Which Mazda3 you should buy? That’s the question keeping you up at 11pm in Reservoir, scrolling through Carsales while your head’s spinning from all the options. G20 this, G25 that, Pure, Evolve, GT, Astina—what does it all even mean? Look, I get it. The Mazda3’s a cracking car—looks the business, drives beautifully, doesn’t cost stupid money—but working out which model when there are about seventeen different versions? That’s doing your head in.
Mazda3 You Should Buy? A Comprehensive Guide
Let me save you some stress. I’ve spent way too much time looking at these cars, test driving them around Preston and Bundoora, and helping mates figure out what they actually need versus what dealers try to sell them. Let’s have a proper chat about this without the marketing rubbish.
Making Sense of Mazda's Confusing Names
Mazda really doesn’t help themselves with naming, do they? G20, G25, X20, then Pure, Evolve, GT, Astina on top. Before we work out which Mazda3 you should buy, let’s decode this mess.
Those numbers? Engine size, basically. 20 means 2.0-liter, and 25 means 2.5-liter. The fancy names are just trim levels going from basic to loaded. The current generation started in 2019, and it’s massively better than the old one—nicer inside, drives smoother, and the tech actually works properly. Driving around Kingsbury or Thomastown, you’ll spot both the new and old shapes everywhere.
New or Used—Where's Your Money Going?
Buying New (If You've Got Cash to Burn)
Brand new Mazda3 in 2025? You’re dropping $28k to $45k depending on what boxes you tick. The Base G20 Pure looks affordable at first, but it’s pretty bare-bones. No leather, ordinary speakers, small wheels, and missing heaps of stuff you probably want.
The sweet spot for new is the G20 Evolve or G25 Evolve. Better stereo, nicer seats, adaptive cruise, proper safety gear—stuff you’ll actually use every day commuting around Mill Park, Northcote, and Thornbury. These mid-level ones make sense.
That top Astina with full leather and Bose sound system? Gorgeous, but you’re paying ten grand more than mid-spec. Worth it? Maybe if money’s no object and you really care about luxury touches.
Used Is Where the Smart Money Goes
Real talk—Mazda3s lose value pretty quickly in the first three years. Brilliant for you buying used around Essendon, Heidelberg, and South Yarra. A three-year-old one with 50,000 clicks? Maybe $18k-$25k instead of $35k-$45k new. That’s serious savings.
When you’re wondering, “Which Mazda3 you should buy used?” go for 2019 or newer if your budget stretches. The current shape is just way better—the interior’s nicer, it drives smoother, and the tech doesn’t make you want to throw your phone at it.
Tighter budget? 2014-2018 models around $12k-$18k still do the job. The old shape isn’t as fancy, but they’re tough, cheap to run, and perfect if you just need reliable wheels around Epping and Richmond without fuss.
Hatch or Sedan—Actually Matters?
Same engines, same features, different shapes. Hatch looks sportier, and you can chuck bikes, flat-packs, or whatever in the back easier. The sedan looks more grown-up and professional; the boot’s still pretty decent at 444 liters.
Around Mernda, Doreen, and South Morang, with all the young families, hatches are everywhere because they’re more practical. City types often go sedan for that cleaner look. Test drive both, and see what clicks. Everything else is identical anyway.
Engine Talk—Big Difference Here
2.0L G20 Engine (The Basic One)
The base 2.0-liter makes 114 kilowatts and 200 Newton-meters. Fine for popping around Reservoir and Preston, but a bit gutless on the freeway though. Overtaking trucks? You’ll be waiting a while. Fuel economy is decent at 6.0-6.5 liters per hundred in real driving.
If you stick to suburbs, rarely have passengers, and don’t care about quick acceleration, the G20 saves you upfront and at the Bowser. Reliable, cheap to service, and does the job without drama.
2.5L G25 Engine (The One You Actually Want)
This 2.5-liter pumps out 139 kilowatts and 252 Newton-meters. Completely transforms the car. Properly quick, way smoother, and doesn’t wheeze going uphill with people in the back. Fuel economy? Only 6.5-7.0 liters per hundred—barely any difference, really.
Regular freeway driving, like spirited driving a bit, often carries passengers around Bundoora and Kingsbury? That extra two to three grand for the G25 is money well spent. The car just feels right with this engine.
Most people asking, “Which Mazda3 you should buy?” end up way happier with the 2.5. That extra grunt makes every drive better.
Manual or Auto—Easy Decision
Barely anyone buys stick shift anymore. The six-speed auto is smooth and quick to respond, one of the better traditional autos you’ll find. Perfect for Melbourne traffic around Thomastown and Mill Park.
Manual’s brilliant if you’re a driving enthusiast—slick shifter, makes it more fun. But finding one used? Forget it. They’re stupidly rare. Dealers in Northcote and Thornbury probably won’t even stock manuals.
Trim Levels—What Do You Need?
G20 Pure / G25 Pure (The Cheap Entry)
The base model gets you in the door cheap. Cloth seats, small wheels, a basic stereo, and no fancy gear. Alright on a tight budget, but feels pretty average compared to competitors. Missing adaptive cruise, blind-spot monitoring, and other stuff that’s becoming normal.
Around Essendon and Heidelberg, most people reckon these specs are too basic. You’ll kick yourself for not spending a bit extra.
G20 Evolve / G25 Evolve (The Goldilocks Spec)
This is what you should aim for when deciding which Mazda3 you should buy:
- Fake leather seats that actually look decent
- Bigger 18-inch wheels
- Proper stereo that doesn’t sound tinny
- Adaptive cruise so you’re not constantly adjusting speed
- Blind-spot monitoring (massive for lane changes)
- Cross-traffic alert when reversing
- Head-up display showing speed on the windscreen
Not luxuries—stuff you use every bloody day driving around South Yarra, Epping, and Richmond. Going from Pure to Evolve costs three to four grand new, less used. Absolutely worth it.
G20 GT / G25 GT (The Sporty One)
GT gets sportier looks, different wheels, firmer suspension. Honestly? Unless you really dig the sporty vibe, Evolve’s better value. GT suspension can feel too stiff on Melbourne’s dodgy roads around Mernda and Doreen.
G25 Astina (Full Luxury)
Top Astina’s lovely—real leather everywhere, Bose premium sound, power seat, bigger screen. Buying new with money to spare? Go nuts. But used buyers around South Morang just get an Evolve for thousands less. The daily driving difference isn’t massive.
Buying Used—Don't Skip These Checks
Looking at a Mazda3 in Reservoir or anywhere else, here’s what matters:
Service History (Non-Negotiable)
- For a full history, dealer servicing is best
- Mazda wants services every 12 months or 10,000 clicks
- Missing services? Walk away immediately
Known Problems:
- Paint chips easily on bonnet and roof (Mazda paint’s soft)
- Rattles inside, especially around dash on older ones
- Infotainment can be laggy on early systems
- Aircon compressors sometimes pack it in around 100,000k’s
Test Drive Must-Dos:
- Listen for clunks or hesitation from the gearbox
- Test every bit of tech—cameras, sensors, heads-up
- Try adaptive cruise on freeway if you can
- Steering should feel tight, no looseness
Pay for a pre-purchase inspection. Two hundred bucks now saves five grand in nasty surprises later.
Running Costs—Real Numbers
Fuel Bills
What you’ll actually use around Preston and Bundoora:
- 2.0L engine: 6.0-6.5 litres per hundred (city driving)
- 2.5L engine: 6.5-7.0 litres per hundred (city driving)
Difference is bugger all—maybe $200-$300 a year for normal driving. Don’t choose based on fuel economy when working out which Mazda3 you should buy.
Service Costs
Mazda servicing is reasonable, not European money. Basic service is $200-$300; big service is $400-$600. Parts are easy to get; independent workshops around Kingsbury, Thomastown, and Mill Park can service them fine without killing warranties.
Insurance
Cheap to insure—they’re common, parts aren’t expensive, thieves aren’t interested. Young drivers around Northcote and Thornbury still cop it harder, but Mazda3’s one of the better options for cheaper insurance.
Depreciation
Hold value okay, not amazing. Drop 40-50% first three years, then slow right down. Works in your favour buying used around Essendon and Heidelberg.
The Answer—Which One Should You Buy?
Alright, straight talk for different situations:
Best Overall:
2019-2022 Mazda3 G25 Evolve Hatchback under 60,000 km. Better engine, all important tech, and not stupid money used. Perfect for most people around South Yarra, Epping, and Richmond.
Best Cheap Option:
2017-2018 Mazda3 SP25 GT (old shape). Fifteen to eighteen grand gets you solid wheels that’ll run forever. Not as nice as the new one, but reliable and practical for Mernda, Doreen, and South Morang.
Best New:
2024-2025 Mazda3 G25 Evolve. Buying new? This spec gives you what you need without paying for fancy stuff you don’t.
Best For Enthusiasts:
G25 Astina with 2.5 liters. Extra power, a better stereo, and a nice interior make every drive better, even just commuting around Reservoir and Preston.
Conclusion
Working out which Mazda3 you should buy boils down to your budget, what features matter, and what driving you do around Bundoora, Kingsbury, and Melbourne’s northern suburbs. The Mazda3 is a ripper car whatever the spec—it looks sharp, drives beautifully, and won’t bankrupt you running it.
For most people, the used 2019-2022 G25 Evolve hits the sweet spot—proper power, all the safety and tech that matters, and a price that doesn’t sting. Buying new? The same G25 Evolve makes sense, or splash out for Astina if you want the full luxury experience.
Stop overthinking it. Test drive a few around Thomastown, Mill Park, Northcote, Thornbury, Essendon, Heidelberg, South Yarra, Epping, Richmond, Mernda, Doreen, or South Morang—whatever’s close. You’ll work out pretty quick what feels right. Mazda3’s hard to stuff up, and whatever you pick, you’ll have a car you actually enjoy driving every day. That’s worth more than any brochure can tell you.
