Mazda 3 Hatchback Mild Hybrid

Drove this since 2021 (Astina trim)

Overall really happy with the experience

Likes

Drive - Drives really well for a Japanese car

Exterior Design - was and probably still is the best looking hatchback available

Interior Design - neat and premium layout

Features - tons of safety and quality of life features (blind spot, HUD, 360 camera, etc)

FC - surprisingly decent for a non-hybrid

Great materials all around

CD player goes well with BOSE sound system (though think the newer models do not have the CD player now)

Reliable - no issues whatsoever , just go for scheduled servicing

Dislikes

Engine Power - quite weak but you can tune it ofc

Rear Passenger space quite cramped

Rear View visibility (not the best)

Steering Wheel (buttons crack easily) not sure if this is something common or I am just unlucky

When I got the car back in 2021, its competitors were much further behind in terms of features hence this was an easy choice despite the slight premium in price

Now, rivals are catching up feature wise and for the price point, there are many capable competitors

Still a compelling choice

Awesome drive, beautiful workmanship, great interior and sound systems. The only thing is missing will he turbon but even without it, it's still a pleasure to drive.

Amazing car, material very quality, same feeling like conti car. Ä° guess among Asia best car made. I have Mazda 3 HB astina, mild hybrid still okay i get 18km/1L . Very sporty looks. Soft material at dashboard. Honda and Toyota should sack their designer , their car outlook very bad ugly.

Been driving M3 HB for the past few weeks. Handling of car is very good and staple. What I like the most is the Bosch with 12 Speaker it is super relaxing and chilling. When the vehicle is at high speed road noise will get very noisy but the Bosch speaker will automatically become loud so that we will not hear the road noise. Mazda 3 HB is an awesome car to drive it is equipped with blind spot monitoring, walk away auto lock, anti collision, and the car have lots of sensors. Have been driving 3 different car brands Hyundai, Mini and BMW in my opinion Mazda 3 is still the best among these few brand. Highly recommend ðŸ'

Went down to try out the Mazda 3 hatchback & sedan. The sedan was rather decent, however, road noise intrusion was rather more noticeable. Where as in the hatchback, the noise insulation was much more comprehensive and the road noise, engine noise and wind noise were more drowned out. While the sedan looks better in the rear, I do not like the front chin of the sedan. The hatchback is the opposite, while the front looks more aggressive and stylish, the rear end is rather unappealing due to the C pillar being massive and rear passenger windows being small. Looks are subjective and to each their own.

In the end, I have booked the hatchback.

The 1.5L is nothing to shout about, it does the job well and sufficiently. When you floor it, it will start to become more aggressive in noise, and due to the high compression ratio, it is a rather loud engine. To some it is nice, and to me it's rather expressive. The 6-speed automatic is very very responsive, it is adaptable to your throttle input and can put the power down.

Comfort wise, the car is taut, planted and very responsive to steering inputs, while the steering is on the firmer side, it is very direct. I've wiggled the car in the lane during the test drive, and can confirm it is very responsive. The ride quality is not crashy, but firm. However, it is the comfortable kind of firm and not the stiff and hard kind of firm.

Practicality wise, personally, I can make it work as I do not have a whole lot of stuff, and can use the boot with ease as well as fold the seats down if I needed more space.

All in all, this car is great for driving enthusiast however, it is rather lacking in the power department, personally after collecting the car and running the engine in, I will go for a stage 1 ECU remap to bring the power up to give it better response.

Love the details in the car, full leather, great design, sound awesome. No regret of having it. Well equip with technology and really pretty car. So far car has no issue from collection date till now. If you looking for safety car that look good, sound good and reliable, look no further.

Initially, we went to have a look at the Mazda 6 and CX30. When the sales introduce us to have a look at the new Mazda 3 HB. I was very impress with the sporty outlook and classy interior of the car. Go for a test drive and immediately fall in love with the car!

Was even more impress it won many awards!

The design is eye catching and daring, and the car is filled with all the bells and whistles.

However, the car screams for a more powerful engine to match its looks.

Initially, being 1.78m, felt the car to be abit squeezy but once I adjusted the drivers' seat controls, find the space to be adequate. Interior styling is luxurious.Nice Red Leather and Piano black compartments all round. Car is not I would call Zippy but for me, it's satisfactory. The 12 speaker Bose system is the best I have heard inside the car's good soundproofing. And did I mention that the doors are heavy and gives a deep thud when closed.

Mazda have outdone theirselves with the design of the Mazda 3 BP. The sexy look of the exterior along with the luxurious look of the interior makes most customers weak in their knees. The only problem here is the car price though. Making the Mz 3 a bit more expensive when compared to its Japanese counterparts.

Test drove the 1.5 Elegance Model.

Exterior Style

The latest 4th gen looks more sleek and aggressive compared to the 3rd gen. Looks wise, the car really wows looking modern and sexy. The redesigned tail lights also give it a unconventional edgy looks. The butt of the car looks a bit glaring to my liking though.

Interior

Lots of modern day niceties and well padded cabin. Technology wise, it has about everything and even the radar control which is quite unique. For me who is 180cm, the car felt a bit cramp to me and rear passenger may feel cramp for the low headroom when entering the vehicle.

The sunroof that can be opened does bring more light and airy feel to the slightly dark cabin which feel a bit cramp to me. The seats fit snugly and felt premium with the electric adjustments.

The inclusion of the rear aircon vents also make this class more upmarket compared to Japanese rivals.

Engine

The 1.5 liter picks up decently and felt comparable to my 2008 Impreza 2.0 liter. Steering wheel felt responsive and nicely planted.

Brakes wise the pedals seems mounted to the floor and lacks bite when u are tapping it lightly. You really need to depress it in to bring the vehicle to a stop.

Tech

This model has a lot of safety feature that felt premium but coming from a 0 tech car, I dont really appreciate those blind spot monitoring or lane assist which just annoying chines and alert you via the dashboard.

The dials are modern and it can feel like a lot of info is presented to you which may distract driving. The HUD for speedometer is unique and premium though. No issues of it "Wobbling" When you drive. Good thing is those tech can be turned off too.

If you are in the market and looking for your first car, than go no further. Worth every dollar. Interior looks and feels almost like German build. Try a Audi A3 and you would know how good this Mazada is in terms of quality. I'm looking for my 5th car hence, I am very fussy. What I did not like was no passenger electric seat, back LED turn signal looks very puny and aftermarket. When lead designer of Mazda was interviewed during the launch of Mazda 6 he said, moving forward all new Mazda's will have same full LED and signature design of Mazda 6 back and front lights. But I guess, it was not meant to be. I personally, like Mazda 6 turn signals. Mazda CX series even worst... All using incandescent for turn-signals. Pity. Mazda 6 feels more moving with time their turn-signals looks ascetically pleasing and commanding. Engine, I felt was rather under powered, Mazda could have introduced a turbo variant. Lastly, could have made it slightly longer or increase the wheelbase to accommodate a little breathing space for taller passengers at the rear. Though, seems slightly roomier than the previous variant but Mazda 3 can still be improved. Its definitely a better buy than an Audi A3 in view.

Its been close to a week with the Mazda HB. It is a brilliant car. If you're already dazzled by the new facelift/exterior (the headlights... Amazingly shaped bonnet and their signature lights), trust me the interior of the car will blow you away even more

I was pleasantly surprised by Mazda offerings' . It speaks volumes of what Mazda has achieved over the years. A very "Posh" Interior that screams luxury and class - amazing leather, dashboard, audio (bose) ... And the HUD on the front windscreen? You genuinely will find it hard to believe a Japanese Manufacturer's capable of similar feats

Ah, test drive it and you'll know what I mean. It boasts a very quiet drive, the istop has also noticeably became less annoying . You don't get loud crazy jerks at intersections. It is a car that drives well, looks good, feels good, just a very good job well done.

There Is little to NO hint of any cheap plastic parts. Everything feels nice, soft and in areas of the where is is supposed to.

The engine does feel slightly underpowered, but this is also subjective - can you overtake other folks on the highway? Yeah of course. But... If you're power hungry, you're probably knocking on the wrong doors with a 1.5L N.A engine. It does its job with bringing you to places but don't expect to outrun anyone by leaps and bounds at traffic lights. It runs skyactiv G so.. Fuel consumption should be the least of your concern

Otherwise, a very happy owner. Can't emphasize how great the car is, really.. Never knew I'd actually like a Mazda so much especially when I was driving a German engine prior to the change-