Triniricers Ched

[jsm1985]

Tuners,
I'm in the market for a new vehicle, and have narrowed it down to 2 cars: 2014 Kia Cerato and the 2014 Mazda 3. I've been to all the dealerships.

Seriously torn between the looks of the Mazda 3 (Interior & Exterior) vs the features and value of the Cerato. Have not test driven either as yet, will do so next week.

I've done some homework:

Cerato has a lot more safety and comfort & styling features such as automatic seats, 6 airbags (vs 2 on Mazda 3), LED tail and headlights, smart key, 17" Rims, automatic everything and 130hp vs 105hp on the Mazda 3.

The Mazda 3's look and feel however, both interior and exterior are second to none in my opinion in this segment. It feels close to a BMW 3 series with the cabin layout with the large 7" tablet style infotainment centre and from the driver seat it feels like you're in a cockpit. It also has push to start, and rear view camera like the Kia, however no where near the safety features (only 2 airbags) and comfort features of the Kia. No LEDs.

Price is the same ($208k Cerato, $210k Mazda 3)

Here is where I need help with my decision:
What are the pros and cons with service, reliability, general performance & issues of each brand (locally)?

I'll post an update when I test drive both next week...

Thanks in advance.

NB Vehicles in the price range I checked out:
Elantra
Sportage
2014 Corolla (really disappointing- as basic and bland as you can get even for a fully loaded model)
Jetta & Passat
Qashqai

[DVSTT]

cerato sounds like the better buy to me.

[eurotuner]

cerato sounds like the better buy to me.

Plus....you not gonna be please heading up maracas ac on with that 105HP mazda....

[FullStop]

cerato sounds like the better buy to me.

Plus....you not gonna be please heading up maracas ac on with that 105HP mazda....

I'm pleased with my 94hp on the drive to maracas.
Both Kia and Mazda are handled locally by southern sales, so the service and warranty is going to be the same, non existent.
The Kia is more feature packed and it also looks great, but the 2014 mazda 3 is a great car as well. The chassis and suspension on the 3 are more refined as well. Less power sure, but which will stand the test of time is the real question you should ask.

[Team Loco]

Definitely mz 3

[Ted_v2]

mazda.

[dredman1]

Cerato for luxury features and comfort. MZ3 for driving enjoyment. Depends on what YOU want out of the car.

Using the Maracas example above, you can enjoy the drive in both, and 130hp in the Cerato vs. 105 in the lighter MZ3 isn't going to be that much of a noticeable difference IMHO.

For enjoying a nice luxurious cruise to and from Maracas, the Cerato definitely wins with all the bells and whistles from the extra features it comes with.

For actually enjoying the drive to and from Maracas from a car enthusiast/performance perspective, clipping corner apexes and braking late to enjoy the thrills of higher cornering speeds, the Mazda definitely wins. Personally this is my preference (for now anyway until I start to get old and want more comfort).

However, don't let anyone tell you which is better for you. You need to know what you want from your new car and go test drive each of them to see which best meets those needs.

[RASC]

Kia for all their sporty aspirations still haven't gotten their drive dynamics and chassis sorted. Looks department and features they on the right track... but their handling/cornering ability etc leaves a bit to be desired.

You still feel disconnected from the road when piloting the newer Kia/Hyundai

[wing]

This should help , note the pricing and the features you get in the USA versus what we get down here.


Personally, I'd take the Mazda.

[Strugglerzinc]

Cerato for luxury features and comfort. MZ3 for driving enjoyment. Depends on what YOU want out of the car.

Using the Maracas example above, you can enjoy the drive in both, and 130hp in the Cerato vs. 105 in the lighter MZ3 isn't going to be that much of a noticeable difference IMHO.

For enjoying a nice luxurious cruise to and from Maracas, the Cerato definitely wins with all the bells and whistles from the extra features it comes with.

For actually enjoying the drive to and from Maracas from a car enthusiast/performance perspective, clipping corner apexes and braking late to enjoy the thrills of higher cornering speeds, the Mazda definitely wins. Personally this is my preference (for now anyway until I start to get old and want more comfort).

However, don't let anyone tell you which is better for you. You need to know what you want from your new car and go test drive each of them to see which best meets those needs.

This. Well said.

[jsm1985]

Thanks for all the responses so far!

[bushwakka]

mazda for a refined driving experience.....kia if u just wanna look good....the extra features to me not worth it....the kia and hyundais still have that extra cheapy feel

[javishm]

was watching the kia tonight driving on the highway....looks nice but still dont trust them

[j.o.e]

mazda for a refined driving experience.....kia if u just wanna look good....the extra features to me not worth it....the kia and hyundais still have that extra cheapy feel

Ditto

[A172]

noob question: the mazdas mentioned itt have similar suspension and chassis configs liks evos, stis, type r's etc??

[pioneer]

brb racing to maracas

[Aaron 2NR]

Saw a new model cerato do less than 95whp on the dyno

[j.o.e]

noob question: the mazdas mentioned itt have similar suspension and chassis configs liks evos, stis, type r's etc??

Mazda historically has always built sharp handling into their vehicles. Doesn't matter if it's a regular family sedan, suv or minivan. It's the company culture, look at any review and the fun to drive factor will always be mentioned.

[Allergic2BunnyEars]

Saw a new model cerato do less than 95whp on the dyno

Which makes sense yeah?

[sharkman121]

why not 2014 Elantra

[Aaron 2NR]

Saw a new model cerato do less than 95whp on the dyno

Which makes sense yeah?

Spec at 130hp so more than 30+hp drivetrain loss

[j.o.e]

Saw a new model cerato do less than 95whp on the dyno

Which makes sense yeah?

Yup that's normal drive train loss. No way it can put more than 100hp to the wheels

[Aaron 2NR]

It's usually 15-21% oh well...low hp cars beat up

[Allergic2BunnyEars]

It's usually 15-21% oh well...low hp cars beat up

Does the cerato allow you to disable traction control? For the dyno that is.

Also the cerato is using a cvt?

[Rory Phoulorie]

noob question: the mazdas mentioned itt have similar suspension and chassis configs liks evos, stis, type r's etc??

Evos and STis have strut type front suspensions, just like my (B310) 120Y. They also all have unibody chassis. Woohoo!!!!

You all are really overrating that Mazda3 with respect to the competition (excluding whatever Nissan offers because that is just cheap shit).

[konartis]

i always owned a nissan...and switched to a mazda 3 brand new(firm) back in 2006, altho its a latter model its always been a great drive compared to other cars IMO. the drive to maracas with ac on has no problems at all...you dont feel the difference, automatically shift down the hills so you brake often, the handling is great on the road, comfort in ride(SUSPENSION) is better than all the cars ive been in.

[scotty_buttons]

Lol @ amount of ppl using this 'drive to maracas' reference

[pioneer]

Man buyin new car tuh gee...eem after all day HP comparisons/analysis dey gyul go still gee de real fast car men ah bool.

[A172]

noob question: the mazdas mentioned itt have similar suspension and chassis configs liks evos, stis, type r's etc??

Mazda historically has always built sharp handling into their vehicles. Doesn't matter if it's a regular family sedan, suv or minivan. It's the company culture, look at any review and the fun to drive factor will always be mentioned.

ah mazda ad van does handle better and more fun to drive than ah nissan ad van?

[gastly369]

nah de subaru one betta