Is Mazda 3 the Best Car You Can Buy?

Want to know about the Mazda 3? 

Let's dive in. We're going to go through the details so you can see what you get for your money and make a logical decision.

It's a beautiful car, and for an all-wheel drive at this price, it’s a great deal, especially these days. You might wonder why. Well, the reason is that everyone wants SUVs, right? So, sedans have become more affordable.

Mazdas are all hybrids now, and if you're looking for something that will last, it’s smart to go against the crowd. Why follow trends when you can get something that's well-made and doesn’t break the bank? Over the last decade, Mazda’s quality has really improved. But here's the strange part: years ago, they sold hundreds of thousands of Mazda 3s, but in 2023, they sold only a few thousand. Again, everyone wants SUVs.

The Mazda 3 is actually better than it used to be. It has a real automatic transmission—not one of those terrible CVTs. It has actual gears, and Mazda, with their 'zoom zoom' philosophy, knows how to make cars for drivers. You can get manual versions too, but many drivers prefer an automatic with real gears for that solid, responsive feel. And modern automatics are just as good as manuals in many ways.

In fact, I've driven automatics that were faster over half a kilometer than manuals because the computers are so smart and quick. The Mazda 3 comes with a 2.5-liter engine, which is a nice size. When you look under the hood, you won't find a turbocharger—and that’s a good thing. I'd rather have a larger, naturally aspirated 4-cylinder engine like this 2.5-liter than a smaller, turbocharged one. A 1.5-liter turbo might produce the same horsepower, but it won’t last as long, and it makes more noise, with all that extra pressure wearing out the engine.

So, my advice: don’t get the turbocharged version. Some people have complained about the 2.5-liter Mazda engines, especially the SkyActiv system, citing issues with the heads and engines. But in my experience, it's mainly the turbocharged versions that have problems. This one is naturally aspirated, and I'm not exaggerating—this car will outlast a turbo engine.

When you drive it, you’ll feel that it has plenty of zip, thanks to the real automatic transmission. What’s more, if you drive conservatively, it gets the same fuel economy as a small-engine Corolla, which is about 15 km per liter on the highway.

Of course, the faster you drive, the more the engine revs, and the worse your fuel economy gets. But if you cruise at 100 km/h, you can still get 15 km per liter with this car, which is pretty impressive. Now, it’s not a hybrid like the Camry, which can get 51 km per liter on the highway, but it also doesn’t come with all the extra technology that hybrids have."

Now, if you're considering a hybrid like the Camry 25, you're looking at a completely different setup. The Camry hybrid can achieve up to 51 km per liter on the highway, which is impressive for fuel efficiency. But with that kind of advanced hybrid technology, you're also dealing with more complexity under the hood.

While hybrids are great for saving fuel, they come with some trade-offs. The initial cost is higher, and there's more technology to maintain—like the hybrid battery system, which can be expensive to repair or replace if something goes wrong down the line. For some drivers, that complexity is worth it, especially if you're clocking a lot of miles and want the best fuel economy possible.

On the other hand, the Mazda 3, though not a hybrid, offers a simpler, more straightforward setup. It doesn’t have all the extra tech that hybrids do, which means less maintenance and fewer potential issues. With the Mazda 3, you get a reliable, naturally aspirated 2.5-liter engine that provides a balance between power and fuel efficiency. As mentioned earlier, you can still get up to 15 km per liter on the highway if you drive conservatively.

The Camry 25 may give you better mileage, but the Mazda 3 wins when it comes to simplicity and long-term reliability, especially if you're not keen on hybrid systems or turbocharged engines. Plus, with its all-wheel-drive capability, the Mazda 3 offers a little more versatility in different driving conditions.

So, if you're looking for fuel efficiency and don’t mind the extra tech, the Camry 25 is a solid choice. But if you prefer something with less complexity, fewer maintenance concerns, and a price tag that won’t break the bank, the Mazda 3 is a great alternative. It's all about finding the right balance for your needs—whether that’s fuel economy, driving experience, or long-term reliability.

At the end of the day, both cars are excellent in their own right, but the Mazda 3 stands out for being a driver’s car with a focus on simplicity and durability, while the Camry hybrid offers high-tech efficiency for those willing to invest in a bit more technology. The choice depends on what you're looking for in your next vehicle.