2021 Mazda MAZDA3 vs 2022 Audi A4

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3, following its 2019 redesign, continued to impress with its award-winning design. The sedan version, which was tested, showcased a blend of drama and sophistication, with a refined yet daring exterior. The 2.5 Turbo model, available in both sedan and hatchback forms, featured all-wheel drive and a Premium Plus trim, with a base price starting at $29,900 for the sedan. The test car, equipped with Premium Plus trim and Machine Gray Metallic paint, was priced at $33,890. The interior offered a choice of leatherette or Nappa leather, with the sedan providing options of black or white leather. The high-contrast two-tone interior, combined with meticulous design details and clear gauges, aimed to elevate Mazda's brand into premium territory.

In contrast, the 2022 Audi A4 presented a more conservative yet elegant design. The test car, a Prestige 45 TFSI model, featured Tango Red paint, the Black Optic Plus package, 19-inch wheels, and an S-line Interior package, with an MSRP of $55,890. The A4's exterior, enhanced by the Black Optic package and classic five-arm rotor-design wheels, looked sensational. Inside, the A4 maintained a simple and clean aesthetic, with high-quality materials, a 12.3-inch Audi Virtual Cockpit digital instrumentation panel, and ambient interior lighting. The only drawback was the tablet-style touchscreen infotainment system, which seemed out of place in the otherwise cohesive design.

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3 2.5 Turbo was powered by 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. Paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and Mazda's i-Activ AWD system, the car delivered a transformative driving experience. The turbocharged powertrain added only 120 pounds to the car, yet provided 64 extra horsepower and 134 added lb-ft of torque, resulting in stunning speed and smooth, predictable performance. The Mazda3 Turbo featured stiffer front suspension springs and dampers, 18-inch wheels with all-season tires, and improved steering feel and response. Despite the lack of summer tires, the car was delicately calibrated for maximum driving pleasure, averaging 20.4 mpg during the test drive.

The 2022 Audi A4 45 TFSI, on the other hand, was equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, generating 261 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. The engine was paired with a seven-speed S-tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission and Audi's Quattro Ultra AWD system. The A4 45 TFSI accelerated to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds and had an EPA fuel economy rating of 27 mpg in combined driving. The car offered a choice of driving modes, and during the test drive, it averaged 24.8 mpg. The A4's driving experience was joyful, with refined engine performance, outstanding tire grip, and a rock-solid structure and suspension. The car remained remarkably quiet and comfortable, even in challenging driving conditions.

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3 2.5 Turbo's interior, lined in Nappa leather and equipped with heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, exuded luxury. However, it lacked some premium features, such as power adjustment for the front passenger seat and rear-seat ventilation. The rear seats were cramped, and in-cabin storage was limited. The trunk offered 13.2 cubic feet of space, while the hatchback version provided more utility with 20.1 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 47.1 cubic feet with it folded down.

The 2022 Audi A4, sitting low to the ground, was harder to enter and exit, but once inside, it offered exceptional comfort in the front seats. The driver’s seat featured power adjustment, thigh-support cushion, and heating and ventilation. The A4 also included a three-zone automatic climate control system and intuitive switchgear. The rear seats, though supportive and heated, were less spacious and challenging to access. Interior storage was limited, with the center console bin housing the wireless charging pad and Audi Phone Box signal booster. The trunk, measuring 13 cubic feet, was well-finished and practical, with storage nets and enclosed hinges.

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 subscription to Mazda Connected Services. However, the lack of a touchscreen and poor voice-recognition technology were significant drawbacks. The system was paired with a 12-speaker Bose premium sound system, which offered good sound quality but struggled with certain audio sources. The car also included a head-up display, which remained visible with polarized sunglasses.

The 2022 Audi A4 boasted the next-generation MIB3 version of Audi Multi-Media Interface (MMI) with a 10.1-inch touchscreen display. The system supported common smartphone functions and provided acoustic feedback. Features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, Audi Connect services, navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and a 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium audio system. The MMI was intuitive and easy to use, with separate climate controls and useful voice recognition technology. The head-up display, however, was difficult to see with polarized sunglasses.

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3's i-ActiveSense collection of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) aimed to support the driver rather than replace them. The system included adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, automatic high-beam LED headlights, and an Adaptive Front Lighting System. The Premium Plus trim added a surround-view camera, front and rear parking sensors, low-speed reverse automatic braking, and Traffic Jam Assist. The Mazda3 earned top five-star ratings in NHTSA crash tests and was expected to retain its IIHS "Top Safety Pick+" rating.

The 2022 Audi A4 Prestige model included a comprehensive suite of safety features under the Audi Pre Sense umbrella, such as front and rear collision preparation, forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. Additional features included lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, adaptive cruise control with Traffic Jam Assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a safe exit warning system, a surround-view camera, and Park Assist. The A4 also had Matrix-design LED headlights with automatic high-beam operation. The A4 received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.