Many consumers want a vehicle that is sporty with the latest technology yet is also practical. The sedan market offers many choices with Mazda’s MAZDA3 at the top of the list. Consumers are initially swayed by what the visual designers create, but savvy consumers know that even though one vehicle may make the heart palpitate more than another–there are many variables to consider.
Just an uninformed quick visual of both cars gives the impression the 3 is the faster curve hugging fun drive. It doesn’t hurt that the 3’s grill looks like the car has a perpetual grin. However, to get down to an informed choice let’s do some research and see why the 3 which comes in sedan and wagon models is better than the Civic which comes in coupe and sedan.
Economically speaking the price on the 3 is slightly better than the with a suggested MSRP of $15,295 – $22,000 vs. the Civic being a suggested MSRP of $15,455 – $25,340.
The 2010 upgraded Mazda3 offers a 148-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine available in 144-horsepower tune, and a 167-horsepower, 2.5-liter inline-four available in 165-horsepower tune.
The 2010 Civic brings a 113-horsepower, 1.8-liter four-cylinder natural gas-fueled motor, a 140-horsepower, 1.8-liter four-cylinder, and a 197-horsepower, 2.0-liter inline-four to the table.
The 3 and Civic come in five-speed automatic or manual, or an optional six-speed manual. Civic offers a hybrid for extra fuel economy, but the 3 doesn’t lose any points here because the performance version of the Mazda is also on the market: the turbocharged MAZDASPEED3.
Who will win the technology war?
The Mazda3 i SV offers drivers electrically-variable speed-proportional power steering. Standard and optional features include a sunroof, satellite radio, Bluetooth, navigation system and stereo with more watt-power.
Civic drivers get an in-house pumping audio system of 350 watts searing through seven speakers. But watch out the 3 offers an optional Bose surround-sound system with noise cancellation technology.
Not only are both cars economical and sporty they also get high crash impact scores from NHTSA. Basically both cars offer a technological sporty ride for a great price, but the 3 edges the Civic in most categories when considering price and what each model offers.




























