I'm looking at hatchbacks/subcompact SUVs. After lots of research and some test driving, I think the Mazda CX-3 and Toyota Corolla Hatchback (most recent generations) look like good cars.
What are your thoughts about the two cars, and any opinions on which one is better and why?
Affordability: They're both pretty affordable (compared to the Honda Civic). The Mazda CX-3 is a little more affordable, so if I hear good things about its reliability I might try to stray from my Toyota loyalty and branch out to Mazda because the car market is wild right now 🤠
Fuel Economy: The Corolla Hatchback has 31/40 while the CX3 has only 29/34, so the Corolla Hatchback is better in that regard but the CX3 isn't too bad
Handling/acceleration: I only got to test drive them a bit, but if any of you have driven one of these two for a while and have noticed things that aren't apparent on the first test drive please feel free to share!
Safety: they seem to be about the same from my research
Reliability: This is where I could use your help the most. I'm seeing mixed reviews on reliability for these two cars. I've heard the CX3 is pretty reliable, but on online rankings, it has lower reliability scores. Not sure what's up there. And then the Toyota Corolla just has standard Toyota reliability it seems.
PS. In case you're wondering why I'm not comparing the Corolla Hatch to the CX-30 or M3, it seems that the CX-3 is a bit better in terms of reliability? Also when I test drove the M3 I found a few issues with visibility in the front, specifically being able to look left (there's a big frame bar in the way making it a bit hard to see, you gotta lean forward a lot just when you're trying to turn left. I'm kind of short so maybe that's just specific to me. To each their own.)
Thanks so much! Hopefully, this helps some other people looking around too.
I would be getting an automatic transmission 🙂
I would get the Corolla, nothing is better than a Toyota Corolla in terms of reliability. One thing to add is the hatchback is made in Japan.
The Corolla hatchback comes with the option of a 6-speed manual mated to the 2.0L naturally aspirated I4 which has both port and direct injection and NO cylinder deactivation like some Mazdas have. Hopefully, you know how to drive a manual because that would be the best option for longevity.
I would go with the Corolla as long as you don’t get the CVT.
While you said you are considering the Corolla hatchback because it's more affordable than the Civic I want to suggest if you plan on keeping the car for a while spend a bit more get the Civic hatchback (two trims of it have cvt and manual option so you can pick) or if you want automatic then the base trim is automatic cvt. The Civic is more roomy compared to the Corolla since I've test driven both this is what I noticed.
Also if considering Corolla then why not Corolla Cross for a small suv? It's a good car and it's built on the same platform as the Corolla sedan so I wouldn't be worried about reliability even though it's a new car.
But if you have to pick between Corolla hatchback and cx-3 then definitely Corolla hatchback.
