2020 Mazda MAZDA3 vs 2021 BMW 3 Series

The 2020 Mazda MAZDA3 offered both sedan and hatchback body styles, with the hatchback standing out due to its unique curves and silhouette. The sedan, however, was more popular among U.S. shoppers aiming for an upmarket feel. The test vehicle, a sedan with the Premium Package and AWD, featured 18-inch alloy wheels, a blacked-out mesh front grille, and round running lamps. The side profile was sculpted yet not angular, unlike competitors such as the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla. The rear design of the sedan felt somewhat disproportionate, but the hatchback's rounded shape mitigated this issue.

Inside, the Mazda3 leaned towards premium design with a minimalist approach. The test car had creamy white leather, slim steering wheel buttons, and a cockpit-style feel due to the air vents' placement. Materials were soft and padded, though not quite luxury-grade. The cupholders' new position allowed for an extended armrest, enhancing the driver-focused design. However, the sheet metal felt low rent, with doors and trunk closures sounding light and hollow.

The 2021 BMW 3 Series returned to a traditional familial look, resembling a smaller version of the 5 Series and 7 Series. However, the G20 3 Series appeared stuffy compared to the iconic E30. The large grille looked out of place on the smaller sedan, and there wasn't much else distinctive about the design. The test car featured M 19-inch wheels and blue-painted brake calipers, part of the optional M Sport trim package. The interior design was nice but marred by unimpressive materials, with plastic trim and fake-looking Ash wood. Leather upholstery was optional, with synthetic Sensatec as standard. The optional M heated steering wheel seemed out of place in the otherwise conservative interior.

The 2020 Mazda MAZDA3's redesign included a cost-cutting torsion beam rear suspension, replacing the previous multi-link setup. While this decision affected ride quality, the precise steering and minimal body roll remained. The 2.5-liter SkyActiv four-cylinder engine produced 186 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, an improvement over the previous generation. However, the engine lacked the immediate punch of turbocharged motors. A six-speed manual transmission was available only with the FWD hatchback in higher trims, while most models, including the test vehicle, featured a six-speed automatic transmission.

The 2021 BMW 3 Series offered three powertrains: a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque in the 330i, a 330e plug-in hybrid with a combined 288 hp and 310 lb-ft, and a turbo inline-six in the M340i producing 382 hp and 369 lb-ft. All models came with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with RWD or xDrive AWD options. The M340i could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds, while the 330i took 5.6 seconds. The 330e matched the 330i's acceleration time despite its extra weight but had a clunky transition from electric to gasoline power. The chassis provided a solid ride and excellent handling, but the driving experience lacked engagement.

The 2020 Mazda MAZDA3 sedan measured 183.5 inches in length with a 107.3-inch wheelbase, while the hatchback was 175.6 inches long. The interior offered ample room for the driver, with supportive front seats and soft surfaces. However, rear legroom was tight, and the large transmission hump in the rear middle seat was a drawback. The sedan's trunk had 13.2 cubic feet of cargo space, and the hatchback offered 20.1 cubic feet, both on the smaller side for the segment.

The 2021 BMW 3 Series provided better-than-average rear headroom and above-average front headroom, though legroom was average, and shoulder room was less generous than the Acura TLX. Gasoline models had 17 cubic feet of cargo space, but the 330e's battery pack reduced this to 13.2 cubic feet. The trunk's long-and-narrow shape required an awkward reach to maximize space. The cockpit was well-designed, with a touchscreen positioned for easy reach and good outward visibility.

The 2020 Mazda MAZDA3 featured an 8.8-inch infotainment display integrated into the dashboard, controlled by a rotary dial rather than touch functionality. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and Sirius XM satellite radio. The new infotainment software was faster, with sharp graphics and thin fonts that complemented the minimalist cabin design. The head-up display (HUD) reflected off the windshield, enhancing the premium feel.

The 2021 BMW 3 Series came with the standard iDrive infotainment system, including an 8.8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, and USB ports. Gasoline models had both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the 330e only had CarPlay. The optional Live Cockpit Professional system added a digital instrument cluster, navigation, and a HUD. The system was responsive, with high-quality graphics and logical controls. BMW offered multiple control options, including the iDrive controller, steering wheel controls, voice assistant, and gesture controls, though some features felt gimmicky.

The 2020 Mazda MAZDA3 was a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, with top scores in all crash tests and 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, rear cross-traffic alert, and dynamic brake support.

The 2021 BMW 3 Series received a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS, with top scores in all crash tests but mixed headlight scores. The NHTSA had not published safety ratings for the 2021 model. Standard driver-assist features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. The optional Driving Assistant Professional Package added adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, automated lane centering, and more. The lower-level Driving Assistant Package included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while a parking-assist package with a 360-degree camera system and automated parking aid was also available.