2021 Mazda MAZDA3 vs 2021 Toyota Prius

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3, following its 2019 redesign, continued to impress with its dramatic and sophisticated bodywork. The sedan version, which was tested, offered a conservative yet eye-catching design, while the hatchback variant was noted for its aggressive stance. The 2.5 Turbo model, available in both body styles, featured all-wheel drive and a range of trims, with the Premium Plus trim adding luxurious touches like Nappa leather. Despite some use of hard plastics, the interior design was driver-focused, with high-quality materials and a clear, legible set of gauges.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Prius retained its distinctive boomerang-shaped design, which had become a hallmark of its identity. Despite its aerodynamic efficiency, the styling was not universally praised. The interior featured a unique layout with centrally mounted displays and unconventional transmission controls. The Prius offered a range of trims, including the 2020 Edition with blacked-out trim, and provided ample cargo space, making it a practical choice for those needing utility without the rugged looks of an SUV.

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3 Turbo was powered by a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing up to 250 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque with 93-octane fuel. This engine, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and Mazda’s i-Activ AWD system, delivered a smooth and predictable driving experience. The car’s performance was transformative, with improved steering feel, stiffer suspension, and a driver-focused cabin. Despite its sporty nature, the Mazda3 Turbo averaged 20.4 mpg during testing, falling short of the EPA estimate of 27 mpg.

The 2021 Toyota Prius, on the other hand, focused on fuel efficiency, with the L Eco version achieving an EPA rating of 56 mpg combined. Other front-drive models earned 52 mpg, while AWD-e versions managed 49 mpg. The Prius paired a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with a 53-kilowatt electric motor, producing a total of 121 horsepower. While not powerful, the Prius offered electric-only driving at low speeds and various driving modes to maximize efficiency. The TNGA platform provided a lower center of gravity, making the Prius surprisingly capable on curvy roads, though it lacked the sporty feel of the Mazda3.

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3 2.5 Turbo featured a luxurious interior with Nappa leather, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. However, it lacked some premium features like ventilated seats and rear-seat amenities. The trunk offered 13.2 cubic feet of space, while the hatchback variant provided up to 47.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down.

The 2021 Toyota Prius, often perceived as a small car, offered a spacious interior with room for five. The seats were comfortable, though the SofTex synthetic leather could be sticky. The rear seats provided adequate space, but lacked air-conditioning vents. Cargo space ranged from 24.6 to 27.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 50.7 cubic feet with the seats folded down, making it a practical choice for those needing more storage.

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. However, the lack of a touchscreen and poor voice-recognition technology were significant drawbacks. The 12-speaker Bose sound system offered good audio quality, but the infotainment system’s usability issues were frustrating.

The 2021 Toyota Prius came with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, standard across all trims, including Bluetooth, SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. Higher trims offered a 10-speaker JBL sound system and an 11.6-inch touchscreen, though the sound quality was subpar. The digital instrumentation was dated, and the graphics were not impressive.

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3 featured the i-ActiveSense suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), designed to support rather than replace the driver. The Premium Plus trim added exclusive features like a high-definition surround-view camera and Traffic Jam Assist. The Mazda3 excelled in crash tests, earning top ratings from the NHTSA.

The 2021 Toyota Prius was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 (TSS 2.0) as standard, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and more. The LE trim and higher included blind-spot monitoring. While the NHTSA had not rated the 2021 model, the IIHS gave it favorable marks, though it did not achieve a Top Safety Pick rating.