2021 Mazda MAZDA3 vs 2021 Toyota Camry

The redesigned 2019 Mazda3 had already set a high benchmark for car aesthetics, earning the prestigious World Car Design of the Year award in 2020. Its 2021 iteration continued this tradition with its dramatic yet sophisticated bodywork that balanced daring and refinement. The sedan version, which was the focus of the comparison, presented a conservative, elegant look, in contrast to the more aggressive, forward-leaning stance of the 5-door hatchback version.

The 2021 Mazda3 2.5 Turbo came in both body styles, offering all-wheel drive (AWD) and standard or Premium Plus trims. The base price for the sedan started at $29,900, while the hatchback with Premium Plus trim was priced at $33,750. With the added Premium Plus trim and Machine Gray Metallic paint, the tested Mazda3 Turbo sedan came to $33,890, including the destination charge.

Interior choices varied with trim levels and body styles. The standard spec offered black or greige leatherette, while the Premium Plus trim provided supple Nappa leather. The hatchback had black and red leather options, whereas the sedan boasted black or white leather. The white leather interior of the Mazda3 Turbo test car added a high-contrast, two-tone elegance to the cabin, aligning with Mazda's aim to step into premium territory. Despite some utilization of hard plastic in the lower cabin area, the attention to design, execution of bright metallic accents, and the clear, legible set of gauges emphasized the vehicle's quality.

In comparison, the 2021 Toyota Camry made significant efforts to distance itself from its predecessors, historically criticized for a bland, generic appearance. The latest Camry showcased a more aggressive design, with flared wheel arches and thin headlights and taillights enhancing its visual width. Trim levels like SE, XSE, and TRD featured additional styling elements, including fake vents, which cluttered its appearance. The LE and XLE trims offered a cleaner, albeit still sizable, grille design.

Under the skin, the Camry was built on the TNGA-K platform, shared with other Toyota models like the Avalon and RAV4. For 2021, Toyota made subtle changes to the front fascia, with the TRD model getting a distinct rear spoiler. The Nightshade Edition, based on the SE trim, featured blacked-out exterior trim and wheels. Depending on the model, wheel sizes ranged from 17-inch to 19-inch alloys.

Inside, the Camry's dashboard had a disjointed design, mixing various trims like contrast stitching, piano black plastic, and faux carbon fiber. While XLE and XSE models had leather upholstery, the overall material quality felt budget-friendly, which did little to complement the otherwise upgraded exterior.

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3 Turbo was a standout in its performance category. It featured a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, already known for its superior performance in other Mazda models. The engine could produce 250 hp at 5,000 rpm and 320 lb-ft of torque at 2,500 rpm with 93-octane fuel. Lower-octane gas (87) resulted in slightly reduced figures of 227 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. The Turbo version came only with a six-speed automatic transmission with Sport and Manual modes.

The i-Activ AWD system was notably advanced, channeling up to three times the motive force to the rear wheels compared to earlier versions, which vastly improved corner-exit capability. The car's weight distribution and a stiffer suspension setup ensured a sporty driving experience. Though lacking stickier tires, the Mazda3's Bridgestone Turanza all-season tires and 18-inch wheels delivered a balanced yet thrilling driving experience. The brakes, steering response, and enhanced G-Vectoring Control Plus (GVC+) contributed to an easy-to-control vehicle that felt consistent and predictable even at higher speeds. Despite an EPA combined rating of 27 mpg, the real-world fuel economy during the test was 20.4 mpg, reflecting an enthusiastic driving style.

For the 2021 Toyota Camry, the base engine was a 2.5-liter four-cylinder, dubbed "Dynamic Force," which delivered 203 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque with FWD, slightly less with AWD. The XSE trims received a slight bump with a dual-exhaust system, resulting in 206 hp and 186 lb-ft. The optional 3.5-liter V6 delivered a robust 301 hp and 267 lb-ft, and the hybrid model combined a 2.5-liter engine with electric assist for 208 hp. AWD models borrowed their systems from the RAV4, capable of sending up to 50% of torque to the rear wheels.

The SE Nightshade Edition tested here had the base four-cylinder engine with AWD. Despite its lack of excitement on paper, the Dynamic Force engine delivered a surprisingly lively performance, with a commendable eagerness to rev reminiscent of sportier cars. The Camry’s chassis struck a balance between handling and ride quality, offering a fun experience in corners without compromising comfort. While it wasn’t as sharp as its direct rivals like the Honda Accord or Mazda6, it still provided an above-average drive for its segment.

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3 excelled in luxury appointments but fell short on some premium details. While the front seats came heated and the steering wheel was wrapped in Nappa leather, passenger convenience was compromised. Only the driver's seat had eight-way power adjustment, with no ventilation for either front seat and cramped conditions in the back. Rear passengers lacked air conditioning vents and USB charging ports. Storage was just adequate, with a trunk space of 13.2 cubic feet, in line with other compact sedans. However, the hatchback version's 20.1 cubic feet of cargo area expanded to 47.1 cubic feet with the seats folded down, offering significantly more utility.

Compared to the Mazda3, the 2021 Toyota Camry offered generous rear seat headroom and legroom at the expense of the front seat's comfort, which was below average. The front seats were still relatively comfortable and supportive, with excellent outward visibility. The Camry provided 15.1 cubic feet of cargo space, which was average for the midsize segment, but lagging behind competitors like the Honda Accord's 16.7 cubic feet. In-cabin storage was typical for a sedan, limited but functional, with small cupholders and door bottle holders. Toyota sensibly included analog controls for essential functions, making them more accessible than the Mazda3's non-touchscreen system.

The Mazda Connect system in the 2021 Mazda MAZDA3 featured an 8.8-inch display compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, alongside a three-year trial of Mazda Connected Services. The lack of a touchscreen, though intended to reduce distraction, magnified the system's less-than-stellar voice-recognition technology. Users found it cumbersome to navigate menus and presets without the expected touchscreen convenience. The car came equipped with a 12-speaker Bose premium sound system, though it performed best with high-quality audio files. A useful HUD displayed key information, even through polarized sunglasses.

The 2021 Toyota Camry’s infotainment system included a smaller 7-inch touchscreen in lower trims, with a larger 9-inch screen in higher trims. Both configurations supported Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. Additional features like a WiFi hotspot, JBL audio system, and navigation were reserved for higher trim levels. USB ports and a 12-volt outlet were conveniently located, though limited in number. Toyota’s system was easier to navigate, even if the graphics seemed plain compared to competitors.

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3 placed a strong emphasis on driver engagement supported by technology. Its i-ActiveSense suite featured adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, automatic high-beam LED headlights with an Adaptive Front Lighting System, and additional features in the Premium Plus trim. These included a surround-view camera, parking sensors, reverse automatic braking, and Traffic Jam Assist, though not quite at Level 2 autonomy. The ADAS systems operated smoothly and predictably, increasing the likelihood of consistent driver use. The car received top safety ratings from NHTSA and was expected to retain its IIHS “Top Safety Pick+” status.

The 2021 Toyota Camry came equipped with the new TSS 2.5+ safety package, standard across all trims. This included adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and pedestrian detection, among other features. Enhancements for 2021 included better adaptive cruise control, adding a burst of acceleration for lane changes, and more advanced forward-collision warning capabilities. A Rear Seat Reminder and optional blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert supplemented these features. The Camry earned the highest safety ratings from both IIHS and NHTSA.