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# 2016 Mazda3 i 4-Door Grand Touring - Quick Review
- URL: https://www.roadblazing.com/2016-mazda3-i-4-door-grand-touring-quick-review/
- Published: 2016-07-08T14:52:00.000Z
- Updated: 2025-01-01T06:50:34.000Z
- Author: Tomasz Paluch
- Tags: Sedans

(Contributing Editor: **George Straton**)

In 1938, Ferdinand Porsche designed an simple, efficient, affordable small family People's Car for a national road network conceived for theoretically unlimited speeds.

Almost 8 decades later the United States never did get public roads designed for unlimited speeds. Fuel became a lot more costly.

But that didn't mean that small family cars couldn't be attractive, well made, practical & efficient. And, at the same time, *ENGAGING TO DRIVE*.

*WHAT:* **2016 Mazda3 i 4-door Grand Touring manual**

![2016 Mazda3 i 4-Door GT: at night](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/wordpress/2016/10/2016-Mazda3-i-GT-night-ext001.jpg)

2016 Mazda3 i 4-Door GT: at night

*WHAT (A) DIFFERENCE:*

Over The 5-Door (Hatchback): **Sedan** has a **trunk**. Front to rear overhangs appear more proportionate. Lower drag coefficient & improved front / rear weight distribution for slightly better fuel economy.

In Looks: Same swooping "KODO" language low nose rising to high arching fenders, making even 16" alloy wheels seem diminutive. Low cowl & sharply raked windshield. Sloping rear backlight meeting high notchback yields 4-Door Coupe profile. Think 5/6ths **Mazda 6** mid-size family sedan**.**

*WHY:* For the more discrete look; Trunks are practical; *JINBA ITTAI*; *DRIVING MATTERS*.

*WHEN:* On-Sale (in the U.S.) since late fall 2015

*WHERE:* Mazda new car dealers

*WHERE MADE*: Hofu, Yamaguchi, Japan

*HOW STRONG:* 2.0L DOHC direct injected gas I-4 / 6-speed manual gearbox combo is so willing that 29 hp > optional 2.5L isn't missed; Feels quicker than 8 second 0-60 run. Powerplant is same screamer \[turned lengthwise\] in ND **2016 Mazda MX-5**.;But newly improved insulation makes cabin oblivious to posted 2500 rpm on the tach; 4th & 5th gears have short enough ratios to avoid mucho downshifting. Such positive lever action means never missing a gear shift; Clutch pedal takeup is smooth; Brake to accelerator pedal placement pair well for heel to toe action.

*HOW LIMBER:* Electric assist steering rack is overly sensitive at speed, but delivers abundant road feel; Front strut / rear 4-link independent chassis resists roll in fast cloverleaves; It forgives hard braking well into a hairpin: A heavy front driven nose threatens of understeer at 8/10ths, but grip ample for confident quick turn in; Initially tepid brake travel response must be regarded. Damping is compliant without heaving.

*HOW FAR:* Mazda says EPA says 33 mpg combined. We say 36 mpg; Almost 500 miles on a tankful of 87 octane gas.

![2016 Mazda3 i 4-Door GT: trunk/ cargo space](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/wordpress/2016/10/2016-Mazda3-i-GT-cargo001.jpg)

2016 Mazda3 i 4-Door GT: trunk/ cargo space

*HOW BIG:* Generous cabin leg and elbow space despite short wheelbase; Low front cowl for improved outward sight-lines.

*HOW LITTLE:* Sloping roof shaves some rear seat headroom; Rear outboard bucket seating bunches center position.

*HOW* USEFUL: **√** Trunk fits 2 full size and two carry-ons; That's before folding down rear split seat backs; Thin door panel & large Bose speaker housing deplete door pocket storage; Glove box adequate; Smart phone size tray is fore of shifter; **√** 2x USB ports **√** 1x 12V power outlet inside front center armrest bin.

*HOW SAFE*: earns **IIHS 2015 Top Pick Plus** trophy: **√** 8 airbags, Lots of high tensile steel; Driver assist technology: **√** BSW, **√** Rear camera w/ park gridlines, **√** Rear Cross traffic warning.

*HOW FRIENDLY:* **√** Spirited-driving suited, leatherette/ contrasting red-piping sport front buckets; **√** Entire dash top & upper door panels are pliable; **√** Tilt & extending leather-wrapped helm & shifter knob sized right; Redundant media switches need more distinction; Conflict between simulated brushed metallic accents, piano black bezels & faux carbon fiber surfaces; **√** Triple channel door seals and thicker glass have improved cabin muting.

![2016 Mazda3 i 4-Door GT: cabin instrumentation, controls](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/wordpress/2016/10/2016-Mazda3-i-GT-cockpit001.jpg)

2016 Mazda3 i 4-Door GT: cabin instrumentation, controls

Primary pod analog speedometer is ELD, with glowing red LED halo, flanked by bright, concise TFT tach and MFD, but still a bit sun-glare prone;

**√ 7"-inch** LCD media display is mounted high atop the center stack the better for every surrounding vehicle to gawk at; Never quite sure when to spin, depress or toggle center console rotary command controller**;**

*HOW "APP" -LICABLE:* Not sure when Mazda's future Android Auto and Apple Car Play infotainment interface update will happen; For now: Pandora, Aha & Stitcher each must be separately sync'ed to corresponding smart phone apps; Bose Centerpoint 265 watt audio isn't significantly louder than base unit.

*HOW MUCH: *$23,435* , including HDD GPS Navigation and BSW, Rear CTW.* This year saw a much needed price drop and content increase across the **Mazda3** line.

*WHAT'S MISSING:* Nothing other than less nervous steering on center. More distinguishable steering wheel spoke switches.

*ANY COMPETITION:* **Volkswagen Jetta TSi** , spiritual successor to original People's Car. Not MCA exhibit worthy. Like the **Mazda3 i,** it has a fully independent suspension; (So do the re-designed **2016 Honda Civic** and about to be discontinued **Dodge Dart** .) **Jetta** rides more compliant and has less fussy steering; However, Jetta's manual transmission is somewhat sticky 5-spd offered only on lower trims; New **Honda Civic** sedan resembles a hatchback. It's front seat comfort is narrow, with a steep bottom cushion, gauges distractively digitized. Despite **Civic** being a sweet handler, ride isn't that forgiving, optional 1.5L turbo engine is slightly laggy, and steering wheel disproportionately large.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/2025/01/2016-Mazda3-i--4Dr-20160627-ext001-bbb.jpg)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/2025/01/2016-Mazda3-i-GT-ext003b.jpg)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/2025/01/2016-Mazda3-i-GT-engine001.jpg)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/2025/01/2016-Mazda3-i-GT-wheels001.jpg)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/2025/01/2016-Mazda3-i-GT-cargo001.jpg)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/2025/01/2016-Mazda3-i-GT-seats-front001.jpg)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/2025/01/2016-Mazda3-i-GT-cockpit001.jpg)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/2025/01/2016-Mazda3-i-GT-seats-rear001.jpg)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/2025/01/2016-Mazda3-i-GT-night-ext001.jpg)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/2025/01/2016-Mazda3-i-GT-night-cockpit001.jpg)