As a car enthusiast and a professional writer with expertise in automotive engineering and car reviews, I can tell you that the Mazda 3 is a model with an impressive performance in a variety of conditions along with an excellent engine.
Yet, the OEM replacement tires with the vehicle never fully exploit their total capacity. The optimal solution is to find specialized models from manufacturers.
If you’re wondering how to choose the best tires for your Mazda 3 from the plethora of designs on the market, don’t worry! I’m here to help. I’ve researched and tested various tire options and compiled a list of the top 8 ideal versions for your Mazda 3, including all-season, all-weather, summer, and winter tires.
Let’s check them all now!
In-depth Reviews Of The Best Tires For Mazda 3
During the past 2 years, I have made many trips to test potential products in person. From flat to rough terrain to ice and snow, I make full use of most of these terrains to test many tires for my Mazda 3. Scroll down for details!
All Season Tires
Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4
I did not feel nervous traveling at high speed with this tire model. The Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 comes with great controls. Whether it’s 45, 50, or 60 mph, my Mazda 3 is stable. High sensitivity and responsiveness make management even easier to perform.
Not only on flat roads, but this Michelin model is also effective on bends. I have tried to test the product’s performance by passing many different designs.
The results showed that ordinary corners and even S-curves could not hinder my smooth movement.
Braking performance is also a great point of this product. For safer travel, a short braking distance is an essential factor.
Michelin has made quality upgrades to the tires. From there, it provides comprehensive braking performance on many different surfaces.
Through several tests, I have verified its perfect braking performance. On a dry surface, it only needs about 15m to come to a complete stop.
With wet terrain, this number also falls between 18 and 19m. Both measurements took place at 60mph out of real-world conditions.
For higher acceleration, the Mazda 3 needs a tire with good traction. Fortunately, Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 also owns this feature. It took me less than 7 seconds to reach 60mph. Compared to many in-class models, this timeline is quite impressive.
With this high-performance product, the manufacturer offers us a comprehensive 45,000-mile warranty. Moving quickly will bring many different risks. Thanks to this policy, I feel more secure when using tires.
The current price is relatively high, which is a significant obstacle to reach many customers.
Pros
- Stable at high speed
- Good cornering
- Amazing traction
- Long term warranty
- Impressive braking performance
Cons
- Expensive
Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus
Despite being an all-season release, the Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus performs very well in snow or rain. If you need to move a lot in such conditions, it is an ideal choice.
I have had great experiences with the tire when traveling in wet conditions. But the most impressive is the high stability that DWS06 Plus possesses. Often the vehicle will tend to slide by inertia on slippery road surfaces.
Yet, there has been a noticeable change since I installed the product for my Mazda 3. Even in flooded conditions, the car still shows no signs of losing control. Thanks to that, I got through this hazardous area safely.
Its resistance to hydration is evident for a tire model to perform well in the wet. It is not difficult to notice the deep grooves on its surface. This design allows liquids to move away from the Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus surface. Without any liquid covering the upper part, hydration is almost impossible.
Although it is not as effective as specialized snow tires, it still provides stable performance in light snow conditions.
I found the drains to handle the snow clinging to the surface well. Accordingly, its performance is not lost if we only operate in 3 inches of snow.
Although this version has good braking performance on snow, traction is not. From my actual measurements, the Mazda 3 takes more than 10 seconds to reach 50mph with tires on. The stopping distance at this speed is only 22m.
Pros
- Stable movement on wet surfaces
- Good hydration resistance
- Operates in light snow conditions
- Good snow brake performance
Cons
- Traction is reduced in cold weather
All Weather Tires
Michelin CrossClimate2
The Michelin CrossClimate2 proved to be much more stable than many in-class models. This tire model makes me feel safe driving long distances.
After a few tests, I found its braking performance extremely good on dry surfaces. In terms of structure, CrossClimate2 possesses all the features required for better dry braking.
In particular, the V Ramp chamfers design increases the horizontal grip while the 3D sipe lock improves its rigidity significantly.
In actual conditions, the above impressive technologies have helped the tire grip better while optimizing the friction created. It also prevents problems such as wear or overheating from appearing when you brake hard.
These factors help my Mazda 3 shorten the braking stroke to just 15m at 55mph.
Moving in the rain has always been a difficult challenge for me. But thanks to Michelin CrossClimate2, the operation is much simpler.
The tire responds very well even in heavy rains, which few models can achieve.
The impressive grip and wet brakes are also things you can’t miss. The last time I was in the rain, I noticed the tire slipped about 20m at 50mph. In addition, I did not feel any vibration or loss of control.
Michelin Crossclimate2 also grips exceptionally well on slopes. I tried stopping the car and applying the brake at an incline of about 10 degrees.
Although the Mazda 3 is quite heavy, I quickly stabilize the vehicle without worrying about it slipping away.
It is pretty smooth to operate on flat surfaces. As for areas with a lot of resistance, the large feedback force often makes me uncomfortable.
Pros
- Good dry brake performance
- Many modern technologies
- Safe riding in the rain
- Impressive wet grip and brakes
- Good braking on slopes
Cons
- Less comfortable when moving in rough places
Vredestein Quatrac Pro
The Vredestein Quatrac Pro is the most controllable tire I’ve ever experienced.
The unique design that it possesses makes operating the car simpler. From there, it relieves pressure and fatigue for me to travel long distances.
As an all-weather tire, it delivers similar performance in that the tire’s performance is identical across different weather conditions.
Through many measurements, I have found that the difference in wet and dry grip is minimal. This factor helps us operate more safely even in extreme weather conditions.
Comfort is the feeling I get when driving my Mazda 3. Before, there was very little time when I wasn’t stressed while going. But since trying Vredestein Quatrac Pro, many improvement factors have appeared.
Most notably, the tire offers much more responsiveness and handling. With a light brake pedal, it immediately reacted without waiting time. Even just moving over a speed bump is easy for me to feel right away.
Its traction is consistently high on many surfaces. Through calculations, Vredestein Quatrac Pro needs 7 seconds to reach 55mph on dry roads.
And this number on wet roads is 9 seconds. Although not too high, it is enough to surpass many other products.
Besides good performance, this version also maintained an impressive lifespan for me. According to reports, 50,000 miles is the average achieved by the Vredestein Quatrac Pro. If I know how to use it properly, its durability can increase even more.
The noise Vredestein Quatrac Pro causes at 50 to 55 mph is not too significant. But at higher speeds, you will recognize the annoying sounds on the highway.
Pros
- Move comfortably
- Good feedback
- Sensitive handling
- High traction
- Long lifespan
- High performance on many surfaces
Cons
- Noisy during high-speed operation
Summer tires
Firestone Firehawk Indy 500
The Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 is durable enough to operate in typical hot summer conditions. I easily avoid many dangers caused by heat when moving.
High temperatures will affect the structure of the rubber layer. In the worst case, the tire will leak or puncture a hole. These situations are pretty dangerous if you move at high speed.
However, during my trial period of the Firestone Firehawk Indy 500, I did not see these problems occur. Despite many measurements, I realized that the average temperature on the tire surface is not low.
Its impressive construction is a crucial factor in this exceptional thermal endurance. In addition to standard rubber, Firestone also integrates nylon fibers and formulas. This upgrade has provided the Indy 500 with an effective layer of thermal protection.
Not only does it provide the required durability, but the structural upgrades also give the tire an incredible grip. More importantly, the temperature cannot affect the friction needed to help the tires grip. So even when traveling at 60mph at 45 degrees Celsius, my Mazda3 has no problem.
Summer is not only hot with high temperatures but also comes with terrible heavy rains. Manufacturers have equipped tires with equally impressive wet performance. Through test driving, I think the tire’s stability is very impressive.
Everything is superior to many other products in its class, from braking performance to grip.
The Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 is a relatively competitively priced tire. I believe that accessing the product is not difficult at all.
But also, for this reason, the Indy 500 lacks a surface warranty program. Significant omissions easily adversely affect the user experience.
Pros
- High grip
- Competitive price
- Good heat resistance
- Impressive construction
- Remarkable wet performance
Cons
- Lack of warranty policy
Hankook Ventus V12 evo2 K120
Keeping high performance in the harsh summer is never easy. Even specialized summer tire products rarely guarantee this factor. However, the Hankook Ventus V12 evo2 is one of the most noteworthy exceptions.
Its handling performance far exceeded my expectations with a summer tire model. Because of its high sensitivity, it took me less than a second to sense if the car was having problems. The response time does not change much on the deceleration sections or deep holes.
Also, its good performance depends on its impressive driver assistance features. With this help, I’ve never had trouble navigating dangerous turns or steering. The safety factor has also improved significantly since then.
Its traction is always maintained at a high level. By stopping and moving continuously, I discovered this imposing feature.
I don’t need much acceleration on dry surfaces to accelerate the car. But after a pause, its automatic traction explodes quickly to keep pushing the car forward.
For me, braking performance is also a significant factor in this Hankook product.
Not only has a short braking distance with a high grip, but the braking speed is also outstanding.
A faster response is required to prevent collision hazards. But if we fall into an actual situation, it is easy to see the difference of only 1 or 2 seconds.
On the downside, the rolling resistance of the Hankook Ventus V12 evo2 is relatively high. I measured it directly and found that the tire has a good focus on grip and other factors. As a result, the vehicle will consume a large amount of fuel to operate.
Pros
- Good sensitivity
- Good dry traction
- Short braking time
- Optimum control support
- High processing performance
Cons
- High rolling resistance
Winter tires
Pirelli Winter Sottozero Serie II
Best winter tires for Mazda 3
The Pirelli Winter Sottozero Serie II is never an outdated choice for the Mazda 3. Impressive snow performance, smoothness, and many other factors make the tire a practical choice in icy regions.
The grip is essential for traversing snowy surfaces, whether thick or thin. Therefore, Pirelli used many methods to increase this factor.
In which the most superior technology is Temperature Dynamic Compound. It will significantly improve the grip with improved tread compounds. Thanks to that, even when the road surface is frozen, Mazda 3 and I can still move stably.
The Sottozero Serie II retains the necessary grip stability in light to medium snow. Accessing the road below will no longer be challenging with its deep tread.
Yet, you should be careful if moving through areas of heavy snow. The reduced performance will cause dangerous problems if we don’t pay close attention.
In addition to ice and snow, dry surfaces are also suitable for you to ride on this tire. I’m curious why a winter tire model has good dry performance. So, some tests took place with surprising results.
The tire’s ability to grip on dry roads is relatively high, even on par with snow performance. There are not too many problems affecting the grip of this Pirelli product. So my whole ride was steady at 50mph.
Its construction is quite stiff, with two polyamide-reinforced steel belts. This design is the basis for its long life and outstanding stability. Not only does it contribute to durability, but the design also supports comfort in the long haul.
Without choosing the impact, the unpleasant feeling will undoubtedly disappear.
The Pirelli Winter Sottozero Serie II will generate a large amount of noise at high speed. However, for slow street movement, you will almost not be able to notice a big difference at all.
Pros
- Long life
- Good dry grip
- Move comfortably
- Impressive snow performance
Cons
- Noisy at high speed
Vredestein Wintrac Pro
The snow performance of Vredestein Wintrac Pro is at an extremely high level. I am sure you will not be disappointed if you choose this product.
I tested the tire in a variety of snow and ice conditions. The results show that Wintrac Pro’s performance only begins to decrease when conditions are too extreme. For the rest, no natural environment creates many difficulties for this product. So we can easily use the tire anywhere.
Compared to most other snow tire models, the product from Vredestein proved to be much more efficient at moving.
I have never seen the tires lose stability, even during tricky turns. High handling ability also helps me avoid many dangers when driving in winter weather.
After using Vredestein Wintrac Pro for a while, I found that there was not too much snow on its surface. The deep grooves in the center of the tire make the process of water and snow much more efficient.
Nothing can stop the friction between the tire and the road surface when these factors are gone. Thereby significantly improving the required grip.
Vredestein Wintrac Pro is a good choice for those who need high snow and ice performance. But this product is never suitable for you without good affordability. The price of a set of tires is not low and is difficult to reach.
Pros
- High stability
- Good handling
- Friction is born unimpeded
- Suitable for use in many places
- Stable movement on many ice surfaces.
Cons
- Expensive
Things to consider when choosing best Mazda 3 tires
Among the crucial factors when choosing a tire, the tread pattern, sidewall, and rubber compound are the most critical points.
Although there are many factors, we can consider when choosing the best tires for Mazda 3. However, only the above three issues are essential.
Tread pattern
The tire surface design is an important detail. This part dramatically influences how the tire makes contact with the road surface. The difference between moving performance on ice and snow comes from the above factors.
All-terrain or winter tire models often have a rather complex surface design. When considering this tire line, large tread blocks and intricate cuts are necessary details. All is to ensure good grip and stability.
Meanwhile, performance and seasonal tires often do not have too complex surface structures. Instead, the manufacturer focuses on factors such as more handling and acceleration.
Sidewall
Rigid sidewall construction provides superior performance and impressive load capacity to the tire.
At the same time, the steering feeling is also greatly enhanced thanks to the excellent contact ability from these parts. However, comfort also drops sharply if the tire has too stiff sidewalls.
Rubber compound
Rubber compounds are essential in determining durability, driving feel, and comfort in movement.
Most manufacturers try to integrate the most advantages into this factor. So you just need to choose tires made from rubber with suitable characteristics.
FAQs
How much do tires cost for Mazda3?
The average price of a set of layers is between $600 and $800 for 4 products. However, prices often fluctuate, so you must consult carefully before buying.
What size tires can I put on my Mazda 3?
Each variant of the Mazda 3 will have one or more different suitable sizes. In which common variants will have tire sizes of:
205/60R16 with 4-Door Sport
215/45R18 with 4-Door Touring.
215/45R18 with 4-Door Grand Touring
205/60R16 with 5-Door Sport
How long do Mazda factory tires last?
Fifty thousand miles is the average number that many studies have shown. Of course, this number is an approximation, and the time may be longer or shorter depending on how you use it.
Are OEM tires the same as aftermarket tires?
OEM tires are not harmful products. However, OEMs cannot compare performance and features with products on the market. Because of the loss in all factors, OEM products are used as replacements for the main tires in force majeure situations. So, have one in the trunk of your car.
Why are my new tires so loud?
The space between the details on the tire is the leading cause of the loud noise we often hear when moving.
Conclusion
This article has provided you with the reviews of the best tires for Mazda 3.
In my experience, the Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 perfectly combines performance and controllability. Meanwhile, Michelin CrossClimate2 dominates in terms of stability. So what is the right choice?
Please carefully consider the options above and make the right decision. I hope this article is helpful for you to find the ideal version. Thanks for following!