@Sejimoichiro]

Biased review, it seems.

[@yasharyashar]

Finally an unbias review

[@joaosoares3719]

*unbiased.

[@Zeonoid]

it seems to chug the driver

[@professor_baltazar]

I had a 24 hours test drive with an electric car from renualt (europian car), yes it was interesting because it was electric car, but the design is shit. Driver seat is non-adjustable. i had this feeling that I am driving a truck, so high was that. And it costs much more than this Mazda. After I tested this car, I realized that how much really I love my Mazda 3. All europian car makers are not good believe me, but I can say that all japaniese car makers are damn good.

[@nathanGr19]

nice engrish ma mans

[@professor_baltazar]

With which models are you compairing this car? First of all I have to say that Mazda is far away from the europian car makers, far ayaw ahead of them. For this price you can get a europian cars, that can just have a body and a motor to move it. With a lot of options in mazda and also the good looking exterior and interior, your review is unrealistic. We are watching these videos to get some useful points, but this video was not so.

[@adrianstavarache8009]

the Skoda Octavia the best bet

[@MokusGabor]

I was really looking into buying this car. It looked sooo great in the saloon, and everything about it was just great. Until I took it for a one hour test drive... Normaly, that should have made my decision to be definite and after returning to the dealer to clinche the deal, but NO! After I returned the key, I said well, I have to think about it again (just to be polite to them) but in reality I backed off... The wind sound at 120km/h is terrible... I drive a Ford Fiesta, and it's quiter at 160 km/h compared to Mazda 3 driving at 120 km/h! The infotainment system, most un-user-frienldy I have ver seen... There is no way (at least I couldnt find it in 60 minutes and later in the handbook) to turn off the radio! You can only mute it... Which is "OK" if you're listening to the radio, but a CD or MP3 stick will play the song after mute... The rear window is far too small, I couldn't see a thing back. Sorry Mazda. A good look and a great engine just isn't enough, and I am a Mazda fan!

[@insuranceripoff570]

Great review. Very interesting dashboard stuff.

[@JB-ki9ql]

hi marek Joseph here from Ireland great review could you tell us what would you choose for best refinement between 2016 kia ceed diesel,2016 hyundai i30 diesel and mazda 3 diesel I do a lot of motorway driving cheers keep the reviews coming

[@MarekDrives]

+the links lizard Hyundai and KIA have the same engine. I don't recall driving a diesel Mazda3.

[@JB-ki9ql]

Ok which of the two new facelift version's of the ceed and i30 would you choose for quietness and comfort on the motorway cheers marek

[@MarekDrives]

the links lizard I haven't driven the i30 in a few years, so I don't know what the FL version is like. I don't even know when it was given a face lift.

[@michal234486]

świetny angielski. gdzie się tak nauczyłeś, chyba nie w szkole?

[@MarekDrives]

Dziękuję. W szkole, w której mówiło się po angielsku.

[@lotus956]

I would gladly buy this car new today for 25k.

[@xxgg]

Mazda for to put RADIO POWER OFF BUTTON.!

[@malakispanien]

Marek, Mare:) Niezle r/v. But it's not that Mazda took as inspiration when watching a cheetah. Jesus, let's not be childish. It is designed by a former BMW designer. The exterior as well as interior, which is patently apparent and has painfully similar angles to BMW 1 series.

[@Motorshow7]

nice video #motorshow

[@mdgr8s]

Mazdacx3

[@Phillguy]

Gawd... this guy is whinny.

[@oisin_o_boyle]

Worst review so far

[@yamahass66]

Lol that quality

[@hexagonixon]

BUUTT

[@NabiLerus]

After watching carwow this is such a bad review

[@MarekDrivesENG]

Watch Mat Watson reviewing cars for Carbuyer in 2014, and tell him what you think.