2020 Mazda MAZDA3 vs 2021 Chrysler 300

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 without sharp lines, unlike its competitors. The rear design of the sedan felt somewhat disproportionate, but the hatchback's rounded shape mitigated this issue.

Inside, the Mazda3 leaned towards a premium feel with a minimalist design. The test car had creamy white leather, slim steering wheel buttons, and a cockpit-style feel due to the air vents. Materials were padded with leather, though not quite at luxury sedan standards. The cupholders were repositioned for better driver support. However, the sheet metal felt low rent, with doors and trunk closures sounding light and hollow.

The 2021 Chrysler 300 retained its classic "three-box design" since its 2014 facelift, offering a timeless and straightforward profile. The car's appearance was consistent across trims, from the base 300 to the high-end 300S, making it a proud choice for any valet. The 2021 model featured bi-xenon halogen projector lamps with LED driving lamps on lower trims, and adaptive HID lamps on higher trims. Grille options varied between black and chrome, maintaining a tough, no-nonsense look.

Wheel options ranged from 17-inch silver alloys on the base trim to 20-inch Black Noise wheels on the 300S. The interior quality rivaled more expensive cars, with cloth upholstery on the base trim and Nappa leather on higher trims. The 300S included perforated inserts and accent stitching. Heated front seats were standard on top trims, with heated rear seats available.

The 2020 Mazda MAZDA3 featured a 2.5-liter SkyActiv four-cylinder engine producing 186 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. This was an upgrade from the previous generation's 2.0-liter engine. The new engine provided a predictable performance but lacked the immediate punch of turbocharged motors. Mazda announced a turbocharged version for 2021. The car's suspension was downgraded to a torsion beam setup, which affected ride quality but not enough to deter buyers. Steering remained precise with minimal roll through corners. The Mazda3 offered a six-speed manual transmission only in specific FWD hatchback models, while most cars came with a six-speed automatic.

The 2021 Chrysler 300 came with a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine, offering 292 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque in the 300 Touring and Touring L trims, and 300 hp and 264 lb-ft in the 300S. The 300S also had an optional 5.7-liter V8 engine with 363 hp and 394 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with paddle shifters on the 300S. RWD was standard, with AWD available for an additional $2,750, except on the 300S. The V6 provided a quiet and comfortable ride, while the V8 offered a fun driving experience.

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 provided ample room for the driver, though rear legroom was tight. The front seats were supportive and adjustable, with materials holding up well even after 10,000 miles. The rear middle seat was compromised by a large transmission hump. 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 2021 Chrysler 300 excelled in interior space, with 41.8 inches of front legroom and 40.1 inches in the rear, surpassing many entry-luxury competitors. The car offered 106.3 cubic feet of passenger volume, beating the Genesis G70 and Lexus ES350. The trunk provided 16.3 cubic feet of cargo space, enough for about four large suitcases.

The 2020 Mazda MAZDA3 featured an 8.8-inch infotainment display integrated into the dashboard, controlled by a rotary dial rather than a touchscreen. This design aimed to reduce driver distraction. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and Sirius XM satellite radio. The new software was faster with sharp graphics, and the head-up display reflected off the windshield for a more premium feel.

The 2021 Chrysler 300 retained its intuitive Uconnect 4C infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, standard across all trims. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and steering wheel-mounted controls. The $3,495 Popular Equipment Group added a 506-watt amp, nine Alpine speakers, GPS navigation, SiriusXM Traffic Plus, surround sound, a trunk-mounted subwoofer, and a dual-pane sunroof.

The 2020 Mazda MAZDA3 was a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, scoring Good in all crash tests and receiving 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 Chrysler 300 received Good scores in most IIHS crash tests but scored Marginal in small overlap tests and Poor for headlights. The NHTSA awarded it a four-star overall rating, with five stars for combined side barrier and side pole crash tests. Standard safety features included active head restraints, multiple airbags, traction and stability control, brake assist, rain brake support, ready alert braking, and hill start assist. Advanced safety features were available in higher trims and packages.