2015 Mazda3 reliability, 2.5L vs. 2.0L engine

[mark77]

Hello, I'm seriously considering purchasing a 2015 Mazda3 before winter but had a few questions about the engine options and general reliability this vehicle.

First of all, I've owned a volkswagen, toyota, honda and hyundai before, but never a mazda.

Based on the research I've done it seems mazda isn't quite as reliable as some of the other Japanese or Korean brands, and from what I've seen the 2014-2018 mazda3 has an average (at best) reliability rating and most expert reviews give it an average or below average reliability score.

My current vehicle is a Corolla and it's been mostly very reliable, but the car is just extremely dull and boring to drive, but its 1.8L engine is built like a tank.

I'm leaning towards a 2015 Mazda3, with either engine option it looks way more fun and engaging than a Corolla, and also appears to be more efficient.

I am eyeing the 2.5L engine in the mazda3 for its extra power and the extra features and options over the 2.0L engine.

I know the 2.0L is very frugal on gas and sips fuel at 30/41mpg (city/highway) and the 2.5L is a bit thirstier but depending on the source, I'm seeing numbers ranging from 25/36mpg to 28/39mpg, and 1 source said that the sedan is very slightly more efficient than the hatchback, which doesn't really make sense.

My main question is, what's the real world efficiency of the 2.5L engine, and how reliable are the electronics and components (including the engines) in the 2015 mazda3? Is the 2.5L as reliable or more reliable than the 2.0L? And are the newer Mazdas as prone to rust as the older (pre 2010) models?

I live and drive in eastern Ontario and western Quebec, where it's mostly humid and cold af in the winter (they put shit tons of rock salt on the roads here come winter) and my city also gets several meters of snow during the winter season.

Thanks in advance

TLDR; thinking of buying 2015 mazda3, can't decide between 2.5L and 2.0L engine, but would prefer 2.5L. How is the reliability and fuel efficiency of either engine choice for a mazda3 driven mostly in eastern Canada?

[Carskick]

Welcome, but I think you're in the wrong forum. This forum is specific to Mazdaspeeds.

Check out:
https://mazda3revolution.com/forums/
https://www.mazda3forums.com/forumindex.php

That being said, the best advice I can give is to make sure the 3rd generation Mazda 3 VIN number starts with a J, not 3. The first couple years of Mazda 3's coming out of Mexico tended to have more issues. If the VIN starts with J, it was built in Japan. 3 is built in Mexico. That's one of the reasons overall reliability stats on these Mazda 3s are lower, they're brought down by the mexico factory that had some initial growing pains. I think it's 2014-2016 that were the main ones that tended to have issues from the Mexican models. Prior to that, Mazda 3's were always made in Japan.

My wife has a 2014 CX-5 with the 2.5L, and it's a good engine. Over 60k miles and not one engine/transmission problem, just standard maintenance. The engine's are almost the same, the 2.5L mainly just has larger displacement, so more power, less milage.

As far as drivability, the 2.5L + Skyactiv 6 speed auto is a great setup for a daily car. It's a fun power plant with gobs of mid-range torque for what it is. The 6 speed transmission shifts above it's class, as it uses an electric clutch as opposed to torque converter for shifting gears. Torque converter is only used at very low speeds. This makes the transmission less smooth, but far sportier and more responsive. This alone makes me like it better than the Toyota and Honda alternatives from those years.