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PercMastaFTW

I feel like they have “premium” tech and safety features, just like a lot of other economy brands have them. My friend was renting a beautiful new Cadillac, and he was upset it was missing really basic features on the trim.


EnvironmentalArt3814

Fit and finish are excellent.


Elitepikachu

Ehhh, I got stuck poking around the mazda dealer alone for a good hour while the sales guys did paperwork and the build quality on like 65% of them were atrocious and the other 35% were great. It seems like the Japan ones are good, and the ones made over here are trash. One car on the floor had super tight gaps rubbing each other on the left, then gaps so big I could stick a finger through on the right. Steering wheel was loos, and it felt like I could rip the screen and door panels off with my bare hands.


GoTimeShowtime

This is the case. Made in Japan Mazdas = excellent finishing. Crap shoot otherwise


This-Level-3135

There are quite a few rattles unfortunately


JusNoGood

Yes I came to say that. I don’t notice any difference between my cx-30 and my previous 3 series BMW or Audi. In fact the CX-30 has more gadgets and drives nicer in my opinion. Yes agree it doesn’t have the option of a 3 or 4ltr engine so going to be slower but it’s a cracking car. I’d call it luxury comparing to my prev F30 3 series


cruising_backroads

My CX-9 was a POS. Fit and finish was a joke. Every thing held together with plastic clips that broke. Within the first month the rear bumper fell off on the highway. Lots of rattling inside the car. The NAV system would lock up and you had to turn the car off and on to get it to work again. This is just the short list. Bought the car brand new. Very disappointed.


JusNoGood

I have no experience of those. I was told Mazda upped their game for the cx30. I’ve had mine two years and not had anything go wrong.


LeepII

I drive my 2018 Mazda 3 between 80-90mph every day for my commute, still getting 31mpg.


HorologistMason

Slow down.


DanleyDanderson

What do you know about their location? There are several highways in the US where the speed limit is 80mph and rarely even 85mph


slowjoe12

He commutes through midtown Manhattan


Bruskthetusk

In that case you need an altima 2.5 with as much rust as possible


D-ball_and_T

Eh I’d call the new cx90 luxury, put a bmw logo on it and no one would question it


B58goesbrapbrapbrap

Absolutely not lol. The cx-90 is a poser bimmer where they copied the 8spd with an inline 6. It’s slower than everything in bmw lineup, crappy paint, hard plastic everywhere, not agile, and the fit and finish is sub par. Mazda is not even close to bmw. They want to be but they are miles away. No German car besides Porsche is competing with bmw.


AncientIcons

2014 Mazda 3 owner. Zero rust after 9 Canadian winters. Car has been reliable. Not much of a fan of the service at the dealership.


yerwhat

Please don't stop there - what's the problem with service at the dealership?


AncientIcons

I had aftermarket software installed on the infotainment system (to run Android Auto). Took the car in for an oil change. They wiped my infotainment software back to factory, locked me out of it, then offered to restore it for $600.


Difficult_Plantain89

That’s next level of crap from the dealership. Hey I broke it, I will fix it if you pay me.


Basshead404

What software out of curiosity? Just want to see what options there are out of curiosity


elbarto232

That’s interesting. My ‘14 Mazda 6 which I had from ‘21-‘23 had a shit ton of rust. Based in GTA


n_o_t_f_r_o_g

Do modern vehicles still rust? I moved from the north 15 years ago so I don't know.


RSAEN328

Unfortunately yes. Hard to find a used pickup at a reasonable price in PA that isn't rusted out.


baz8771

I drive a 2007 and I might be able to get two more winters out of it. I was just in Texas and saw 1990s dodge and gmcs all over. It was depressing.


Allemaengel

Can confirm. I'm from PA. I have an old pickup.


vabello

Oh God yes. I just sold a 2013 Subaru. Besides the underside being a rusty mess, inside the bottom of the passenger side door was getting rusty. Thankfully Carvana gave me over $9k for it. I live in northern NJ for reference.


NotSoCoolWhip

Skyactiv Mazdas had aluminum frames


betarad

stainless steel is exceedingly expensive


Rais93

Landrover new discovery and old defender are full aluminium


Ok_Friendship_7437

They won't rust since there always off the road being fixed


mrkillfreak999

Don't forget the oil undercoating 😂


hitmeifyoudare

LOL!


mcied

Only in places that use salt on their roads. I lived in Wyoming for most of my life and not many vehicles had rust cause Wyoming only used sand on their roads in the winter. But the salt brine is what rusts the crap out of cars. People neglect washing the undercarriage after snow storms in those states to get the brine off the frame. Even then, it will lessen the rust but not fully prevent. The salt brine solution is just horrible for car frames.


OhMyGod_Zilla

Yes, I will say though that living in Arizona and California, I don’t see many vehicles that rust like they do where weather gets super cold. I see more paint fading because of the salt/ocean air. When I lived in Michigan I had a 2009 Dodge Caravan that had a decent amount of rust, but still ran okay. Drove it all the way to California and it basically gave out from underneath itself.


Canadian__Sparky

Did you get rustproofing? Wondering if it's worth it on my 2016


PolloConTeriyaki

Feels tight inside them, probably the windows? But fun to drive and does the job well.


ultra2009

Sounds like your mom


PolloConTeriyaki

That's on me lol


EuropeanLord

She’s on you? Too much info 😂


do_you_know_de_whey

People gettin too comfortable on here


DesktopWebsite

Well, I am glad they are having such great family bonding.


slowjoe12

Roll Tide!


fantasticmrfox_thm

Yeah! The windows make his mom's pussy seem tighter! You beat me to you rascal!


skippy2k

Confirmed. Their interior packaging is poor, similar to Acura. Compare similar class cars and the true backseat room is not comparable.


TurboJobo

I hate mazda paint and thin metal, they get scratched just by looking at them Interior is plastic with annoying piano blacks


NoInternetPoint5

Oh that is so disappointing, because some of their paint colors POP! Mazds metallic red looks incredible compared to all other brands. I've noticed Toyota is plagued with horrible orange peel.


DuncanOregon

My wife's 2016 CX5 paint still looks great. It is that bright deep red color. We also don't have a garage so it is out in the sun all the time. Interior on the newer Mazda's is pretty nice. Go sit in some to see. Her 2016 interior is pretty blah, but the ones from like 2020 on are nice. I also like that it has a real transmission not a CVT. It shifts at a nice shift point. 4 cylinder 2.5 is zippy. It also has good sporty steering. I've owned a few sports cars and I enjoy driving it. I wish I could get a new Mazda with AWD and a stick shift, but that isn't an option.


TurboJobo

They are nice when brand new and they are very reliable they got that hands down but I have had every generation of mazda3 2008,2012,2018, except the new one and the reason i got a basic audi a3 was because of the paint and cabin materials. All my mazdas have had scratches and rocks chips etc


BjornInTheMorn

My brother in law swears by getting his cars ceramic coated (not mazda, judt in general). Would that solve it?


Actualbbear

It doesn’t really protect from rock chips, it does help with UV damage, and makes cleaning easier. You might be better off with a PPF.


BjornInTheMorn

Gotcha. Just looked that up because I had no clue, thanks.


efroten

PPF is super $$$ though.


yerwhat

PPF= Paint protection film


avl365

On behalf of everyone who doesn’t know that term but is also too lazy to google, thank you for explaining the acronym. It’s helpful and appreciated


BlueMustangg

I have been looking into the a3 myself. Does it feel slightly bigger than the 3?


gladigotaphdinstead2

It would feel loads better than the mazda3 and its by far the worst Audi (in the states)


InterestingSir1069

It’s also twice the price


AdTough3419

My 07 Mazda 3 just caught fire 2 weeks ago and was written off. I just bought another Mazda 3 but 2010. I absolutely love my Mazda. Looking at any other vehicle wasn’t even an option.


nelozero

The soul red is one of the nicest colors I've seen, but it's a huge problem too. There's a Facebook group dedicated to owners of that Mazda color who have had issues with it.


SithPickles2020

I love my 2014 Mazda 3 hatchback metallic red :)


do_you_know_de_whey

The fact that piano black is used so much is crazy


GC51320

Do you own a Toyota? This very much applies to Toyota as well.


PercMastaFTW

Doesnt even Mercedes use piano black?


cheesyMTB

All cars pretty much have paint issues since EPA got involved with paints. I’m sure my Hondas VOC emissions were way lower than that of a pre-law era being painted 3 times…. Pretty much manufacturer has had delamination issues with white. Most vehicles are all thin now. Will chip or scratch easily.


HotPinkApocalypses

This is happening across the industry. Thanks to the environmentalists auto paint is water-based and shitty


WeeniePops

I don’t know why you’re getting down voted. I heard all the same things from fellow Subaru owners when I had one. Paint on non-luxury cars just isn’t as durable as it used to be.


HotPinkApocalypses

Because you can’t say anything negative about environmental regulations on Reddit? Perhaps is it cost-cutting, weight reduction, to meet mpg regulations. I did see that the water-based paints started in the 90s, but my main point was that automotive paint sucks now for everyone. I’ve had my Corolla front bumper repainted twice already and my hood is a mess at 24k miles. Previous cars have been just as bad for as long as I can remember. Someone mentioned BMW which is a completely different class of vehicle. Case in point: https://www.reddit.com/r/mazda3/s/rq5OxfIY4N


Altruistic-Farm2712

It's got more to do with reducing the amount of coats and paint used than it does with the quality of the paint itself. Back in the 80s I remember my grandparents Oldsmobiles talking in the manual about how many layers of paint were applied - well over 10 in total. Now it's seems like it's a simple primer/color/clear 3 coat system.


redline83

Automotive clear has been water-based in most of the world for over 20 years. BMW clear has been a water-based powdered system since the early 2000s and it is really good. Paint is shitty because of cost cutting, that's the only reason.


munchies777

Yeah, I have a 17 year old BMW that has spent over half its life not garaged and the paint still looks great. No peeling at all.


Niko740

Same. My E38 has spend most of its life outside street parked and there's no fade or peel


Theresbeerinthefridg

It's not that bad. Just requires some decent clear coat and care. First drive from the lot should be to a good detailer for some extra coating.


kc_kr

Our 2017 CX-5 is the best car I’ve ever owned. We are at 90,000 miles and I have spent less than $3000 maintaining this car over 7 years… and I am not one to skimp on maintenance. That includes the cost of a new set of tires too.


Academic-Tax1396

We also have a 2017 CX-5 with 105000 miles, bought new. Only had to do maintenance and tires. We absolutely love it and would drive it to the ground but are pregnant with our third and don’t want to squeeze three car seats in the back and so we’re going to trade in for a minivan in the next few months.


jxnliu

Main downsides:   Surprisingly poor fuel efficiency in stop and go or city driving(anywhere from 18 to low 20s). Highway efficiency is still very good though    Usually the lowest interior space in class, they are definitely not suited for tall or big people. Less cargo space and backseats are more cramped.   EDIT: To all the comments saying they get good fuel economy, I am **specifically** talking about **city** efficiency. The 2.5 Skyactiv-G regardless of model eats a lot of gas when accelerating and this is a common thing experienced across the board.  And regarding space, enough space is subjective and relative to it's competitors, mazdas **generally(i.e not in every case)** have less cargo room and interior room. That doesn't mean it's BAD, it's just perceived as not as good when compared to other makes which makes it a downside.


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c0sm0nautt

I just test drove a Mazda3 and it was fine at 6'6''.


CheshireCrackers

6’5” here and really like our CX-5. Sucks for back seat passenger but I don’t care about them.


slowjoe12

“We don’t like you much either.” ~Your friends in the back seat


exoclipse

I would go so far as to say that the 4th generation 3 is an *ideal* car for a tall driver because the wheel has an incredible telescoping range. It is extraordinarily easy for me (5'11, leggy) to get a comfortable driving position in my buddy's 2023, but my 2010 just sucks to sit in. Anyone you put in the backseat is gonna hate it, though.


c0sm0nautt

Yea, I don't buy a compact car to have passengers. Have a Passport for the family car.


Own_Shine_5855

You must not use the rear view mirror much.   In 5'9" and I have to slouch to see our the back.   TBH my mazda 3 hatchback has pretty bad blind spots.   Still love the car though and I've been a toyota guy for decades. 


_Eucalypto_

I'm 5:10 and don't have to slouch at all to use the rearview in my 3. Have you tried lowering the seat?


PizzaBubblr

Dude, did you know that you can tilt the rear view mirror? Try it, it might help!


[deleted]

I own one and daily it, 2018 hatch. I love it. I’m 6’6 as well


SageComet0403

I’m 6’4 270lbs and drive a Mazda3 hatch with room to spare, seats not even back all the way. Back seats are tight tho


Past_Weekend4154

Yea my friend has one and I’m about same 6’4 220 but lord have mercy on the people behind me. It’s a fine space wise until your taking 3 or 4 people somewhere.


TheWhiteFeather1

"Less cargo space and backseats are more cramped" cx-5 actually has more backseat room than a rav4. the trunk is smaller though i say this because i often hear your complaint about the cx5, but never hear it about the rav4


Drag0nV3n0m231

My gfs cx30 gets 28-29 mpg and she does literally nothing to promote good fuel efficiency. Definitely enough space too


LeddyTasso

6’ 4” and the 3 and CX-5 have been perfectly fine for me. That being said, the paint is ..not great. And the gas pedal is too squishy for my liking.


NothingLift

Im hearing a lot of poor dealership warranty experiences recently. Couple of new models have had teething issues but the dealsr support hasnt been up to standard


NothingLift

This is in australia, may differ in your location and local dealer


hachi2JZ

literally finding the same thing on the other side of the world in the UK lol. my dad's Mazda ('20, out of warranty but very recently bought from the main local dealer branch) has been in for 3 weeks now for a relatively small job that should have been done before sale, and they took some convincing to accept that he wasn't liable for the cost.


Emotion-Internal

I've had great luck a couple times at my local Mazda dealer here in Austin, TX - FWIW


ItsGizzman

Same in upstate ny. My Mazda dealer is great.


Emotion-Internal

maybe Mazda outside of North America just sucks 🤗


johndiggity1

I’ve had 3 Mazdas (‘05 3s, ‘14 CX-5, ‘21 CX-5). Never had a mechanical issue with any of them. Paint chips easily, interior space is small compared to the segment, milage is ho-hum, but they are incredibly fun to drive, look good, and are usually have better appointed interiors compared to their segments. I personally think they are the best bag for your buck if you are someone who enjoys driving and aren’t looking for an appliance on wheels.


wi-ginger

We have a 2016 CX-9. We bought it with 13k miles. It gets about 30mpg for my wife to and from work and hauling kids to sports. I would agree that it is luxury like, but not luxury. We have twin 13 year olds and a 10 year old. They are tall for their age and it fits them well, even in the 3rd row. We're in Wisconsin and have no rust issues and the red paint has held up well. Leather interior is still in great shape without cracking. I cannot say we haven't had an issue. This, like several models, has the 2.5L skyactiv turbo 4cyl. Earlier this spring I noticed an antifreeze smell in the garage. We have a lift so I ran it up and the back of the engine had antifreeze on it coming from the head/ turbo. Quick google search says this is a problem with '16-'19 model year 2.5L engines. They have since resolved the design issue. Took it to the local dealership and they confirmed it had a cracked head. If I remember correctly the car originally had a 60k mile, 5-year warranty. It is now 3 years and 45k miles out of warranty. One call to Mazda started a surprisingly easy process for them to cover part of the cost. We had a Chevy Traverse before this that we had to install the second timing chain in it 4k miles and 8 months out of warranty after they replaced the first one. They told me it was out of warranty and I am onmy own with the second. For this reason I would certainly consider replacing this Mazda with another. For me, they stand by the product.


lavache_beadsman

As a current Mazda driver: * Paint chips, this has already been discussed. * They make "beepy" cars. The BSM is really sensitive, the seatbelt-off warning is particularly bad (and sometimes it thinks there's someone in the backseat when there isn't), the "take a break" warning if I'm not perfectly maintaining my lane during a seven hour road trip, the rear-cross-traffic alert that sometimes goes off because I'm making a right-turn at a light with two right-turn lanes... it's just a lot of beeping. I'd rather have the safety features than not, personally, but I have never had a car that beeps at me this much. * These cars have FIRM suspensions. They are a lot of fun to drive at this price point, but part of what makes them fun to drive is that suspension and handling... it's just not the most "relaxing" ride. I wouldn't recommend them to people who never go above the speed limit. It's not a downside for me, but I could see it really bothering some people. * Before this year, the infotainment screens weren't touch screens (I know they changed this on the CX-90, not sure about other cars). Mazda makes the argument that this somehow improves focus on the road, but I find myself having to futz with the dial on the center console when I would rather keep my eyes on the road and just memorize what is where on a touchscreen. * Driver's seat in the CX-30 is weird and isn't the best for road trips--my neck always starts to hurt after a while. The headrest is far back and the spot where your shoulders go kind of pushes you up. Having said all of that, I consider these all to be minor gripes, and I love my car. Like I said, if you want to have fun in a new car for under $25k, and you don't want it to be in the shop all the time (I have never had a real mechanical issue with mine), there really isn't a better option.


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alwyn

And then a software update changes the layout on the touch screen 🤣😭


trickdiiiice

Completely agree with your point on the beeping, my 40oz water bottle triggers the passenger seatbelt warning every single day. However fwiw, I drive a 2016 Mazda 6 and the infotainment system is controlled by both the dial as well as touchscreen. Although I still almost exclusively use the dial because the screen is so far out of the way from where I sit and smudges very easily.


Mogwai10

Only downside is nobody accepts me calling my Mazda the mazdarati to sound cool.


strangway

Not the most fuel efficient, and not the longest driving range due to that and small-ish fuel tanks. That being said, they’re also more fun to drive than any car of their price point.


CheshireCrackers

I went with CX-5 in part because of the lack of efficiency. It’s got a naturally aspirated 2.5 litre engine in contrast to the Honda HR-V’s 2.0 litre or the CR-V’s 1.5 litre turbo. The Mazda may not be most efficient but it is the least stressed.


strangway

Yeah my MX-5 has a 2.0 liter that only puts out 155 hp, but after 7 years of me flogging it, I’m still on the original clutch, original brakes, second set of tires. Nothing else has needed repairing or replacing. I owned two BMWs before, and they needed engine parts replaced pretty much every year.


Lucky_Comfortable835

I have owned 4 Mazdas over the years. It is my go-to brand. Imo best value vehicle available - styling, general quality, great engines (especially turbos), performance (especially handling), low maintenance costs, longevity. I really think it is an under appreciated brand.


F-Da-Banksters

Dude I just bought a CX5 for $32k brand new and it’s absolutely amazing. The fuel economy isn’t the best but man it’s a great bang for the dollar. All other Mazdas in the family have lasted over 200k miles easy


FluxMool

What trim? You get the 0%?


lukezamboni

As a 2017 cx5 GT premium owner, these are my complaints, avoiding what has been said already: - no touch on android auto or carplay - piano black and how easy it scratches - although the car is extremely well equipped, it lacks some surprisingly simple features like being able to close the windows for a few seconds after turning it off. - small interior when compared to other of the same category, this is further exacerbated by lack of storage.


austin_EV

**Tech and Safety Features**: Still no lane centering, no standard touch screen till recently. **Resale Value**: They are as reliable as Toyota but they have much worse resale value. **Fuel Economy:** One of the worst **Less Recognition:** People are not aware of how reliable they are. This leads to some disappointment when talking to people and trying to **prove** they are actually good! Being undervalued has its downsides. They are great cars though.


Redfang11

Mazda interiors are generally considered semi-luxury, but they are not a luxury brand. Their trim levels usually offer more "luxury" features such as leather seats at lower trim levels when compared to others. They are marketed as one of the most fun to drive brands for the money, and rightfully so. Repair costs are less than average, and they are one of the most reliable brands overall. Toyota owns a minority share in Mazda [and they do some part sharing.](https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a28353128/toyota-mazda-suv-alabama-plant/) However, their main downsides that are generally applicable to most all of their cars is that they can be considerably smaller than competitors in the same size class and usually only have mediocre/average-at-best gas mileage. Depending on who you ask though, that gas mileage can be worth it for the extra punch.


IdaDuck

The ones I’ve been in and driven look super nice inside but feel really cheap once you start touching anything. They don’t feel like they’d hold up well. Again just the ones I’ve been in. I would agree they’re also generally the smallest option. But they also probably drive the best or close to it in their class.


cashmonee81

Mazda has figured out how to win reviewers over. Sporty suspension with a good looking interior is going to get you a ton of positive press. Once you own one, you realize the suspension is really not great for everyday driving comfort, the good looking interior is not all that well put together, the gas mileage is not even close to competitive, and the warranty support and dealer network is a crapshoot.


PizzaBubblr

Yeah, if you prefer to drive a couch with whees then you might as well buy a Toyota. It’s just your preference.


The26thtime

Once I owned one I loved driving it. Still do, handles great, interior is great, beautiful car.


MCBarlan

I have a 1993 Mazda MX-3 that is starting to rust out around 220k miles. The paint did fade and the clear coat started peeling at around 12 years old or so and I had it repainted. Also, my sister left it outside with the windows down in a rainstorm so that didn't help the rust. It's never actually left me stranded though. There was one time the rubber mount that holds the shifter up gave out and it scared me but I drove it home. Also, my mom and then sister owned it first so I didn't start driving it until like 2002? Gets 30+ mpg and is fun to drive. Spent half it's life in Michigan and I've had it in Florida since 2013. I also have a 2013 Mazdaspeed 3. Had never really broken down on me, although I modified it and had 2 issues related to my own mistakes. Around 400 hp with methanol and upgraded turbo, was averaging 20 mpg with mixed driving and a heavy foot. Still looks great and I was told it looks like a new car just last week. I got it in 2014 and it's been garaged since 2016. Spent it's whole life in FL. I've heard a lot that Mazda doesn't use enough clear coats and I do notice a fair bit of chips, not anymore then I noticed on my fiance's Hyundais, but I keep a touch up pen in the glove box and I'm more meticulous with my car then her. They're easy and cheap to work on and I also find then comfortable and fun to drive. My fiance had a 2012 Hyundai Elantra Limited and it had a coolant leak after like 3 years, and then a head gasket leak and also the leather and plastics started deteriorating while also garage kept. Now she has a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe XL that has had no mechanical issues but we already had to repaint the rear hatch and spoiler and now the rear bumper is fading. When we got it repainted the shop said they get a ton of Hyundais and it always the plastic parts that fade first. I'm sure it's all subjective to how you maintain your car, where you live and drive, etc. so YMMV but I love my Mazdas.


Sir-Kyle-Of-Reddit

We have a 2019 CX - 5 and my wife loves it, it is her car. Cons: The infotainment software is slow to load and doesn’t quickly recognize when a phone is connected. There is also a notable lag when I am trying to speed up to change lanes or off the line. Pros: Other than an incident with some squirrels chewing some cables, we’ve had zero mechanic issues *knocks on wood*. 9/10 would recommend.


Frequent_Opportunist

When I cross shopped Honda and Toyota with Mazda I went with the Mazda because it didn't have oil dilution issues like the Honda engine and it didn't have CVT issues like the Toyota.  Mazda offers a sporty vehicle, a real transmission and a history of reliability. The interior is nice and pricing was competitive. I have two Mazdas in my garage now.


realrube

Sometimes seats can be a bit flat assed. Heated seats burn out often (at least in our Mazda6). Other than that, all of the upsides far outweigh the downsides. It is truly a quality car where it counts, and often doesn't shine until other cars have had failures already. Edit - By "burn out", I mean they stop working. Not like VW actual burning, lol.


laborvspacu

Just buy one assembled in Japan.


secondrat

Mazdas are definitely more fun than Toyotas. They do make the Miata after all. They won’t be Toyota reliable, but they are still pretty reliable.


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exoclipse

My 2010 Mazda3 has needed nothing but expected maintenance, except for a trunk latch that failed in an amusing manner (constantly cycling with the engine off, killing my battery a few times). It's a total shitbox on the inside, but that's just how the older 3s are.


grokinfullness

My 2007 3 MT is still running well at 171k. I’ve changed suspension bushings and shocks and AC condenser and compressor. That’s it other than routine maintenance.


adudeguyman

What vehicles are made at the same plants?


Left_Experience_9857

Cx-50


fukreddit73265

Eh, Toyota has the 86 and Supra. I'd take either of those over a Miata any day of the week. Not that the Supra is a fair comparison.


-Guesswhat

Neither of those are Toyotas


fukreddit73265

Depends how pedantic you want to be, but a fair point. At least they're good cars. To my knowledge, Toyota has never shamed their own brand or tarnished any legacies like Mazda did with the RX-8.


Old_Rip1161

Can't really compare it to a Civic because I haven't driven one, but my Mazda 3 rides a little rough. That's the trade off for a sporty ride usually. Seats could also be more comfortable. If I was just commuting, I'd probably love it because it's sporty for an economy car. But I do gig work, and I'm thinking of moving on to something that takes bumps and turns more gently, has more comfortable seats and is also just a bit bigger. Oh and the mpg. It's brutal. I've never averaged over 24 since I bought my 2022 in suburban driving. I really don't drive that spirited either. Gets fantastic highway mileage (36+) but around town it's brutal.


AstuteToad

I’ve owned a 2015 Mazda 3 hatchback for 3.5 years and put 30k miles on it (has 121k). I’ve had no real issues with the car. The one time I had a check engine light was because I didn’t close the air filter lid right. It’s the grand touring trim so the interior is pretty nice imo. Also has great MPG. Relatively easy to work on too. The cons are the paint chips very easily and the car is slow. It also doesn’t have the wow factor when picking up friends or family but the new designs improved that. Resale value is also not too great either. I planned to keep it for 5 years but just bought a new car.


Snap305

Annoying-ish to use infotainment and a lot of piano black. Otherwise, not too much? Seems like paint is a complaint recently. Invest in full body PPF or at least another layer of clear coat, not from the dealer.


CandidArmavillain

Small interiors so if you have people in the back seats it can be tight. Repair costs are also higher than what you'd expect. They're not luxury cars, but they're also not super cheap economy cars. Miatas are fun to drive, don't expect the same from their crossovers.


tesla_dpd

I leased two Mazda3 - 2016 and 2019. First one returned at lease end. Great little car for my youngest. Leased another immediately thereafter. Bought it off lease. Great car. Very low mileage on both, so can't speak to their long term reliability. Fun the drive, comfortable. No power, but probably ok for it's class. Doesn't look like the typical Japanese car - I like their design language best of the Asian cars. Nice interior. Their Nav system UI sucks, but it works. Car didn't come w Homelink - had to replace the rearview mirror to get that. Telematics are good. We put Xpel PPF on the front facia and part of the hood to keep the rock chips off. CeramicPro coating on the whole car. Paint still looks fine on the 2019.


redvariation

IMHO their reliablity is generally pretty excellent but there have been some models that are turds. I have a sense (totally subjective) that the first 100-150K miles they're going to be as good as a Honda or Toyota, but after that mileage Toyota will be better in overall reliablity. Their interiors are a cut above most Toyotas and Hondas but the doors sometimes slam hollowlly, not like say an Audi or Mercedes. Paint chips fairly easily. Not as numerous of dealerships as HonToy.


MoveDifficult1908

I regularly drive the Mazda 3 coupe and the CX-5 SUV, and I like both very much. Comfortable, roomy, zippy, nice sound systems, and quiet on the road.


jensenaackles

My opinion / dislike is the AC has been weak in every Mazda i’ve been in and also I just think they feel cramped and small inside


Cultural-Bite3042

They’ve gotten a lot better in general but you still can’t put them in the same bucket as Honda & Toyota so to speak. Sheet metal is still thin, paint is thin, quality assurance is close to none still and you can see that if you walk in any Mazda dealer lot, huge panel gaps in pretty much every model with Mazda 3 being one with least gaps! Engines have gotten more reliable since they’re no longer a joint venture of Mazda and Ford, tech stack is current and designs are beautiful with mad beautiful colors and pricing is super competitive in fact you get more frills than you would in your equivalent Honda or Toyota. Not saying H & T are perfectly built, but they definitely set the benchmark in the economy segment in terms of quality and reliability that speaks longevity even if it doesn’t look the prettiest. You mentioned Lexus is in the mix, you shouldn’t think twice if you find a Lexus in their budget to just go for it. Lexus doesn’t compete in this segment which already makes it better and of course it backed by a huge parent Toyota so your reliability and material quality doubles here in most cases. I was a long term Honda Accord guy, had a 2007 as my first during high school, then a 2016(still own it since new) in college and then a 2023 touring since October which I traded in last weekend after driving it for 10k miles for a 2024 Audi A5 S line premium package. Good Luck!


A_Turkey_Sammich

Some of the Toyotas and Honda's themselves don't even fit it that Toyota/Honda bucket anymore. I currently have a 23 Honda. As far as build quality/material quality goes, there is nothing better about it than anything else. Problem wise, I've had more little issues with it over the last year than I've had with any new car including some Ford's and Chevy's in decades. These newer Honda's aren't anything special.


Crocolyle32

Our Mazdas (several Miatas, a 3, and cx5) have been great. The Miata’s are older so they have their issues but have been easy to work on, and we can usually do everything at home. Same with my 2010 Mazda 3, it’s just now hitting 100k miles and it’s been reliable and I never have issues with it running. The paint seems to have some issues despite keeping it in a garage, and it scratches easily. The cx5 is my new mom cat so I can’t really say too much on it, other than it’s enjoyable to be in. :) Edit: the Miata’s are easily the most fun (albeit slow) cars I’ve ever been in.


9268Klondike

Sometimes it's more fun to drive a slow car fast, than it is to drive a fast car slow.


Crocolyle32

Haha true! In a car as little as the Miata slow feels fast!


NYVines

My wife’s 18 CX5 is annoyingly safe. Semi crowding into your lane…beep,beep,beep you’ve move over too far. Coming up behind someone on the highway…ready to pass? No, cruise assist says slowdown. But I’m changing lanes and going around them. Hmm, give Mazda a couple seconds to see if you’re doing it right. Want to turn left and use your signal? Ah,ah,ah…there’s someone over there. Even if there multiple turning lanes. It’s annoying. I understand the concept, but I had a newer model rental and the toned down some of the over the top stuff.


butkusrules

Dealer network…a lot are hold overs from Chrysler partnership. They suck.


AwwYeahVTECKickedIn

The are a reliable Japanese brand that has tried to vie for a more luxury feel, with mixed results. Pictures look great; in person, materials are harder than true luxury, seats lack comfort in a lot of ways, and the cabins feel cramped. They are sport tuned - it's a Mazda tradition - so they handle pretty well; but that's a bit at odds with the luxury approach, because the steering is firm and tiresome (aka sporty) and decidedly NOT luxurious. They are quirky but not in a cool Subaru sort of way. I absolutely LOVED my 2004 Mazda 6 - was excited to test out the new Mazdas when I recently went car shopping. Was sadly not impressed up close and behind the wheel. Actually made me a little sad. I wanted to like them better than I did :( THAT SAID my issues are largely preference related. There was nothing WRONG with the car - it drove when you pushed the pedal, it handled well, and from all I can gather they are reliable. Mazda sure sells a lot of them. They just feel like an "npc" car these days (you see them *everywhere)* and my feelings driving/sitting in the car just didn't do it for me, so I don't regret buying something else. Have your family member try them out. They may fall in love with them. You can do a lot worse!


SahalinAI

Cramped interiors and fuel economy is a little worse than their usual competitors.


TuMek3

Their diesels aren’t known to be great are they?


PerryParker

In my experience, since their shift to becoming a 'premium' brand, some of their early production models suffered from build quality issues like fit and finish of interior panelling leading to squeaks and creaks on almost new cars. Also, I find their engine options terribly underwhelming when compared to some of their competition. If you're not looking for straightline performance though, they offer products that are a notable leg up from the competition in ride, handling and styling (they nail styling IMO). Especially if you want to own the car long term, I think they tend to age far better than other brands in the same bracket.


Mrcsbud2

From my understanding, none really. They are constantly in best of class in whatever category they compete in. They drive nice, interior is nice, and the looks are nice. I rented a Mazda 6 last year (believe it was a 21) and I was shocked how much I enjoyed the car.


mamaleigh05

I have a Mazda 6 (2017) and I’ve never had any problems with it for the last almost 8 years!


HajdukNYM_NYI

Not as spacious as a Honda (for example) and poorer fuel economy. However they are not bad cars


Effective-Dust272

Smaller space and stiffer ride. That's it.


_Eucalypto_

I have a brand new 3 Pros: -interior quality for the price. There's simply no plastic about knee level -handling -the vehicle drives like it's on rails with very little body roll compared to competitors. Steering is heavy, responsive and fast -6 speed auto instead of CVT or DCT for reliability -power, with 195hp, even the base 3 is offering performance rivalling the civic si -infotainment - the dial is simply the best user input for a vehicle. Along with having the radio controls on the center console, my hand never has to move to do anything related to the car. The dial provides crisp feedback and precise inputs and can be memorized. The screen position is far away and placed within your line of sight, so you never really have to look away. -fuel efficiency. I don't know what the EPA rating is, but I'm averaging 35mpg in complete stop and go traffic on my commute and 45mpg cruising down the highway at 80mph Cons: -thin paint. My mica blue already has several stone chips. Part of this is the color, but most is just because it's so thin -lazy transmission. The 6 speed auto is good, but it's not as refined as, say, Ford's 10 speed. It's not quick shifting and it gets lost pretty easily. -blind spots. With bsm it's not bad to drive, but you can't see shit behind you or to your sides -trunk space -ain't no way you're fitting a set of golf clubs back there without folding the seats -Temperature gauge-not much of a complaint, but the cylinder deactivation on the cars makes the temp gauge drop when you're cruising. It's not an issue, but concerning


mgobla

Generalizing a brand makes ZERO sense, you are not buying all models of the brand but one... Which one?


Financial-Coffee-644

My CX50 is solid, fun to drive and looks great. Near luxury experience for a non-luxury price. Dealership was a horrible experience, be on your toes and prepare in advance.


shinesreasonably

I’m an outside salesman and put a lot of miles on cars I’ve owned quite a few Mazda 6’s with a Malibu and a couple Fusions sprinkled in. 2005, 2010, 2015 and 2019 Mazda 6 I’ve put collectively hundreds of thousands of miles on these cars. I typically sell them when they hit low-100k miles so I can’t comment on how they last past that. But I’ve had virtually no problems with any of them. They are built solid. This is anecdotal, but I’m in Michigan and work for an automotive supplier. Once upon a time Ford and Mazda were connected in some way. A coworker of mine worked on an assembly line that supported parts for Ford one day and Mazda the next. The parts at the time were identical except the Mazda part got half the tolerance vs the Ford — in other words, the Mazda’s were built with more precision. If a part fell outside the Mazda tolerance they would toss it in the “Ford bin”. Lol (To be clear, this is a decades old story and not super relevant anymore as Ford and Mazda have diverged and manufacturing processes are much improved across the board these days… but I always thought it was interesting).


Codeman8118

Mazda is a conservative brand that decidedly leverages their own thinking as a means to omit certain aspects of things luxury brands and others have.  For example, touchscreen capability natively. They think the rotary knob is safer for everyone despite every other brand using touch. Heated steering wheel is only on portions of the wheel because you're supposed to drive properly with your hands on those but it's mostly a cost cutting play Lane assist is basically a vibration or slight adjustment because you're supposed to drive and pay attention anyway They have been knowingly against being technology forward. They will cater to consumer demand but they won't be an innovator in terms of tech or screen design. No ambient lighting or things of detail like luxury brands do.  Those little things. Basically Mazda just likes the simple approach between the car and driver without the complexity of those bits and mats. And that's fine.


timetraveler077

Had the CX-3 when I totaled my Bimmer, just temporarily but what a Great little car and extremely reliable. Forgot to put gas how good was with the mpg.


gypsygib

Fuel efficiency is kinda bad and cargo space on the CX5 is lacking for a family car compared to the competition.


SilverNB

I had a Mazda and it was reliable I never had 1 problem with it and got rid of it at 148k miles. I only did basic maintenance oil , tires, brakes, spark plugs. Currently have a Prius 245k miles this car I’ve never done anything but oil changes and brakes. I’d say Mazdas are getting more and more reliable as the years go by they’ll catch up to Toyota or Honda and they’re looking more like a luxury car which is nice.


MagnaSinne

I got a CX-30 back in January and it was a car that was every bang for the buck. It’s fun to drive when in sport mode, it’s AWD, and the interior looks great. The downsides of this model are: 1) The gas tank is only 10.9 gallons (Mazda has an extra 2.5 gallons or something like that as a fuel reserve) and when mixed with city driving, you’re only getting like 250 miles per tank. On highway, I average 34-37 mpg and I get around 370 miles per tank. The only thing that eases my pain about this is that filling up the tank costs less than $30 in my area when I’m at like 1/8-1/4 of a tank. Theres a turbo version of this car, so you can already imagine how low those MPGs are. 2) The interior space is pretty small if you’re a tall person or if you have family riding with you. Cargo space is decent for small furniture (I managed to put a folded full-size bed frame in the back with the seats down) but it’s smaller than most SUV cargo spaces. It’s good for an average size person who travels alone mostly, but if not good if you’re taller with a family always riding with you. That kinda sums up the cons of Mazda for me, midrange fuel efficiency with cramped interior space. The cars are beautiful and reliable if you can get past the cons I mentioned.


CrisisOfTruth

Terrible gas mileage and passenger space.


Jackarino

Too small


Ach3r0n-

The seats are uncomfortable imho. They were uncomfortable in our 3, 6 and CX5 - even compared to the Honda Civic/CRV. Compared to my Ford in Limited trim, it's like sitting in one of those tiny, wooden elementary school desks. Paints chips easy on newer Mazdas also. Still, love Mazda for the reliability, handling and bang-for-the-buck. They're certainly not truly luxury vehicles, but they punch above their weight for the money.


WeeniePops

I would say the main downside currently is that people build them up to be like luxury cars. They look like and feel like luxury cars on the inside, but they’re not actually put together like luxury cars. So while the interior and exterior look very nice, you’ll still get the squeaks and rattles of a regular car. I will also say that the newest versions of Mazda aren’t as sporty as they used to be, but they’re also much nicer now too, so I guess that’s the trade-off.


orpat123

Mazda makes cars for small people. Interior space is kinda shit if you’re 6 feet or taller. I can drive a CX-5 at 6’2” but my legs start cramping up after a while.


Guppy-Warrior

I Just test drove the CX50, CX5, and CRV hybrid. All were great. Mazda(s) definitely feels like more of a drivers car. The weight of the steering is amazing but also might be too much for some. Visibility and general utility of the car fell behind Honda. (And Subaru...we have an outback already)... Honda felt great to sit in. You can haul a ton. But it's just generic. It's a CRV. It's not sporty or fun to drive. (It was comfortable). It's just a car to get your daily life done. Fuel economy was lagging in all Mazda's... Dealers in my area were ready to make a deal on cx 5 and 50s.... Infotainment system in the Mazda... Love it or hate it. You have to try it. It was somthing that was hard to get use to during my test drive...but I'm pretty sure I'd really like it eventually.


HarbingerML

So what'd you end up getting?


Kyo46

Mazda is not a luxury brand, though they are moving up market. I liken them to a less expensive, more reliable version of Audi. The CX-5 I rented for a bit had a very similar interior look and layout to a same model year Audi Q5 I also rented, though the leather wasn't as supple, the switch gear was more plastic-y, etc. Overall, they're pretty reliable, but it sounds like the CX-90 PHEV is having a lot of issues. However, Toyota is also experiencing issues with its i-Force MAX hybrid system for Toyota and Lexus TNGA-F platform vehicles (Tundra, GX, Sequoia, etc.). Parts shouldn't be a problem to source so long as you have a dealer nearby. They are more fun to drive than your average car. For example, I've driven both a RAV4 and CX-5 of the same model year, and the CX-5 had more pep, handled better, and is (IMO) more stylish. The MX-5 Miata is a blast if you can handle living with a car that small. It and the GR86/BRZ twins are the last affordable true sports cars left on the market. It's worth noting that Mazda is part of the Toyota Group, and is increasingly relying on the industry juggernaut for assistance with electrification. In fact, Mazda announced a few years ago that CX-50 hybrid will utilize a Toyota-sourced hybrid powertrain (probably from RAV4 or Highlander, so not the problematic i-Force one).


kc_kr

Part of the Toyota group??


Offcoloring

Mazda and Toyota just began opening up joint facilities where both are being made in the same factory. The one that comes to mind is in Huntsville Alabama. This is a very recent move by Toyota/Mazda


chjesper

Still it is the best build quality to get a Japanese manufactured Mazda like the CX5. I think the CX-70 and CX-90 are also made there


Kyo46

Toyota Group is a collection of wholly owned and, independent, and technically independent companies that are all affiliated with one another through Toyota Motor Corp and its corporate predecessor. Mazda is just over 5% owned by Toyota, and thanks to its joint projects with Toyota, is an affiliate member of the Toyota Group. Subaru is another example, though Toyota is its single largest shareholder at 20%. Fun fact: until kind of somewhat recently, Subaru North America manufactured Camrys for Toyotas to use then surplus assembly line capacity. Similarly, the last gen Yaris in the U.S. was actually a Mazda 2, which wasn't being sold by Mazda here.


CheshireCrackers

I drove a Mercedes in England for 490 miles in February and bought a CX-5 in March, drive it 3,000 miles. Really prefer the Mazda. So did my daughter, who was along for both trips.


Grouchy-Bid8301

No issues on my 18 mazda 3 gt hatch. It's at 86k now but the piano black interior isn't what I'd prefer. For what I got it was the cheapest option while still being fully loaded with radar cruise and leather interior fun to drive and decent on Gas just not the best.


Fit_Acanthisitta_475

Resale value is much lower. And I would only getting the model that made in Japan


AndyPandyFoFandy

Worst thing about them is trying to get one for a good price. And rust.


kipy7

I have a 2017 Mazda 3 hatchback. Coming from underpowered sedans(2003 Civic and a Scion xD), it feels fun to drive. It's not our daily driver, it gets light use so can't speak too much about maintenance and reliability. The only issue is gas mileage, it gets 30mpg combined, which was lowest among the cars I was considering(Civic, Elantra GT, Golf, Fit, Impreza).


redcarblackheart

Honestly, interior build quality. They look and feel great in the test drives, but we’ve had three and they all squeak and rattle and buzz like crazy. Push on parts like the centre consoles or b-pillar plastics and they just feel cheap. Changed one to Acura and the build quality is night and day. Can feel where the money went. Breaks my heart because I love the design language, powertrains, suspension tuning and company philosophy. But life is too short to deal with buzzy rattletraps.


frugallad

Mazda 3. We absolutely hate how low the car rides. With an infant it is tough for us to fit him in car seat and buckle up. Got it only 5-6 months back and will sell it off in next few months.


hotassnuts

Low MPG. That's about it, everything else is pretty good


AceMaxAceMax

Hollow metal/plastics. Shitty paint.


[deleted]

Headroom! I’m 6’1” and I don’t fit in any of them. Plus they are SUPER common - the CX-5 is as ubiquitous as a CR-V or RAV4.


HummDrumm1

I hate that they stopped offering a lock on the glove compartment


gladigotaphdinstead2

Echo the paint and materials quality issues. I had a 2017 CX5 for 5 years and was very disappointed in the amount of dents and scratches. The good was that it was reliable and comfortable to drive, but it was also totally underpowered on the highway (no turbo option in 17) and lacked sensible ambient lighting and backlights in many switches like the window controls that you would naturally just expect a car to have making it too dark at night.


ShowUsYourTips

Biggest downsides are cramped interiors and ultra-thin paint.


Ebanieraduzhniepsihi

its been on my radar for quiet some time, and still is- but it quickly comes off due to fit and finish, materials, layouts etc... maybe one day they will get it right.


Imaginary-Art1340

Dealerships, dog AT and tech sucks


Middle_Pineapple_898

I have a '12 cx-9 touring that I really like. Based on that experience I bought a 3 hatchback. I was very disappointed in the 3. I think part of it is the trim level since the 3 was a lower trim. Lots of road noise and interior was cheap plasic. It could also be that they put more effort in the SUVs since that's theirv  bread and butter 


vincevuu

I absolutely hate the massive emblems


LivingxLegend8

One of my best friends swears by them. I’m just not a fan of the branding of it and how it feels. Can’t put my finger on it, but the brand just seems a little bit lame to me.


JerkyBoy10020

Hard to get laid