2019 Toyota Prius vs 2019 Mazda MAZDA3

The 2019 Toyota Prius was never known for its looks. Its design, especially in the fourth generation introduced in 2016, was more about making a statement than winning beauty contests. The Prius's boomerang-shaped profile and split rear glass were meant to appeal to early hybrid adopters who wanted their car to stand out. However, by 2019, hybrids had become mainstream, and the Prius's extroverted design seemed to hurt its sales more than help. Despite its polarizing exterior, the Prius offered a practical solution for daily driving with a range of trim levels and a new all-wheel-drive option.

In contrast, the 2019 Mazda MAZDA3 was praised for its stunning design, both inside and out. Available as a sedan and a hatchback, the latter truly showcased Mazda's design prowess. The hatchback's clean lines, sharply raked rear window, and sports-car-like taillights made it a head-turner. Inside, the Mazda3 continued to impress with a luxurious feel, clean and uncluttered spaces, and seamless technology integration. The driver and front passenger enjoyed a low, sports-car-like seating position, enhancing the car's sporty appeal.

The 2019 Toyota Prius featured a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine paired with an electric motor, producing a combined 121 horsepower. The optional AWD-e system added a 5-kilowatt rear electric motor and a nickel-metal hydride battery. This system powered the rear wheels up to 6 mph and provided extra traction up to 43 mph. However, the AWD-e system resulted in lower fuel economy, with the AWD Prius achieving 50 mpg compared to the standard FWD model's 52 mpg. The Prius's CVT and various driving modes, including an EV mode, made it a no-hassle daily driver with decent handling and a quiet ride in urban settings.

The 2019 Mazda MAZDA3 came with a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 186 horsepower, paired with either a 6-speed manual or automatic transmission. AWD was available but only with the automatic transmission. The Mazda3's SkyActiv-G engine provided responsive acceleration, athletic handling, and a composed ride. Fuel economy varied, with the most efficient FWD automatic sedan achieving 30 mpg combined, while the AWD hatchback returned 27 mpg combined. The Mazda3's driving dynamics made it a joy to drive, whether for daily commuting or spirited driving.

The 2019 Toyota Prius offered comfortable seating for four adults, with manual height adjustment for the driver's seat and heated front seats. Rear passengers enjoyed good thigh support and decent legroom, though the lack of rear air conditioning vents was a drawback. The Prius's hatchback design provided ample cargo space, with up to 27.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 65.5 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The AWD-e models had slightly less cargo space. The Prius's interior, while functional, could become uncomfortable in hot weather due to its SofTex leatherette upholstery.

The 2019 Mazda MAZDA3 sedan offered 13.2 cubic feet of trunk space, while the hatchback provided 20.1 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 47.1 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Mazda3's low, sports-car-like seating position benefited front-seat passengers but made rear-seat accommodations tight, especially for taller passengers. The center console featured a deep tray and a center bin, though the design of the center armrest/console cover was less than ideal. Overall, the Mazda3's interior was comfortable for daily commuting but less practical for carrying large amounts of cargo.

The 2019 Toyota Prius's most impressive infotainment system was limited to the Limited trim, featuring an 11.6-inch touchscreen, navigation, JBL sound system, and more. The standard infotainment setup in the XLE AWD-e test car included a 6.1-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, and a CD player. The Prius's instrumentation was housed in a horizontal strip below the windshield, with some displays looking outdated. The Advanced Technology Package added a head-up display and adaptive headlights but fell short of expectations. Notably, the Prius lacked Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The 2019 Mazda MAZDA3 featured an 8.8-inch screen running the latest MazdaConnect infotainment system, with crisp graphics and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, the system was entirely remote-controlled, which could be less intuitive for some users. The test model included a head-up display and a fully digital instrument panel, enhancing the car's luxury feel. Despite the remote-control-only setup, the Mazda3's technology integration was impressive and user-friendly once acclimated.

The 2019 Toyota Prius offered the Safety Connect service on the Limited trim, providing automatic collision notification, emergency assistance, and more. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. The LE trim added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking assist. The Prius received a 5-star rating in federal crash tests and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.

The 2019 Mazda MAZDA3 hatchback came standard with Mazda’s i-Activsense suite, including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and driver-attention alerts. These features were not standard on the base sedan trim but were available on the Select Sedan trim. The hatchback's large C-pillars created significant blind spots, and the auto-engage parking brake system was less intuitive. Despite these quirks, the Mazda3's safety features were comprehensive and effective.