2021 Mazda MAZDA3 vs 2020 Toyota Prius

The 2020 Toyota Prius retained its iconic jellybean-like shape, optimized for aerodynamics. Over the years, Toyota made subtle changes to its styling cues, aiming to give it a more sedan-like appearance while maintaining its hatchback functionality. The Prius's futuristic design remained contemporary, with a cabin defined by its central instrumentation and gauges, a hallmark since its inception over two decades ago.

The Prius offered four trim levels: L Eco, LE, XLE, and Limited. The base L Eco trim came with 15-inch alloy wheels, automatic climate control, cloth upholstery, and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. Higher trims added features like synthetic leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a larger 11.6-inch touchscreen, though the latter lacked Android Auto support.

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3, following its 2019 redesign, won the World Car Design of the Year for 2020. Its bodywork exuded drama and sophistication, with the sedan offering a conservative look and the hatchback presenting a more aggressive stance. The 2.5 Turbo model, available in both body styles, featured AWD and came in standard or Premium Plus trims. The sedan we tested had Premium Plus trim and Machine Gray Metallic paint, priced at $33,890.

Interior options varied by trim and body style, with leatherette or Nappa leather upholstery. The Mazda3 Turbo's white leather interior looked luxurious, though it was prone to staining from dark jeans. The cabin's design focused on the driver, with high-quality materials and clear gauges. Despite some hard plastics, the overall quality and attention to detail aimed to elevate the Mazda3 into premium territory.

The 2020 Toyota Prius featured a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor, producing a combined 121 horsepower and 105 pound-feet of torque. It came with FWD, while the AWD-e variant added a second electric motor for the rear wheels, operating up to 43 mph. The Prius offered smooth acceleration, with a seamless transition between electric and conventional power. It had three drive modes: EV, Eco, and Power, each catering to different driving needs.

The Prius's unique shifter design required some adjustment, with Reverse, Drive, and Neutral positions differing from conventional layouts. The "B" mode provided engine braking, useful in mountainous regions. The Prius's low center of gravity contributed to its engaging handling, while its smooth ride made it ideal for commuting.

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3 Turbo featured a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 250 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque with 93-octane fuel, or 227 hp and 310 lb-ft with 87-octane. It came with a six-speed automatic transmission and AWD. The turbocharged powertrain added minimal weight but significantly improved performance, delivering smooth and predictable acceleration.

Sport mode enhanced transmission shifts and cornering, while the G-Vectoring Control Plus software improved turn-in response. The Mazda3 Turbo's stiffer front suspension and 18-inch wheels contributed to its sporty handling. Despite lacking summer tires, the car's calibration provided maximum driving pleasure. The Mazda3 Turbo averaged 20.4 mpg during testing, below the EPA estimate of 27 mpg, likely due to spirited driving.

The 2020 Toyota Prius made efficient use of its space, with deep door pockets, a large tray between the front seats, and sub-trays around the center console. The front seats offered ample headroom and legroom, with good driver visibility. The rear seats were spacious, though taller passengers needed to be cautious when entering and exiting.

The Prius provided 50.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, and 24.6 to 27.4 cubic feet with the seats up, depending on the model. Its hatchback design made loading and unloading easy, making it one of the most versatile hybrid vehicles.

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3 Turbo's interior featured Nappa leather, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel, giving it a luxury feel. However, it lacked some premium features like front seat ventilation and rear-seat amenities. In-cabin storage was adequate but limited, with the wireless smartphone charger occupying the center console bin.

The sedan's trunk offered 13.2 cubic feet of space, while the hatchback provided 20.1 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 47.1 cubic feet with the seat folded. The hatchback was the better choice for those needing more utility.

The 2020 Toyota Prius came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth connectivity, a WiFi hotspot, and three USB ports. The Limited trim upgraded to an 11.6-inch screen with a customizable layout, though it lacked Android Auto. The Prius also offered satellite radio, HD Radio, a HUD, and a 10-speaker JBL audio system. The top-center instrument panel displayed hybrid drivetrain status and other critical readouts, with an available HUD for added convenience.

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3 featured the Mazda Connect infotainment system with an 8.8-inch display, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a three-year trial of Mazda Connected Services. It included a WiFi hotspot and the MyMazda app for remote operations. However, the non-touchscreen display and poor voice recognition technology were drawbacks. The system paired with a 12-speaker Bose audio system, offering good sound quality, though satellite radio performance was subpar. The HUD displayed speed, speed limits, and safety technology status, remaining visible with polarized sunglasses.

The 2020 Toyota Prius came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, including automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, parking sensors, and active park assist. The Prius earned a five-star NHTSA rating and a "Top Safety Pick" from the IIHS, though it fell short of the highest rating due to "average" scores in some tests.

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3 featured i-ActiveSense ADAS, designed to support the driver. It included adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, adaptive headlights, and lane-centering assistance. The Premium Plus trim added a surround-view camera, parking sensors, reverse automatic braking, and Traffic Jam Assist. The Mazda3 earned top five-star ratings from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick+" from the IIHS.