Should I buy a diesel Honda Civic or a petrol Mazda 3?

I'm looking at buying a Honda Civic i-DTEC 1.6 or a petrol Mazda 3 2.0 SE-L. Could you recommend a diesel engine or suggest whether petrol is the way to go based on future diesel city taxes. Probably looking at 12,000-15,000 miles a year, 50/50 between motorway and city driving. I did look at the 1.8 i-VTEC Civic (would prefer the Civic) but I found the MPG/car tax was more expensive than the Mazda 3.

Asked on 9 January 2017 by Stephen Aldred

Answered by Honest John

Honda's 1.6 i-DTEC has been pretty good. Just one case of someone buying one, using it solely for short runs from cold starts and having trouble. I ran one for a year and 12,000 miles in a HR-V and averaged an excellent 58mpg. Should be better still in a Civic. Remember, the old Civic isn't being made any more. Honda is merely mopping up excess production of the old car before releasing the new Civic in the UK. The factory has been building the new Civic for export since November and that is 1.0 turbo, 1.5, 1.5 turbo and 1.6 i-DTEC. Haven't driven one yet. Have driven the latest facelift Mazda 3: www.honestjohn.co.uk/road-tests/mazda/mazda-3-2017.../

Tags: buying a new car diesel engines petrol or diesel? buying and selling mpg consumer advice

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Related models

Honda HR-V (2015 - 2021)

Highly practical and versatile thanks to ‘magic’ seats. Strong i-DTEC diesel engine.

Mazda 3 (2014 - 2019)

Great to drive, superb range of engines, stylish good looks.

Honda Civic (2017 - 2021)

Bigger than previous Civic, independent rear suspension means better ride and handling, 1.0 VTEC turbo petrol is excellent while i-DTEC diesel is very refined.