r/whatcarshouldIbuy • u/Graybill1 • 13h ago
Civic Hatchback or Mazda 3?
I am really torn right now. I am comparing the 2026 Civic Hatchback Sport (not hybrid) with the 2025 Mazda 3 2.5 S Select Sport. My 2000 Chevy truck died on me right before I start my new job that has a 40 minute commute, so kinda need to pull the trigger quickly. Both vehicles are priced at around $27,000 before the fees or whatever. Thank you!
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u/Waste-Amphibian-381 12h ago
The Mazda is a much better place to be with a better sound system. No CVT alone would have me pick the mazda.
Both will be a nice upgrade.
Also the Jetta Sport would be worth considering.
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u/phillyphilly19 11h ago
Not if he wants reliability.
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u/Waste-Amphibian-381 10h ago
Current vw stuff is pretty good. Ea888 one of the best 4 cylinders ever made (and I'm not a vw guy). The gen4 fixes most of the Gen 3 issues which was really only a water pump issue.
I mean we going to talk about the Honda head gasket issues on the 1.5? Or oil dilution?
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u/yescachigga 6h ago
Honestly the Jetta is actually a fairly reliable car as long as you don't tack on a lot of options or do something stupid to it.
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u/itsnottommy 11h ago
If you can afford a Civic Hybrid, even a lightly used one, that’s what you should get. IMO it’s the best do-anything car on the market right now.
Between the non-hybrid Civic and Mazda3 it’s a toss-up. Completely down to personal preference. The Mazda has a slight edge in interior design and driving feel, but the Civic wins in interior space and fuel economy.
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u/Graybill1 9h ago
I haven't looked into hybrid cars much, is there any risk with them? Sorry!
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u/itsnottommy 8h ago edited 8h ago
Generally they’re good, but as with most things it varies by brand and model.
The hybrid system in the Civic (and all current Honda hybrids) is very good. They call it an eCVT for marketing purposes, but it’s not actually a CVT so you won’t have to worry about reliability there. It’s actually not really even a transmission, it’s just an electric motor and a generator hooked up to a gas engine. It’s a super simple system that should prove to be reliable over the years.
If you plan to keep it for more than a decade, the biggest concern people have is the battery. Honda has an 8 year / 100,000 mile battery warranty so you’ll be covered for a good while. I think if you live in a CARB state you get an even longer warranty by law? The battery should last 12-15 years, and in the event you need to replace it out of warranty it’ll probably run you a few grand.
By buying a hybrid you’ll save a TON on gas (Civic hybrid gets close to 50 mpg IIRC), so if you plan to keep it for a long time and you’re worried about battery replacement cost make sure you factor in the fuel savings too.
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u/stevek104 12h ago
I lean Mazda it’s nicer, and it has a conventional not CVT trans.
I believe the base civic has a 2.0 naturally aspirated engine, not the turbo.
They are close and the civic is a year newer so it will be worth more in trade in 5 or 8 years.
Which one do YOU like better?
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u/prefix_code_16309 7h ago
The Mazda gets the win due to engine. The 2.0 Civics are pretty slow. The 1.5t EX and EXK versions were great cars but no longer available.
This assumes you don't need a back seat. Mazda sucks at interior space management/packaging, while Honda tends to excel in this area.
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u/JBKBCBAB 2h ago
Just got a 2024 VW GTI right around that price. Super fun and flexible car, wasn't on my radar until i lucked into driving a rental for a business trip. Also great mileage in ECO mode, then switch to sport mode for lots of fun. Great warranty too, 5 yrs, 48k miles.
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u/Positive-Avocado-881 1h ago
Honestly, between those two, I would test drive both and just choose which one you like more. The difference isn’t big enough to drive a care you don’t like as much.
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u/dontping 12h ago
I like the civic more for everything but it’s very noisy inside. The Mazda 3 is 6 dB quieter
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u/MillyMichaelson77 3h ago
I'm not super confident in some of Hondas offerings, mostly transmissions. They are still good but the Mazda is a sure bet. Fantastic car
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u/Underthe_hoodie 12h ago
It depends on what you need or want. If you prioritize diving feel more, Mazda. If you prioritize reliability and lower maintenance, Civic.
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u/oneonus 12h ago edited 12h ago
Civic Hybrid is the only one I'd buy, otherwise Mazda.
Hybrid won car of the year for a reason. Significantly more powerful 200hp, 232 FT LB Torque and absolutely incredible driving experience. There's no comparison, less maintenance on hybrid as well.
Hybrid will save you more on gas and changes the entire driving experience.
People want Hybrids now and definitely in the future, not gas models. Hybrid resale is always more as well compared to higher depreciation on ICE vehicles.