2022 Mazda MAZDA3 vs 2021 BMW 2 Series

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, introduced as a new model the previous year, marked a departure from BMW's traditional rear-wheel-drive setup by offering standard front-wheel drive in the U.S. market. Despite its name, the Gran Coupe was a four-door sedan with a conventional trunk, lacking the utility of its five-door sportback sibling, the 4 Series Gran Coupe. It served as an entry-level BMW, appealing to those aspiring to own a vehicle with the iconic kidney-shaped grille and blue-and-white roundel. The 2 Series Gran Coupe was available in 228i and M235i models, with xDrive all-wheel-drive optional for the 228i and standard for the M235i. The 2021 model year saw the addition of standard equipment, a sport automatic transmission limited to the M Sport Package or M235i, and a new adaptive damping suspension. The test car, a 228i xDrive Gran Coupe, came equipped with the M Sport Package, Premium Package, and other premium features, bringing the MSRP to $48,595.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 continued to offer both sedan and hatchback body styles, with no significant changes from the previous year. It was available in the affordable Mazda3 2.0 (sedan only), the popular Mazda3 2.5 S, and the sporty Mazda3 2.5 Turbo models. The 2.5 S lineup offered the most variety, with five trim levels and a choice between front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. The 2.5 S Premium hatchback was the only model offering a six-speed manual transmission. Prices ranged from $20,800 to $34,400, excluding the $1,015 destination charge. The test car was a top-of-the-line 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus hatchback, priced at $35,810, including destination charges. The Mazda3's design was not universally appealing, with deeply sculpted flanks and a hatchback design that some might call "hunchback." However, it exuded a mature and serious demeanor, both inside and out, with refined materials and sophisticated design elements.

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe raised questions about whether a front-drive platform could uphold the brand's "ultimate driving machine" reputation. While some critics were skeptical, the 228i Gran Coupe, with its 228-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine, offered a comparable performance to the revered Volkswagen GTI. The BMW's xDrive all-wheel-drive system provided an edge in varying road conditions. The 228i xDrive Gran Coupe accelerated from zero to 60 mph in six seconds, powered by a turbocharged inline-four engine paired with an eight-speed sport automatic transmission. The car featured performance-enhancing technologies like brake-fade compensation, cornering brake control, and three driving modes. The M Sport Package added M Sport steering, enhancing the driving experience with swift, sharp, and direct handling. The suspension was firm but manageable, and the car averaged 27.9 mpg, slightly exceeding the EPA's estimate.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 offered a range of engine options, starting with the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine in the 2.0 sedan, producing 155 horsepower and 150 lb-ft of torque, with a focus on fuel economy at 31 mpg combined. The 2.5 S model, with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, delivered 186 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque, with fuel economy ranging from 27 to 30 mpg combined. The 2.5 Turbo model featured a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine, producing 227 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque on regular gas, or 250 hp and 320 lb-ft on premium fuel. The turbocharged Mazda3 offered a smooth and supple ride, with nimble handling, flawless steering, and outstanding balance. However, the brakes showed signs of fade during demanding driving conditions. Despite this, the Mazda3 2.5 Turbo was praised for its driving dynamics, quality, and attainable price.

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe was practical for transporting two young and agile individuals. The sport-bolstered, 10-way power-adjustable front seats were snug yet comfortable, with adequate storage for everyday items. Entry and exit were challenging due to the car's low-slung design. The rear seat, accessible through two extra doors, was cramped, with limited headroom and legroom. The traditional trunk offered 15.2 cubic feet of space, including a generous storage compartment under the load floor. The 40/20/40-split folding rear seat added some utility, but the car lacked the full sportback treatment.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3, sitting low to the ground, also posed challenges for entry and exit, with small door openings. Once inside, the front seats provided a snug and comfortable fit, with an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat and heated front seats in most versions. The interior was driver-focused, with user-friendly controls, except for the Mazda Connect infotainment system. The back seat offered decent comfort and legroom for shorter passengers, but taller individuals would find it cramped. Storage space was adequate, with large door bins, a big glove compartment, and a sizable center console bin. The hatchback offered 20.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, expanding to 47.1 cubic feet with the seat folded down.

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe featured Live Cockpit Plus with a 5.1-inch display between traditional analog gauges. The Premium Package upgraded to Live Cockpit Pro, with a fully digital 10.25-inch display, paired with an 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system using BMW's iDrive 7.0 technology. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, navigation, and connected services, with over-the-air updates. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with responsive software and multiple control options. The car came with a premium sound system, and Gesture Control was available for stereo volume and radio station changes. A full-color head-up display was also included.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3's standard infotainment system, Mazda Connect, featured an 8.8-inch static display integrated into the dashboard. Mazda opted for a non-touchscreen approach, with primary controls on the center console, steering wheel controls, and a voice recognition system. While Mazda's philosophy aimed to reduce distractions, the lack of a physical tuning function and a cumbersome voice recognition system were drawbacks. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto provided alternatives for music streaming and navigation. Mazda Connected Services offered remote access to vehicle functions via a smartphone app, with a complimentary three-year subscription. An eight-speaker audio system was standard, with a 12-speaker Bose Centerpoint surround-sound system available. An Active Driving Display projected data onto the windshield, including blind-spot warnings.

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe offered a Driving Assistance Package with adaptive cruise control and a parking-assistant feature, though the test car did not have this upgrade. It included advanced driving-assistance systems under the Active Driving Assistant umbrella, such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, active blind-spot warning, and a speed limit information system. The lane-keeping assistance system was effective but could be aggressive. The IIHS rated the car highly for crash protection, but it missed a Top Safety Pick due to headlight ratings and vehicle-to-pedestrian test results.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 excelled in safety features and crash-test ratings. Standard equipment included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive front headlights, Traffic Jam Assist, reverse automatic braking, and a surround-view camera system. The driver-assist features performed as expected, with smooth adaptive cruise control responses and reliable lane-keeping assistance. The Mazda3 received five-star ratings from the NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS.