Mazda3 Mk2 or Ford Focus Mk3

[Peterson01]

I am looking to buy my first car and my first choice is an 8th Gen Honda Civic. I found a couple from 2010 within my price range but if those cars don't work out, I have been looking at 2nd Gen Mazda3s (from 2010-2011) and 3rd Gen Ford Focuses (from 2011-2012). I was wondering, which of the two is better? If I understood it correctly, the Mazda3 is based on the Focus, but is one of them more reliable, or more comfortable to drive? I will be using the car for city-travelling as well as longer distance travelling between cities. Thank you for any help!