Likes
- Very attractive Kodo-inspired design
- Excellent interior quality, look and feel
- Very practical
- Good reputation for reliability
Used Mazda 3 (BM) review
2014 - 2019
Dislikes
- Infotainment system showing its age
- Unreliable GPS
- Excessive road and tyre noise
- Ride quality can be too firm for some
Stuff you should know
The Mazda 3 may just be the perfect blend of style with substance.
Available in two body styles across six main variants with either a 2.0-litre or 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine (a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel was available for a short period of time) with either a manual or automatic transmission, the 3 range is certainly not short of options.
But, with the Mazda 3 being consistently a high seller, a good range of variants and a mid-life update to consider, should you buy one and if so, which one should you buy?
What goes wrong
- Engine mounts can wear resulting in excessive noise and vibrations
- Rear brake calipers can have issues and may require adjustment
- Engine mounts can wear resulting in excessive noise and vibrations
- Rear brake calipers can have issues and may require adjustment
- Engine mounts can wear resulting in excessive noise and vibrations
- Rear brake calipers can have issues and may require adjustment
Should you buy it?
Yes.
This generation of Mazda 3 mixes reliability, practicality, safety and excellent driving dynamics. It then wraps those attributes in a gorgeous body shell and fills it with an interior that is not only comfortable but feels far more expensive than it is. We highly recommend the Mazda 3, find any cared-for 3 with a solid service history and you’ll have yourself an excellent car.
Yes.
This generation of Mazda 3 mixes reliability, practicality, safety and excellent driving dynamics. It then wraps those attributes in a gorgeous body shell and fills it with an interior that is not only comfortable but feels far more expensive than it is. We highly recommend the Mazda 3, find any cared-for 3 with a solid service history and you’ll have yourself an excellent car.
Should you buy it?
Yes.
This generation of Mazda 3 mixes reliability, practicality, safety and excellent driving dynamics. It then wraps those attributes in a gorgeous body shell and fills it with an interior that is not only comfortable but feels far more expensive than it is. We highly recommend the Mazda 3, find any cared-for 3 with a solid service history and you’ll have yourself an excellent car.
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Models, pricing & features
Tech specs
Body Styles
- 5 door Hatchback
- 4 door Sedan
Engine Specs
- 2.0 litre, 4-cylinder petrol, 114kW / 200Nm (Neo 2013 – 2016, Maxx 2013 – 2016, Touring 2013 – 2016)
- 2.5 litre, 4-cylinder petrol, 138kW / 250Nm (SP25 2013 – 2016, SP25 GT 2013 – 2016, SP25 Astina 2013 – 2016)
- 2.2 litre, 4-cylinder twin turbo diesel, 129kW / 420Nm (XD Astina 2014 – 2016)
Transmission
- 6-speed Manual (Neo, Maxx, Touring, SP25, SP25 GT, SP25 Astina, XD Astina)
- 6-speed Sports Automatic (Neo, Maxx, Touring, SP25, SP25 GT, SP25 Astina, XD Astina)
Fuel Consumption
- 4.7 – 7.5 / 100km (Neo, Maxx, Touring)
- 4.9 – 8.0 / 100km (SP25, SP25 GT, SP25 Astina)
- 4.6 – 6.3 / 100km (XD Astina)
Length
- 4460mm (5 door Hatchback)
- 4580mm (4 door Sedan)
Width
- 1795mm (All Models)
Height
- 1455mm – 1470mm (5 door Hatchback)
- 1455mm (4 door Sedan)
Wheelbase
- 2700mm (All Models)
Kerb Weight
- 1262kg – 1465kg (5 door Hatchback)
- 1258kg – 1368kg (4 door Sedan)
Towing
- 600kg (unbraked) – 1200kg (braked) (All Models)
Ancap Ratings
- 5 stars (Neo, Maxx, Touring, SP25, SP25 GT, SP25 Astina)
- Not tested (XD Astina)
Body Styles
- 5 door Hatchback
- 4 door Sedan
Engine Specs
- 2.0 litre, 4-cylinder petrol, 114kW / 200Nm (Neo 2013 – 2016, Maxx 2013 – 2016, Touring 2013 – 2016)
- 2.5 litre, 4-cylinder petrol, 138kW / 250Nm (SP25 2013 – 2016, SP25 GT 2013 – 2016, SP25 Astina 2013 – 2016)
- 2.2 litre, 4-cylinder twin turbo diesel, 129kW / 420Nm (XD Astina 2014 – 2016)
Transmission
- 6-speed Manual (Neo, Maxx, Touring, SP25, SP25 GT, SP25 Astina, XD Astina)
- 6-speed Sports Automatic (Neo, Maxx, Touring, SP25, SP25 GT, SP25 Astina, XD Astina)
Fuel Consumption
- 4.7 – 7.5 / 100km (Neo, Maxx, Touring)
- 4.9 – 8.0 / 100km (SP25, SP25 GT, SP25 Astina)
- 4.6 – 6.3 / 100km (XD Astina)
Length
- 4460mm (5 door Hatchback)
- 4580mm (4 door Sedan)
Width
- 1795mm (All Models)
Height
- 1455mm – 1470mm (5 door Hatchback)
- 1455mm (4 door Sedan)
Wheelbase
- 2700mm (All Models)
Kerb Weight
- 1262kg – 1465kg (5 door Hatchback)
- 1258kg – 1368kg (4 door Sedan)
Towing
- 600kg (unbraked) – 1200kg (braked) (All Models)
Ancap Ratings
- 5 stars (Neo, Maxx, Touring, SP25, SP25 GT, SP25 Astina)
- Not tested (XD Astina)
Body Styles
- 5 door Hatchback
- 4 door Sedan
Engine Specs
- 2.0 litre, 4-cylinder petrol, 114kW / 200Nm (Neo 2013 – 2016, Maxx 2013 – 2016, Touring 2013 – 2016)
- 2.5 litre, 4-cylinder petrol, 138kW / 250Nm (SP25 2013 – 2016, SP25 GT 2013 – 2016, SP25 Astina 2013 – 2016)
- 2.2 litre, 4-cylinder twin turbo diesel, 129kW / 420Nm (XD Astina 2014 – 2016)
Transmission
- 6-speed Manual (Neo, Maxx, Touring, SP25, SP25 GT, SP25 Astina, XD Astina)
- 6-speed Sports Automatic (Neo, Maxx, Touring, SP25, SP25 GT, SP25 Astina, XD Astina)
Fuel Consumption
- 4.7 – 7.5 / 100km (Neo, Maxx, Touring)
- 4.9 – 8.0 / 100km (SP25, SP25 GT, SP25 Astina)
- 4.6 – 6.3 / 100km (XD Astina)
Length
- 4460mm (5 door Hatchback)
- 4580mm (4 door Sedan)
Width
- 1795mm (All Models)
Height
- 1455mm – 1470mm (5 door Hatchback)
- 1455mm (4 door Sedan)
Wheelbase
- 2700mm (All Models)
Kerb Weight
- 1262kg – 1465kg (5 door Hatchback)
- 1258kg – 1368kg (4 door Sedan)
Towing
- 600kg (unbraked) – 1200kg (braked) (All Models)
Ancap Ratings
- 5 stars (Neo, Maxx, Touring, SP25, SP25 GT, SP25 Astina)
- Not tested (XD Astina)
Warranty & servicing
Warranty
- 3 years / unlimited km (All Models)
Servicing
- 10,000 km / 12 months (All Models)
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Disclaimer
Please note that pricing information is subject to fluctuations in the automotive market.
Information correct as of Feb 23, 2024.
The advice provided on this website is general advice only. It has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on this advice, you should consider the appropriateness of the advice, having regard to your own objectives, financial situation and needs.
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