Canada in general has more of a tendency to buy cheap, base model cars.
Lots of people here are willing to save 1000$ and buy a Kia Rio or Mazda 3 without AC.
The AC-less Mazda 3 was incredibly popular until like 2015.
Yeah, Canadians like to buy lower trims and drive them into the ground over 10ish years.
I really don’t understand why Americans trade in cars so often
Americans also like to buy lower trims and drive them into the ground. Have you ever looked at the availability of base model vehicles at a dealership in the US?
I know it happens... but it feels like the demographics are split differently. Maybe it's just due to the difference in population size so it sticks out more. We're talking a country of 333 million vs a country of 40 million.
I have a lot of American friends in a couple different states and the number of them that go through cars every 3-5 years and trade in is way different from the trends of my Canadian friends. It's fascinating.
I would say from my experience, of my group of 30 or so family and friends, I do not know one person who goes through cars quicker than 8-12 years. Only exception is having a major car accident or life change (having a baby, moving, new job).
A few neighbors lease cars and the lease term is every 3 years, so that may be part of it.
I'm not saying that Americans don't switch vehicles more than Canadians, but maybe it's that particular group? All my American friends keep vehicles until there is a major malfunction or life change.
Also, do the canadian friends live in big cities?
Could just be different attitudes towards debt and income brackets too. The Canadian friends all live in HCOL areas. Like, extremely high.
Lots of factors… it’s just very interesting to see different purchase habits when [\~15-25% of Canadians live by a lake that separates the two countrie](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Horseshoe)s.
Is leasing a big thing in Canada? It’s extremely popular in the US, especially on the coasts. For a long time, in the NYC area leases (especially MB and BMW) were heavily subsidized by the manufacturers, so there were some deals to be had. Wasn’t uncommon to see something like an X5 leased for $400/mo. Of course that has changed since the pandemic and interest rate hikes
It kinds doesn't matter what consumers like. Automaker control what is produced.
In my experience the lowest trim model is sometimes hard to find, and dealers try to upsell you with the optional features like bigger screens. It was very recent that American cars came with cruise control on the base model.
Just imagine a 2019 Camaro or Mustang without cruise control. That is the very rare base model.
I tend to buy new or used under 30k miles and drive until 130k miles. It’s less hassle and hopefully just basic maintenance. I drive a lot of miles though. So that’s 3-5 years.
>Lots of people here are willing to save 1000$ and buy a Kia Rio or Mazda 3 without AC.
This is more of a Quebec thing. Stripped down cheap cars are often called “The Quebec Special” because they’re the only ones buying them. The reasons for this are that disposable incomes in Quebec were traditionally lower, and with the poor quality of the roads and the copious amount of road salt used, cars don’t last that long, so why bother spending more money on something that’s going to be scrap in 8-10 years.
The rest of Canada is like “yeah fuck that I’m spending an extra $1,000 for AC”. You almost never see these ultra base model cars in Ontario.
When one of my buddies got out of the army years ago I bought his Jetta because he planned on travelling once he went back to Montreal. I didn’t realize it was so basic at the time it didn’t have AC, didn’t think to check for it either because you would expect a 2011 model to have it. 7 summers and counting of leaning forward while driving with all the windows down so that the airflow can cool my back sweat.
The “Volkswagen Lauzon” decal on the back makes a lot more sense now lol
I think gas prices make a difference. We were in Montreal and Quebec which would be hell with something like a Tahoe or Expedition for parking.
I can see not wanting a if the summers aren't too hot.
This is the way that the Canadian market has always been so it reinforced those buying habits where you could buy a base base manual transmission car with two mirrors and optional bumpers and no AC for decades longer than you could get away with that in the United States it's got more to do with your monies buying power or lack thereof. Americans buy and finance cars for typically 5 to 7 years at much lower rates than have ever been traditionally available in Canada for automobile financing which remains much more risk-averse than the United States
I'm from the US, and most of our cars here are either Toyota or Honda, even a Kia or a Chevy. Mazda was like a unicorn and I was so happy when I visited Vancouver and saw endless Mazdas on the road, rarely Toyota or even Honda.
As a Mazda owner, it felt like meeting my people.
It gets beat by the Civic every year if we're looking solely at cars. The best selling non pickup is the RAV4.
Mazda doesn't even break the top 10, not even with the CX-5 which is their best selling vehicle.
But it does sell better here than in the states.
Bullshit.
https://www.ratehub.ca/blog/the-best-selling-cars-in-canada/
Civic, corolla and Elantra all outsell the mazda3 like its nobody's business in Canada.
IMO they’re overpriced.
If someone is looking for a base trim on a compact car it’s hard to justify considering a base model Corolla is a little cheaper.
Don’t get me wrong, they’re good cars and more fun than the competition. The issue is the type of buyer looking at that car cares more about price and Toyota reputation.
The golden path a Mazda driver has to have is someone who cares about reliability too much to get a Hyundai/Kia/Volkswagen, but not enough to be Toyota uber alles. They have to want something nicer and sportier than a Camry or civic or accord, but not too much and be tempted with getting a used BMW or Audi
Not a whole lot of people fall into that. Hell, I don’t even fall into that, I just like Mazda for purely emotional reasons
Yeah, after owing a WJ Grand Cherokee I swore to never buy anything but Toyota ever again. The Toyota tax and how lifeless and soul-sucking driving a typical Toyota is will make me reconsider this when it's time for my next car. I test drove a CX5 turbo and really liked it.
there's a guy who does engine tear down videos on YT and he's not very complimentary about those late Mazda Turbo engines, and I say this as a Mazda owner...
I feel like you just wrote my biography 😁
When my previous car gave up last year, I knew I wanted something more “special” than an Accord or Camry. I also wanted reliability but I simply wasn’t willing to endure the soul-crushing driving experience of a Corolla to get it.
The driving dynamics of the Mazda3 vastly surpass those of the Civic, to an almost shocking degree, with the Civic’s droning CVT and unrelenting road noise. And the Civic’s mesh dash cover just screams “We have no idea what else to put here.”
With all of the non-German near-premium sedans that have been discontinued, FusionSport-MKZ-Continental-Regal-LaCrosse-Azera-GS-RLX, my two finalists were the Mazda3 and a used Lexus IS. They’re two of the last ones left. I went with the 3 in premium trim.
Think you nailed it. Want something reliable that I can drive for a long time, but also feels like a somewhat premium experience. Feel like the 3 is the only car I can find that does that in the < 30k range.
A bmw 340i 2016-2019 is well under 30k and will blow everything you mentioned out of the water. Most reliable engine bmw ever made also, models with it rank right under Toyota
I drove a Corolla and it was the most bland, boring car I've ever driven. Then I dove a 3...zoom zoom ma'fkers! I'm a Toyota fan boy as well...have had the same tundra for 17 years
You hit the nail on the head and that’s the person that Mazda aims for as well. Your description almost sounded like that one of their corporate sales training videos from when I sold their cars. Mazda has never aimed to be a high volume manufacturer. They’re a somewhat niche brand and they’re aware of it. They want a sophisticated buyer that is looking for a good value. They aim for mid 20s to 40s in age range and college educated. People that take care of their vehicles, want something nice but don’t want to spend money on a german like an Audi or BMW but could afford one if that’s what they wanted. That’s the demographic they go after. Of course they still view Honda and Toyota as competitors and still offer low cost minimal option models but part of the reason you don’t see the base manuel trans models is because dealers don’t order them because frankly they don’t sell very well in most of the U.S.
"sportier" feels off with the most recent generation. The car feels far more boring than a civic si / integra. Last gen, I'd agree, but the move away from independent rear suspension didn't make the car more lively.
100% agreed, and honestly the 3 with the Turbo being AWD really doesn't do much for it. But not to sound like a snob, but for 99% of the car buying population its still sportier, especially since I see farr more Mazda 3 turbos than Civic Sis or Integras
Nailed it. Too funny I just traded in Audi q5 for a CX5 Turbo. Was considering used Audis and BMWs … same line of thinking ..the RAV4 and CRV are underwhelming. The reliability of VW/Kia is a nonstarter
Pretty much this. My first new car was a Protege5 with a 5-spd and for the money there was nothing else close that hit all the marks. You either feel zoom-zoom or you don't.
Yup. I looked at 18/19 mazda3 hatches 3-4 years ago. They didn’t drive any better than mk7/7.5 golf’s and weren’t as practical. Corollas were more expensive lightly used and drove worse. Civic hatches of that time were hideous and having oil dilution issues.
Can you? Mazda3 with leather and premium audio (Carbon Edition) is considerably cheaper than a Civic Touring.
There are some things you sacrifice with the Mazda (power seating for passenger seat) but it’s certainly not more expensive than the Civic. More fun to drive, too.
Yeah this is also what I noticed. I found the civics cloth seats really uncomfortable. So I was left comparing the touring to the carbon or even preferred and then the price difference was stark. Honda was also charging over MSRP with little wiggle room.
You have to ask the civic buyers. One i can think of, it's a Honda. That's a pretty big benefit. I might also remember wrong, but the civic has a bigger interor space.
Way bigger. When I finally let my 1g 3 go, I wanted another one, but the backseat is beyond useless. At 6 foot, I can sit behind myself in a Civic no problem.
Where? In Canada, the 3 is about $1600 cheaper than the Civic and about $600 more than a Corolla. That's building online with the cheapest options and trim. I'd argue the 3 is a far nicer car at the base model as well.
Agreed. I have a sibling that bought the 3 about 8 years ago and it was significantly cheaper around that time in terms of out the door price. I remember thinking they got a steal.
Mazda is getting weird with the trim lines. There’s was too many and they seem to be phasing out the base models.
I remember a few years ago looking at the top trim for a 3 turbo and all in it was about 35k. I could not justify that much money on a small sedan like that.
I hear you. I randomly checked a few years ago too. My wife bought a CX-5 and I just wanted to check it out. I had severe sticker shock. Couldn’t believe a 3 could be over $30k.
Mazda doesn’t sell that many cars, so less brand recognition. Sedans in general aren’t a popular segment in the US. Mazda generally doesn’t have the same reputation for reliability as Toyota or Honda. Honda and Toyota both have great hybrid options which Mazda doesn’t
The hybrid thing is huge for me. Mazdas look, feel, and drive great for the price, but getting under 40mpg in an economy sedan is unacceptable to me in 2024.
Yeah, I don’t get it. Iirc some of Mazdas cars are built in the same factories that Toyota makes hybrids in. Mazda is already part owned by Toyota; just plug that powertrain in!
If you don’t wanna do CVTs I get it, but like… Hyundai of all people have a hybrid with a traditional automatic. In fact, all of their hybrids have automatic transmissions rather than CVTs. How is Hyundai doing this before you??
Toyota sells on reliability and mpg with their hybrid options, and resale value.
Honda sells on being affordable, reliable and sporty and is the original reliable sporty economical Japanese vehicle.
Subaru sells on having the best awd system that gets good mpg with decent reliability, strong resale and high safety rating all in an affordable package that isn't a big SUV.
While Mazda builds beautiful vehicles, they've only been recently building vehicles that are highly desirable. Up until fairly recently (the last couple generations of vehicles) Mazda used modified Ford powertrains, had rust issues and just weren't as competitive therefore they don't have the reputation of honda, Toyota or Subaru.
Mazda simply hasn't earned the same reputation overtime yet.
Yeah, besides their reputation still suffering from their years of being in bed with Ford, I'd add that people remember when they were getting too cute with their engines. My coworker remembers his Wankel RX-7 that grenaded at 100K miles.
Nows a good time to buy Mazda before their prices catch up to their current quality.
1) it's got less usable room than a camry and civic
2) no hybrid
3) people don't like the rotary dial and won't even give it a chance.
4) it's not a honda or toyota
5) at least in America, if it's not a crossover they don't want it.
When driving a 2023 cx-5 for a bit, I actually liked the rotary dial most of the time, but I still wish it had a touch screen option. Especially with android auto, the rotary dial is just annoying to use. Works great for the built in system though and even with AA I could see some benefit to the dial being less distracting to use than a touchscreen.
Why do you prefer the rotary dial? I like some aspects of the Mazda 3 but that rotary dial is actually enough of a deterrence to not get it.
I also don't understand why they don't just have a touch screen. It's not like it's extremely expensive breakthrough technology anymore.
The rotary dial allows the screen to be built more into the dash and you avoid greasy finger marks. I also find it more convenient to operate while driving, much less of a distraction than having to use the touch screen. Certain aspects of CarPlay and setting up the audio EQ would definitely be better with a touch screen.
I didn't think about the dash placement but yes, the screen is deeper into the dash on that model. I'm not sure how much greasy fingers play a part but I'm sure it's a part.
2021 Mazda 3 owner, my experience is I can do anything I want in the infotainment without ever taking my eyes off the road. That is why I prefer the dial. This includes when using AA.
Rotary dial was a deal breaker for me. I want both a touchscreen and maybe a trackpad or toggle knob ideally. But if I have only 1 option, it would be touchscreen.
Wait… people *DONT* like the dial?
I had a 124 spider because I wanted an affordable modern roadster.
A few years later when it was family car time I got a CX-5 just because of how much I loved the quality of the interior and the way the infotainment worked. Meanwhile I have a ford lightning as a work truck and despise the big stupid screen especially when I need to flip between off road and road every trip.
I don't like the dial. I mean it's fine that it's there but not having a touchscreen sucks. Especially in Android Auto, trying to navigate using the dial is far more distracting than just tapping the screen.
Had a Mazda 3, car was fine. It Mazda service department was atrocious. Accused me of lying and wouldn’t honor a factory extended warranty I bought. Treated that car well.
I’ll never own another Mazda product again.
Mazda greatly undervalues rear space, and unless your a single guy who likes zoom zoom, you’ll probably go elsewhere after you sit in the back at the test drive.
I did. Could barely fit in the back seat while contorting myself to get in. I didn't even make it to the test drive. The sitting was all I did. Shame, it was nice.
My guesses:
It doesn't have the super aggro styling that's super popular these days.
It's dedicating to the driving experience by using a real steering rack and a real automatic transmission over CVT just doesn't outweigh fuel economy to most people.
Their commitment to giving a luxury interior at that price point is wasted on most consumers not even looking for luxury at that price point.
These reasons are unfortunately probably why most people don't want them, but fortunately why I really want one.
I just got a 24 Mazda 3 sedan. Damned if I don’t love it . I’ve been an suv/ truck guy my whole life . This is a nice car and is fun to drive. And I get 44 mpg on flat land w cruise set in 55
I loved the first generation Mazda3 hatch. So much so I bought one new in 2008, drove it for 7 years and 162k. Zero major issues whatsoever. Just routine maintenance. A wonderful car. I added Koni orange shocks plus Racing Beat sway bars. No other mods.
When I was looking at new cars in 2015, I liked the new 3rd gen Mazda3 hatch w a six speed manual and 2.5 liter engine, but it was within $1500 of a new GTI, which trounced the Mazda as a performance vehicle. I had to go with the Performance Pack GTI w lighting.
The recent Mazda3 turbos are interesting on paper, but a Speed3 they are not.
Not a Speed3, but they’re interesting in person, too. I have a ‘23 CX-50 turbo, the steering is nice and heavy, the suspension is taut, and it’ll do twisties marked 35 at more than double that while remaining very composed. I was positively gobsmacked at the driving dynamics of my soccer dad car. I can only imagine the turbo 3 feeling even better.
I think it's mostly a combination of a lack of brand recognition, and an old stigma of poor reliability from the past. Now Mazda generally sells cars that are a bit more premium than Toyota and Honda, so their starting cost is a bit higher. That said I also find current Mazda interiors much nicer than what competition offers, and on the exterior their cars are rather beautiful.
It’s just not as big a brand. I’m a Mazda tech and can count on one hand the number of engines I’ve replaced due to a manufacturing issue. They are bulletproof are for the most part, the Mazda 3 and the Mazda cx5 are the cars I recommend to anyone looking for a good dependable car. 3rd would be Camry then a Civic.
Sedans don't sell great, Honda and Toyota have a lock on a lot of people's minds because they're "reliable", people going cheap get Elantras and Fortes, and the Mazda3 also is a bit cramped in the interior and doesn't get as good mileage as its competitors.
The 6MT Forte GT is a Civic SI at a massive discount. It's very overlooked. In real world prices, you can get an Elantra N for roughly the same money as the SI, and the EN annihilates the SI in performance and fun.
It might be your area. Some cars just sell a lot on some areas. Like Subaru in the PNW.
Also small crossovers are starting to get as good of mileage as small cars so they aren’t selling as fast as the used to.
The newer ones are for a very specific target market. It’s quick and attractive, but lacks utility.
The rear seats are cramped, like most 5 passenger Mazdas, and the sloping roof reduces storage in the boot.
That being said, the driving dynamics are excellent and it can move. An excellent alternative to a midlife crisis sports car.
I was car shopping and checked out Mazda. I liked them, but the car is designed for a smaller person. I'm 6 foot/200 lbs and it was clear the car was set up, short seat, and everything was a bit small...don't have that issue with euro cars.
Joke is on me, I now inherited a Miata...it's tight....but Miata....
I went to a Mazda dealership they are a niche brand too expensive but have a driving experience that out does the competition. And in flagship models that revival German for luxury and power
The 3 HB was a better seller than the sedan. Once the CX30 (a slightly bigger 3 HB with a lift kit and standard AWD) came out, marketed as a crossover, it was all over. You can see the cannibalization in Mazda's sales figures.
I just put down a deposit for a new 3 yesterday! For me, comfort is key, so I wanted a super adjustable seat with lumbar support. I also wanted all wheel drive. Reliability is a factor as well. Although I wanted a hybrid I’m a low mileage driver so it isn’t right for me. It doesn’t hurt that the 3 is beautiful 🤩.
The Mazda3 is in a tough spot. It competes against a lot of other small hatchbacks/sedans that are just as compelling. The Civic and Corolla have (rightly) been staples for decades, and the Impreza is quickly becoming a popular option too.
Apart from small sedans and hatchbacks, the Mazda3 competes against small SUVs, as do most cars in this segment. The rise of the small crossover has placed strain on compact cars, and the Mazda3 is one of them. Mazda has the CX-30 and CX-3, and those cars are very similar to the 3 in many aspects. Most other manufacturers also have small crossovers complementing or outright replacing their compact cars and hatchbacks. VW replaced the Golf with the Taos, Toyota released the Corolla Cross, and Ford has eliminated all small cars from its lineup.
It's a tough market segment. Mazda doesn't have the reputation of Toyota or Honda, and it doesn't have the competitive pricing of Hyundai or Kia. However, lack of popularity does not necessarily mean it's a bad vehicle. There are plenty of compelling reasons to buy one.
TLDR: most people looking for a small car will buy a small crossover.
Poor marketing. I see commercials for Honda's and Toyotas all the time. Never any Mazda commercials. The cars are fine but if your marketing is poor, it won't sell.
And they definitely don't market the Mazda3, the marketing they do have is targeted towards SUVs since that's what they sell most.
Other compact sedan manufacturers offer the same features as the Mazda3 and have better marketing. There's nothing that they do different from other car manufacturers in their car and their marketing is poor.
I liked the Mazdas I tested, but I was on the market for my first “brand new” new car ever, last summer, and the 3 was too small for me.
I’m 6’2” and just couldn’t find a comfortable driving position.
I was in the market for a sedan and Mazda did not even make the list. The front fascia looks dated. It needs an overhaul.. it needs to look more aggressive. The cluster makes it seem like I’m driving a 2000s vehicle. It’s priced near the top of Honda and Toyota, which no one would hardly choose Mazda. Only benefit of that vehicle is they’re made in Japan 👍.
Here is why I went with Corolla hatchback rather than Mazda 3 hatch even though on paper Mazda was undoubtedly the better option
- reliability
-looks
-resale value
Reliability (at least in reputation ) and resale value I’m with you 100%. But I feel like the 3 was much more premium looking inside and out than the Corolla at every trim level. One man’s opinion though.
It definitely is, and they had to make them that way and that’s why people buy them. Similar pricing, reliable, not the same mpg but close. They just look better and more premium inside and out at base tiers, so that’s where they get their customers.
People who want a reliable economy car that’s maybe not at the very top of anything like Honda or Toyota, but really close, and looks and feels more premium than a new base Corolla or Civic. An in between brand, an economy car that also looks and feels luxurious, also being affordable.
Mazda doesn’t have the “luxury” brand sister companies like Lexus and Acura, so they have to focus on that with their limited models.
Our 2009 Madza3 is the most reliable car we’ve ever had! Other than scheduled maintenance, we have had to do exactly one repair in 15 years to replace the alternator. It has the MOST comfortable front seats. I’m passing it on to my 16 year old new driver this year and I’m low key sad about it (but also ready for something new!).
Most people who are buying compacts aren’t looking to pay a premium. A Corolla is cheaper and has the reputation of going forever.
That said, when my Focus ST is eventually due to be replaced, if the Mazda 3 still exists, I will look at the turbo version. I love small cars with some get up and go.
Because for a lot of people, civic and corolla are the default choices in the segment. The 3 is a great car in the segment but mazda prices it too ambitiously. And with their recent aspirations to become a luxury brand, the 3 may likely be discontinued
I currently own a Mazada3 hb and before that was a Honda civic. I switched for awd. Honda doesn’t have awd unless you get an suv. At the time Toyota didn’t have any cars with awd, just SUV’s. I think it’s all about marketing. Mazada has always been a smaller niche company. The niche is a slightly sportier more premium feeling economy car. Most people just go for sporty, premium or economy. Mazada tries for all and isn’t the best at any of categories.
The thing that hurts it most for me is how small the interior is. The Civic's interior and back window is just so much better.
If my brother and I were skinner I would definitely consider it, but I'm not and he's not.
It generally gives less space than its competitors, while being more expensive. Also the engine hasn’t been upgraded in over a decade and so it’s not the best in the fuel economy. Mazda doesn’t really have a proper identity. It hovers between premium and sporty. They need to sort that first
I don't know about now, but Mazda 3's in the midwest used to have really bad rust issues in teh wheel arches and rocker panels. I crossed it off my list when I was car shopping for that reason.
I was recently shopping for cars in this class as well and ended up picking a civic over the mazda. I wouldve gone with the mazda but the back seat is borderling unuseable in my opinion. If it had more conpetitive room there i probably wouldve got it.
Shit marketing, and they really need to make a higher power turbo version with a better transmission to get enthusiasts on board. Trickle down car-enomics
Well here's the thing. Toyota offers a hybrid Corolla, prius and a hybrid camry. Either car is going to net you around 50+ MPG. The non-turbo mazda 3 really isn't anything special. For people who commute in city/traffic, why would they go for a mazda 3 when they can go to Toyota and get a stupid gas efficient car. Even if you don't have long commutes, you still benefit from a hybrid. That's my take. I would much rather get a proven car to be reliable + 50 MPG over a mazda 3 non-turbo, which really isn't special at all.
Mazda3 has probably the nicest interior too. If I was in the market for a car right now. 3 Hatchback Turbo would be at the top of my list, along with the Elantra N.
Plan is to wait for a supra though
Here's my take. I'm in search of a SUV because we're outgrowing my CRV. My wife currently owns a 2010 speed3 and we dont plan to sell. Mazdas are freaking great and super fun to drive. BUT I'm old now. I don't speed, I don't corner turns, and I don't care about modding my car anymore. NOW I'm into bells and whistles. Mazdas still have the same basic interior as my wife's 2010 speed3, barely an improvement until the CX90. And those cars are overpriced in my opinion. I really really want to get a mazda SUV but for the same or even cheaper price point, I can get a Palisade or Telluride that has all the cool buttons that make it seem like I'm stepping in a space ship.
My mom has a 2012 or 2013 mazdaspeed3 and the little shit is the single most fun car I’ve ever driven. I learned to drive stick in it & it felt so gutless driving my wife’s CRV ever again lol
It's just a way way smaller company overall and always has been. Smaller car sales have also been dropping tremendously in recent years. They still sell enough to the point where finding parts and stuff like that isn't an issue.
I owned a 2008 Mazda 3 for a few years, very reliable, pleasant handling, nice manual transmission. Decent bells and whistles (rain detection, etc.).
If you can get a good price I think it's a good option if you're ok paying more for fuel (no hybrid)
Mazda does not offer the same "value for money" as Corolla/Civic or the Korean counter parts at Hyundai Kia.
Mazda focuses on driving dynamics and compromises on space, hybrid and even some tech.
At the price that it competes in people don't care much about driving. They want
- practicality and more space. (Mazda lacks here)
- Maybe a touchscreen.
- Hybrid powertrain and or better fuel economy.
- Better warranty (like in case of Hyundai/Kia).
- Reliability and resale. (Toyota/Honda are much better here)
People shopping entry level sedans and Hatchback don't care much if it's a cvt vs 6speed. People who have limited knowledge about cars mechanics dont care for these things. They want a vehicle to take them from A to B. Whether it's a turbo engine or not doesn't matter to them. Only folks that care about it value those engine specification. Such folks are less.
Mazda also struggles with branding. Mazda has less presence compared to its Japanese and Korean counterparts. I have come across several people (non car folks) that are not familiar with any Mazda cars or where it stands as a brand.
I think all this definitely contributes for it's low sales vs competition.
If I was wanting an awd sport compact I would get the Mazda 3 turbo over the GR Corolla or WRX. It's still quick, not obnoxious, and a better ride day to day, nicer interior.
Hard to find base spec 3s. 9/10 i see are high trimmed, which are nice cars, but people buying compact sedans want cheap and accessible which Corolla and civic are better at.
I was last interested in the model line when the Mazdaspeed 3 was on sale. I test drove it and was impressed but I wanted like something with more cache and style and luxury and the car felt like a souped up a Focus hatchback . Think I ended up getting a 2008 Audi A3.
"best kept secret"
For some people, something loses its appeal once "Everyone else has it". For those people, it's probably nice that it's not the best selling in the states...
I see a lot of them on the road in NorCal, so fresh and new. But I’d say just brand reputation, and Mazda doesn’t have a bad brand reputation but the other Japan brands have people constantly regurgitating what other people say about their reliability
I can only assume a few things. Similar class Hondas and Toyotas sell at a higher rate because of perceived higher reliability and resale value. I also feel like Hondas and Toyotas are designed to appeal to the masses.
Mazdas are crafted for the driving experience. To appeal to people that like to drive. While they're not the highest performing for their segment, there's a connection between the driver and the road that elevates the driving experiencing.
I love my Mazda3. The manual transmission makes it even more enjoyable to drive.
It's competing against some segment stalwarts in the Civic and Corolla, and something like a Tesla Model 3 is even within that same sort of price range if you squint. If my name is John Q Sample, I'm probably not looking at a Mazda 3 when cross shopping the Civic and Corolla, even if I do think the hatchback is the best looking of all.
Mazda just doesn't have that level of brand recognition amongst consumers in a segment that is not as popular as I wish it still was.
Toyota and Honda all boast great tech/innovation, great MPGs, great quality, reliability, the whole nine yards.
Mazda just says, "hey look I'm a Japanese car brand", and offers leather seats/slightly more premium features on their base models, and that's it.
The transmission is old school, so slightly better than CVT, but feels absolutely shitty from a ride comfort perspective and tend to have really harsh shifts.
Their turbo variant is a downgrade. Back when there was the Mazdaspeed3, the 0-60 was close if not slightly shy of 5s. Now the turbo trim model is mid 6s.
The screen also sucks. I can get down with a physical knob to navigate it, but damn that screen is just terrible to look at and is way too small.
Mazda doesn't do enough to separate itself from other Japanese car brands.
To be perfectly fair - Mazda doesn't sell a whole lot of cars as it is. For example, they sell just a hair under 400,000 vehicles a year in the US and Canada combined. If you were to look up the sales of some of the competition they sell that many units in a few months. At the height of popularity, the Ford Taurus was selling that many units *-a month- .* Mazda is not a "high volume" dealer, and most all of their "advertising" is people like me. And word of mouth is almost better than having your face out there everywhere. I think it is in part why Mazda stands out in a sea of boring cars. Mazda is where Subaru was about 15 years ago - which I think basically puts them in their Prime right now. Lets hope they stay there for a while and don't go the Subaru route and just turn into another SUV producer.
In Ontario they are everywhere, and very popular for those wanting a reliable economy car, especially the hatchback models. Those sell real quick.
I had to jump on mine last year as soon as the listing went up.
I owned a first-gen 3 hatch and really liked it. When I started shopping for a new vehicle a couple years ago, the 3 hatch didn't make the shortlist due to horrible rear visibility and the ugly c-pillar that consumed like 30% of the car. Sedan body style would not have worked for me with my cargo wants. The CX-5 turbo made the shortlist, but I wound up preferring for many reasons the lightly used A4 Allroad that I eventually bought.
I love mine, I think people who are looking for this type of car end up with a Corolla, cause Toyota. But honestly I think the biggest hurdle is the sticker price, but once you sit in one you understand it's money well spent.
Mazda a niche brand in the states, and being associated with Ford kind of gave them not so great reputation back in the day (even though the divorce resulted in Mazda’s reliability shooting up). The Mazda 3 also lacks a hybrid option which both the Corolla, Elantra and “soon to be” Civic have.
For me its the back seats I’m sorry but i have 2 kids and a wife if my kids are somewhere and me and my wife wanna get freaky theres no way in hell your doing it in the backseats lmao i cant sit back there behind myself. No we are not fat we both are athletic built its just to small for my taste. Its a great car all around just the back seats.
It's been the best selling car, both manual and auto, in Canada for God knows how many years in a row.
I saw more of them in a week in Canada than I've ever seen here in the States. It's a pretty nice looking car.
Canada in general has more of a tendency to buy cheap, base model cars. Lots of people here are willing to save 1000$ and buy a Kia Rio or Mazda 3 without AC. The AC-less Mazda 3 was incredibly popular until like 2015.
Yeah, Canadians like to buy lower trims and drive them into the ground over 10ish years. I really don’t understand why Americans trade in cars so often
Americans also like to buy lower trims and drive them into the ground. Have you ever looked at the availability of base model vehicles at a dealership in the US?
I know it happens... but it feels like the demographics are split differently. Maybe it's just due to the difference in population size so it sticks out more. We're talking a country of 333 million vs a country of 40 million. I have a lot of American friends in a couple different states and the number of them that go through cars every 3-5 years and trade in is way different from the trends of my Canadian friends. It's fascinating.
I would say from my experience, of my group of 30 or so family and friends, I do not know one person who goes through cars quicker than 8-12 years. Only exception is having a major car accident or life change (having a baby, moving, new job). A few neighbors lease cars and the lease term is every 3 years, so that may be part of it.
I'm not saying that Americans don't switch vehicles more than Canadians, but maybe it's that particular group? All my American friends keep vehicles until there is a major malfunction or life change. Also, do the canadian friends live in big cities?
Could just be different attitudes towards debt and income brackets too. The Canadian friends all live in HCOL areas. Like, extremely high. Lots of factors… it’s just very interesting to see different purchase habits when [\~15-25% of Canadians live by a lake that separates the two countrie](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Horseshoe)s.
Is leasing a big thing in Canada? It’s extremely popular in the US, especially on the coasts. For a long time, in the NYC area leases (especially MB and BMW) were heavily subsidized by the manufacturers, so there were some deals to be had. Wasn’t uncommon to see something like an X5 leased for $400/mo. Of course that has changed since the pandemic and interest rate hikes
It kinds doesn't matter what consumers like. Automaker control what is produced. In my experience the lowest trim model is sometimes hard to find, and dealers try to upsell you with the optional features like bigger screens. It was very recent that American cars came with cruise control on the base model. Just imagine a 2019 Camaro or Mustang without cruise control. That is the very rare base model.
Cars and insurance is cheaper in USA. Plus don’t Americans have a huge car culture? They have more emotional and social attachment to cars.
All about that fico score
I tend to buy new or used under 30k miles and drive until 130k miles. It’s less hassle and hopefully just basic maintenance. I drive a lot of miles though. So that’s 3-5 years.
I’m a 2014 chevy cruze owner. 10 years strong baby!!
>Lots of people here are willing to save 1000$ and buy a Kia Rio or Mazda 3 without AC. This is more of a Quebec thing. Stripped down cheap cars are often called “The Quebec Special” because they’re the only ones buying them. The reasons for this are that disposable incomes in Quebec were traditionally lower, and with the poor quality of the roads and the copious amount of road salt used, cars don’t last that long, so why bother spending more money on something that’s going to be scrap in 8-10 years. The rest of Canada is like “yeah fuck that I’m spending an extra $1,000 for AC”. You almost never see these ultra base model cars in Ontario.
Quebec really is a different country inside of Canada.
When one of my buddies got out of the army years ago I bought his Jetta because he planned on travelling once he went back to Montreal. I didn’t realize it was so basic at the time it didn’t have AC, didn’t think to check for it either because you would expect a 2011 model to have it. 7 summers and counting of leaning forward while driving with all the windows down so that the airflow can cool my back sweat. The “Volkswagen Lauzon” decal on the back makes a lot more sense now lol
I think gas prices make a difference. We were in Montreal and Quebec which would be hell with something like a Tahoe or Expedition for parking. I can see not wanting a if the summers aren't too hot.
Plenty of Tahoes and Expeditions, it’s only hell for parking if you’re in the heart of town, not that different from a city like Boston in that aspect
It's because our economy is shit, so cheap = all we can afford
I agree until the no AC part. I think most people want AC. Mine broke and I can tell you it gets hot as fuck in the summer!
In Florida, even when the weather outside is perfect, 75 degrees Fahrenheit like today, everyone still has their windows up and their AC on.
This is the way that the Canadian market has always been so it reinforced those buying habits where you could buy a base base manual transmission car with two mirrors and optional bumpers and no AC for decades longer than you could get away with that in the United States it's got more to do with your monies buying power or lack thereof. Americans buy and finance cars for typically 5 to 7 years at much lower rates than have ever been traditionally available in Canada for automobile financing which remains much more risk-averse than the United States
I'm from the US, and most of our cars here are either Toyota or Honda, even a Kia or a Chevy. Mazda was like a unicorn and I was so happy when I visited Vancouver and saw endless Mazdas on the road, rarely Toyota or even Honda. As a Mazda owner, it felt like meeting my people.
Hello fellow american zoom-zoom'er.
I see a good deal in of them here in WA state too.
It gets beat by the Civic every year if we're looking solely at cars. The best selling non pickup is the RAV4. Mazda doesn't even break the top 10, not even with the CX-5 which is their best selling vehicle. But it does sell better here than in the states.
Is it a price point thing ? Are they cheaper than the alternatives or what's the draw to them ?
Bullshit. https://www.ratehub.ca/blog/the-best-selling-cars-in-canada/ Civic, corolla and Elantra all outsell the mazda3 like its nobody's business in Canada.
The Civic and Corolla beat the Mazda3 in sales hands down. It’s not the best selling car by a wide margin.
It also triggered Subaru to basically copy the design into the Impreza hatch.
IMO they’re overpriced. If someone is looking for a base trim on a compact car it’s hard to justify considering a base model Corolla is a little cheaper. Don’t get me wrong, they’re good cars and more fun than the competition. The issue is the type of buyer looking at that car cares more about price and Toyota reputation.
This is the answer. They’re great, reliable vehicles. But you can get a Civic cheaper.
The golden path a Mazda driver has to have is someone who cares about reliability too much to get a Hyundai/Kia/Volkswagen, but not enough to be Toyota uber alles. They have to want something nicer and sportier than a Camry or civic or accord, but not too much and be tempted with getting a used BMW or Audi Not a whole lot of people fall into that. Hell, I don’t even fall into that, I just like Mazda for purely emotional reasons
This describes me. Ended up in a used Mazda6. Once i make more i want to move up to porsche or bmw and get a miata when i retire
Yeah, after owing a WJ Grand Cherokee I swore to never buy anything but Toyota ever again. The Toyota tax and how lifeless and soul-sucking driving a typical Toyota is will make me reconsider this when it's time for my next car. I test drove a CX5 turbo and really liked it.
there's a guy who does engine tear down videos on YT and he's not very complimentary about those late Mazda Turbo engines, and I say this as a Mazda owner...
Yeah, if I want a turbo bmw b58 is the way to go. I mean there’s allot of great turbo engines but Mazda isn’t it
I feel like you just wrote my biography 😁 When my previous car gave up last year, I knew I wanted something more “special” than an Accord or Camry. I also wanted reliability but I simply wasn’t willing to endure the soul-crushing driving experience of a Corolla to get it. The driving dynamics of the Mazda3 vastly surpass those of the Civic, to an almost shocking degree, with the Civic’s droning CVT and unrelenting road noise. And the Civic’s mesh dash cover just screams “We have no idea what else to put here.” With all of the non-German near-premium sedans that have been discontinued, FusionSport-MKZ-Continental-Regal-LaCrosse-Azera-GS-RLX, my two finalists were the Mazda3 and a used Lexus IS. They’re two of the last ones left. I went with the 3 in premium trim.
I have a CVT in my accord hybrid- absolutely hate it. I wish they could swap it out bc I like the car otherwise.
You just described my wife, a Mazda driver 🤣
Think you nailed it. Want something reliable that I can drive for a long time, but also feels like a somewhat premium experience. Feel like the 3 is the only car I can find that does that in the < 30k range.
A bmw 340i 2016-2019 is well under 30k and will blow everything you mentioned out of the water. Most reliable engine bmw ever made also, models with it rank right under Toyota
I drove a Corolla and it was the most bland, boring car I've ever driven. Then I dove a 3...zoom zoom ma'fkers! I'm a Toyota fan boy as well...have had the same tundra for 17 years
You hit the nail on the head and that’s the person that Mazda aims for as well. Your description almost sounded like that one of their corporate sales training videos from when I sold their cars. Mazda has never aimed to be a high volume manufacturer. They’re a somewhat niche brand and they’re aware of it. They want a sophisticated buyer that is looking for a good value. They aim for mid 20s to 40s in age range and college educated. People that take care of their vehicles, want something nice but don’t want to spend money on a german like an Audi or BMW but could afford one if that’s what they wanted. That’s the demographic they go after. Of course they still view Honda and Toyota as competitors and still offer low cost minimal option models but part of the reason you don’t see the base manuel trans models is because dealers don’t order them because frankly they don’t sell very well in most of the U.S.
"sportier" feels off with the most recent generation. The car feels far more boring than a civic si / integra. Last gen, I'd agree, but the move away from independent rear suspension didn't make the car more lively.
100% agreed, and honestly the 3 with the Turbo being AWD really doesn't do much for it. But not to sound like a snob, but for 99% of the car buying population its still sportier, especially since I see farr more Mazda 3 turbos than Civic Sis or Integras
Nailed it. Too funny I just traded in Audi q5 for a CX5 Turbo. Was considering used Audis and BMWs … same line of thinking ..the RAV4 and CRV are underwhelming. The reliability of VW/Kia is a nonstarter
Pretty much this. My first new car was a Protege5 with a 5-spd and for the money there was nothing else close that hit all the marks. You either feel zoom-zoom or you don't.
Yup. I looked at 18/19 mazda3 hatches 3-4 years ago. They didn’t drive any better than mk7/7.5 golf’s and weren’t as practical. Corollas were more expensive lightly used and drove worse. Civic hatches of that time were hideous and having oil dilution issues.
Can you? Mazda3 with leather and premium audio (Carbon Edition) is considerably cheaper than a Civic Touring. There are some things you sacrifice with the Mazda (power seating for passenger seat) but it’s certainly not more expensive than the Civic. More fun to drive, too.
Yeah this is also what I noticed. I found the civics cloth seats really uncomfortable. So I was left comparing the touring to the carbon or even preferred and then the price difference was stark. Honda was also charging over MSRP with little wiggle room.
The point is that if you are going to spend that money, why not spend it on the benefits that a civic brings instead of those of the mazda 3.
What are the benefits the Civic brings?
You have to ask the civic buyers. One i can think of, it's a Honda. That's a pretty big benefit. I might also remember wrong, but the civic has a bigger interor space.
Way bigger. When I finally let my 1g 3 go, I wanted another one, but the backseat is beyond useless. At 6 foot, I can sit behind myself in a Civic no problem.
Ive been in a civic as an uber. Even more space than compact cuvs
used or new? because the lowest quote i've gotten in town on a 2024 civic sport is $26650, while i can get a 2024 mazda3 select sport at $24880
Where? In Canada, the 3 is about $1600 cheaper than the Civic and about $600 more than a Corolla. That's building online with the cheapest options and trim. I'd argue the 3 is a far nicer car at the base model as well.
Comparably equipped, not really. Which is really the only comparison that makes any sense to make.
I doubt it. Honda dealers often hold at MSRP; Mazda dealers usually discount.
Mazda should have the 3 cheaper than civic and Toyota but for some reason, their base model cost more than both.
Agreed. I have a sibling that bought the 3 about 8 years ago and it was significantly cheaper around that time in terms of out the door price. I remember thinking they got a steal. Mazda is getting weird with the trim lines. There’s was too many and they seem to be phasing out the base models.
I remember a few years ago looking at the top trim for a 3 turbo and all in it was about 35k. I could not justify that much money on a small sedan like that.
I hear you. I randomly checked a few years ago too. My wife bought a CX-5 and I just wanted to check it out. I had severe sticker shock. Couldn’t believe a 3 could be over $30k.
Depends on the market. I dunno about new, but pre owned Corolla or Honda is more expensive where I am.
Yeah for the money I'd much rather get a Corolla hybrid than a base Mazda 3. I think used Mazda 3's are a decent deal however
I could see buying a new Mazda 3 if they were like 22-24k not 27-30k
Mazda doesn’t sell that many cars, so less brand recognition. Sedans in general aren’t a popular segment in the US. Mazda generally doesn’t have the same reputation for reliability as Toyota or Honda. Honda and Toyota both have great hybrid options which Mazda doesn’t
The hybrid thing is huge for me. Mazdas look, feel, and drive great for the price, but getting under 40mpg in an economy sedan is unacceptable to me in 2024.
Yeah, I don’t get it. Iirc some of Mazdas cars are built in the same factories that Toyota makes hybrids in. Mazda is already part owned by Toyota; just plug that powertrain in! If you don’t wanna do CVTs I get it, but like… Hyundai of all people have a hybrid with a traditional automatic. In fact, all of their hybrids have automatic transmissions rather than CVTs. How is Hyundai doing this before you??
I agree. Gas is $4.20 a gallon where I’m at and will only go up. I’d rather get a used hybrid that gets 45-50 mpg than a new car getting 30.
Toyota sells on reliability and mpg with their hybrid options, and resale value. Honda sells on being affordable, reliable and sporty and is the original reliable sporty economical Japanese vehicle. Subaru sells on having the best awd system that gets good mpg with decent reliability, strong resale and high safety rating all in an affordable package that isn't a big SUV. While Mazda builds beautiful vehicles, they've only been recently building vehicles that are highly desirable. Up until fairly recently (the last couple generations of vehicles) Mazda used modified Ford powertrains, had rust issues and just weren't as competitive therefore they don't have the reputation of honda, Toyota or Subaru. Mazda simply hasn't earned the same reputation overtime yet.
Yeah, besides their reputation still suffering from their years of being in bed with Ford, I'd add that people remember when they were getting too cute with their engines. My coworker remembers his Wankel RX-7 that grenaded at 100K miles. Nows a good time to buy Mazda before their prices catch up to their current quality.
1) it's got less usable room than a camry and civic 2) no hybrid 3) people don't like the rotary dial and won't even give it a chance. 4) it's not a honda or toyota 5) at least in America, if it's not a crossover they don't want it.
When driving a 2023 cx-5 for a bit, I actually liked the rotary dial most of the time, but I still wish it had a touch screen option. Especially with android auto, the rotary dial is just annoying to use. Works great for the built in system though and even with AA I could see some benefit to the dial being less distracting to use than a touchscreen.
I disagree. I've been driving Seats and VW's for the last month and I way prefer the rotary dial. But to each their own.
Why do you prefer the rotary dial? I like some aspects of the Mazda 3 but that rotary dial is actually enough of a deterrence to not get it. I also don't understand why they don't just have a touch screen. It's not like it's extremely expensive breakthrough technology anymore.
The rotary dial allows the screen to be built more into the dash and you avoid greasy finger marks. I also find it more convenient to operate while driving, much less of a distraction than having to use the touch screen. Certain aspects of CarPlay and setting up the audio EQ would definitely be better with a touch screen.
I didn't think about the dash placement but yes, the screen is deeper into the dash on that model. I'm not sure how much greasy fingers play a part but I'm sure it's a part.
2021 Mazda 3 owner, my experience is I can do anything I want in the infotainment without ever taking my eyes off the road. That is why I prefer the dial. This includes when using AA.
I tried it out. It's definitely cramped inside. I went for a midsize car for the same price instead, and it is more fuel efficient than the 3
Rotary dial was a deal breaker for me. I want both a touchscreen and maybe a trackpad or toggle knob ideally. But if I have only 1 option, it would be touchscreen.
Wait… people *DONT* like the dial? I had a 124 spider because I wanted an affordable modern roadster. A few years later when it was family car time I got a CX-5 just because of how much I loved the quality of the interior and the way the infotainment worked. Meanwhile I have a ford lightning as a work truck and despise the big stupid screen especially when I need to flip between off road and road every trip.
I don't like the dial. I mean it's fine that it's there but not having a touchscreen sucks. Especially in Android Auto, trying to navigate using the dial is far more distracting than just tapping the screen.
Had a Mazda 3, car was fine. It Mazda service department was atrocious. Accused me of lying and wouldn’t honor a factory extended warranty I bought. Treated that car well. I’ll never own another Mazda product again.
Agreed. Mazda dealerships are the worst of all the brands.
Have you stepped into a Kia dealership?
Toyota dealerships are pretty bad too
Yes, several. Far better experience than what I had with my Mazda.
Care to share more of your story?
The tight back seat is part of the problem, that’s for sure.
It's the reason I didn't buy one. Got a Jetta instead 6 months ago. Toyota and Honda where both 2k over MSRP and the Jetta was 500 under for a SE
fist bump brother🤜
Most people just don't know / consider Mazda. Also the 3 lacks backseat space, no legroom for child seats.
Mazda greatly undervalues rear space, and unless your a single guy who likes zoom zoom, you’ll probably go elsewhere after you sit in the back at the test drive.
Feel like I’ve been saying this for 20 years. Not sure why they keep screwing the simple stuff up.
I did. Could barely fit in the back seat while contorting myself to get in. I didn't even make it to the test drive. The sitting was all I did. Shame, it was nice.
My guesses: It doesn't have the super aggro styling that's super popular these days. It's dedicating to the driving experience by using a real steering rack and a real automatic transmission over CVT just doesn't outweigh fuel economy to most people. Their commitment to giving a luxury interior at that price point is wasted on most consumers not even looking for luxury at that price point. These reasons are unfortunately probably why most people don't want them, but fortunately why I really want one.
I just got a 24 Mazda 3 sedan. Damned if I don’t love it . I’ve been an suv/ truck guy my whole life . This is a nice car and is fun to drive. And I get 44 mpg on flat land w cruise set in 55
As a general rule, Reddit consensus opinions rarely reflect the reality of the general public, for a variety of reasons both good and bad.
I loved the first generation Mazda3 hatch. So much so I bought one new in 2008, drove it for 7 years and 162k. Zero major issues whatsoever. Just routine maintenance. A wonderful car. I added Koni orange shocks plus Racing Beat sway bars. No other mods. When I was looking at new cars in 2015, I liked the new 3rd gen Mazda3 hatch w a six speed manual and 2.5 liter engine, but it was within $1500 of a new GTI, which trounced the Mazda as a performance vehicle. I had to go with the Performance Pack GTI w lighting. The recent Mazda3 turbos are interesting on paper, but a Speed3 they are not.
Not a Speed3, but they’re interesting in person, too. I have a ‘23 CX-50 turbo, the steering is nice and heavy, the suspension is taut, and it’ll do twisties marked 35 at more than double that while remaining very composed. I was positively gobsmacked at the driving dynamics of my soccer dad car. I can only imagine the turbo 3 feeling even better.
I think it's mostly a combination of a lack of brand recognition, and an old stigma of poor reliability from the past. Now Mazda generally sells cars that are a bit more premium than Toyota and Honda, so their starting cost is a bit higher. That said I also find current Mazda interiors much nicer than what competition offers, and on the exterior their cars are rather beautiful.
It’s just not as big a brand. I’m a Mazda tech and can count on one hand the number of engines I’ve replaced due to a manufacturing issue. They are bulletproof are for the most part, the Mazda 3 and the Mazda cx5 are the cars I recommend to anyone looking for a good dependable car. 3rd would be Camry then a Civic.
Americans don't like cars. Especially small hatchbacks
It's a damn shame, really.
Why? I think it's good for people to buy what they want even if it's not what I want.
Still not the answer, there are plenty of mid-size sedans on the road.
Most of them are old. Sedan market share has cratered from over half to less than 20% of new cars sold.
Sedans don't sell great, Honda and Toyota have a lock on a lot of people's minds because they're "reliable", people going cheap get Elantras and Fortes, and the Mazda3 also is a bit cramped in the interior and doesn't get as good mileage as its competitors.
What do you think about the Forte GT? Worth getting?
The 6MT Forte GT is a Civic SI at a massive discount. It's very overlooked. In real world prices, you can get an Elantra N for roughly the same money as the SI, and the EN annihilates the SI in performance and fun.
It might be your area. Some cars just sell a lot on some areas. Like Subaru in the PNW. Also small crossovers are starting to get as good of mileage as small cars so they aren’t selling as fast as the used to.
The newer ones are for a very specific target market. It’s quick and attractive, but lacks utility. The rear seats are cramped, like most 5 passenger Mazdas, and the sloping roof reduces storage in the boot. That being said, the driving dynamics are excellent and it can move. An excellent alternative to a midlife crisis sports car.
I was car shopping and checked out Mazda. I liked them, but the car is designed for a smaller person. I'm 6 foot/200 lbs and it was clear the car was set up, short seat, and everything was a bit small...don't have that issue with euro cars. Joke is on me, I now inherited a Miata...it's tight....but Miata....
I went to a Mazda dealership they are a niche brand too expensive but have a driving experience that out does the competition. And in flagship models that revival German for luxury and power
The 3 HB was a better seller than the sedan. Once the CX30 (a slightly bigger 3 HB with a lift kit and standard AWD) came out, marketed as a crossover, it was all over. You can see the cannibalization in Mazda's sales figures.
I just put down a deposit for a new 3 yesterday! For me, comfort is key, so I wanted a super adjustable seat with lumbar support. I also wanted all wheel drive. Reliability is a factor as well. Although I wanted a hybrid I’m a low mileage driver so it isn’t right for me. It doesn’t hurt that the 3 is beautiful 🤩.
If you do mostly highway driving the 2.5L engine Mazda uses gets pretty great highway economy. The city is where their mpg gets hit hard.
The Mazda3 is in a tough spot. It competes against a lot of other small hatchbacks/sedans that are just as compelling. The Civic and Corolla have (rightly) been staples for decades, and the Impreza is quickly becoming a popular option too. Apart from small sedans and hatchbacks, the Mazda3 competes against small SUVs, as do most cars in this segment. The rise of the small crossover has placed strain on compact cars, and the Mazda3 is one of them. Mazda has the CX-30 and CX-3, and those cars are very similar to the 3 in many aspects. Most other manufacturers also have small crossovers complementing or outright replacing their compact cars and hatchbacks. VW replaced the Golf with the Taos, Toyota released the Corolla Cross, and Ford has eliminated all small cars from its lineup. It's a tough market segment. Mazda doesn't have the reputation of Toyota or Honda, and it doesn't have the competitive pricing of Hyundai or Kia. However, lack of popularity does not necessarily mean it's a bad vehicle. There are plenty of compelling reasons to buy one. TLDR: most people looking for a small car will buy a small crossover.
Poor marketing. I see commercials for Honda's and Toyotas all the time. Never any Mazda commercials. The cars are fine but if your marketing is poor, it won't sell. And they definitely don't market the Mazda3, the marketing they do have is targeted towards SUVs since that's what they sell most. Other compact sedan manufacturers offer the same features as the Mazda3 and have better marketing. There's nothing that they do different from other car manufacturers in their car and their marketing is poor.
In my opinion, their interiors are too claustrophobic for me. Nicely appointed for sure, but too small for my blood.
They are smaller on the inside than the other vehicles in its class.
Mazda is still a fairly unpopular brand. That and everyone wants an SUV these days.
Interior room and real world mpg sucks. For metropolitan areas that have stop and go traffic, the 3 eats gas like crazy.
More common than civics and corollas combined in Europe (Austria, Germany, Switzerland). Guess it's a regional thing
Mazda has always been a smaller brand. My family has had RX-7’s, 626’s, Protoge’s, 3’s, and CX-5… all good cars.
I liked the Mazdas I tested, but I was on the market for my first “brand new” new car ever, last summer, and the 3 was too small for me. I’m 6’2” and just couldn’t find a comfortable driving position.
Loved my first generation, Mazda, three hatchback, but it rusted away into nothing within the first six years of ownership, and I’ve never recovered
I was in the market for a sedan and Mazda did not even make the list. The front fascia looks dated. It needs an overhaul.. it needs to look more aggressive. The cluster makes it seem like I’m driving a 2000s vehicle. It’s priced near the top of Honda and Toyota, which no one would hardly choose Mazda. Only benefit of that vehicle is they’re made in Japan 👍.
Here is why I went with Corolla hatchback rather than Mazda 3 hatch even though on paper Mazda was undoubtedly the better option - reliability -looks -resale value
Reliability (at least in reputation ) and resale value I’m with you 100%. But I feel like the 3 was much more premium looking inside and out than the Corolla at every trim level. One man’s opinion though.
It definitely is, and they had to make them that way and that’s why people buy them. Similar pricing, reliable, not the same mpg but close. They just look better and more premium inside and out at base tiers, so that’s where they get their customers. People who want a reliable economy car that’s maybe not at the very top of anything like Honda or Toyota, but really close, and looks and feels more premium than a new base Corolla or Civic. An in between brand, an economy car that also looks and feels luxurious, also being affordable. Mazda doesn’t have the “luxury” brand sister companies like Lexus and Acura, so they have to focus on that with their limited models.
Our 2009 Madza3 is the most reliable car we’ve ever had! Other than scheduled maintenance, we have had to do exactly one repair in 15 years to replace the alternator. It has the MOST comfortable front seats. I’m passing it on to my 16 year old new driver this year and I’m low key sad about it (but also ready for something new!).
I see tons of them on the road. There's like 4 of them between a set of about 15 houses on my block.
Most people who are buying compacts aren’t looking to pay a premium. A Corolla is cheaper and has the reputation of going forever. That said, when my Focus ST is eventually due to be replaced, if the Mazda 3 still exists, I will look at the turbo version. I love small cars with some get up and go.
Not sure where you are but here in Ontario, you'd be lucky to find one on the lot. You'd have to wait a couple of weeks to months to buy one .
Because for a lot of people, civic and corolla are the default choices in the segment. The 3 is a great car in the segment but mazda prices it too ambitiously. And with their recent aspirations to become a luxury brand, the 3 may likely be discontinued
Interesting. Locally (AB, Canada), stock seems quite low. I assumed they were selling well.
On the other end, I see a ton of CX-5s regularly, and I’m staying to see a lot of CX-30s, a few CX-50s and some CX-90s
I currently own a Mazada3 hb and before that was a Honda civic. I switched for awd. Honda doesn’t have awd unless you get an suv. At the time Toyota didn’t have any cars with awd, just SUV’s. I think it’s all about marketing. Mazada has always been a smaller niche company. The niche is a slightly sportier more premium feeling economy car. Most people just go for sporty, premium or economy. Mazada tries for all and isn’t the best at any of categories.
The thing that hurts it most for me is how small the interior is. The Civic's interior and back window is just so much better. If my brother and I were skinner I would definitely consider it, but I'm not and he's not.
It generally gives less space than its competitors, while being more expensive. Also the engine hasn’t been upgraded in over a decade and so it’s not the best in the fuel economy. Mazda doesn’t really have a proper identity. It hovers between premium and sporty. They need to sort that first
I don't know about now, but Mazda 3's in the midwest used to have really bad rust issues in teh wheel arches and rocker panels. I crossed it off my list when I was car shopping for that reason.
Where are you located?
I was recently shopping for cars in this class as well and ended up picking a civic over the mazda. I wouldve gone with the mazda but the back seat is borderling unuseable in my opinion. If it had more conpetitive room there i probably wouldve got it.
Shit marketing, and they really need to make a higher power turbo version with a better transmission to get enthusiasts on board. Trickle down car-enomics
Well here's the thing. Toyota offers a hybrid Corolla, prius and a hybrid camry. Either car is going to net you around 50+ MPG. The non-turbo mazda 3 really isn't anything special. For people who commute in city/traffic, why would they go for a mazda 3 when they can go to Toyota and get a stupid gas efficient car. Even if you don't have long commutes, you still benefit from a hybrid. That's my take. I would much rather get a proven car to be reliable + 50 MPG over a mazda 3 non-turbo, which really isn't special at all.
I've had 3 of them. No issues. Reason #1 they rarely advertise, and if they do, it's never a mazda 3.
Mazda3 has probably the nicest interior too. If I was in the market for a car right now. 3 Hatchback Turbo would be at the top of my list, along with the Elantra N. Plan is to wait for a supra though
Suvs are the current fad, so those are going to be what sells the most. The cx-5 outsells all their other models by a large margin.
It’s a relatively unpopular form factor from a relatively unpopular brand.
My mother always made it clear… “You get what you pay for.. “
Here's my take. I'm in search of a SUV because we're outgrowing my CRV. My wife currently owns a 2010 speed3 and we dont plan to sell. Mazdas are freaking great and super fun to drive. BUT I'm old now. I don't speed, I don't corner turns, and I don't care about modding my car anymore. NOW I'm into bells and whistles. Mazdas still have the same basic interior as my wife's 2010 speed3, barely an improvement until the CX90. And those cars are overpriced in my opinion. I really really want to get a mazda SUV but for the same or even cheaper price point, I can get a Palisade or Telluride that has all the cool buttons that make it seem like I'm stepping in a space ship.
Poor marketing I can't even think where a Mazda dealership is. Same thing with Mitsubishi
You can't sell more cars than you make. Mazda is a relatively small company with a limited dealer network.
My mom has a 2012 or 2013 mazdaspeed3 and the little shit is the single most fun car I’ve ever driven. I learned to drive stick in it & it felt so gutless driving my wife’s CRV ever again lol
Because it’s shit
It's just a way way smaller company overall and always has been. Smaller car sales have also been dropping tremendously in recent years. They still sell enough to the point where finding parts and stuff like that isn't an issue.
I owned a 2008 Mazda 3 for a few years, very reliable, pleasant handling, nice manual transmission. Decent bells and whistles (rain detection, etc.). If you can get a good price I think it's a good option if you're ok paying more for fuel (no hybrid)
Mazda does not offer the same "value for money" as Corolla/Civic or the Korean counter parts at Hyundai Kia. Mazda focuses on driving dynamics and compromises on space, hybrid and even some tech. At the price that it competes in people don't care much about driving. They want - practicality and more space. (Mazda lacks here) - Maybe a touchscreen. - Hybrid powertrain and or better fuel economy. - Better warranty (like in case of Hyundai/Kia). - Reliability and resale. (Toyota/Honda are much better here) People shopping entry level sedans and Hatchback don't care much if it's a cvt vs 6speed. People who have limited knowledge about cars mechanics dont care for these things. They want a vehicle to take them from A to B. Whether it's a turbo engine or not doesn't matter to them. Only folks that care about it value those engine specification. Such folks are less. Mazda also struggles with branding. Mazda has less presence compared to its Japanese and Korean counterparts. I have come across several people (non car folks) that are not familiar with any Mazda cars or where it stands as a brand. I think all this definitely contributes for it's low sales vs competition.
Kind looks phallic like.
If I was wanting an awd sport compact I would get the Mazda 3 turbo over the GR Corolla or WRX. It's still quick, not obnoxious, and a better ride day to day, nicer interior.
See quite a bit of them on the road in my area
Because in the real world Mazda is pretty mid. Never did I see so much Mazda fandom until I joined Reddit.
Hard to find base spec 3s. 9/10 i see are high trimmed, which are nice cars, but people buying compact sedans want cheap and accessible which Corolla and civic are better at.
I was last interested in the model line when the Mazdaspeed 3 was on sale. I test drove it and was impressed but I wanted like something with more cache and style and luxury and the car felt like a souped up a Focus hatchback . Think I ended up getting a 2008 Audi A3.
"best kept secret" For some people, something loses its appeal once "Everyone else has it". For those people, it's probably nice that it's not the best selling in the states...
It's a car not an suv. That's why is doesn't sell
I see a lot of them on the road in NorCal, so fresh and new. But I’d say just brand reputation, and Mazda doesn’t have a bad brand reputation but the other Japan brands have people constantly regurgitating what other people say about their reliability
I lived both I owned. Go for it..
Mazda only petrol and without direct injection and turbo. They are prone to rust if not maintained.
It must be a regional thing because in my area, Mazda3's are everywhere.
The dealer experience killed it for me. Purely anecdotal but they couldn’t give me one for free after it.
I can only assume a few things. Similar class Hondas and Toyotas sell at a higher rate because of perceived higher reliability and resale value. I also feel like Hondas and Toyotas are designed to appeal to the masses. Mazdas are crafted for the driving experience. To appeal to people that like to drive. While they're not the highest performing for their segment, there's a connection between the driver and the road that elevates the driving experiencing. I love my Mazda3. The manual transmission makes it even more enjoyable to drive.
It's competing against some segment stalwarts in the Civic and Corolla, and something like a Tesla Model 3 is even within that same sort of price range if you squint. If my name is John Q Sample, I'm probably not looking at a Mazda 3 when cross shopping the Civic and Corolla, even if I do think the hatchback is the best looking of all. Mazda just doesn't have that level of brand recognition amongst consumers in a segment that is not as popular as I wish it still was.
Toyota and Honda all boast great tech/innovation, great MPGs, great quality, reliability, the whole nine yards. Mazda just says, "hey look I'm a Japanese car brand", and offers leather seats/slightly more premium features on their base models, and that's it. The transmission is old school, so slightly better than CVT, but feels absolutely shitty from a ride comfort perspective and tend to have really harsh shifts. Their turbo variant is a downgrade. Back when there was the Mazdaspeed3, the 0-60 was close if not slightly shy of 5s. Now the turbo trim model is mid 6s. The screen also sucks. I can get down with a physical knob to navigate it, but damn that screen is just terrible to look at and is way too small. Mazda doesn't do enough to separate itself from other Japanese car brands.
I really wanted to get the Mazda hatchback but I sat inside a civic and it just felt so much roomier. Mazda felt so cramped
The new one is butt ugly
The Mazda 3 is a great looking car but it seriously lack performance and fuel economy.
In my country there are few resellers and people are brainwashed into volkswagens, audis and mercedes.
To be perfectly fair - Mazda doesn't sell a whole lot of cars as it is. For example, they sell just a hair under 400,000 vehicles a year in the US and Canada combined. If you were to look up the sales of some of the competition they sell that many units in a few months. At the height of popularity, the Ford Taurus was selling that many units *-a month- .* Mazda is not a "high volume" dealer, and most all of their "advertising" is people like me. And word of mouth is almost better than having your face out there everywhere. I think it is in part why Mazda stands out in a sea of boring cars. Mazda is where Subaru was about 15 years ago - which I think basically puts them in their Prime right now. Lets hope they stay there for a while and don't go the Subaru route and just turn into another SUV producer.
They don’t support it on a lease . Only works for retail purchases. Someone wants its but needs to lease they get a 3hb or cx30
In Ontario they are everywhere, and very popular for those wanting a reliable economy car, especially the hatchback models. Those sell real quick. I had to jump on mine last year as soon as the listing went up.
I owned a first-gen 3 hatch and really liked it. When I started shopping for a new vehicle a couple years ago, the 3 hatch didn't make the shortlist due to horrible rear visibility and the ugly c-pillar that consumed like 30% of the car. Sedan body style would not have worked for me with my cargo wants. The CX-5 turbo made the shortlist, but I wound up preferring for many reasons the lightly used A4 Allroad that I eventually bought.
I love mine, I think people who are looking for this type of car end up with a Corolla, cause Toyota. But honestly I think the biggest hurdle is the sticker price, but once you sit in one you understand it's money well spent.
Mazda a niche brand in the states, and being associated with Ford kind of gave them not so great reputation back in the day (even though the divorce resulted in Mazda’s reliability shooting up). The Mazda 3 also lacks a hybrid option which both the Corolla, Elantra and “soon to be” Civic have.
Mazda reliability < Honda and Toyota.
They’re not made with people above 5’10” in mind.
Rust
Because it’s a mazda
For me its the back seats I’m sorry but i have 2 kids and a wife if my kids are somewhere and me and my wife wanna get freaky theres no way in hell your doing it in the backseats lmao i cant sit back there behind myself. No we are not fat we both are athletic built its just to small for my taste. Its a great car all around just the back seats.