2020 Mazda MAZDA3 vs 2021 Honda Civic

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 eliminated this issue. Inside, the Mazda3 embraced simplicity and minimalism, with creamy white leather and a driver-focused design. However, the sheet metal felt low rent, lacking the solid construction found in more expensive luxury sedans.

The 2021 Honda Civic, available in sedan, hatchback, and performance-tuned Type R formats, continued to impress with its design. The test car, a Touring sedan in Cosmic Blue Metallic paint, featured 18-inch wheels and a striking exterior. The Civic's design, initially polarizing, had become familiar over time. Inside, the Civic's cabin showcased quality materials and thoughtful detailing, although the maximum infotainment screen size of 7 inches felt dated. The interior remained roomy, comparable to a midsize car from a decade ago, and offered excellent thigh support and a comfortable backrest angle.

The 2020 Mazda MAZDA3's performance was compromised by its torsion beam rear suspension, a cost-cutting measure that replaced the previous multi-link setup. While this decision affected ride quality, the precise steering and minimal body roll through corners remained impressive. 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. The Mazda3 Turbo, announced for 2021, promised a more powerful 2.5-liter turbocharged unit. The manual transmission was available only in FWD hatchback models with higher trim levels, making it a costly option. Most Mazda3s came with a six-speed automatic transmission.

The 2021 Honda Civic offered two engine options. The base 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine produced 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. The turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, available in EX, EX-L, and Touring trims, delivered 174 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. The turbo engine provided a more spirited driving experience, complemented by the sophisticated four-wheel independent suspension. However, the CVT detracted from the overall driving experience, with its droning and ineffective paddle shifters. Despite this, the Civic's fuel economy was impressive, averaging 34.8 mpg on a 140-mile driving loop.

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. The interior offered ample headroom and supportive front seats with plenty of adjustment. However, the back seat was tight on legroom, and the large transmission hump in the rear middle seat was a drawback. The sedan's trunk provided 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 Honda Civic sedan's low seating position made getting in and out a bit challenging, but once inside, the seats were comfortable. The driver's seat offered eight-way power adjustment, while the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment. The rear seats provided excellent thigh support and a comfortable backrest angle, although rear air conditioning vents were absent. The center console offered remarkable storage space, and the trunk measured 15.1 cubic feet, slightly reduced to 14.7 cubic feet in the Touring trim due to the premium sound system.

The 2020 Mazda MAZDA3 featured an 8.8-inch infotainment display integrated into the dashboard, eliminating the "tacked-on" look. However, the display was not a touchscreen, with all functions controlled via a rotary dial. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and Sirius XM satellite radio were included. The infotainment system was faster and featured sharp graphics, and the head-up display reflected off the windshield.

The 2021 Honda Civic's technology felt dated, especially in the base LX trim, which offered a 5-inch LCD screen, Bluetooth, and a 1.0-amp USB port. The Sport trim upgraded to a 7-inch touchscreen, an eight-speaker sound system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a more powerful USB port. The EX trim added HD Radio and SiriusXM satellite radio, while the Touring trim included navigation and a 10-speaker premium audio system. The voice recognition system in the Touring trim was unsophisticated, and the premium sound system was nice but not essential.

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 Honda Civic came standard with Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, Road Departure Mitigation, and a Lane Keeping Assist System. LaneWatch, available starting with EX trim, used a camera to monitor the right lane but had several drawbacks. The Civic lacked a traditional radar-based blind-spot warning system and rear cross-traffic warning. However, it earned a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS and five-star ratings in all NHTSA assessments.