2019 Honda Civic vs 2020 Mazda MAZDA3

The 2019 Honda Civic, while not as visually striking as the 2020 Mazda MAZDA3, still offered a commendable design with its own upscale flair. It featured a new gloss-black upper grille, a revised lower bumper, and larger 18-inch wheels, giving it a refined appearance. The sedan's silhouette was graceful, with a long hood balancing the spacious cabin and short tail, highlighted by unique wraparound LED lights. The Touring-trim test car boasted chrome door handles and LED headlights that resembled tiny crystals, adding to its aesthetic appeal. Honda also introduced a new Sport trim, which included a center-mounted exhaust and exterior elements reminiscent of the performance-oriented Si trim, but at a more affordable price.

The Civic Hatchback, with its tall and aggressive rear end, was a separate model, offering a more dynamic look compared to the sedan. The Coupe model provided a balanced alternative, while the Civic Type R, available only in hatchback form, was essentially a race car for speed enthusiasts. The interior maintained a high-tech yet simplified theme, with a central LCD screen for the tachometer and speedometer, a thin center stack with minimal buttons, and clean, linear lines. Despite its starting price under $20,000, the Civic's fit and finish felt high quality, with durable switchgear, buttons, and fabrics.

The 2020 Mazda MAZDA3, available in both sedan and hatchback body styles, was a standout in terms of design. The hatchback, in particular, was noted for its unique curves and silhouette, often featured in press materials and advertisements. The sedan, with its Premium Package and all-wheel drive, showcased 18-inch alloy wheels that complemented its sculpted side profile. The front of the car featured a blacked-out mesh grille and round running lamps, although the rear design of the sedan felt slightly disproportionate compared to the larger Mazda6. Inside, the Mazda3 embraced simplicity and minimalism, with creamy white leather and a driver-focused cockpit-style feel. The materials were softly padded, and the design aimed to compete with more premium brands, although the sheet metal felt less robust compared to luxury sedans.

The 2019 Honda Civic offered a range of engine options, starting with a 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque for the LX and Sport sedans and coupes. The EX and higher trims, including the Touring, featured a turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-4 engine with 174 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The hatchback models exclusively used the turbo engine, delivering 180 hp in the Hatchback Sport with a standard manual transmission. The Si and Type R models provided more power, with the Si boosting the 1.5-liter engine to 205 hp and 192 lb-ft, and the Type R offering 306 hp and 295 lb-ft from a re-engineered 2.0-liter engine. The Civic's engines were praised for their smoothness and refinement, with the turbo engine offering better mid-range acceleration. The manual transmissions were highly regarded, and the CVT was noted for its impressive performance. The Civic's handling, steering feel, and suspension were designed for sporty driving, providing a balanced and enjoyable experience.

The 2020 Mazda MAZDA3, on the other hand, featured a 2.5-liter SkyActiv four-cylinder engine with 186 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. This engine was an improvement over the previous generation, which used a 2.0-liter engine in lower trims. The Mazda3's engine was predictable but lacked the immediate punch of turbocharged motors. Mazda announced a turbocharged version for 2021. The Mazda3 offered a six-speed manual transmission, but only for front-wheel-drive hatchback models with the preferred or premium package. Most models came with a six-speed automatic transmission. The Mazda3's steering was precise, and while the torsion beam rear suspension was a cost-cutting measure, it still provided a decent driving experience, though not as sophisticated as a multi-link suspension.

The 2019 Honda Civic's interior featured a touchscreen with a volume knob and shortcut buttons, improving usability compared to previous models. The three-spoke steering wheel controlled the central display, providing quick access to various functions. The rear seat offered surprising roominess, with optional heated outboard seats and passable head- and legroom for longer trips. The sedan's trunk provided 15.1 cubic feet of cargo space, while the coupe offered 11.9 to 12.1 cubic feet. The hatchback had the most cargo capacity, with up to 25.7 cubic feet and 46.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The center console offered storage trays and a deep center storage bin. Visibility was good in all directions, especially in the sedan.

The 2020 Mazda MAZDA3 sedan measured 183.5 inches in length with a 107.3-inch wheelbase, while the hatchback was more compact at 175.6 inches. The interior provided ample room for the driver, with supportive front seats and plenty of adjustment options. The back seat was tight on legroom, but the soft front seatbacks mitigated discomfort. The materials held up well, even with higher mileage. The sedan's trunk offered 13.2 cubic feet of cargo space, and the hatchback provided 20.1 cubic feet, both on the smaller side for the segment. The large transmission hump in the rear middle seat was a drawback for passengers.

The 2019 Honda Civic's infotainment system, while good in 2016, was outclassed by newer Honda models. The system was slower and less organized, but the Garmin-based navigation was a standout feature. The Civic included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the 450-watt, 10-speaker stereo on the Touring trim was improved. Honda's LaneWatch provided a live feed of the blind spot, enhancing safety.

The 2020 Mazda MAZDA3 featured an 8.8-inch infotainment display integrated into the dashboard, eliminating the "tacked-on" look. Mazda removed touch functionality, opting for a rotary dial controller and dedicated buttons. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and Sirius XM satellite radio. The infotainment software was faster, with sharp graphics and a minimalist design. The head-up display reflected off the windshield, reinforcing Mazda's premium aspirations.

The 2019 Honda Civic came with Honda Sensing as standard on all trims except the Si and Type R. This included forward-collision alert, emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Civic received top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, with the exception of a four-star rating for the coupe's passenger-side frontal crash.

The 2020 Mazda MAZDA3 was a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, with top scores in all crash tests. The Premium Package's LED headlights received a Good rating, while lower trims received an Acceptable score. The Mazda3 also received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. It offered advanced driver assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.