I had the previous generation Mazda 3 with the touchscreen and never once used it. The control wheel is so much easier to use rather than stretching across. Its something that only a owner of a mazda 3 with the touchscreen setup will understand. Mazda truly listened to their customers with this one, I bought the new mazda 3 and never missed the touchscreen.
Yeah I heard knowing how many clicks it takes to scroll down to get to where you want is really efficient and allows you to not have to reach across or take your eyes off the road.
I have a 2017 Mazda3 2.5 L Grand Touring. Love it! Many people have complimented how nice it is. I actually like the control nob better. Once you get used to it it’s very functional & easy to navigate with. The interior/exterior design & materials feel clean, sleek & luxury compared to it’s in class competitors.
I respect Mazda for outfitting the 3 with a large 4-cylinder, naturally-aspirated (or turbocharged) engine, and conventional automatic trans, rather than a CVT, knowing fuel economy won't be the best, but driving *enjoyment* will be (minimal rear seat / cargo space notwithstanding).
I am owning mazda 3 hatch soul red and I love it. It's the car for a single person (maybe for a couple). it's not a family car. but for me, it's a perfect car and soooo beautiful inside and out.
It's a family car as long as your family isn't tall. Keep in mind that Nathan is 6 foot 2 and is taller than most people. Someone Nathan's size shouldn't even be driving a compact.
The Mazda knob is so much better than a touch screen. I've had one since 2013. Not sure why he doesnt like it as it's far more intuitive than reaching over to touch stuff. Once you learn how to use it, you have it down. Then to use it, the knob is exactly where your hand would be if you are resting it, so no reaching. The clicks in the knob make it so you can remember how many clicks to do whatever you need.
Mazda have nailed the 30k price point for this car. You get so much with so little trade off and the reliability of the engine and gearbox is such a nice thing. The mlg rating is deceiving though as I know people reviewing the car have tested higher figures with mixed driving conditions, I think Mazda under cut the figure so people would be more surprised when driving it themselves. Also I think it's a much more sporty looking and feeling car more for a couple then family. It isn't small, it's just not big either. Missing a few small luxuries but that's to be expected at this price for everything else we get as part of the package. Comparing it to other models of cars that offer rear seat vents and a larger rear seat they lack other features, the great engine and the overall quality of the Mazda.
To be fair Honda undercuts their economy rating as well. I easily get 40 to 44 MPG with highway driving and stay in the high 30's with mixed driving. At the same time I can drive like a maniac having some real fun with the performance of the car and end the day at 19mpg lol
The reason a manual transmission is only in the top trim for the mazda3 is because theres very little demand for it compared with the automatic which benefits from economies of scale. So they have to charge a premium for the manual which makes sense when you think about it. Other automakers are doing the complete opposite.
yep, touch screens are major distractions, love the commander knob in my 3, can adjust things without concentrating on how your finger is bouncing around trying to manipulate the touch screen
Agree, I mean ... how often these people change the stuffs on the screen while driving?? The cellphone connects automatically to the bluetooth and now with Car Play and Android Auto, you don`t really need to touch the screen. I preffer without the touchscreen and easy access buttons, way better than cars that you have to search basic functions like to set the AC temp
Still driving my 2011 Mazda 3 with Manual Tranny.. the car has been bullet proof since day one.. Other than filters, fluids and spark plugs, the only thing I've had to replace is the shocks and an alternator, the car is totally original from the factory.. original factory brakes after 170,000 miles. amazing
I think that in the USA, most entry level drivers no longer learn how to drive a manual transmission. Only enthusiasts (not entry level) tend to want the third pedal.
I think Mazda knows that people (like me) are driving purists ... and want to soak them for all their worth by forcing them to buy the top-of-the-line model to get the stick. However, driving purists (like me) typically are minimalists and don't like all the nannies, electronic driver aides, etc ... and prefer base models. So I guess I'll have to pick another brand when replacing my 2015 Mazda 3.
@@seanthompson8071 the best parts of going manual, ditching technology that you dont need and it looks like Mazda ruined that by only offering it in the upper trim. I guess the manual transmissions are more desirable and mazda found a way to make it their money maker.
@@seanthompson8071 that is a pretty cynical interpretation. I'm pretty certain that their market research showed that only enthusiasts would want a manual and that a bunch of entry-level M/T Mazda3's would go unsold.... I love a manual transmission, too but the market has changed and car companies need to serve the market to be profitable. Regardless how quick a Tesla is in a straight line, I would never be interested in a souless appliance which runs on batteries.
"Over exaggerate" is poor word usage (just like saying "tuna fish")....just saying "exaggerate" is correct and doesn't make you sound like you left school in the third grade.
I had the previous generation Mazda 3 with the touchscreen and never once used it. The control wheel is so much easier to use rather than stretching across. Its something that only a owner of a mazda 3 with the touchscreen setup will understand. Mazda truly listened to their customers with this one, I bought the new mazda 3 and never missed the touchscreen.
That lag you demonstrated off the line with the Civic because of the CVT is close to a deal killer for me. For the Touring trim in the Civic, I wished Honda would have offered a slightly detuned 2.0T from Accord and a regular automatic 8 or 10 speed transmission.
That’s would be too expensive keep in mind the accord 2.0 is the Accords upgraded engine you have to pay extra for that engine in the accord. If they put it in the civic it would be basically the same price as an Accord
I really don’t understand why Mazda doesn’t make the manual transmission available across the range in the USA. Here in Australia, you can get the manual transmission in any Mazda3 you like, from base level to top trim, sedan or hatch, 2.0 or 2.5 litre, bearing in mind we don’t yet get the Turbo. But we do also get the 2.0 litre Skyactiv X (manual or auto). Admittedly, manual sales are minimal, but they are still available, despite our small market. We’re keeping our fingers crossed for the turbo, but I suspect it’ll be auto only. And one other thing. All Aussie Mazda3s, except the base level model, have rear AC vents in the centre console, so why not in US models. Obviously it can be done.
It's because Americans don't know what a real summer is, except for the ones that live in the south. Winter in my island is like a hot summer for a North American. (I'm from Puerto Rico)
@@groundcontrol6876 have you ever gotten off of the island and been in the states? New York City was over 100 degrees with 80% humidity over ten years ago. Nebraska, Denver, Kansas City and Salt Lake all get up to 100 and cities such as Phoenix and Las Vegas get over 115. Oregon and Washington state saw dozens of people die with over 100 degrees and California and travels give you temps over 100 at night, 120 in the day.
@@jamesmedina2062 Yeah I've been to the states but only a few. I was actually in Texas a summer but it was mild, and I was only there for a few days. The other states I've been to have all been cold like Missouri. And yeah, I know there's quite a few states that also get REALLY HOT in summer but for the most part, summers over there are actually very nice.
@@groundcontrol6876 My friend Jorge I play tennis with just opened a restaurant here called 787 and he gave me good mofongo with seafood. Normally it is way too hot for like 6 months of the year. It is El Paso Texas. Austin is totally different because the Gulf of Mexico is not far away so its usually nicer there. This summer the Pacific NW is burning up and dry but its been rainy and cool here. The dirt and rocks are everywhere because we don't have vegetation to hold the soil when the rains come down from mountains
I agree. All these reviewers hate it, without taking a day of driving or so to learn that it's highly intuitive, easy to master, and that once mastered you'll never goober up a touchscreen with greasy fingerprints ever again.
I think it's better to do away with the touchscreen anyways. It's dangerous to be on your phone while driving, so how is a touchscreen in your car any better? While I don't have a Mazda3 (yet), I've heard several others say that it didn't take long to get used to the knob control to navigate the screen. I applaud Mazda for taking it away and making things safer. Tactile controls always win out in a car for me, you don't need to look to know what buttons or knobs you're controlling.
I've got an '18 Mazda 6. The only time I use the touchscreen, and rarely at that, is for the navigation screen. I find the rotary knob much easier to use.
@@StopWhatYerDoing It doesn't. I've had a Mazda3 Turbo since December and it took me about a day to memorize the controls for the infotainment. It is intuitive.
@@PhillyFan20 same car here, although my 2016 MZ3 had both, I never used the touchscreen. With the knob you don't even have to lean forward a millimeter. Full Captain Kirk mode
Actually, thanks to Mazda. My CX5 infotainment screen fingerprint free. I only touched and swiped it once to prove myself that it has a touch screen but only works when you’re not in motion. 😆 Forget that touch screen infotainment system.
I actually love the infotainment system with rotary nob, at first it was weird especially in the 2020 CX-5 I got 1 week before the 21’s😓, it’s a little buggy and it has the last gen backup camera. But I also got the Mz3 Turbo P+ sedan and it’s awesome. The space is clearly limited but it’s good enough for me & my needs! + it’s gorgeous in the red!
I'm about to order a 3 sedan turbo but it seems they cut ties with Bose so they are now using pioneer audio.. so that is keeping me from pulling the trigger
I was in traffic the other day with the new civic next to me. In front of it was a last generation Toyota Camry. The new civic is just as large as that Camry. It was way larger then my ‘17 Mazda 3 hb.
That's why I won't buy a new Civic. I want a compact sedan that's easy to drive and easy to park, not a big bloated large sedan pretending to be a compact sedan.
According to what I see online as dimensions go, the 20 Mazda 3 is the same size as the 22 Honda Civic. The 2010 Camry is also 5" longer and 1" wider track.
@@midwestfarm757 exactly. People are stupid. The Civic looked as big as the camry because the camry was further away…. The civic is not a large car. People are just hating because they’re anti honda or something. The 2010 camry is 189+ inches and 350+ pounds heavier than the civic, which is 184 inches (179 for the hatchback).
Tested both the Mazda and Civic. went with the Civic (so obv a little biased) Mazda - If you drive alone , feels a little claustrophobic than civic. - feel little bumps on road, like small undulations, wont rock you around (such a polarising ride) - way quieter than civic. If this is the only important option go for mazda. - love the HUD, cabin looks nice. - rear visibility is bad. - not a bad car at all. Honda - lots of space. does not feel cramped despite sitting low. weird . dont know how Honda did it , compared to Mazda which reminds you that you are sitting low. - balanced ride. - Shitty turning radius for those tight turns. - Handles better than mazda 3. still impressive that It can better an already better car. - Tyre noise from those low profile wide tyres , def more noticeable on bad roads. (if you ll be only driving on smooth asphalt, go for civic if road noise is your only negative) - cvt , well if you want to race at every traffic light and hate to wait 2 sec before the turbo and cvt comes on live, go for Mazda. but its absolutely fine. once u are on highway I though this is auto tranns. u wont even think it has cvt. - Lane Keep assist IS the BEST in this segment, I am amazed it does a blooming good job. I didn't drive mazda as much as I drove civic, but seriously you wont be disappointed. For all those who want fun and cheap car, well civic is not in reach now. So I got the civic depite being noisy, has a little cvt ness initially.
He was reading the combined mileage rating which wasn't used by the EPA in 2006. Also the EPA changed the formula many times over the years for calculations. If we are looking at highway numbers, some variants of the Honda do 40+
I was looking for manual transmission with moonroof, no turbo. So Mazda was the car that I was looking for. I bought 2021 6MT Mazda hatch on Dec 2020, which I couldn’t be happier.
The 3’s fuel economy figure is sandbagged. Also keep in mind that the manual gets much worse fuel economy. I have an AWD MAZDA3 and I get about 33-35 in the highway and about 26 in the city. Your mileage will vary, but the MAZDA3 is efficient enough. The Civic may be more efficient, but certainly not enough to settle a purchasing debate between the two cars.
@@Webpageisnotavailable It’s is true. The Mazda resale value is pretty bad. But that’s not an issue if you plan on owning the car for a while. However I put my money on the Mazda for reliability. The NA 2.5 is under-stressed and has been around for years, as well as the 6 speed auto. The driveshaft and AWD system was taking straight out of Mazda’s SUV’s and is a tried and true unit as well. The car is solid. The Civic on the other hand has to worry about it’s oil soaked turbo 1.5 and fragile CVT.
I cross shopped this Mazda hatch against the previous gen civic hatch and went with the civic for the space and airier feeling cabin. I also think it'll be less reliable because of the turbo and CVT but I felt the civic was big enough for a family while the Mazda felt a little too small. I'm sure it would've worked but it felt like the civic was an entire size larger
much cheaper to produce. Our old GM cars all had vents under the seats which was okay for the winter, but I think hot summer days would make me want some vents on the console.
In my travels I've seen many Mazda 3's and not once have I seen anyone in the back seat. Why do car journalists continue to talk about rear seat room in small cars?? I would say 99% of Mazda 3 owners are single occupancy drivers. Same goes with any small car. People that have families are buying SUV's for more back seat room. So please stop making the back seat part of the review for small cars. I currently have a 2021 Mazda 3 and the back seat is strictly for groceries..lol.
the Mazda 3 could compete with something like the Mercedes CLA or Audi A3 and I’m not sure if the Civic could. The only thing that’s better about the Civic is more room
I can kind of agree. The Mazda has a gorgeous look and a beautiful interior. They went all out with it. And I don’t care about the space and Civic. My car, my rules. I couldn’t care less if my passengers didn’t have any room. As long as I’m comfortable, I’m happy.
They are having troubles selling their cars to the mainstream market, I doubt with their dealer network they could sell these to people who want a German car. People are brand snobs
We love our 3 sedan (2.5 GT manual, surprised the stick is no longer offered on both body styles, at least in America). FWIW, our mileage consistently beats the EPA estimates handily; city about 7.5L/100km (31mpgUS), 6 L/100km hwy (39mpgUS) with a couple of 600km highway tanks at 5.5L/100km, 43mpgUS. We’d have loved to get a hatch, but this new-but previous year car with nearly all options for the same price was too tempting.
The Mazda 3 has always been a driver’s car…great for a single person or a couple. The Civic is nice, great family or second car with lots of room and features but I’m having a hard time with that bulky nose
@@craigwilson8420 I mean we know what the front of the hatchback looks like, that's why I can say I think it fixes the problem. The whole Honda logo instead of being half in the grill and half in the paint is completely in the grill area.
Roger and Ken, realize that not everyone is freakishly tall like you both. When were compact vehicles supposed to accommodate tall passengers sitting behind tall drivers? Are we in the Twilight Zone? Buy a large sedan/SUV if you're so tall.
@@braetonwilson4296 Your comment is ridiculous. They didn’t need to compromise that much space, and many people are tall. SUVS suck and a lot of people want a small hatch.
First, I dig your interpretation and the fact you do give a personal preference to what you would get as opposed to trying to appease both sides of the fence. And I agree with you, for the money I would take the Mazda. Obviously 160K more sales for the Civic are people commute more and want maximum MPG. Just took a road trip at the same time Roman and Tommy did in the Porsche (in the same areas) and out of all the vehicles I seen, the Civics and Prius's were by far the most on the highways and cities.
I drive the civic sport trim and I really like it, drives so smooth and very nice interior. I still get about 30mpg’s when I drive in sport mode almost all the time. I have to agree with you though that the CVT and the lagginess off the line can sap some fun, gotta keep the rpms above 4k for any real power.
It's why I chose the Mazda3 AWD hatchback over the Civic. Drove the Civic with a cvt and was turned off. Wish I got the manual but it only comes with fwd and in the highest trim, which the dealership had none in stock.
Honda has developed a pattern. 1st gen: Radical Redesign 2nd gen: Mature Refinement They've done this to the Accord and Civic for the last 20 years. It's a winning formula.
More is not always better. But I get what you are saying and if you want more real estate, more lux, more quiet, more power, and more gears, then YES. I downsized from Passats and Mazda 6 to compact segment with Civic and I am happy to not have such a larger car to haul around, although the Mazda 6 was lithe and not heavy. Market studies have apparently led Honda to believe that CVT's are acceptable. All auto boxes have downsides to me. Manual for me unless it is a much bigger engine. Then it makes sense and that is one reason they use the CVT: to get more out of a small engine.
People complained that they want a more up-level trim AND a manual and not be forced to get the very base trim, stripped of many feature, so they can enjoy a good ride. It makes no sense to put the manual in the base trim, other that to make a cheaper base. Part of the reason nobody wanted to buy them.
Mazda 3 sedan would be a better comparison Imo. I would go for Mazda. No matter how much leg room Civic has but CVT is a no no for me. Manual transmission on new gen Mazdas is amazing. Great video. Thanks
As someone who dailys my 2021 mazda3 hatchback manual (using 93 fuel), i get far better than 27mpg combined. If im really ripping through gears i get 27mpg in the city but if i drive it normal i get 30mpg city and 35 to 45mpg on the highway (depending on highway speed limit, i get 40-45 around 60 to 65mph and 35-40 around 70 to 80 mph). I also love the rotary dial, even in android auto it is not hard to use once you use it for 1 week to 1 month. You get used to how it cycles though the options in the google maps, spotify, or other application windows so you know how much to turn the knob, and in the mazda menus themselves its even simpler and easier to use. Another thing i love is the torque, even if im not trying to fly off from a red light if i casually shift through the gears the car has a LOT of torque between 2 to 4k rpm and you can really feel it pull which i wasnt expecting. Even though it isnt the turbo or awd version it still has a lot of zip from a standstill which is great for a daily commuter to make it more fun driving around town. Mazda also changed the steering and acceleration from the last generations to be more smooth and comfy (only thing id say isnt as smooth / comfy is driving on rough roads, the car does have a slightly stiffer suspension). Overall its a very fun car for driving around town. Also the interior with the red leather is BEAUTIFUL i love going for drives in this car. For the price, look, nice daily commuting driving experience, and feel it is absolutely worth it (so long as you dont have kids or more than 1 extra passenger often).
@@dcal4455 actually Honda is the company to figure out keeping intake valves carbon free and some of that is no EGR, and some other kind of voodoo witchcraft. The pistons and rings are very tidy in terms of oil consumption which is good. Compared to other brands, the 1.5 will run circles around their models such as the Ford Ecoboost and VW turbos. Hondas biggest problem is recent cheapness in materials, outsourcing to China, and poor customer service. They also reprogrammed a select 1% of vehicles with fuel dilution issues but they could have done it to all vehicles as a recall. A class-action lawsuit caused Honda Motors of North America to extend the warranty to 6 years UNLIMITED MILES for all Honda 1.5 engines. They should have been more proactive, but again, the engines are pretty well made.
A bit of an apples vs oranges comparison here. I'm a hatch fan and I'm one of those who likes the overall look of the "3's" hatchback. But it sacrifices far too much interior space, especially in the back seat, in order to satisfy the long hood/short boot demands of the Koda design language. A problem with virtually all of Mazda's vehicles. (See Freud for an explanation of why such a design trick employed by sports car designers to imply power and performance for about a hundred years is so attractive.) Both my daughter and my big dog agree that the lack of HVAC vents in the rear seat is a near deal breaker with either car. Unfortunately, the same applies to several other, otherwise appealing vehicles such as the VW GLI. C'mon automakers, if you're going to provide a back seat offer some fresh air back there. Personally, I'll stick with my GTI. All in all, the new Civic sedan appears to be an appealing choice for a couple or a young family with a couple of kids who don't opt for a compact SUV. (Good for them.) A fine choice for daily commuting, enough backseat and trunk space for an extended trip, and outstanding fuel efficiency for a non-hybrid. Designing a car that satisfies multiple missions is no easy task and Honda is especially good at that task.
Both your daughter and dog are spoiled. Cool air goes to the back quickly, especially in small cars like the Mazda 3. No need for rear air vents. Also the Mazda 3's back seats are just fine as long as you and your family aren't tall. I would never buy the 2022 Civic because it's too big. I want a compact sedan, not a midsize sedan that's difficult to park.
@@braetonwilson4296 Well, if you find a Civic to be too much of a handful to park I can understand your preference for a smaller vehicle. Frankly, I'd recommend parking practice but if that's too much for you, there's the alternative in a hatch that's even shorter than the Mazda3 making it easier to park and it has both more interior space and rear air vents. It's called a GTI.
You're awesome. Enjoyed the review. Glad you took both cars out for a drive. The Mazda 3 seats are a bit more comfortable and cabin noise is less than the 2022 Civic Touring, it drives nice because no CVT and accelerates well. I do not like the body style of the Mazda3 and the visibility out of the rear side windows is not good. The Mazda3 is just a better driving car. Going toward a family and commuter car, the Civic Touring is great, the body style is mature, and the interior design/layout is fabulous. 99.99 percent of people do hate Idle-Stop. Just a matter of pushing the button to turn it off or put the Civic into Sport mode. Actually, the Civic sport mode should always be on because the car seems more alive. The Mazda3 has AWD which helps make it a better driving car, especially in the winter season. My preference is the 2022 Honda Civic Touring because it really appeals to me inside and out. Honda does need to make more improvements on noise deadening in the Civic and tweak up the HP to 200 or replace the 1.5L Turbo with a higher-performance engine. The undercarriage panels on the Civic do provide some protection however, moisture, water pockets, contaminants from the road, and road salt will collect causing the Civic to rust prematurely. It is advisable to get the Civic rustproofed by Krown, Corrosion Free, or Rust Check. Avoid Ziebart like the plague because tar or rubberized undercoatings are absolutely the worst things you can do to your vehicle. I was hoping for the continued review on the Civic as it was given a date for June, but the updated review did not happen. Both vehicles have Pros and Cons, but either way, they are much better than the VW, Nissan, Toyota, Hyundai, and KIA. The military acronym for KIA is Killed In Action. I recently saw an accident in August 2022 involving a KIA and it was horrendously bad. The 2021 KIA Sportage side-swiped a 2018 Toyota RAV4 Limited AWD and the KIA Sportage engine compartment was demolished with a gapping hole, having lost its side panel and bumper, hood wrinkled into the windshield, I counted 3 airbags went off, leaving a huge dent in the RAV4 side passenger door which only the passenger airbag was triggered. The KIA left debris all over the road, including its front passenger wheel with knuckle, tie rod, and control arm laying on the road, and the strut and spring were bent out of shape. Both vehicles had to be towed. Don't buy or ride in a KIA unless you want to be buried.
Mazdas are for people who love to drive and expect performance at a price normal people can afford. I've driven both the Civic and the Corolla. The Civic is darn good but is not good enough performance wise for me to own one. Whereas the Corolla, ha ha ha. I'll try to be polite and not comment. Mind you, the Mazdas are some of the most reliable cars around. Mine 2009 is hitting 240,000km and I am leasing its mid range successor the 186hp GS leaving run of mill small sedans in the dust. Once, in my 2009 Mazda 3 with only 146hp, it took a BMW 325 almost half a minute to catch up when I stepped on the gas going from 80 to 120km/hr. I couldn't believe it. Of course the BMW passed me by after that but it was in illegal speed territory. I had a 1984 Mazda 626 with 84hp topping out at 176km/hr. When my new 186hp Mazda 3 sport GS arrives, you can imagine what it could do.
I take a Honda with the 6 speed manual anyday, Because our 9-2020 Civic Sport with 6000 miles on it now Averages 37.5 MPG, The one thing That Mazda can't do for anyone with a 2.5l engine. Ours has the K20C2 none turbo none GDI naturally aspirated.
This is an unfair comparison. The Mazda 3 Automatic gets 30mpg combined and 36mpg on the hwy. You can’t compare a manual Mazda 3 to a automatic Honda Civic. Most Americans don’t even drive manual transmissions
Yeah, it was kinda lopsided. I have an AWD 3 sedan and I get 35 on the highway pretty consistently. If I set cruise to 60mph I can see about 37mpgs. And that’s WITH all wheel drive.
Did you not watch the video? He’s comparing the top trims of both cars. And he SAID the Mazda top trim came in a manual so that’s what he got to compare against the touring cvt civic
Funny people always like Mazda over Honda and Toyota on the internet and at the end of each year we hear honda or toyota sold x-times more vehicles than mazda! According to Forbes, Honda sold 261,225 civic in 2020 which makes it the largest selling sedan in USA after Toyota Camry. Mazda 3 is not even in the top 20! None of Mazda's vehicles are in the top 20! But you will see tons of videos and comments on how mazda looks good, performs, and feels better than honda and toyota. So, I think much of these enthusiasms are just following what others say and putting a comment to feel good. I live in NYC and I barely see a Mazda 3 or,6 compared to civic, camry, and corolla, heck even Elantra is more numerous on roads than mazda 3 or 6. The only Mazda model I see regularly is CX-5. So, good people around watching these videos, please be careful about internet reviews!
It's because most people buy cars without much thought. They will walk into a dealership and buy something because they see these cars a lot on the road. I for one would do my research but many cases people buy cars just for necessities and not for enjoyment... Sad..
Obviously you have not driven a Mazda yet. Mazdas are for people who love to drive and expect performance at a price normal people can afford. I've driven both the Civic and the Corolla. The Civic is darn good but is not good enough performance wise for me to own one. Whereas the Corolla, ha ha ha. I'll try to be polite and not comment. Mind you, the Mazdas are some of the most reliable cars around. Mine 2009 is hitting 240,000km and I am leasing its mid range successor the 186hp GS leaving run of mill small sedans in the dust. Once, in my 2009 Mazda 3 with only 146hp, it took a BMW 325 almost half a minute to catch up when I stepped on the gas going from 80 to 120km/hr. I couldn't believe it. Of course the BMW passed me by after that but it was in illegal speed territory. I had a 1984 Mazda 626 with 84hp topping out at 176km/hr. When my new 186hp Mazda 3 sport GS arrives, you can imagine what it could do.
We were just looking at these, since the Mrs needed a car. She hasn't driven in years and found the Mazda more friendly. I got to be her Stig; I thought the Civic was very good, but the wheelbase was too long for it, or something. It could turn, but didn't want to so much. The Mazda is very harmonious. Also: the seats are wonderful, even in a lower trim line. I think she got the SE, and it's the only car I've driven that reduces my back pain.
Sorry, I think you are behind the times. Consumer reports says Mazda is the most reliable brand ( though admittedly , the 3 is lowest rated Mazda). Honda reliability trend has been downward in recent years, opposite Mazda's.
@Allen Tokyoo As I already stated that info is from Consumer Reports. www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2020/11/19/consumer-reports-auto-reliability-survey-2021-cars-trucks-suvs/6337648002/ Honda is 6th , still a good showing, but has traditionally been more near the top, hence an unfavorable trend, somewhat the result of the 1.5 turbo's oil dilution problems.
@@mic7856 I did not say CR is the final word on reliability or anything else for that matter. There is no nonsense in using CR as they are probably the most widely quoted as an unbiased source , strictly relying on surveys given to their subscribers. They do not rely on advertisements placed by the auto companies and are not generally regarded as a tool of the automotive manufacturers or dealers . For sure they are not infallible as their survey spectrum is limited by the number of their readers buying new cars and holding on them for long enough period to offer up useful data. But please do offer a better alternative rather than a negative knee jerk reaction stemming from your personal bias.
@@69memnon69 27 city / 36 highway EPA Mazda and 33 city / 42 highway EPA Civic is still significant. I do here it often where someone buys one car over another car over fuel economy
@@midwestfarm757 that’s fine, if you’re ok with an interior that’s not as good and a cvt transmission. If the difference in fuel is that important between the two cars, then buying a new car probably isn’t the wisest choice. Honda is one of the worst sellers in Australia and deservedly so. Their lineup is boring. On the plus side, at least the new civic is as ugly as sin anymore.
@@69memnon69 I am in the US so I can't comment on the product lines outside of North America, but I am sure the way the Chinese and Americans purchase cars has a big influence on how they make cars in other markets with some exceptions with the engine choice. If you look at their home market Japan, the cars look like box robots. Also Mazda vehicles for some reason don't get driven to the high miles or length of ownership that other vehicles from Toyota or Honda do so it's hard to say if those interiors do hold up for the long haul. I am buying from auctions so I get to see what holds up after 2-500,000 miles.
The Mazda hatch is 6 inches shorter than the 3 sedan and I can’t wrap my head around the tight confines in the rear. Why wouldn’t they simply stretch that area a touch. To me this would’ve made it unbeatable.
I love the 2022 Honda Civic. The new Civic looks more mature than the previous generation. Infotainment system is much better (touch sensitive and intuitive in the Civic) unlike in the Mazda. That's a deal breaker for me. The Civic checks more boxes for most people who buy compact sedans. Mazda style is beginning to look dated. The Mazda interior materials are the best among its competitors.
Oh boy, I get so tired of listening to all of these automotive media folks carrying on and on about manual transmissions and boo hoo this car doesn't have a manual and blah blah manual blah. Newsflash TFL -- MANUALS DON'T SELL! Get over it. That's why you see so few of them. It doesn't matter how much more fun they are to drive. The fact is they have a take rate of something like 1.5%. People don't want them. Quit crying about it.
If your looking for rear room in mazda 3 then im sorry to say that u don't understand what a compact hatch is. Rear leg & height room is not what mazda thinks about when designing the car
The way to get the Mazda 3 is to buy the base model hatchback. It's $25,000 all said and done, sports a 2.5L engine and automatic transmission. A comparably priced Civic or Corolla has a 2.0L and a CVT or manual transmission.
I'm in South Africa and our lowest trim only comes with a manual transmission. You'll laugh but all the Mazda 3's come in 1.5 only the highest astina model comes 2.0 and the 2.0 only comes in automatic and we're a country that mostly drives manual. My Nissan X-Trail url call it a Rogue in the u.s. comes in a 2.5. So y only 2 variants. Forgot to add I have the 2020 1.5 and I must admit for the 1.5 it does have some kick to it
It’s a close call between the Honda and the Mazda. If I were the only one using the car I would choose the Mazda with the manual gearbox. However, because I have a family I would choose instead the Honda because it’s more spacious inside the cabin. The Mazda’s are good looking cars but all their models all look alike with the exception of the MX-5. I was seriously considering to buy the 2022 Honda Civic hatchback with the manual gearbox if it doesn’t rev hang like in the previous generation.
The rev hang is also related to the heavy flywheel. I don't know what the new one will be like, but I don't let it bother me that much because if you just engage the clutch even when revs are above target level, the car absorbs it as if it was meant to do that.
I own Mazda and now I own Honda Civic Hatchback Advance ehev 2023. No comparison. Mazda is a good and quality car but Honda is spacious, less fuel consumption, more practical, better drivability. Much much better for families. So Honda is 10/10 and Mazda 8/10.
2021 Elantra N line: has 201 hp, a manual available, standard sunroof, real handbrake, best infotainment, wireless phone charger, mine gets up to 40mpg on highway if I drive sensibly. 1.6 turbo! So funwith the manual transmission!! MSRP 24k...it is the replacement for the Civic Si.
We are not talking about reliability, besides Hyundai is not that reliable either. Isn't that the company that has a recall for there engines to blow and catch on fire
@@dcal4455 The Hyundai Elantra N-Line is a blast, you should test drive one in manual if you know how to drive a stickshift. I have driven the Si and the N-Line...the N line was the better car in numerous ways.
the manual transmission should be available in the lowest trim....a lot of the enthusiasts are very young guys that dont have good jobs yet...like if they will make the miata in low $20k range, for sure they will sell really a lot
how about offer it in all trim levels? These decisions if they nail them can save them a few thousand dollars but if they alienate buyers they stand to lose millions. Penny wise, pound foolish.
@@f181234 Dude you're lost. In any particular model in which manuals are available it can be 100% (if its the only tranny available) less than 50% or more than 50%. Most vehicle in America do not have manual available. Most cars in Europe come in manual. Now sure if it is a Lincoln Town Car or Lexus LS400 those cars are supposed to be lux. A Mazda Miata or Mustang as sports cars are desired in manual. But any number you give for popularity is absolute bunk. If the manufacturer makes it, people will buy it. Its a simple formula.
I agree with both of you. Since I'm a fan of the civic, the generations I dislike is much shorter than the list of liked generations. I disliked the 7th, 10th and 11th. I really dislike the front of this 11th gen civic.
@@antoinemaxima6036 the problem is that the previous hatch was fugly from behind while aggressive and sharp from in front, well now the new one is fugly from in front and agreeable from behind. Why couldn't they be unique sharp creases from in front? The front nose looks like a whale shark!
Would the civic hatchback have less rear space? I know that’s a pattern for hatchbacks. They seem to be more of a 2 passenger car with the added bonus of a slight backseat
What we have been shown by Honda is that the 11 gen hatchback will be almost the same as the sedan. I think the difference is 37.4 inches for the sedan and 37.3 inches for the hatch but I could be wrong.
I have the previous gen hatch. The rear seat area is identical to the sedan except for the shape of the roofline and all hatches are designed to accommodate rear passengers just like the sedan. You cannot bring a Veloster into this discussion because it is an odd 3 seat vehicle. It does not have a sedan version. As is the case with all the others, a hatch increases vertical storage capability due to no rear deck but always reduces the length from the back seats to the rear bumper. The new Civic will have even more room than my 10th gen and it will rival the room of the old Crosstour.
To clear up one minor mistake- the civic doesn’t get 34mpg highway.. that’s combined. I have a 1.5L Accord LX that is averaging 40mpg per TANK, doing 70% highway. I guarantee you if you drive 70mph, this Civic will sit at 45mpg highway. If you have a bunch of 50mph roads, it’ll push 50mpg. I’ve done 50mpg on a drive with my Accord a few times.
Save yourselves $1100 and get a 2021 Mazda CX-30 which is basically a raised Mazda 3 hatch. The CX-30 is just under 300 lbs. heavier with AWD and has the same 0 - 60 and 1/4 mile times as the new Civic. The real world MPG of the CX-30 and 300 ft. road handling is better in the CX-30 while the braking is the same. If you want a safer car with better reliability the CX-30 is an SUV that actually beats the all new Civic! (Some of this data is from Car & Driver)
We test drove one and found the back seat was awful. My friend ended up with a Forester which is a decent vehicle, and much better than the CX30. She lives in an urban area so not much spirited mountain driving like in the Mazda commercial, so the Subaru works better.
@@midwestfarm757 I love the Forester! It's the best looking SUV on the market inside and out. Mazda and Subaru are the safest vehicles. The Forester is far more fuel efficient and roomy but it's also more of a small SUV instead of a subcompact. If room is more important than acceleration and handling than I would also consider the CX-5 if you haven't test driven it yet.
I’d take the Mazda. It’s just the better looking car. And I have no issues with Mazda’s infotainment. You get used to having the scroll wheel. I love the one in my parents Mazda3, and I now wish my VW GTI has one.
Mazda has never been a high volume brand. I don't know about Honda but you could not find many Mazda 3 in the San Francisco Bay Area after April. Also in 2021 there was a Mazda 3 Premium Plus none turbo model with 360 camera but they seemed to drop that model and only give you that on a Premium Plus in AWD Turbo. Yes, I didn't feel I needed the Turbo but did get a Premium AWD before the chip shortage really hit for $26,992 in Soul Red with 3 other options I really didn't need like the Cargo Mat, Rear Lip Spoiler and Rear Bumper Guard, Stainless but they were on the car. I guess my point or question was just that at the end you pointed out how many units the civic sold compared to the mazda 3. You also said that both cars were better than a corolla but the corolla almost sold as many units as the civic. I don't know the point of my comment. I just think people think Honda and Toyota are reliable and have better mileage. I did want better mileage but I had a 2002 Mazda Protégé ES that didn't give me any trouble. It was fun to drive and so I stuck with Mazda.
Exactly, Nathan's expectations for a compact car is just plain silly. He put down the Corolla for having a small back too in this video. Well Nathan, a guy your size should be driving a big car, that's not the Corolla's fault.
The Honda in the Mazda great inside and out. However the Honda interior along with the Fisher-Price simple HVAC, infotainment and car controls is what makes it so good..! There is no to little learning curve to know how to operate your vehicle... That over all makes it a safer car because of less distractions and taking your eyes off the road. Cannot wait for the SI and the Type r...!
No way, I would definitely go Civic Touring, roomier interior more comfortable seating, touch screen, and the color wireless connectivity and charging is enough to make my decision.
Mazda 3, but only in the Sedan form. The rear end of the hatchback looks tight, and there's very little headroom. If I wanted a hatchback, I'd pick a Golf for just that reason. Or a previous generation Mazda 3 hatchback.