Honda Civic or Mazda 3

I would say yes, unless you are drag racing and/or constantly canyon carving.
How long the VW electronics make it that long is the real question. Actually they seem more impacted by time than mileage, so using a VW for lots of miles per year is probably a good thing.

 

We had a 2010 Jetta TDI with the DSG box, bought new and did 200,000 miles in 5 years, then someone crashed into it. Zero issues with the DSG.

We then purchased a used (60k miles) 2013 Passat TDI also with the DSG, put 60k on that one with zero DSG issues. Someone crashed into it when the car had 120k, still miss this one. 50mpg highway no problem.

We now have a 2016 Passat gasser with the normal auto with 120k, while it also has no problems, the DSG drives/shifts so much nicer/smoother.

The only downside with the DSG is 60k service interval that costs $350-$400 at the dealer (or you need the computer to DIY).

 

If MPG is your goal, how about a C-Max? That was what my realtor drove for a while, and he liked it.

 

Okay, hear me out here before you lose your freakin mind and shit but. . . what about one of those ghey ass prius? If mileage is your main goal.

Gawd, can't believe I actually said that but let it ride.

 

going to have to quote that for posterity reasons. And the answer is no. People that like to drive don't need any Toyota, outside of the Twins and the BMWra'

 

If you don't mind horrible MPG then this could be a good option.

 

Mileage is a goal, and reliability. Not driving a Prius is the main goal.

 

Looking over from your high horse over there, in Civic/Mazda 3 land....

Priuses are great if your fragile egos can handle it. The electric motor makes it faster than most economy cars when you put your foot down, and you'd struggle to get LESS than 30 mpg being full throttle everywhere.

 

It comes down to the goal. if fuel mileage is the only goal, then yeah, a hybrid may work, but a hybrid works best in city, not for burning highway miles. A diesel is probably best for that.

If you want something that actually drives well and not like an appliance, then the OP is on the right track. Especially since they will be in the car for long periods of time, I would say a nice interior would be high on the list also, that's why I also mentioned the VW. (btw water pumps are it's Achilles heel, they use plastic ones that fail)

 

The Mazda 3 is offered in two engine options the 2.0 and the 2.5. Both get the same gas mileage due to the 2.5 having cylinder disable. This is another feature I question the reliability of.

 

Might be able to disable that with an aftermarket device...or a good tech?

Honda's 3.5 in the Ridgeline has that dumb shit and it eventually destroys the engine mounts as it repeatedly kicks on and off. The aftermarket saved the day.

 

Lexus CT 200H

 

What about one of those cute utes? Rav4, CRV or even something like the CX5?

I like the new Tiguan a lot.

Do they still import the Jetta/ golf wagon? That wouldn't suck!

A VW GLI would be roomy and fun but it uses premium. The Passat doesn't totally suck with the right motor and is roomy.

 

That’s just a pretty Prius and they do look much better.

 

My wife likes her CX5, but mileage can be beat with a compact sedan. Hell, the Ecodiesel Dodge I had got better hwy mileage.

 

As someone who drives ~65k a year for work, make sure you take a LONG test drive to see how the seats work for you and also for wind noise and how smooth it goes down the road. I've burned through a few vehicles over the years and the ones that have a lot of wind noise just wears you out so much more and if you're bouncing down the road it sucks too. My current ride I picked up last October, but I went with a CPO Passat Diesel. Paid 14k for it and its the SEL so it has all the whistles and bells, but its super quiet going down the road and very comfortable. The SEL seats were a big improvement over the SE and VW does a 2 year unlimited mile bumper to bumper factory warranty. You'll get more time out of that warranty than a new car warranty and pay way less up front. My plan is to see how its done at about a year and a half in and if it's been dead reliable I'll just keep running it. If I have problems I'll dump it with some warranty left and move on. They only do the unlimited mile deal on the diesels though and they are VERY hard to find these days. I've put 46k on it so far and its been perfect so far other than a heater core the week after I got it. These things sat on lots or in warehouses for a year or more during the diesel gate thing and for whatever reason they pretty much all needed a heater core soon after going back in service.

 

Answer the original question as it was asked...Honda versus Mazda.
Having had a few of each.....

Honda 6 ways to next Sunday..all day.... all night.

 

Haven’t heard that. Just put another 3500+ miles on the Pilot with that same plant, and at >270k the VVT and motor mounts have had no problems (had to replace one leaky valve, at like 265k).

 

Don't have a horse in this race, but I will say that I'm glad Honda FINALLY went back to sane styling on the Civic. The new 2022 model is quite attractive, and I'm willing to bet the SI models (once released) are going to be a hoot with a manual.

You can even get the new 2022 hatchback model with a manual and 180hp:

 

That definitely looks better than all those black cutout fake vents from before.