Topic: Comparison Test: Compact Hatchbacks

[EV-Light]

A comparison without any number achieved by the authors? Just EPA, CRA and manufacturers'?

We were working on one of our side-by-side spec tables, but ran out of gas last night... I've put in the basic prices/option and fuel consumption for now until that is ready.

I was surprised to see that the Kia was so close to the Golf and 3 on test day, considering its EPA number is significantly higher, though it did climb in the ensuing days, while the others dropped....

2015 Mazda3 Sport GT
Price as Tested: $30,490
Observed fuel consumption: 9.8 L/100 km
EPA rating: 9.0/6.7/8.1 L/100 km


2015 Volkswagen Golf 1.8 TSI Highline
Price as Tested: $33,585
Observed fuel consumption: 9.6 L/100 km
EPA rating: 9.4/6.5/8.1 L/100 km


2015 Kia Forte5 SX

Price as Tested: $29,980
Observed fuel consumption: 9.9 L/100 km
EPA rating: 11.2/8.1/9.8 L/100 km

one would have to REALLY want a hatch to ignore all the other amazing cars that can be had for $30+...for me it'd be an easy call - Ford Fusion Titanium or Honda Accord Touring. Perhaps...if I still wanted a hatchback, a RAV4 XLE w/ NAV or a Ford Escape Titanium...

no wonder why hatchbacks are a dying bread...

This is a matter of personal taste. There's nothing amazing about any of the cars you mentioned IMO.

sure, you just happen to get AWD, more power, more room, more comfort...but who cares about all of that right?

[OliverD]

sure, you just happen to get AWD, more power, more room, more comfort...but who cares about all of that right?

That doesn't make those cars amazing. Amazing to me means it is a standout, exciting product. To me those cars are utterly boring.

[pcsp]

A very important point that has been alluded to, is that the 1.8L VW is so good in every respect, it makes it very difficult to justify moving up the $2500 to the TDI. The choice was easier with the base 2.5 of the previous generation. This will impact TDI sales. I wouldn't have to think long or hard which one I'd purchase - I agree with the outcome. It would, however, be a base model - good value with that sweet 1.8L motor. I'd have to somehow find a way to live every day without the Kia's heated rear seats. Refinement over add-ons wins the day. VW has always understood this.

[redman]

Sounds like Kia could have the a winner once they work out there drive issues (speak to Lotus folks)

I agree with the new Mazda3 being a six footer the ergonomics erk me and I prefer the previous models ingress and egress. Same for most of Mazda new products. Clearly not made for the average Westerner.

Sounds like the VW biggest fault is it's pricing and features. As a previous VW owner I can attest to the handling and feel of the car but I can also attest to the cost of ownership, repairs and reliability.

[dkaz]

I agree that the ergonomics in the third gen 3 is not as good as my second gen. 29 extra horses and 37 extra ft-lb of torque with just a 0.5L/100km penalty in fuel consumption would be nice, but I'd probably rather move up to the Mazda 6 next time around.

[bombastic]

A comparison without any number achieved by the authors? Just EPA, CRA and manufacturers'?

We were working on one of our side-by-side spec tables, but ran out of gas last night... I've put in the basic prices/option and fuel consumption for now until that is ready.

I was surprised to see that the Kia was so close to the Golf and 3 on test day, considering its EPA number is significantly higher, though it did climb in the ensuing days, while the others dropped....

2015 Mazda3 Sport GT
Price as Tested: $30,490
Observed fuel consumption: 9.8 L/100 km
EPA rating: 9.0/6.7/8.1 L/100 km


2015 Volkswagen Golf 1.8 TSI Highline
Price as Tested: $33,585
Observed fuel consumption: 9.6 L/100 km
EPA rating: 9.4/6.5/8.1 L/100 km


2015 Kia Forte5 SX

Price as Tested: $29,980
Observed fuel consumption: 9.9 L/100 km
EPA rating: 11.2/8.1/9.8 L/100 km

one would have to REALLY want a hatch to ignore all the other amazing cars that can be had for $30+...for me it'd be an easy call - Ford Fusion Titanium or Honda Accord Touring. Perhaps...if I still wanted a hatchback, a RAV4 XLE w/ NAV or a Ford Escape Titanium...

no wonder why hatchbacks are a dying bread...

This is a matter of personal taste. There's nothing amazing about any of the cars you mentioned IMO.

sure, you just happen to get AWD, more power, more room, more comfort...but who cares about all of that right?

Well is nice to compare Accord, Fusion with the most expensive Golf or Mazda 3 and brag about it. You can buy them for much less money. Buying top of the line makes no sense for most people.

[dkaz]

My wife and I prefer smaller cars. The move up to a Mazda 6 will be a harder one, and ultimately it's my wife's call since it'd be her daily. She didn't want the CX-5 when we were car shopping back in 2012.

My 2012 3 GS with Leather package is nice, has power seats, automatic lights, rain sensing wipers. The only thing missing from it is auto climate control, but I'm still thinking of sourcing the parts required to retrofit it in. At $21.8k it was a really good value at the time.

Now the value leader in my mind is the Golf 5 door TSI Comfortline with the Convenience Package, about $24.6k.

[OliverD]

Now the value leader in my mind is the Golf 5 door TSI Comfortline with the Convenience Package, about $24.6k.

Even the Trendline + cruise control is a really good value IMO. Looks a bit silly on the 15" alloys but it's a well equipped car for the price.

[OliverD]

A very important point that has been alluded to, is that the 1.8L VW is so good in every respect, it makes it very difficult to justify moving up the $2500 to the TDI. The choice was easier with the base 2.5 of the previous generation. This will impact TDI sales.

Maybe, but maybe not. I think that a lot of TDI customers simply like the diesel and will buy it regardless of other engine options.

Anecdotally, my dad bought his TDI about six weeks ago and he's still on his first tank of gas. I think he said the car had 600 km on it as of Sunday. Clearly, he's not putting on the kilometers to "justify" the extra cost of the TDI, but that's what he wanted.

[dkaz]

Is it 600km of short trips or highway trips? Frequent short trips of less than 15km is not good for the TDI engine.

[OliverD]

Is it 600km of short trips or highway trips? Frequent short trips of less than 15km is not good for the TDI engine.

It's a mix of the two.

[Northernridge]

Nice comparo...easy to keep track of just 3 cars. Nice to see Kia make a good showing.

I like all of these cars in the low 20s and none of them in the 30s (except maybe as a GTI, ST, etc.).

[ngorongoro]

Even the Trendline + cruise control is a really good value IMO. Looks a bit silly on the 15" alloys but it's a well equipped car for the price.

I just ordered this exact trim level car 30 minutes ago for delivery in December.  The 15" alloys will be used for a winter tire setup. 

I am coming back to VW 25 years after owning my last one and owning 4 Mazdas (among others) in the meantime. 

The driving dynamics combined with the refinement of the VW Golf blow the Mazda3 out of the water. 

[Weels]

Even the Trendline + cruise control is a really good value IMO. Looks a bit silly on the 15" alloys but it's a well equipped car for the price.

I just ordered this exact trim level car 30 minutes ago for delivery in December.  The 15" alloys will be used for a winter tire setup. 

I am coming back to VW 25 years after owning my last one and owning 4 Mazdas (among others) in the meantime. 

The driving dynamics combined with the refinement of the VW Golf blow the Mazda3 out of the water.

Well, doesn't that just validate this test.   
Congrats on the new veedub!

[Blueprint]

2015 Mazda3 Sport GT
Price as Tested: $30,490
Observed fuel consumption: 9.8 L/100 km
EPA rating: 9.0/6.7/8.1 L/100 km


2015 Volkswagen Golf 1.8 TSI Highline
Price as Tested: $33,585
Observed fuel consumption: 9.6 L/100 km
EPA rating: 9.4/6.5/8.1 L/100 km


2015 Kia Forte5 SX

Price as Tested: $29,980
Observed fuel consumption: 9.9 L/100 km
EPA rating: 11.2/8.1/9.8 L/100 km

Judging by observed fuel economy, this comparo could have been titled "Commuting with The Three Little Pigs"

[bd2]

Kia should forget doing a separate hatch for the Forte-line and just bring over the Pro_cee'd/GT, preferably, the Aussie-tuned version which is better than the UK or Euro-tuned versions.

Looks a lot better than the Forte hatch, has a nicer interior and drives better, albeit pricier.

Hyundai/Kia are working on a new 250HP 4-banger which will go nicely with the DCT (maybe for the next gen Pro_cee'd?).

[mlin32]

The driving dynamics combined with the refinement of the VW Golf blow the Mazda3 out of the water.

I went from a couple BMWs and drove my dad's Tiguan (which is like a Golf) and test drove the Mk6 TDI for the last couple years, and just went with the Mazda 3 and agree that the Golf is the better car. That said, if I had to make the decision over again, I still wouldn't buy the Golf TDI in North America.

[DriverJeff]

Even the Trendline + cruise control is a really good value IMO. Looks a bit silly on the 15" alloys but it's a well equipped car for the price.

I just ordered this exact trim level car 30 minutes ago for delivery in December.  The 15" alloys will be used for a winter tire setup. 

I am coming back to VW 25 years after owning my last one and owning 4 Mazdas (among others) in the meantime. 

The driving dynamics combined with the refinement of the VW Golf blow the Mazda3 out of the water.

Congrats on the new ... uhh... order and welcome to the forum.  Using the stock wheels as snowboots makes perfect sense.  Then order up a nice set of summer wheels / tires and you're laughin'.  Even if you +2 to 17", that's still an affordable size for rubber. 

[Sir Osis of Liver]

A three door Trendline with the cruise and cold weather packages is a strong contender for my next car.

[aquadorhj]

A three door Trendline with the cruise and cold weather packages is a strong contender for my next car.

I didn't know that heated seats were optional on 3 door trendline!!!    wow.

but it's still a pretty good car.