new vios AT vs facelifted Mazda3 (entry level)

[orly_andico]

pareho lang daw halos ang gas consumption ng 1.6L and 2.0L mazda3, the mazda3 2.0 does worse in traffic but better in highway.

the 1.6L engine is heavily taxed to pull that large and heavy mazda3 body. mazda's engines are already weak to begin with (1.6L 105hp, compared with say the toyota corolla which is 116hp) tapos mabigat pa kaha. the mazda3 weighs MORE than the mazda 626 which was a mid-sized car before. the mazda3 also has a longer wheelbase than the 626...

basically that's the thing. the vios is a subcompact, the mazda3 is a compact. so the mazda3 gives you more space. medyo matigas nga lang yung suspension... but then that's "zoom zoom" for you..

EDIT: to add to niky's comments. the mazda3/ford focus is considered to have THE BEST suspension of ANY compact front-wheel drive car. End of story. So if you're after responsive steering, that might count.. yun nga lang the 1.6L mazda3 is let down by its piss poor engine and throttle response..

Another thing: never tried a G-spec Vios, but I have had the misfortune of riding in an (Avis rent-a-car, very new) E-spec Vios 1.3L. Gads. Low rent talaga. The mouse fur roof can scratch your fingers! it's REALLY NOISY on the highway (either the tires, or poor NVH, or both). BUT... the Vios doors slam better than the Mazda3. for some reason tunog lata talaga doors ng Mazda3. If that bothers you, the Ford Focus 1.6L is the same car (more or less..) but cheaper and with more-solid doors. Kinda looks grand-daddy-ish though.