IDriveACivic
Senior Member
- First Name
- J
- Joined
- Nov 9, 2017
- Threads
- 11
- Messages
- 293
- Reaction score
- 169
- Location
- Canada
- Vehicle(s)
- 2017 Civic Touring Sedan
Mazda made a big mistake going with the torsion beam rear imo.
I feel like Mazda got tired of winning car mag comparos and losing with customers - the last gen Mazda 3 was very fun to drive, but I think that was lost on the average customer. We'll see if their strategy results in more sales, since making the most fun car didn't translate to great sales.I test drove a 2019 Mazda3 Sport, the highest trim with all the options. Great interior, great Bose sound system, and the manual transmission felt really nice. To drive the thing was just so boring. I was replacing a base model 2010 Ford Fusion, with a 2.4L and a 6sp MT. And this thing felt just like that. It felt like a decade old Ford. I took it on the 401 (largest Canadian highway) where I do most of my driving, and once I was over about 110kph this thing had nothing left. So passing was a snooze, trying to zip in and out of lanes was terrible.
So it out featured the Civic what with the standard lane keep, adaptive CC, the HUD, blind spot warnings, far superior sound system, etc. And it has a better factory warranty. Maybe the best warranty in Canada. They don't even count mileage, just time. So if you're planning on putting a ton of distance on your car that's a big plus.
Even still, the Civic won by a mile. It's just so much more fun to drive. The steering is a lot more engaging. The 1.5T provides so much more get up and go off the line, and in the high gears as well. And the feature list on a Canadian spec Sport trim is still pretty good. CarPlay, moon roof, and smart keys, all with that wonderful manual transmission. I am very happy with my Civic Hatchback, and don't regret going with the Mazda even one little bit.
Note: I don't usually compare asthetics as they're so subjective. I think it's interesting how these two cars are at the opposite end of the spectrum though. The Mazda has almost no lines, no edges, it looks kinda...blobby. The Civic Hatchback is almost overdone with all the edges, and lines, and busy panels and whatnot. IMO the Civic won out on the looks category as well, but I can see why some prefer the subtler stylings of the Mazda.
Funny that you mention this. This was one of my complaints when trying out the 2019 Mazda3 Hatch. And for some reason they made the rear pillars and hatch really thick so you have a tiny porthole for a rear windshield. You'd have a better view with cheap Carnival cruise tickets.The mazda doesnt pan out looks like. Seems that the only saving grace for that car is the interior (which is nice but cramped).
That's what I saw in reviews too, the 2.5 seems to be really bland and sluggish in the Mazda which is surprising. It also looks like Mazda has given up with the Skyactiv-X engine for it Mazda 3 so Civic still reigns supreme in the engine department as well I guess.Funny that you mention this. This was one of my complaints when trying out the 2019 Mazda3 Hatch. And for some reason they made the rear pillars and hatch really thick so you have a tiny porthole for a rear windshield. You'd have a better view with cheap Carnival cruise tickets.
Also despite the engine, it is pretty boring to drive.
I'm disappointed in the new 3's size and I'm glad I chose the Civic hatchback. My 2016 Mazda 3 was great and I almost considered getting another one (I had to sell it because I was moving across country and already had two other cars). The only thing I disliked about it was the cramped interior. I'm only 5'9" but made me feel like a giant. Seeing the 2019 Mazda 3 somehow get even smaller just killed it for me. Mazda would have done well to keep the previous gen drivetrain and chasis while trying to improve interior space. They moved the ball in the wrong direction for sure.I went to test drive the car twice (FWD and AWD). Both times I loved how nice the interior was and it looks great, but I can't get over the fact that rear visibility and rear passenger space is limiting. I know it has lots of safety features but even then I still like to look back. Also getting in and out of the back is a hassle. You have to duck your head to get in and out. I almost bought the 3 a few days ago, but now am considering the 2020 hatch sport now they have the updated infotainment and has much more space.
I'm disappointed in the new 3's size and I'm glad I chose the Civic hatchback. My 2016 Mazda 3 was great and I almost considered getting another one (I had to sell it because I was moving across country and already had two other cars). The only thing I disliked about it was the cramped interior. I'm only 5'9" but made me feel like a giant. Seeing the 2019 Mazda 3 somehow get even smaller just killed it for me. Mazda would have done well to keep the previous gen drivetrain and chasis while trying to improve interior space. They moved the ball in the wrong direction for sure.
The only thing I miss is that interior. I love my Civic, but let's be real, the interior is lame and Mazda puts on a masterclass with interior design. Look like they've imported some of that to Toyota with their partnership. The new Toyota line-up has great interiors that are clearly Mazda influenced. The Civic feels dated and cheap by comparison.
So far in all the comparable cars I looked at (3, iM hatch, GTI) I feel more and more assured in buying the Civic. There's some things the others do better, but the Civic is just so well rounded and we'll priced it's hard to beat.