new vios AT vs facelifted Mazda3 (entry level)

[the josh]

Mazda 3

[mazdamazda]

If you are only considering an automatic transmission - then stay away from a Toyota. Their matic trannys for their entry-level vehicles is just so old school compared to the manumatic & cvt offerings of their competitors. A traditional matic is not bad generally but Toyota's does sap out a lot of the punch of the VVTi engine. :evillaugh

Though it isn't a bed of roses either for the Mazda3 - but at least here you'll get topnotch steering, roomier backseats and a better interior (Toyota entry-level plastic is just teh suck). All-in-all, the Mazda3 offers a better ownership experience if you can get past the not-so-zoom-zoom acceleration & mediocre fuel consumption.

[niky]

Agree with regards to the transmission. Toyota's 4 speed ATs are kind of blech compared to the competition. Honda's CVT is the best there is, right now... followed by their 5 speed ATs and Ford's new 5 speed ATs.

It's a crime that the Mazda3 and Focus don't come with those. The Mazda3's 4 speed AT sucks a lot of life out of the engine. At least the "Activematic" mode helps overtakes. With Toyota, you have to nail the gas pretty hard to get the tranmission to shift down on the road.