Comparison: 2008 Honda Civic, 2008 Mazda 3, 2008 Subaru Impreza, 2009 Toyota Corolla

bankhead submitted on 03/18/2008 Official AutoSpies Timestamp: 12:54 PM
from: www.motortrend.com

[25] user comments | category: Spy Shots

Tags: 2008 Honda Civic, 2008 Mazda 3, 2008 Subaru Impreza, 2009 Toyota Corolla

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2008 Honda Civic

2008 Mazda 3

2008 Subaru Impreza

2009 Toyota Corolla

Comparison: 2008 Honda Civic, 2008 Mazda 3, 2008 Subaru Impreza, 2009 Toyota Corolla

Associating the word "economy" with air travel is akin to lumping "non-fat" with ice cream. Chances are good the byproduct won't be delectable. After all, there are reasons why the economy section of an airplane is often referred to as a cattle car, what with its long lines, tight quarters, and general unpleasantness. To make things worse, economy rarely applies to economy-class ticket prices. And what's that? Another $5 for a slice of Velveeta, a Slim Jim, a pair of Wheat Thins, and some of Sun-Maid's sweetest? Thanks but no thanks.

Happy to say, when traveling by land, economy class paints a much sunnier picture. Take the four sedans here. With base prices around $20,000, each delivers, at a minimum, 140 horsepower, four-wheel disc brakes, ABS, A/C, six airbags, cruise control, 16-inch alloys, and a six-speaker audio system. Penalty box? Hardly. Moreover, all offer high-end features and options, including a power moonroof, leather upholstery, premium sound, satellite radio, and navigation. Even when fully loaded, at roughly $24,000, these "econoboxes" still cost almost five grand less than the average transaction price of a new car sold today.

For this test, we established the following ground rules: Losers from the last small-car comparison (July 2007) were not invited back, meaning no Hyundai Elantra, Mitsubishi Lancer, or Nissan Sentra. Further, each had to be all-new or recently freshened, carry a base price within a few bills of 20 large, and be powered by a four-cylinder engine. Oh, and lest we forget, they had to shift as most Americans prefer-automatically. In fact, the take rate for automatics among our contestants, whether actual or forecast, ranges from 72 percent for the Impreza to 93 percent for the Corolla, with the Civic and 3 filling the void at 82 percent. Read Article

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M35MT - 3/18/2008 3:35:26 PMView My AgentSpace

+4 Boost

1ST PLACE
MAZDA3s GRAND TOURING
Still looks fresh, still dances like a sport sedan, still a steal, still the best.

That about sums it up.

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IhavearedS2000 - 3/18/2008 3:42:43 PM

+4 Boost

'The Corolla is the only car that blasts through 0-60 in 8 seconds and is the 2nd-quickest around the track. It even comes with 38% more cargo space than the next runner up. Fast and practical. It's the very definition of a bargain performance sedan.'

And yet it feels like riding an elephant on rollerskates....sounds like fun! I think the comparison test results were correct.

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gooch - 3/18/2008 2:27:25 PM

-3 Boost

For the same money ($21K), I recently bought a 2005 325i. Sport package, premium package, iPod integration, only 30K miles (still under warranty and free maintenance) and a manual tranny. I don't think I'd rather have any of these cars for that same money, and to hell with automatics -- even though I live in metro DC, I sought a manual. I don't think I'd be happier with any of these other cars.

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izfuney - 3/18/2008 4:04:31 PM

+1 Boost

More power to you. Its a great choice if you are happy irrespective of what others say. The point of buying a car is not so that other people agree with you etc , it is so that you can enjoy your car. Enjoy your purchase !!!!!!

Spectator - 3/18/2008 4:08:45 PM

+2 Boost

I live in DC area as well qooch. And if I had the ability to purchase a 3rd car for a daily driver, I would most assuradly choose an automatic.

In this traffic I cant tell you the amount of times when my left leg cramped up by sitting in 2 1/2 hr traffic stuck in 1st gear gently feathering the clutch. I don't go anywere. I know I'm going to be stuck in 1st gear basically the entire time. Why wouldn't I choose an automatic? Remember, these are just economy commuter boxes. This is not your weekend racer.

Just my $.02 as a DC native.

On a side note unfortunatly the author is not incorrect in saying we americans like automatics better than manuals. He is being a bit condesending however. You'd almost think he were a Brit ;-)

abcd - 3/18/2008 2:34:57 PM

0 Boost

i would take subaru . they are extremly durable and reliable . and it offer AWD while it has that same price as rivals . this new impreza is also comfortable . only fuel economy isn`t as good as rivals .

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gooch - 3/18/2008 2:36:10 PM

+1 Boost

Although I must say that having driven the Civic and Mazda3 as rentals, I am impressed by those two. They are quite good, and the 3 was very lively. The Civic I rented, BTW, got 42 mpg at 70 mph during a long trip. With the AC running...

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Whelan - 3/18/2008 3:21:31 PM

+3 Boost

A few things I would say to Gooch about his 325i purchase, not to knock but to compare.

1) RWD vs. FWD and AWD, no contest when driving in snow/inclement weather. My buddy has a 2004 328ci that he parks during the snow and jumps in my 05 Matrix XR AWD to go to the bars.

2) Was yours a Certified Pre-Owned BMW? I kinda doubt based on the price, sounds like the price of an Auction car or something bought at Al's Used Car Shop, or a private seller. The car goes for almost $27k booked from a dealer, I seriously doubt they baragained 6k off the car.

3) 325i regardless of features is the base entry level model BMW currently (aside from incoming 1 series).

4) The BMW is a V6 performance sedan, you care comparing it to economy sedans that are brand new. Apples to oranges here my friend, these cars get over 30mpg.

If I was looking for a pre-owned BMW or Mercedes, then I would look at those, but if I was out shopping for a new 20k economy car, I would not be cross shopping a used BMW.

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tattedtwice - 3/18/2008 4:50:02 PM

-1 Boost

"4) The BMW is a V6 performance sedan"

Is it really? Sure about that?

izfuney - 3/18/2008 4:01:10 PM

+2 Boost

Another pointless Comparo where people take 20k eco-compacts and try and race with them in on some track ... ( i would llike to see how many people track their eco fwd daily drivers for that matter)

The honest truth is .. How does the damn thing keep out the road noise, tire noise etc. and have adequate dampening to remove the worst of the lousy california roads and freeway expansion joints.
The Mazda3 does not do very well on the above and if i want sports i will get the MX-5 etc ...
for a daily driver that is comfortble / economical and well built with a bit of muscle .. Toyota XRS it is .

They will probably sell a gazillion of them along with the Civic ..

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izfuney - 3/18/2008 4:06:28 PM

+2 Boost

Plus Toyota/Honda and to a lesser extent Subaru keep their price. So when i want to ditch it at 175K miles, i still get primo dollar.

Whelan - 3/18/2008 4:39:30 PM

+3 Boost

I tested out a Mazda 3 hatch when looking for cars. I did that against the Matrix AWD XR, and the Subie 2.5 wagon. I was looking CPO. The 3 offered the most bang for the buck in HP, features (HIDs, leather, etc.). The Subie to me was way to much like a wagon. I took the Trix, good resale, phenomenal reliability, always good marks int he reviews. A little light on power, but I'm not looking to go speed racer in this thing. Plus the AWD on demand (unlike full time in the Subie) meant better gas mileage. Quiet inside, comfortable seating with a SUV like position for better visiblity. Neatly laid out interior with nice materials.

tattedtwice - 3/18/2008 5:06:13 PM

0 Boost

That criteria is just as 'pointless'. Who buys a 20k economy car expecting it to filter out noise or ride smoothly? Anyone expecting the corolla to do so would be let down, seeing as they point blank said it "rides rough."

And you might want to check your facts regarding the 3's resale. Largely because it's actually a highly-desired and well-equipped car, it has excellent resale. You're sounding bitter; don't be mad because the brand-new toy doesn't ride or drive as well as the FIVE year old Mazda.

EL34 - 3/18/2008 4:45:02 PM

-1 Boost

The Ford, I mean Mazda is the clear winner.

Congratulations to Mazda ;-)

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M35MT - 3/19/2008 7:51:36 AMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

Wow, you are the most ill-informed retard ever to have an interest in cars. I'm not even going to waste my time with this one.

JUGNU - 3/18/2008 5:28:50 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

"4TH PLACE
TOYOTA COROLLA XRS
Solid, quick, and capacious but lacks cohesive feel of others"

What a stupid ranking. and agian 'FEEL' argument. Isn't it become too predictable. No matter how good the car is some of these biassed Journalists place Toyota last and there only argument is FEEL.

To me new corolla should be placed atleast second. I have driven the 1.8 GL 145BHP(we don't get the XRS and i am pretty sure that will be even better and good to drive than the 145BHP 1.8 Corolla). It looks very good, made of good meterials and is no short of power. Other things like value for money, resale value, quality, relibility...etc or the tramdemark of Corolla are still there.

What else were they looking in it? A lotus(i can see it shares the corolla engine)

They should realise what buyers of these category look for. And i am sure all these perforamnce and feel is the last thing what buyers look in this category.

so therefore Car mags should also rank accordingly.

And remind u Car Middle East, Wheels, AutoCar middle East all have given no less than 3.5/5 to the new corolla. And said it's a great improvment.

This fourth place is just ridiculous and beyond me.

JUGNU

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tattedtwice - 3/18/2008 5:44:31 PM

0 Boost

Geez, you need a hanky or some tissue? It's a comparison test, get over it. Just because it handles worse than most SUVs, feels thrown together, and is so boring that most teens would want to be dragged behind it than be seen it, doesnt mean they wont sell 100 million a year. I mean, isnt that all you toy fans care about, no matter how mediocre their cars are?

lexusis350 - 3/18/2008 5:30:40 PM

-3 Boost

They have a pretty good list here. My order would be:
1) Civic
2) Impreza
3) Corolla
4) MAZDA3

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M35MT - 3/19/2008 7:49:42 AMView My AgentSpace

-2 Boost

That's absurd seeing how the IS looks like it went to the Mazda3 for its design inspiration.

Seriously, how can you drive a sport sedan and put the only one in this comparison test last?

guambombboy - 3/18/2008 7:07:54 PM

0 Boost

Lol at the typo on the final page of the review. Under the TEST DATA section, a couple of numbers got mix up a little.

Wow! a Mazda 3 can do a quarter mile in 3.1 seconds! The Corolla has a lateral acceleration 123 ft?

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jt716 - 3/18/2008 9:48:56 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

Jugnu ur bias is unlimited... Fce it the Mazda bests all and I will recommend it to anyone looking for a car in this category. I will go for all the other cars except the Toyota its just not great.

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delan - 3/19/2008 12:45:24 AMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

I love toyota like a fat kid loves cake, but am I the only one just utterly disappointed with the new corolla? it already looks outdated, the overhangs are atrocious and the sport version looks sloppy. I could see where they were going, but unfortunately they missed the mark.

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