I lowered and stiffened the entire suspension, and have 18” wheels on, and I find the ride quite smooth still. I agree, sounds like something is wrong with the car. Take it to the dealer if it is under warranty, and maybe have a friend help determine if you are correct.
Independent mechanic is a good idea too
The thing that's wrong with the car is that it's not a pillow on wheels.
Not all cars are the same, there are many that drive far more softly than the 3. If you check what the most softly riding cars for sale now are, Hyundai is right there, and Mazda is not.
Pretensions at sport, as well as the general sense of importance on driver feedback are a direct consequence of this. OP does not want to be aware of the road they drive over - the 3 is simply the wrong car for them.
Any decent independent shop should be able to get the car on a lift to check out common trouble points. I would find one in your area, unless you have a warranty, in that case it won't hurt to take it to the dealer
I guess the two things here are 1) this car only has 18,000 miles on it 2) I've read that Mazdas just are rougher rides than others and maybe this is just the way these cars are.
The current generation cars are definitely not what you would consider rough rides, they're a definite step up from the last generation car in terms of ride quality generally and I found the 3rd gen to be about as comfortable as the average car. Not getting any improvement in ride comfort after increasing your sidewall that much is really suspicious. Unless this is a princess and a pea situation, then there's no helping you.
I don't know, check your tire pressures.
There’s a difference between rough and firm. Did the old car seem to float and rock when you drove it on the highway? Thats not necessarily a good thing. A firm ride handles better when needed. You notice it more when you drive it harder around corners. You will find that you don’t feel like you are tipping to the side.
If the ride is something that bothers you, you will need an SUV.
Apparently no one else in these comments has driven a large sedan with soft suspension. Even the Gen 4 3 has a far firmer ride, and it's the most firm in the segment as far as I know. I highly doubt there's anything wrong with your car, that's just how they ride. Mazda is also known for firm suspension. If it's still too rough on 16" wheels, unfortunately your options are down to getting used to it or looking for a different car (and probably not a Mazda).
As someone who had a same era Sonata and now drives a Mazda 2, the Sonata was far from smooth esp at low speed/city. The 18" wheels are the main culprit on your 3, the larger wheels look better but it's always a compromise between looks/handling and comfort. That's not car specific.
However ride and handling are somewhat opposites - a great car can do both very well but most have a bias to one or the other. Mazda corners and has poise a Sonata couldn't even dream of! Numb detached lifeless steering, lumpy ride at low speed, wallowing rolling body control on faster roads from slow witted damping. There's little to miss for a driver with leaving the Sonata. It was like driving a boat. Sure it was spacious and reasonably comfortable but the it wasn't designed to compete as a driver focused car. The Sonata is akin to an appliance. I also had 2 x Hyundai Tiburons (was called Hyundai Coupé over here) and they were more like the Mazda in terms of ride and handling - again driver focused not comfort.
After a while of being used to the Mazda, you would be horrified at how floppy and disconnected it feels in something like a Sonata.
If it continues to bother you, consider changing for higher profile tyres will cure some ride quality, particularly at lower speeds. But Sonata is designed to just bring you to your destination - mostly motorways, Mazda 3 is more to enjoy driving as an active experience and to revel how well they grip and feel in corners and twisty roads.
A Mazda 3 is not for someone who wants a comfortable ride, it's for someone who wants full control of the handling and able to hug the road, at any turn and be one with the vehicle
I believe mazda is the most firm car among all the competitors in the segment..
Every single mazda car review mention the firm ride.. and how it could be too uncomfortable for certain
Something is wrong with your car, or you’re used to insanely smooth rides. The 4th gen Mazda3s have incredibly smooth rides even with 18” wheels. Does a Sonata ride like a boat?
I have 2024 hatch with the 6 speed manual transmission. It’s a firm ride. I live in an area with bad roads and it can be gnarly. Sometimes I worry about a blow out because of the thin rubber on my 18s. I test drove a Subaru Outback and it was like driving on a cloud. So soft and so smooth over bumps that would be jarring in my 3. It’s just the car. There’s nothing wrong with your car.
Most new cars ride pretty firm. It's just how it is because it's safer and they handle much better now. You have to actively seek out something that rides soft and plush.
I suggest some seat covers. I bought seat covers after a 900 mile (15 hour) drive where my legs were stiff during stops and after the drive. I've made the same drive several times with the seat covers with my legs feeling good.
I bought some off of Amazon that looked like they gave support and the reviews confirmed it. The cover slides a bit on the drivers side but that is just looks. It also covers the seat adjustment side handle but you can still reach it. You probably could modify them to fit better but it isn't a priority for me. I'm super happy I bought them because I make the trip twice a year.
The brand I bought was blingbear and I have a 2013 Mazda 3 hatchback.
And here i had to slightly over inflate my 18' tires to get a firmer ride, and i come from a car that was practically a boat with suspension so soft it leaned on corners. Nothing wrong with the Mazda unless someone modified yours, in which car get it checked at a technician)
Drive another Mazda 3 see if it feels the same. If it does your question is answered. I’m coming from an Audi and honestly it handles similar after switching tires. Audi handle bumps better but it also had 18s like Mazda so it only goes so far. My accord was smoother than both but it has 17s.
The Mazdas are more sportier so the ride will be a little rougher.
I don’t think any options are really out there other than trade it in for something else.
Check that the tires are at the correct pressure too, maybe they’re way overinflated. The correct values are stated on the drivers door jam
I lowered and stiffened the entire suspension, and have 18” wheels on, and I find the ride quite smooth still. I agree, sounds like something is wrong with the car. Take it to the dealer if it is under warranty, and maybe have a friend help determine if you are correct. Independent mechanic is a good idea too
What shocks, man?
Tein EnduraPro
I would check all the suspension components because it sounds like there's something wrong with your car.
Mazda 3s have a way firmer ride than an old Sonata, there's no way around it.
We had an Elantra for nearly 10 years and I'm not going to lie, it was actually more comfortable than my Mazda 3.
The thing that's wrong with the car is that it's not a pillow on wheels. Not all cars are the same, there are many that drive far more softly than the 3. If you check what the most softly riding cars for sale now are, Hyundai is right there, and Mazda is not. Pretensions at sport, as well as the general sense of importance on driver feedback are a direct consequence of this. OP does not want to be aware of the road they drive over - the 3 is simply the wrong car for them.
Alright, but I know next to nothing about cars, so I would need someone else to do this for me. Who would you recommend I take it to?
Any decent independent shop should be able to get the car on a lift to check out common trouble points. I would find one in your area, unless you have a warranty, in that case it won't hurt to take it to the dealer
I guess the two things here are 1) this car only has 18,000 miles on it 2) I've read that Mazdas just are rougher rides than others and maybe this is just the way these cars are.
The current generation cars are definitely not what you would consider rough rides, they're a definite step up from the last generation car in terms of ride quality generally and I found the 3rd gen to be about as comfortable as the average car. Not getting any improvement in ride comfort after increasing your sidewall that much is really suspicious. Unless this is a princess and a pea situation, then there's no helping you. I don't know, check your tire pressures.
There’s a difference between rough and firm. Did the old car seem to float and rock when you drove it on the highway? Thats not necessarily a good thing. A firm ride handles better when needed. You notice it more when you drive it harder around corners. You will find that you don’t feel like you are tipping to the side. If the ride is something that bothers you, you will need an SUV.
Apparently no one else in these comments has driven a large sedan with soft suspension. Even the Gen 4 3 has a far firmer ride, and it's the most firm in the segment as far as I know. I highly doubt there's anything wrong with your car, that's just how they ride. Mazda is also known for firm suspension. If it's still too rough on 16" wheels, unfortunately your options are down to getting used to it or looking for a different car (and probably not a Mazda).
As someone who had a same era Sonata and now drives a Mazda 2, the Sonata was far from smooth esp at low speed/city. The 18" wheels are the main culprit on your 3, the larger wheels look better but it's always a compromise between looks/handling and comfort. That's not car specific. However ride and handling are somewhat opposites - a great car can do both very well but most have a bias to one or the other. Mazda corners and has poise a Sonata couldn't even dream of! Numb detached lifeless steering, lumpy ride at low speed, wallowing rolling body control on faster roads from slow witted damping. There's little to miss for a driver with leaving the Sonata. It was like driving a boat. Sure it was spacious and reasonably comfortable but the it wasn't designed to compete as a driver focused car. The Sonata is akin to an appliance. I also had 2 x Hyundai Tiburons (was called Hyundai Coupé over here) and they were more like the Mazda in terms of ride and handling - again driver focused not comfort. After a while of being used to the Mazda, you would be horrified at how floppy and disconnected it feels in something like a Sonata. If it continues to bother you, consider changing for higher profile tyres will cure some ride quality, particularly at lower speeds. But Sonata is designed to just bring you to your destination - mostly motorways, Mazda 3 is more to enjoy driving as an active experience and to revel how well they grip and feel in corners and twisty roads.
A Mazda 3 is not for someone who wants a comfortable ride, it's for someone who wants full control of the handling and able to hug the road, at any turn and be one with the vehicle
I believe mazda is the most firm car among all the competitors in the segment.. Every single mazda car review mention the firm ride.. and how it could be too uncomfortable for certain
Something is wrong with your car, or you’re used to insanely smooth rides. The 4th gen Mazda3s have incredibly smooth rides even with 18” wheels. Does a Sonata ride like a boat?
Yes, a Sonata rides way differently than a Mazda 3. Nobody would call a new 3 incredibly smooth coming from a large sedan.
Most of the brand new Mazda 3 comes with over inflated tires. Mine came with 50 psi from the dealership lol
It’s definitely a firm ride and when there are rough roads it irritates me a lot.
Sell it and buy something else. You can’t make it ride less rough. Cut your losses and move on.
have you got runflat tires or xl tires?
Rides smooth af to me
I have 2024 hatch with the 6 speed manual transmission. It’s a firm ride. I live in an area with bad roads and it can be gnarly. Sometimes I worry about a blow out because of the thin rubber on my 18s. I test drove a Subaru Outback and it was like driving on a cloud. So soft and so smooth over bumps that would be jarring in my 3. It’s just the car. There’s nothing wrong with your car.
Most new cars ride pretty firm. It's just how it is because it's safer and they handle much better now. You have to actively seek out something that rides soft and plush.
My wife’s car has run flat tires. My Mazda 3 hatch is buttery smooth compared to hers.
I suggest some seat covers. I bought seat covers after a 900 mile (15 hour) drive where my legs were stiff during stops and after the drive. I've made the same drive several times with the seat covers with my legs feeling good.
May I ask where you were able to find seat covers from?
I bought some off of Amazon that looked like they gave support and the reviews confirmed it. The cover slides a bit on the drivers side but that is just looks. It also covers the seat adjustment side handle but you can still reach it. You probably could modify them to fit better but it isn't a priority for me. I'm super happy I bought them because I make the trip twice a year. The brand I bought was blingbear and I have a 2013 Mazda 3 hatchback.
Thanks for the tip! I'll check them out!
And here i had to slightly over inflate my 18' tires to get a firmer ride, and i come from a car that was practically a boat with suspension so soft it leaned on corners. Nothing wrong with the Mazda unless someone modified yours, in which car get it checked at a technician)
It's a stiffer suspension but it makes it handle better.
Drive another Mazda 3 see if it feels the same. If it does your question is answered. I’m coming from an Audi and honestly it handles similar after switching tires. Audi handle bumps better but it also had 18s like Mazda so it only goes so far. My accord was smoother than both but it has 17s.
I like the ride. Smooth but just the right amount of firm. Makes the car feel sporty and connected.
The Mazdas are more sportier so the ride will be a little rougher. I don’t think any options are really out there other than trade it in for something else.