Bought a 2018 Mazda 3 with only 1000 miles on it in Sep 2018. Not sure why they sold it to me for so cheap but I got it for $18,000 out the door. 6 years later and the wife loves it and no issues with it at all.
They wanted to get rid of the 2018s to make room for the 2019 refresh. I had an opportunity to get a brand new touring sedan w/manual for 18.5k in Aug 2018. Really suprised at the asking price. After cross shopping, I ended up with a Ford Focus ST1 instead for 1k more.
If you have a moment to look up the history on CarFax, or AutoCheck, you’ll figure out WHY the price was so reasonable. Occasionally many dealers will sell a new or used car at COST (or even less, sometimes). The reasons are many and rather convoluted, of course, but it’s usually because they have a financial incentive to do so. Weird, right? (Automotive professional since 1999)
Mazda 3 clears. Gives you more for the money & is the superior daily driver. Having a traditional automatic transmission over a CVT is always a bonus as well. The only reason one would choose the Corolla is if you really want that hyrbid option. That & if you liked to be waived at since people will think you're an an uber/taxi . That will happen here in NYC anyways. With that said, I went with the Mazda 3 AWD hatchback. It's just too good of a car & looks damn good on the road.
My 2020 mazda3 is th3 perfect economy car. Its gorgeous, has every safety feature despite being a base model, adequate powertrain and engine, incredible handling... Perfect for a single dude like me.
I have a 2020 Impreza base , absolutely zero issues in 4 years of ownership, love the mpg, reliability and safety of full time AWD. Also the active safety features of eye sight which saved me once during a moment of foolish inattentive driving . My family has owned Subaru for years and think for the NW , they are near perfect
Bought a manual transmission mazda3 8 months ago and have now driven it through every Ohio season. I have been loving it and love it more every day. the shifter / gearbox is SO smooth, it gets better MPG then the NA FWD auto version (about 30 city and 40 highway at 65mph here), and so many great premium features like the heads-up display, sun roof, blind spot monitoring, radar cruise control, safety features, the Bose speakers, heated seats, the stunning dark red leather, etc. and I bought it for $26k after taxes with 30k or 35k miles on it. I have VERY few complaints about this car and the only Issue I had was the OEM battery died shortly after getting it (the OEM batteries are known to not be great, replaced mine with a different one). It's great daily commuting and long drives, when you want to have fun it has a fun amount of torque past 2k rpms so you can rev it out for the torque if you want it and take off from lights pretty fast without meaning to, and if you want a more chill drive just keep the rpms below 2.5k and you get AMAZING MPG numbers (have had it go to 45 or 50 in the city sometimes if I drive REALLY conservatively, get up to speed not too slow or fast then keep the rpms low and just coast around, very smooth and relaxing and pretty flexible in how you want to drive but that's part of the benefit of a manual 😅). The interior cabin space with the dark red leather is beautiful and the experience as a driver with the Bose speakers blasting is just wonderful. Love this car.
Im a beginner driver my brother has a corolla and I got a mazda3 sedan. Corolla felt slower but easier to drive while mazda3 felt quicker and somewhat harder. Main key difference I got is that corolla has WAY BETTER cruise control compared to mazda3. Corolla would keep ur car in the center while mazda would steer ur car if you go past the lane. Corolla has also better lane recognition. Braking also felt easier in corolla but im thats probably becuase im still new. The infotainment system of mazda3 is surprisingly better to use when driving it took me less than a week to get somehat used to. Not having touchscreen for carplay is a downer.
Great videos. Just found this channel but very good production value and personality. I have nearly zero interest in these cars but you make learning about them interesting.
Mazda's have so much going for them with beautiful interiors & exteriors. Unfortunately they just can't seem to master space efficiency. If you don't mind cramped quarters, the Mazda is a winner.
I went with the 2025 Legacy for just under $25k. Kind of the Impreza but standard with the 2.5L engine. Just got the base trim level. Less screen, more buttons. It’s the AWD that determined it for us. It has decent power at about 185hp. Smooth, quiet ride. As roomy as a Camry. Got it as our family car. So we didn’t need something very sporty. Just safe, reliable and comfortable. If I want to go fast, I’ve got a BMW 1 series for that! lol
To that, i would point out that most vehicles that were affordable pre-covid are now substantial more expensive. Looking at same models/trims, the prices over the last few years have gone up several thousand dollars while the vast majority of salaries remain the same. So these are cheaper in comparison to other outrageously expensive vehicles, but the concept of "affordable vehicle" doesn't really exist anymore
Subie for anyone who has to deal with winter. And, subies will live forever if you change the fluids (like most vehicles) and, don’t try to tow a house.
Love my 2023 Toyota Corolla LE Hybrid AWD and after driving it for over a year now I can say there are no drawbacks to owning this car ..... And if you take the time to understand how to drive a hybrid to get the most MPG it is amazing.
My compliments. I think you're growing on the job. You're forcing the jokes less and doubling down on your strength of informed opinions about the cars. Nice useful comparo here.
My father a got into a car accident a few months ago totaling out his 2018 Toyota Corolla. Don't worry my father is okay but with that happening we had to look for new car. We were again going to get another Corolla spect similar to his old one however the price really turned us off. The 2018 Corolla was an LE model but with the premium package. Basically it gave you a sunroof, alloy wheels, and fog lights but had the same interior as a regular LE. A 2024 equivalent with destination and taxes would have been closer to $29,000. We got the 2018 brand new for closer to $23,000. Of course a Corolla Hybrid spect out same way and with AWD was even more money. On top of all that, at that particular moment in time (October 2023) many Toyota dealerships were still doing dumb markups. Though the Mazda 3 was on our list, we were concerned about its cylinder deactivation. In the end we ended up going with 2024 Impreza. In fact it is literally the exact one at 1:01 in this video. Yes, it is a base model with no sunroof or fog lights but it does have the alloy wheels. The big ticket is the Symmetrical AWD which is standard. No other AWD system beats Subaru. Not Toyota, Honda, or Nissan and yet you have to pay extra for these systems. Don't get me wrong I love Toyota and Honda too however in todays market Subaru and Mazda offer way more the price.
@@smok3sho587 im glad north america doesnt have that I-stop feature 😅 Ive heard it had some issues in the 2019 and 2020 model years but im sure it got ironed out now.
Need manual, get Mazda. Need a real automatic, get a Mazda. Need the lowest priced awd, get impreza. Need reliability above all, get Corolla or impreza.
Just look it up on consumer reports. I’ve had a 2016 Mazda for 8 years and 150k miles and no car issues except infotainment system is dead. Just bought a 2024 Mazda 3. It’s a no contest you get a way cooler and better car in every aspect with the Mazda.
I just bought the Mazda 3 Grand Touring MildHybrid 2024 edition and I love it. Drive experience is incredible and you feel like you are driving a luxury car. The interior is amazing.
I have a 2.5 NA Mazda 3 AWD 2019. And I have to say, they HIGHLY underestimated the gas mileage. On some highway trips I can get up to 48mpg and I average 36-37mpg per tank. Very impressed with the car so far
Seems like no one here understands that eCVT transmissions on Corollas are not like traditional CTVs. There is simply no belt, no clutch, no more alternator, or starter or changing gears. So it's way more reliable than a normal car because all of the most common parts that usually break are replaced by electric motors combined with a set of planetary gears. No other hybrid system is close to theirs.
Agreed, even several car reviewers I’ve spoken too don’t seem to know why the E-cvt is special. I believe the new honda setup is kind of similar to it though!
Very nice and fair evaluation of the competition here. When shopping for my car late last year, I took a look at all 3 and you've hit most of the takeaways that I observed. In a nutshell, Mazda for the driver, Toyota for the gas/reliability, Subaru for the space and bang for your buck. My personal opinion: Mazda 3's far too small in the back and visibility is too far compromised, Corolla is a big "meh" which may not be a bad thing in this price segment, and Impreza offers that jack of all trades balance. In the end, I ended up going Outback XT as Mazda's 2-seater setup was out of the question for me and both the Corolla and Impreza felt too slow even with their top engines. One thing most people miss is slow engine also means loud engine because you end up spending more time harder on the throttle. With the 260hp and 277lb ft in the Outback XT, I'm usually only 30% on the throttle and even highway merging necessitates only 40%.
I brought my 2021 3 Select for under 21K. CVT is a no-go for me, plus the others are snoozers. Mazda for the win-it's not even close. It's so good we have four in the family now: two NA and two Turbo PP.
Great review. I am SICK of hearing car reviewers talk about the GR corolla at all though. No one should pay $40k for a corolla.... It doesn't count as a corolla if it is almost double the price of the "base" model. It is just another car completely.
I’m really curious about the Subaru but the long term issues have me scared and you can’t argue the Toyota. You have to make it your mission to destroy that car Toyota and even then it’s almost impossible. Thank you for covering the base models for the small group of us that enjoy a simple and reliable vehicle.
I’ve had the 24 Corolla LE base model (without the convenience package) since January and it’s a wonderful car. It’s a bit sluggish in traffic but it’s great on the highway. The CVT can take some getting used to, it’s hard to find the right amount acceleration every time you hit the gas. The car can almost drive itself with the dynamic cruise control. I plan on keeping this thing for many many years.
The soul red metallic paint on the Mazda 3 is beautiful, but it is also extremely thin and fragile, meaning it will chip very easily. Buyer beware if you like to take long trips on the freeway!
I agree. I own a pearl white 2021 Mazda3, which I bought new, and which now has 36,000+ miles. My hood is terribly chipped. A repaint of the hood will cost $1500+, since you have to blend it in with the fenders. Another RUclipsr actually measured the paint thickness on his Mazda3, and it's noticeably thinner than Honda and Toyota.
Great Video Tyler. Hopefully you can speak with Toyota reps about offering a Mild Hatchback; Similar to a Ciivic Si or Civic Sport.. They really dropped the ball on offering a Manual Transmission option for the Corolla Hatchback…
I still got the risky one out of the bunch, a Kia Forte GT with 201 hsp and ventilated seats. It’s a 2020 but I got it for 23k and it’s perfect, love it so much.
I hope you don't keep your cars longer than warranty, because I swear as soon as it's out everything breaks down on a Kia or Hyundai (mine had the following break within 10 years: wiper motor, rear wiper motor, washer fluid pump, power steering, driver's door latch, hood latch, AC, CD player, Exhaust, Suspension, and much more)
For me, I’m looking for my first car so Hyundai and Kia are very iffy in my book, I’d rather go with the Corolla, but I’m glad it’s treating you well, and let’s hope that the Kia boys don’t get their greasy hands on your car 😅
Don't want CVT. Don't want tiny engine with turbo. Don't want cheap plastic. Don't want road noise. Don't want boring handling. Don't want huge fugly computer screen. I want something that excels in quality and is fun to drive. Only one choice really, the Mazda.
I’m team Subaru. A compact car with four doors should fit 5 passenger without rubbing up against the headliner or front seat back. If your backseats are an afterthought, get a Subaru BRZ.
The Mazda 3 is simply the best car to drive, best looking, and most powerful. Why would you bother with anything else. It’s ridiculously good, every other hatch feels like you’re driving a bubble. The cabin of the 3 feels like you’re sitting in a car costing twice as much. Recently drove a gti and while it was quick, all unusually power daily, it still has this very basic boring bubble on the road feel. The Subaru interior is simply revolting. Too many lines, the screen is too big and gaudy looking. The Corolla looks ok, but it’s for your grandparents and the Mazda is every bit as reliable.
Thanks for another great review. Im happy with my 21 Impreza sport hatchback in manual but what i really want is,......an WRX wagon/Levoreg in "Manual Transmission"..... .😢
Not even a close comparison - Mazda3 easily. Wish that I would have figured that out sooner though. My 2020 TNGA Toyota Corolla SE Sedan (built late 2019 in Japan) was the most problematic & defect-laden vehicle that I ever owned over 40 years & 10 new Toyota/Honda vehicles during that time. Driving a 2022 Mazda now (my first Mazda) & no problems to report thus far over 2 years later.
I had a 2020 SE too and it was rock solid when I had it. Mine was assembled in the Mississippi plant no rattling or defects that I could notice. I guess Japan built cars aren’t always free of mishaps like what most people tout. I now have a Camry hybrid assembled at the Kentucky plant which also super solid.
@@ammarisrar2005 Nope, sorry. Only kept the vehicle for 2 years & 10K miles & it had 4 oil/filter changes during that time (every 6 months, so every 2500 miles). Try again troll. It simply came with a lot of defects/problems (starter, transmission, electrical system & paint quality issues).
I like the Corolla hatchback and the Mazda 3 hatchback. But the Mazda 3 hb has less room in the back and I need to have some room when car camping. Looks I like both, just wish the Corolla had a bit more power at least more torque. But is very light. Mazda 3 hb has a crazy blind spot with those pillars and smaller windows. I’m not a fan. Tough decision to make.
Maybe the Corolla SE is different but when I plant my foot on the floor it uses fixed ratios rather than go lawnmower. The only time it does lawnmower is at low load when the engine isn’t noisy enough for it to be annoying.
Yeah, because the CVT is tuned in a sporty fashion whereas the LE is tuned for max fuel efficiency and comfort, plus you get the paddles in the SE to go thru the ratios
@@ammarisrar2005 I think the ‘23 SE dropped the paddles, I know my ‘24 doesn’t have them. I can’t say that I miss them, the transmission responds quickly enough that I never feel like I have to force a lower ratio to get the acceleration I need.
You can get a really good deal on the RS impreza. My local dealer is selling a nearly fully optioned Impreza rs for 2.5k under msrp right now. The only thing holding me back is mpg.
None of them are "missing climate vents" for the back seats. They are located under the front seats just like they have been on most cars for decades. Also the Harmon Kardon option in the impreza blows away the bose system.
I meant to say climate console vents, virtually every car has the under seat ones. If you only have air blowing on your feet, it takes much longer to cool down than if you have console vents. The HK distorts high notes pretty bad in my opinion.
@@Realistick People get weird about vents in cars. Its such a small space that it literally takes a matter of minutes to get the entire interior to your temp of choice. You dont see people sitting on top of their air vents at home, or requesting a table in a restaurant under the heat duct. If the inside is 70 degrees its 70 degrees. I dont see why it matters where the air comes from. To each their own I suppose. That is a "feature" that I pay no attention to at any price point personally.
@@boost331 It makes a big difference when the car has been cooking. If you bake in the back for 5 minutes as the air circulates, you’ll work up a sweat. I know this because my mom complains about it with her Crosstrek😂 Maybe you don’t care, but a lot of people with families or dogs do so I’ll take the extra 2 seconds to mention it since a lot of spec sheets won’t!
@@boost331Personally, I don’t mind lacking the rear vent, but I do miss it somewhat because the XJ Cherokee had one when I was sitting in the back seat as a kid. It’s a nice feature.
The Mazda 3 is the clear choice thanks to the 2.5L engine and 6 speed auto even at the base level. Even the base interior is also premium level. However, the Mazda 3 really needs fun colors like that gorgeous Oasis Blue, all Mazda has right now is old people geriatric colors like 5 different shades of sand and silver. Even the Corolla Hatchback had Blue Flame Pearl in the first few years. The Mazda 3 also really needs a competent hybrid option, not sure why Mazda hasn't made a CX-30 in Alabama yet using the Corolla Cross hybrid system, plus the CX-50 uses the CX-30 platform
@@smok3sho587 Mazda has already fit a RAV4 hybrid system into the CX-50, which uses the CX-30/Mazda 3 platform. They could easily now fit the Corolla Cross hybrid system into the CX-30 at least
Most buyers are fine with (and actually prefer) front wheel drive to all wheel drive. Lower initial cost and lower operating and maintenance costs attend to the FWD variants as well. Sorry Subaru. Also gears, so... Mazda.
The Corolla should probably get the job done with lower running costs but the Impreza would be more family friendly! You could make the Mazda work too if you’re not super tall but it’s less-than-ideal for family work.
@@Diego-oy6enMy Forester and our rental Crosstrek's rear doors open to 70-75 degrees, which is amazing for getting kids (and elderly) in and out of the rear bench. 👍
If your 2 Year old is still in a rear facing car seat, the only way it will work is if your spouse/passenger seat is moved up a bit. younmay have to pay alittle more for Corolla-Cross, Subary Crosstrek, Civic lx hatchback(hard to find), Chevy Trax (iffy 3 banger, time will tell.
@@NoodlesExtraMSG I have heard Imprezza and Crosstrek are same in dimensions..my 2 year old son sits in front facing car seat behind front passenger seat. Dealers running good discount on Imprezza and I am getting base variant for 25k OTD which is well in my budget . Corolla is coming 26kOTD. Want vehicle with good resale value plus low maintenance cost but not sure which vehicle will fit all my requirement
Super dark interiors look cheap. Drop a black pen on the floor and try to find it at night.You will need more lighting at night. The Subaru is the best overall but that screen is huge. Drivers will look down to adjust the temperature and get distracted by that large screen.
Love mazda but the visibility killed it for me when I test drove it. Even worse is the back seat which is a definite penalty box. On paper, it may be the best (N/A, no CVT) but that's not everything if you have to live with it everyday. I thought maybe stepping up to a CX-30 would solve some of that. It indeed is better but the slit windows still create a claustrophobic feeling. Going to try the Subaru for the visibility and extra leg space back and front.
Yeah.. the mazda is the best and its not even close. It has the most powerful engine, has a real automatic and is most luxurious
All 3 are crap cars for poor boys
@@pillbox1240 wtf are u talking about, it's not because you buy a car 30k and less, means that you are poor
@@pillbox1240 Imagine Gate keeping economy cars
It has no back seat. Might as well have got a coup...
Bought a 2018 Mazda 3 with only 1000 miles on it in Sep 2018. Not sure why they sold it to me for so cheap but I got it for $18,000 out the door. 6 years later and the wife loves it and no issues with it at all.
They wanted to get rid of the 2018s to make room for the 2019 refresh. I had an opportunity to get a brand new touring sedan w/manual for 18.5k in Aug 2018. Really suprised at the asking price. After cross shopping, I ended up with a Ford Focus ST1 instead for 1k more.
If you have a moment to look up the history on CarFax, or AutoCheck, you’ll figure out WHY the price was so reasonable. Occasionally many dealers will sell a new or used car at COST (or even less, sometimes). The reasons are many and rather convoluted, of course, but it’s usually because they have a financial incentive to do so. Weird, right? (Automotive professional since 1999)
@@neverrelax8992Ooops. How’s that oil bath engine eating cam belt treating you.
No problems. No ooops.
I bought a 2018 mazda3 in April 2018 with 4K miles … 2.5 L GT.
It now has 285k miles
Mazda 3 clears. Gives you more for the money & is the superior daily driver. Having a traditional automatic transmission over a CVT is always a bonus as well. The only reason one would choose the Corolla is if you really want that hyrbid option. That & if you liked to be waived at since people will think you're an an uber/taxi . That will happen here in NYC anyways. With that said, I went with the Mazda 3 AWD hatchback. It's just too good of a car & looks damn good on the road.
Leaning the 3 hatchback or sedan over the cx30 because the 3 is made in Japan. Was leaning lease but this car might be good enough to finance.
The nice part about the Mazda3 is that it comes with an automatic that has GEARS in it, not a CVT.
Actually the Corolla’s CVT does have a first gear.
@@tails300and it feels horrible once it shifts to cvt and shifts back into one, plus handling sucks on the rolla,
@@tails300who cares?
@@TheDiameterblow 😮😮
@@Tragick_Sin no it doesn't lol. toyota cvt is one of the smoothest and it has proven to be more reliable than mazda's auto trans.
Got a Mazda 3 and it feels miles ahead of the competition based on test drives. Was able to get awd in the Mazda 3 for under 30k which is awesome
thats my goal
@@ArcturusAlphabut the gas is sucks on mazda tho
@@kinsleytv5412 Not as bad as your English 😂😂
My 2020 mazda3 is th3 perfect economy car. Its gorgeous, has every safety feature despite being a base model, adequate powertrain and engine, incredible handling... Perfect for a single dude like me.
I have a 2020 Impreza base , absolutely zero issues in 4 years of ownership, love the mpg, reliability and safety of full time AWD. Also the active safety features of eye sight which saved me once during a moment of foolish inattentive driving . My family has owned Subaru for years and think for the NW , they are near perfect
I’ll be driving a Subaru for the rest of my life, living in New England it’s a must
As long as Mazda stays off CVT's it'll always be my pick
Excactly!!!
Really appreciate it when you include reported issues for every vehicle.
I just bought a 2024 Corolla LE w/Convenience package. I paid around $23K and I feel good about the purchase.
Are you in Dallas too? I’m looking for one here
Congrats, awesome deal!
Yes good Deal
good deal? that's an excellent deal on a car that's high demand and low supply!
Sorry to hear that
Descriptions are spot on (full lawnmower mode). Drove them last year. Bought an used M3, Zoom Zoom.
Bought a manual transmission mazda3 8 months ago and have now driven it through every Ohio season. I have been loving it and love it more every day. the shifter / gearbox is SO smooth, it gets better MPG then the NA FWD auto version (about 30 city and 40 highway at 65mph here), and so many great premium features like the heads-up display, sun roof, blind spot monitoring, radar cruise control, safety features, the Bose speakers, heated seats, the stunning dark red leather, etc. and I bought it for $26k after taxes with 30k or 35k miles on it. I have VERY few complaints about this car and the only Issue I had was the OEM battery died shortly after getting it (the OEM batteries are known to not be great, replaced mine with a different one). It's great daily commuting and long drives, when you want to have fun it has a fun amount of torque past 2k rpms so you can rev it out for the torque if you want it and take off from lights pretty fast without meaning to, and if you want a more chill drive just keep the rpms below 2.5k and you get AMAZING MPG numbers (have had it go to 45 or 50 in the city sometimes if I drive REALLY conservatively, get up to speed not too slow or fast then keep the rpms low and just coast around, very smooth and relaxing and pretty flexible in how you want to drive but that's part of the benefit of a manual 😅). The interior cabin space with the dark red leather is beautiful and the experience as a driver with the Bose speakers blasting is just wonderful. Love this car.
Love my 2024 Mazda 3 preferred! Couldn’t have been happier with my choice!
I’m team Mazda, zoOm ZoOm!
"city bus material choices" - sums up subaru pretty well
Im a beginner driver my brother has a corolla and I got a mazda3 sedan. Corolla felt slower but easier to drive while mazda3 felt quicker and somewhat harder. Main key difference I got is that corolla has WAY BETTER cruise control compared to mazda3. Corolla would keep ur car in the center while mazda would steer ur car if you go past the lane. Corolla has also better lane recognition. Braking also felt easier in corolla but im thats probably becuase im still new. The infotainment system of mazda3 is surprisingly better to use when driving it took me less than a week to get somehat used to. Not having touchscreen for carplay is a downer.
I feel like you get:
Mazda 3 for drive feel, premium interior
Impreza for utility, AWD
Corolla for reliability
Here in New England, the cheapest AWD makes the Impreza the clear winner.
Mazda 3 has AWD and no CVT...
The video I didn't know I wanted.
🫡
I would take the Mazda 3 sedan any day.
Great videos. Just found this channel but very good production value and personality. I have nearly zero interest in these cars but you make learning about them interesting.
I love the mazda's design
Mazda's have so much going for them with beautiful interiors & exteriors. Unfortunately they just can't seem to master space efficiency. If you don't mind cramped quarters, the Mazda is a winner.
@@danhall3450Small person car. Works out since I’m a small person.
@@danhall3450 I'm 6 foot and I'm very comfortable in my Mazda 3 hatchback
I got the 2012, and I also am comfortable in my Mazda3 hatchback @@PatG-xd8qn
@@PatG-xd8qnYeah its only a problem if you're sitting in the back, even the trunk is a good size for a compact/small sedan.
I went with the 2025 Legacy for just under $25k.
Kind of the Impreza but standard with the 2.5L engine. Just got the base trim level. Less screen, more buttons. It’s the AWD that determined it for us. It has decent power at about 185hp. Smooth, quiet ride. As roomy as a Camry. Got it as our family car. So we didn’t need something very sporty. Just safe, reliable and comfortable. If I want to go fast, I’ve got a BMW 1 series for that! lol
This needs to be sent to everyone complaining about how there's no good affordable vehicles left
Average salary doesn't even get to 60k... this cars are 30k. Perspective is a b*tch for people like us whose salaries exceed that.
To that, i would point out that most vehicles that were affordable pre-covid are now substantial more expensive. Looking at same models/trims, the prices over the last few years have gone up several thousand dollars while the vast majority of salaries remain the same. So these are cheaper in comparison to other outrageously expensive vehicles, but the concept of "affordable vehicle" doesn't really exist anymore
Subie for anyone who has to deal with winter. And, subies will live forever if you change the fluids (like most vehicles) and, don’t try to tow a house.
mazda: fun, exterior
toyota: fuel economy, reliability
subaru: snow, pet owners
Love my 2023 Toyota Corolla LE Hybrid AWD and after driving it for over a year now I can say there are no drawbacks to owning this car ..... And if you take the time to understand how to drive a hybrid to get the most MPG it is amazing.
Mazda direct injection typically don't have carbon build up problems since they have heated intake valves to burn off extra carbon.
This video should be more popular. I went with the base Impreza. Low CG, AWD, though no fog lights.
My compliments. I think you're growing on the job. You're forcing the jokes less and doubling down on your strength of informed opinions about the cars. Nice useful comparo here.
Ok Tony
Mazda wins my money with no turbo and no cvt thank you mazda for hearing what the people like😊
Why do people not like turbo and cvt
@@kiwifrenchie6036cvt has issues and turbo makes engine less reliable
@@kiwifrenchie6036 Reliability issues
@@javo5270 So true
My father a got into a car accident a few months ago totaling out his 2018 Toyota Corolla. Don't worry my father is okay but with that happening we had to look for new car. We were again going to get another Corolla spect similar to his old one however the price really turned us off. The 2018 Corolla was an LE model but with the premium package. Basically it gave you a sunroof, alloy wheels, and fog lights but had the same interior as a regular LE. A 2024 equivalent with destination and taxes would have been closer to $29,000. We got the 2018 brand new for closer to $23,000. Of course a Corolla Hybrid spect out same way and with AWD was even more money. On top of all that, at that particular moment in time (October 2023) many Toyota dealerships were still doing dumb markups. Though the Mazda 3 was on our list, we were concerned about its cylinder deactivation. In the end we ended up going with 2024 Impreza. In fact it is literally the exact one at 1:01 in this video. Yes, it is a base model with no sunroof or fog lights but it does have the alloy wheels. The big ticket is the Symmetrical AWD which is standard. No other AWD system beats Subaru. Not Toyota, Honda, or Nissan and yet you have to pay extra for these systems. Don't get me wrong I love Toyota and Honda too however in todays market Subaru and Mazda offer way more the price.
I'd be more worried about cvt over the cylinder deactivation
@@smok3sho587 im glad north america doesnt have that I-stop feature 😅 Ive heard it had some issues in the 2019 and 2020 model years but im sure it got ironed out now.
Need manual, get Mazda. Need a real automatic, get a Mazda. Need the lowest priced awd, get impreza. Need reliability above all, get Corolla or impreza.
impreza over the mazda for reliability?? do you live under a rock???
The mazda3 and impreza reliability debate could go either way if we look at the last gen! Everything before that id avoid like an ex with a gun🥴
Just look it up on consumer reports. I’ve had a 2016 Mazda for 8 years and 150k miles and no car issues except infotainment system is dead. Just bought a 2024 Mazda 3. It’s a no contest you get a way cooler and better car in every aspect with the Mazda.
Subaru are not as reliable as most people think they are. We have 2 have 2 of them.
@@gman72 I just got a 2024 M3 myself. My first Mazda and, so far, the one I enjoy driving the most.
✌🏻👍🏻✌🏻
watching this review in my $500 2000 corolla. cant wait to upgrade to this in 25 years!
I just bought the Mazda 3 Grand Touring MildHybrid 2024 edition and I love it. Drive experience is incredible and you feel like you are driving a luxury car. The interior is amazing.
I have a 2.5 NA Mazda 3 AWD 2019. And I have to say, they HIGHLY underestimated the gas mileage. On some highway trips I can get up to 48mpg and I average 36-37mpg per tank. Very impressed with the car so far
I'm still happy with my 2023 M3TH. The best car for its price and features.
Seems like no one here understands that eCVT transmissions on Corollas are not like traditional CTVs. There is simply no belt, no clutch, no more alternator, or starter or changing gears. So it's way more reliable than a normal car because all of the most common parts that usually break are replaced by electric motors combined with a set of planetary gears. No other hybrid system is close to theirs.
Agreed, even several car reviewers I’ve spoken too don’t seem to know why the E-cvt is special. I believe the new honda setup is kind of similar to it though!
Very nice and fair evaluation of the competition here. When shopping for my car late last year, I took a look at all 3 and you've hit most of the takeaways that I observed. In a nutshell, Mazda for the driver, Toyota for the gas/reliability, Subaru for the space and bang for your buck.
My personal opinion: Mazda 3's far too small in the back and visibility is too far compromised, Corolla is a big "meh" which may not be a bad thing in this price segment, and Impreza offers that jack of all trades balance. In the end, I ended up going Outback XT as Mazda's 2-seater setup was out of the question for me and both the Corolla and Impreza felt too slow even with their top engines. One thing most people miss is slow engine also means loud engine because you end up spending more time harder on the throttle. With the 260hp and 277lb ft in the Outback XT, I'm usually only 30% on the throttle and even highway merging necessitates only 40%.
I brought my 2021 3 Select for under 21K. CVT is a no-go for me, plus the others are snoozers. Mazda for the win-it's not even close. It's so good we have four in the family now: two NA and two Turbo PP.
Love this channel, always reviewing normal people cars.
Excellent review as always! I have a previous gen (2015) 3 and can love it!
Great review. I am SICK of hearing car reviewers talk about the GR corolla at all though. No one should pay $40k for a corolla.... It doesn't count as a corolla if it is almost double the price of the "base" model. It is just another car completely.
I’m really curious about the Subaru but the long term issues have me scared and you can’t argue the Toyota. You have to make it your mission to destroy that car Toyota and even then it’s almost impossible. Thank you for covering the base models for the small group of us that enjoy a simple and reliable vehicle.
I wish that the impreza would get a manual or an automatic option... I think it looks awesome. They should make a wrx hatch with this design.
Mazda is my favorite car brand and I love my Mazda 3
I’ve had the 24 Corolla LE base model (without the convenience package) since January and it’s a wonderful car. It’s a bit sluggish in traffic but it’s great on the highway. The CVT can take some getting used to, it’s hard to find the right amount acceleration every time you hit the gas. The car can almost drive itself with the dynamic cruise control. I plan on keeping this thing for many many years.
Get a pedal commander for if.
The 24 LE Corolla is a great first car as well
Mazda by far is best choice here and i think is more reliable than subaru and toyota right now
The soul red metallic paint on the Mazda 3 is beautiful, but it is also extremely thin and fragile, meaning it will chip very easily. Buyer beware if you like to take long trips on the freeway!
All modern cars have really thin and fragile paint jobs, might want to repaint or apply some protection if you're concerned.
I agree. I own a pearl white 2021 Mazda3, which I bought new, and which now has 36,000+ miles. My hood is terribly chipped. A repaint of the hood will cost $1500+, since you have to blend it in with the fenders. Another RUclipsr actually measured the paint thickness on his Mazda3, and it's noticeably thinner than Honda and Toyota.
Great Video Tyler.
Hopefully you can speak with Toyota reps about offering a Mild Hatchback; Similar to a Ciivic Si or Civic Sport..
They really dropped the ball on offering a Manual Transmission option for the Corolla Hatchback…
Great content, audio, video, editing & most importantly an honest review...
Thank you
You should make RUclips shorts just with the conclusion. Will help get more folks to your channel 💪👏
Toyota and Subaru against.. Mazda? Hmmm. Interesting battle and fun to see how they compare. Mazda is obviously elevated tho
Life-long Toyota fan and buyer... Currently driving a Subaru. I'm all about Subarus until further notice. If it proves reliable, I'm sold.
I still got the risky one out of the bunch, a Kia Forte GT with 201 hsp and ventilated seats. It’s a 2020 but I got it for 23k and it’s perfect, love it so much.
I hope you don't keep your cars longer than warranty, because I swear as soon as it's out everything breaks down on a Kia or Hyundai (mine had the following break within 10 years: wiper motor, rear wiper motor, washer fluid pump, power steering, driver's door latch, hood latch, AC, CD player, Exhaust, Suspension, and much more)
@@noseboop4354 Yup, we will see. 70k miles on it I drive a lot and nothing has happened yet but definitely could be the case
For me, I’m looking for my first car so Hyundai and Kia are very iffy in my book, I’d rather go with the Corolla, but I’m glad it’s treating you well, and let’s hope that the Kia boys don’t get their greasy hands on your car 😅
Don't want CVT. Don't want tiny engine with turbo. Don't want cheap plastic. Don't want road noise. Don't want boring handling. Don't want huge fugly computer screen. I want something that excels in quality and is fun to drive. Only one choice really, the Mazda.
Why
Great comparison 👍
The clear choice is the Mazda 3 with its large powerful 4 cyl engine, looks, build quality, 6 speed transmission, reliability, and most fun to drive.
Great job man
Got a decent deal on an Impreza RS. Love it!
Over there it's a budget. Over here in Malaysia, a secondhand Mazda 6, Subaru and Toyota Corolla/Altis costs a fortune...
Mazda 3 have full LED for all trim level. Even the turn signal and backup light. Why can’t all car makers do that?
The Mazbaryota Improlla 3 RS gets my vote!
Mazda3 nice ride nice car and its reliable!!!
2025 mazda 3 select sport sub 24k. No competition. Also came with a 10-year 100,000 mile powertrain warranty.
Mazda 3 , no hesitation.
We picked up a Nissan Sentra over Honda, Corolla or Mazda. We retired our original owner ‘04 Saturn Ion- that car turned out to be bullet proof.
Mazda (in CX-30 form) is smiles ahead for me.
Excellent review / comparison. Great detail, great content! Well done!
Thanks!
I’m team Subaru. A compact car with four doors should fit 5 passenger without rubbing up against the headliner or front seat back. If your backseats are an afterthought, get a Subaru BRZ.
Need a comparison with hyundai elantra and sonata as well. Good videoo, loved it
Love my 22 impreza been a great car so far just regular matance. About 70k on it.
Nice, my 17 Impreza is at 101k and it still feels great to drive
The Mazda 3 is simply the best car to drive, best looking, and most powerful. Why would you bother with anything else. It’s ridiculously good, every other hatch feels like you’re driving a bubble. The cabin of the 3 feels like you’re sitting in a car costing twice as much. Recently drove a gti and while it was quick, all unusually power daily, it still has this very basic boring bubble on the road feel. The Subaru interior is simply revolting. Too many lines, the screen is too big and gaudy looking. The Corolla looks ok, but it’s for your grandparents and the Mazda is every bit as reliable.
Naturally aspirated MPI is a must if you want long term reliability. Guess which of the three has it?
Thanks for another great review. Im happy with my 21 Impreza sport hatchback in manual but what i really want is,......an WRX wagon/Levoreg in "Manual Transmission"..... .😢
Subaru can only get close to enthusiast perfection these days😪
I want a new Corolla LE so I can go full lawnmower on the freeway.
If it were a transformer, it’s name would be Megatrimmer
@@Realistick😂😂😂😂😂
jokes on you my impreza does 3700 rpm in 5th gear on the highway
@@sjnavaidAre you driving at like 90 mph with your Impreza???
@@nowiecoche maybe allegedly 🤫
Should’ve done the hatchback versions of Mazda 3 and Corolla
Not even a close comparison - Mazda3 easily. Wish that I would have figured that out sooner though. My 2020 TNGA Toyota Corolla SE Sedan (built late 2019 in Japan) was the most problematic & defect-laden vehicle that I ever owned over 40 years & 10 new Toyota/Honda vehicles during that time. Driving a 2022 Mazda now (my first Mazda) & no problems to report thus far over 2 years later.
What was wrong with your Corolla?
I had a 2020 SE too and it was rock solid when I had it. Mine was assembled in the Mississippi plant no rattling or defects that I could notice. I guess Japan built cars aren’t always free of mishaps like what most people tout. I now have a Camry hybrid assembled at the Kentucky plant which also super solid.
@@tails300 I have my 2020 Corolla LE from Mississippi as well and it’s solid too but I will be keeping mine for a very long time. 4 years already
Yeah it just sounds like you’re a bad owner, just leaving a corolla as is, driving it without any maintenance will destroy it
@@ammarisrar2005 Nope, sorry. Only kept the vehicle for 2 years & 10K miles & it had 4 oil/filter changes during that time (every 6 months, so every 2500 miles). Try again troll. It simply came with a lot of defects/problems (starter, transmission, electrical system & paint quality issues).
Only missing the civic in this comparison
I like the Corolla hatchback and the Mazda 3 hatchback. But the Mazda 3 hb has less room in the back and I need to have some room when car camping.
Looks I like both, just wish the Corolla had a bit more power at least more torque. But is very light.
Mazda 3 hb has a crazy blind spot with those pillars and smaller windows. I’m not a fan.
Tough decision to make.
Maybe the Corolla SE is different but when I plant my foot on the floor it uses fixed ratios rather than go lawnmower. The only time it does lawnmower is at low load when the engine isn’t noisy enough for it to be annoying.
Yeah, because the CVT is tuned in a sporty fashion whereas the LE is tuned for max fuel efficiency and comfort, plus you get the paddles in the SE to go thru the ratios
@@ammarisrar2005 I think the ‘23 SE dropped the paddles, I know my ‘24 doesn’t have them. I can’t say that I miss them, the transmission responds quickly enough that I never feel like I have to force a lower ratio to get the acceleration I need.
You can get a really good deal on the RS impreza. My local dealer is selling a nearly fully optioned Impreza rs for 2.5k under msrp right now. The only thing holding me back is mpg.
That’s a good deal! Which Subaru dealer?
You can buy a whole lot of gas for $2.5K!
Make a 35k version of this video! You get so much more car, not far off a 45k car
I just wish Mazda had more hybrids. Especially CX 5
I'll choose the Subi
Ok where is Strady's World, I'M SURE HE HAS TO BE THERE SOMEWHERE
I going with the Mazda 3 6 speed trans non cvt I was driving a 2019 corolla for a week it's not a bad car tho on the Mazda 3 may go no hatchback
Mazda3 please.
i ❤ MAZDA
Mazda 3 looks the best so competiton is over 😂
None of them are "missing climate vents" for the back seats. They are located under the front seats just like they have been on most cars for decades.
Also the Harmon Kardon option in the impreza blows away the bose system.
I meant to say climate console vents, virtually every car has the under seat ones. If you only have air blowing on your feet, it takes much longer to cool down than if you have console vents. The HK distorts high notes pretty bad in my opinion.
@@Realistick People get weird about vents in cars. Its such a small space that it literally takes a matter of minutes to get the entire interior to your temp of choice. You dont see people sitting on top of their air vents at home, or requesting a table in a restaurant under the heat duct. If the inside is 70 degrees its 70 degrees. I dont see why it matters where the air comes from. To each their own I suppose. That is a "feature" that I pay no attention to at any price point personally.
@@boost331 It makes a big difference when the car has been cooking. If you bake in the back for 5 minutes as the air circulates, you’ll work up a sweat. I know this because my mom complains about it with her Crosstrek😂 Maybe you don’t care, but a lot of people with families or dogs do so I’ll take the extra 2 seconds to mention it since a lot of spec sheets won’t!
@@boost331Personally, I don’t mind lacking the rear vent, but I do miss it somewhat because the XJ Cherokee had one when I was sitting in the back seat as a kid. It’s a nice feature.
mazda. simply because it has the best interior out of the 3.
you know, the place that you will spend majority of the time in.
I’ll take a Toyota Corolla LE hybrid in a hatchback please.
The Mazda 3 is the best car, but the Corolla is the best price. Just depends on how much money you want to spend
Jetta - Civic - Sentra?
Junk boxes except the civic
I'd rank them like this:
1. Civic
2. Mazda 3
3. Jetta
4. Corolla
5. Impreza
6. Sentra
7. Elantra
8. Forte
@@janoycresnova9156Agreed. Just want to see someone get them all at once. Id spend an hour watching.
not including the civic here is a crime. JAIL!
The Mazda 3 is the clear choice thanks to the 2.5L engine and 6 speed auto even at the base level. Even the base interior is also premium level. However, the Mazda 3 really needs fun colors like that gorgeous Oasis Blue, all Mazda has right now is old people geriatric colors like 5 different shades of sand and silver. Even the Corolla Hatchback had Blue Flame Pearl in the first few years. The Mazda 3 also really needs a competent hybrid option, not sure why Mazda hasn't made a CX-30 in Alabama yet using the Corolla Cross hybrid system, plus the CX-50 uses the CX-30 platform
Next generation will have a hybrid system. You can't just implant a hybrid system on a chassis that isn't built for one
@@smok3sho587 Mazda has already fit a RAV4 hybrid system into the CX-50, which uses the CX-30/Mazda 3 platform. They could easily now fit the Corolla Cross hybrid system into the CX-30 at least
Most buyers are fine with (and actually prefer) front wheel drive to all wheel drive. Lower initial cost and lower operating and maintenance costs attend to the FWD variants as well. Sorry Subaru. Also gears, so... Mazda.
Which is best for family of 4 with 2 kids (7. Years , 2 years old). My budget is for base variant only
Bang for your buck, Impreza if you need 4WD...if not the Corolla due to the mazda being tighter
The Corolla should probably get the job done with lower running costs but the Impreza would be more family friendly! You could make the Mazda work too if you’re not super tall but it’s less-than-ideal for family work.
@@Diego-oy6enMy Forester and our rental Crosstrek's rear doors open to 70-75 degrees, which is amazing for getting kids (and elderly) in and out of the rear bench. 👍
If your 2 Year old is still in a rear facing car seat, the only way it will work is if your spouse/passenger seat is moved up a bit.
younmay have to pay alittle more for Corolla-Cross, Subary Crosstrek, Civic lx hatchback(hard to find), Chevy Trax (iffy 3 banger, time will tell.
@@NoodlesExtraMSG I have heard Imprezza and Crosstrek are same in dimensions..my 2 year old son sits in front facing car seat behind front passenger seat. Dealers running good discount on Imprezza and I am getting base variant for 25k OTD which is well in my budget . Corolla is coming 26kOTD. Want vehicle with good resale value plus low maintenance cost but not sure which vehicle will fit all my requirement
Super dark interiors look cheap. Drop a black pen on the floor and try to find it at night.You will need more lighting at night. The Subaru is the best overall but that screen is huge. Drivers will look down to adjust the temperature and get distracted by that large screen.
Love mazda but the visibility killed it for me when I test drove it. Even worse is the back seat which is a definite penalty box. On paper, it may be the best (N/A, no CVT) but that's not everything if you have to live with it everyday. I thought maybe stepping up to a CX-30 would solve some of that. It indeed is better but the slit windows still create a claustrophobic feeling. Going to try the Subaru for the visibility and extra leg space back and front.