2020 Honda Accord vs 2019 Mazda MAZDA3

The 2019 Mazda MAZDA3 stood out as one of the best-looking cars of its time, and it wasn’t even a sports car or a luxury model. This was quite surprising, considering that luxury car designers are typically responsible for dramatic designs meant to woo affluent buyers. In contrast, volume automakers focused mostly on meeting price points, often compromising on styling. Mazda, however, managed to put the whole industry on notice with its design prowess.

The Mazda3 came in both sedan and hatchback configurations. The hatchback, in particular, showcased the designers' creativity with its clean panels on the rear quarter and a sharply raked rear window flowing into sports-car-like taillights. This striking design was sure to turn heads. Inside, the interior was equally impressive. Designers placed cupholders forward of the shifter, and while this raised concerns about potential spills on the center dash panel, it contributed to a dramatic look. The cabin was uncluttered and seamlessly integrated with technology, mirroring the aesthetics of much more expensive cars like the Lexus IS.

The seats in the Mazda3 provided a sports car-like driving experience, with low, reclined positioning and controls wrapping around the driver. The car featured an 8.8-inch screen that ran the MazdaConnect infotainment system, integrated so naturally into the dashboard that it would make an architect like Frank Lloyd Wright proud.

The sedan came in varying trims: base, Select, Preferred, and Premium. The hatchback also had corresponding trims with additional features, making it more content-rich and appealing. Notably, the base hatchback trim included extras like 18-inch alloy wheels, rain-sensing wipers, and drowsiness alert, making it an exceptional value for its price.

The 2020 Honda Accord made waves with its stylish design, despite some polarizing opinions on its front styling and rounded roofline. It was one of the most stylish Accords ever, resembling more of an upscale fastback than a mainstream family sedan. The car looked particularly good on the Sport and Touring trims, which came with 19-inch wheels. Other trims had 17-inch wheels, which were less visually striking but more cost-effective when it came to tire replacements.

Honda offered the Accord in multiple trims: LX, Sport, EX, EX-L, and Touring, along with a Hybrid version. Our test car, a 2020 Accord Touring, flaunted Radiant Red paint with an Ivory interior, lending it a convincingly luxurious appearance. The interior boasted soft primary touchpoints and simulated wood that felt authentic, reinforcing the car's upscale appeal.

The 2019 Mazda MAZDA3 was equipped with a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 186 horsepower. This engine was paired with either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic transmission, and power was sent to front wheels or the newly available all-wheel drive (AWD). However, AWD was only available with the automatic transmission. The SkyActiv-G engine, despite expectations of a future SkyActiv-X compression ignition engine, delivered an excellent driving experience with responsive acceleration, agile handling, and effective braking.

The Mazda3 shone in various driving conditions, offering a composed ride while handling corners beautifully. The front-wheel-drive (FWD) automatic sedan with the Premium package was the most efficient version, boasting fuel economy of 27 mpg city, 36 highway, and 30 combined. Our test model achieved 28.2 mpg in a week of combined driving.

The 2020 Honda Accord featured a standard turbocharged 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine generating 192 horsepower and 192 lb-ft of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive. For performance enthusiasts, Honda offered a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine outputting 252 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. This more powerful engine came with a 10-speed automatic transmission and paddle shifters for a sporty experience.

The 2.0-liter turbo engine could shift between Economy and Sport modes, significantly altering the car's responsiveness. In our tests, the Sport mode especially enhanced the driving experience. This engine also delivered a respectable 27.4 mpg, slightly better than the EPA's estimated 26 mpg in combined driving. The adaptive dampers on the Accord Touring trim contributed to a controlled yet enjoyable ride, making it a joy to drive, whether whipping around corners or cruising over less-than-perfect roads.

The 2019 Mazda MAZDA3 hatchback provided 20.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 47.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, which was decent for its class. However, the sedan offered a smaller 13.2 cubic feet of trunk space. Despite this, both the sedan and hatchback versions offered a sporty, low-seating position that was more suited for front-seat passengers. Rear-seat occupants had less legroom and headroom, making it a tight fit for taller individuals.

The 2020 Honda Accord, in contrast, was almost like a full-size car in terms of interior space. It offered significantly more rear-seat legroom and cargo space compared to its rival, the Toyota Camry. The trunk could hold 16.7 cubic feet, enough to fit full-size suitcases, making it perfect for long family road trips. The Accord’s front seats, especially the 12-way power driver's seat, were highly comfortable, although the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment. The back seat was exceptionally comfortable, with wide doors for easy entry and exit.

The 2019 Mazda MAZDA3 featured an 8.8-inch screen powered by the latest MazdaConnect infotainment system, boasting crisp graphics and integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, the system was remote-controlled only, a departure from its previous semi-touchscreen interface. This design choice was modeled after high-end systems from BMW and Audi but lacked the touch functionality found in those systems. Our test model included a head-up display and a fully digital instrument panel, adding to its tech-savvy appeal.

The 2020 Honda Accord, meanwhile, offered an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system that was arguably one of the best in Honda's lineup. It featured both volume and tuning knobs, easy-to-access menu buttons, and intuitive steering wheel controls. The system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, along with a 10-speaker premium sound system starting from the EX-L trim. The Touring trim also added HondaLink subscription services, a Wi-Fi hotspot, navigation, and wireless charging. However, the lack of natural voice recognition was a downside, as it required specific prompts to operate correctly.

The 2019 Mazda MAZDA3's base hatchback trim came standard with Mazda’s i-Activsense suite, which included advanced safety features like automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. However, these features were not standard on the base sedan trim, requiring an upgrade to the Select trim.

The 2020 Honda Accord earned top marks from both the IIHS and NHTSA, making it a very safe choice. Honda Sensing, a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance features, was standard across all trims. This suite included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane centering, and adaptive cruise control. However, blind-spot monitoring was only available starting from the Sport 2.0T trim. Despite some minor issues, such as occasional false alerts and a less-than-smooth adaptive cruise control, the Accord’s safety features were impressive.