2020 Honda Civic Hatchback vs 2020 Mazda MAZDA3

The 2020 Honda Civic Hatchback, a compact car that had undergone a redesign half a decade prior, continued to evoke mixed reactions with its styling. For 2020, Honda made subtle adjustments, such as adding body-color crossbars to the air intakes, a new grille, and smoked headlights, which slightly refined its appearance. The Sport Touring trim, with its Platinum White Pearl paint, stood out with glossy black detailing, often mistaken for the more aggressive Type R. Inside, the Civic Hatchback offered a blend of stitched leather, soft surfaces, and quality materials, though hard plastics were still present. The six-speed manual gearbox, now available with the Sport Touring trim, added to its appeal, with a price tag of $28,980. Despite its cost, the Civic Hatchback provided a more affordable alternative to the Type R, with a base MSRP starting at $21,650.

The 2020 Mazda MAZDA3, available in both sedan and hatchback body styles, was celebrated for its unique and curvaceous design, particularly the hatchback. The sedan, equipped with the Premium Package and all-wheel drive, featured 18-inch alloy wheels and a striking blacked-out mesh front grille. The Mazda3's design was characterized by its sculpted side profile, setting it apart from competitors with more angular styling. Inside, the Mazda3 embraced simplicity and minimalism, with creamy white leather and a driver-focused cockpit-style feel. However, the sheet metal felt less robust, lacking the solid construction found in more expensive luxury sedans. Despite this, the Mazda3's design and materials aimed to compete with premium brands, offering a sophisticated and stylish interior.

The 2020 Honda Civic Hatchback, particularly in Sport and Sport Touring trims, was not to be confused with the Civic Si. It featured a turbocharged 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, producing 174 horsepower in LX, EX, and EX-L trims, and 180 horsepower in Sport and Sport Touring trims. Torque varied depending on the transmission, with 162 lb-ft for the CVT and 177 lb-ft for the 6-speed manual. The Civic Hatchback delivered a refined and quiet driving experience, with a softer ride compared to the Civic Si. It offered a balance of comfort and excitement, making it enjoyable for daily driving and spirited runs. The EPA rated the Civic Hatchback at 32 mpg in combined driving, with real-world testing achieving 32.7 mpg.

The 2020 Mazda MAZDA3, powered by a 2.5-liter SkyActiv four-cylinder engine, delivered 186 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque. This was an improvement over the previous generation, which offered a 2.0-liter engine in lower trims. The Mazda3's engine provided predictable performance, though it lacked the immediate punch of turbocharged engines. Mazda offered a six-speed manual transmission, but only with front-wheel-drive hatchback models equipped with the preferred or premium package. The test vehicle featured a six-speed automatic transmission, which was more common in dealership lots. The Mazda3's handling was precise, though the torsion beam rear suspension, a cost-cutting measure, resulted in a less sophisticated ride compared to the previous generation's multi-link suspension.

The 2020 Honda Civic Hatchback offered a practical alternative to SUVs, with 25.2 cubic feet of cargo space, slightly more than the Honda HR-V Touring. While it couldn't match the HR-V's maximum volume, the Civic Hatchback provided better acceleration and fuel efficiency. The driver's seat sat low, offering ample thigh support, though the passenger seat lacked a height adjuster. The center console storage area was cleverly designed, with a sliding armrest, tray, and cupholders. Rear seat comfort was good, but the lack of air-conditioning vents and dark tinted rear glass could make passengers uncomfortable.

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. Despite its size, the Mazda3 offered ample headroom and supportive front seats. The rear seat was tight on legroom, but the soft front seatbacks mitigated discomfort. The sedan's trunk provided 13.2 cubic feet of cargo space, while the hatchback offered 20.1 cubic feet, both on the smaller side for the segment. The Mazda3's interior materials held up well, even with higher mileage, though the transmission hump in the rear middle seat was a drawback.

The 2020 Honda Civic Hatchback featured a stylish dashboard with digital instrumentation and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system in all but the LX trim. The Sport Touring trim included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, a navigation system, and a 12-speaker premium sound system. However, the infotainment system lacked a tuning knob, a larger screen, and effective voice-recognition technology. Automatic climate control and Smart Entry with Walk Away Auto Lock were standard, providing convenience and peace of mind.

The 2020 Mazda MAZDA3's interior design integrated an 8.8-inch infotainment display high on the dashboard, avoiding the "tacked-on" look. Mazda eliminated touch functionality, opting for a rotary dial controller between the front seats. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and Sirius XM satellite radio. The infotainment software was faster, with sharp graphics and thin fonts that complemented the minimalist cabin design. The head-up display reflected off the windshield, enhancing the premium feel.

The 2020 Honda Civic Hatchback came standard with the Honda Sensing suite, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. However, the system showed signs of aging, with less refined lane-keeping assist and occasional issues with adaptive cruise control. The Civic lacked blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, relying on LaneWatch for the right-side blind spot. The Civic Hatchback did not earn a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS due to poor headlight performance, but it received top marks for crash-test performance.

The 2020 Mazda MAZDA3 was a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, with top scores in all crash tests and a Good rating for the Premium Package's LED headlights. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall safety rating. The Mazda3 offered a comprehensive suite of 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. These features were standard, reflecting Mazda's commitment to safety.