Kia Rio vs. Honda Jazz vs. Mazda 3

[mazdamazda]

Hmmm... tough inquiry... these 3 cars cater to different market segments.

Anyway, if money is no object I'd probably get the Mazda3 for the level of refinement that it has over the other two. It's comfortable enough, good NVH, nice build quality, pretty interior & exterior, etc. In terms of performance, it is the best handling car in class though it is pretty much tamed by the mediocre engine & transmission.

Second choice will be the Jazz... BUT there's a new model just around the corner. But still, it's a solid performer and might have the best fuel economy among your choices. The interior though is bland compared to the Mazda3 and the build quality is kinda iffy for a Honda.

If you really are on a budget, the Kia Rio is a decent choice also. The engine has enough oomph to get around town and it's quite spacious. It looks very European from the outside and is a breath of fresh air from the sea of Vios & Citys out there. Forget about it being a "Kia"... it's a whole new ballgame now when it comes to Korean cars. Their entry-level cars might not be as refined as their Japanese counterparts but they are getting there.



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[badkuk]

the rio's an interesting choice...the only thing i'm concerned about is availability of parts.

have you considered the vios? for me it's the best price/fuel economy/passenger space compromise

[kiakulas1]

Thanks mazdamazda, badkuk.

Medyo magkakaiba nga sila ng segment but I was considering Rio and Jazz kasi di nagkakalayo yung price nila - Rio (600k) Jazz (650k). Naisama ko lang yung Mazda 3 kasi may kakilala akong nagbebenta ng Mazda 3 2006 and I was only to pay the rest of the loan.

The main concern really is which of the three would be most economical to own and maintain. We can also throw in, considering they're all almost the same price, which would last longest and would provide most features. But for the looks, I'm hands down to Mazda 3!

Vios is a nice one - actually I was considering Vios earlier but dropped it somehow because I was trying to avoid a very "common" car as it sells very well and I guess almost everyone owns one.

Rio seems a bit rare, kaso yun nga, baka rare din yung parts so in the long run I might suffer unavaialblity of parts, or kung available naman, baka masyadong mahal. Anyone has an idea about the Kia parts availability/affordability?

How about Mazda and Honda?

(By the way, I lost my password for the "kiakulas" account so I created a new one.. it's still me)

Thanks!

[mo_lester69]

don't be too worried about parts availability of kia. they have been here in the philippines for quite some time already and with the growing number of kia branches in the country as well as other kia models (like carens and sportage) you see in the streets, i dont think it will be a problem. plus, im sure mura ang parts ng kia.

i own an opel astra and i was worried too about parts availability before buying it. i did a little research and found at least 3 sources for parts aside from the GM casa. ano pa kaya ang kia diba which is less uncommon than an opel?

bottomline, parts and maintenance should not be a concern for kia or any other cars not named toyota and honda. ilan beses ka lang ba magpapalit ng major parts diba? im sure after around 6-8 years you will think of selling it again and by that time, dun pa lang talaga lalabas mga problema ng kotse.

re mazda, good choice din yan if the 2nd owned car you're looking at has low mileage and still looks brand new. di naman kelangan laging brand new.

if you're after fuel efficiency and long term reliability, then go for the jazz. we own one and fc is really good. sobrang matagtag lang, nakakaawa idaan sa lubak. saka marami na rin naka-jazz sa kalye.

[freespin]

i would go for Kia Rio. 2007 COTY ito at tinalo pa ang vios at jazz. Ganda ng porma nya, very european. I know 5 star crash rating pa sya sa states kaya lng strip off na ang safety features nyan pagdating dito sa pinas. Maganda rin rating ng Rio sa JD Powers reliability rating nito, it got 4 stars out of 5 sa mechanical aspect.