Anyone know which Mazda 3 or 6 is best to buy?

Hey everyone,
Which generation of Mazda 3 or 6 would you recommend for under 16k?

I’m aiming for good fuel economy. The Mazda 3 Touring/SP25 from 2015/16 looks awesome, but I’m also tempted by the 2015 Mazda 6—slightly worse mileage, but it’s got more power.

Any Mazda fans here who can share their thoughts? Thanks!

I had the 2017 Mazda 3 SP25 Limited, and it was such a great car to drive! I really miss the paddle shift transmission now that I’m driving a CX-5 Takami.

For long trips, I could easily get under 7L/100km (around 33mpg). In the city, it was closer to 9-11L/100km (about 26-21mpg).

@Blaze
Sub 7L/100km sounds perfect. How much did you pay for it?

Keenan said:
@Blaze
Sub 7L/100km sounds perfect. How much did you pay for it?

I bought it brand new back in 2017 for about NZ$42k. It got written off during a natural disaster in January 2023, but the insurance gave me the full market value of NZ$26k. If you’re looking in 2025, I’d guess it’s around NZ$20k now.

The 2017 Mazda 6 is the one to go for. It has the facelift and the naturally aspirated engine, plus no cylinder deactivation issues.

Dean said:
The 2017 Mazda 6 is the one to go for. It has the facelift and the naturally aspirated engine, plus no cylinder deactivation issues.

So, does the facelift start in 2017? Even the 2015/16 models look incredible. I’ve got my eye on the red or black ones.

@Keenan
Yeah, with the 2017 model, you get updated lights, better infotainment, Nappa leather, and a heads-up display.

Dean said:
@Keenan
Yeah, with the 2017 model, you get updated lights, better infotainment, Nappa leather, and a heads-up display.

I saw the HUD feature starting in 2014. What are the actual differences between 2014 and the facelift? They seem pretty similar to me.

@Keenan
The HUD only came with the top trims from 2016 onward. If you compare 2016 to 2017 models, you’ll notice the upgrades.

Dean said:
@Keenan
The HUD only came with the top trims from 2016 onward. If you compare 2016 to 2017 models, you’ll notice the upgrades.

Got it, I’ll check it out. By the way, how’s the fuel economy on the 2017 model?