2022 Mazda MAZDA3 vs 2021 BMW 3 Series

The 2021 BMW 3 Series returned to its traditional familial look, reminiscent of the classic E30 3 Series. However, the G20 3 Series appeared stuffy, with a big, oddly-shaped grille that looked out of place on the smaller sedan. The interior design was nice but let down by unimpressive materials, with plastic trim and fake-looking Ash wood. Leather upholstery was an optional extra, and the standard synthetic Sensatec material was less luxurious.

In contrast, the 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 continued with its four-door sedan and five-door hatchback body styles, offering a variety of trim levels. The top-of-the-line hatchback in 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus trim had a sophisticated design with refined materials and polished metallic finishes. The Mazda3's appearance wasn't universally appealing, but it had a certain artistry. The interior was upscale and elegant, with excellent thigh and side bolster support and densely padded armrests.

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 base 330i, a 330e plug-in hybrid with a combined output of 288 hp and 310 lb-ft, and a turbo inline-six producing 382 hp and 369 lb-ft in the M340i. All powertrains were available with rear-wheel drive (RWD) or xDrive all-wheel drive (AWD) and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The M340i could do zero to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds, while the base 330i took 5.6 seconds. The 330e matched the 330i's zero to 60 mph time despite its extra weight. However, the 330e's transition from electric to gasoline power was clunky, and the driving experience was less engaging than past 3 Series models.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 had three engine options: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 155 hp and 150 lb-ft of torque, a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 186 hp and 186 lb-ft, and a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder with up to 250 hp and 320 lb-ft. The 2.5 S model offered a six-speed manual transmission in the hatchback with the Premium package. The turbocharged Mazda3 provided a smooth and gradual power build, with a calm and collected driving experience. The car's ride was smooth and supple, with nimble handling, flawless steering, and outstanding balance. However, the brakes showed signs of fade during aggressive driving on Deer Creek Canyon Road.

The 2021 BMW 3 Series had better-than-average rear headroom and above-average front headroom, though legroom was about average. The 3 Series had 17 cubic feet of cargo space in gasoline models, but the 330e plug-in hybrid's battery pack reduced it 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 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 had a snug but comfortable fit in the front seats, with an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat and heated front seats in most versions. The back seat was less comfortable for taller passengers, and there were no rear air conditioning vents or USB ports. Storage space was adequate, with large door panel 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 back seat folded down.

The 2021 BMW 3 Series came with the standard BMW iDrive infotainment system, featuring 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 head-up display (HUD). The system was user-friendly, with multiple control options, including gesture controls and a voice assistant.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 featured the Mazda Connect infotainment system with an 8.8-inch static display and primary controls on the center console. Mazda avoided touchscreens, believing they were distracting. However, the lack of a physical tuning function and a voice recognition system that required specific commands were drawbacks. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto could mitigate some of these issues. Mazda Connected Services provided remote access to vehicle functions via a smartphone app. An eight-speaker audio system was standard, with a 12-speaker Bose system available in higher trims. An Active Driving Display (HUD) was also available.

The 2021 BMW 3 Series received a "Top Safety Pick" award from the IIHS, with top "Good" scores in all crash tests. However, headlight scores were mixed, and the optional Active Driving Assistant Professional system scored lower than the base system in vehicle-to-pedestrian front-crash prevention. The NHTSA had not published safety ratings for the 2021 BMW 3 Series. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. Additional packages added features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a 360-degree camera system.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 had comprehensive standard safety features, including 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 Mazda3 received five-star ratings in all NHTSA crash tests and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS.