2021 Mazda MAZDA3 vs 2022 Toyota Corolla

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 more conservative look compared to the aggressive stance of the 5-door hatchback. 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. The interior of the test car, with its white leather upholstery, showcased Mazda's attention to detail and premium aspirations, despite some use of hard plastics.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota Corolla aimed to shed its reputation for blandness with bold exterior styling, including scowling LED headlights and a wide grille. The SE and XSE trims featured an aggressive front fascia, while the Apex Editions added a sporty body kit and unique wheels. The interior, though less imaginative, maintained Toyota's high standards for fit and finish. However, the piano black plastic trim was prone to dust and smudges, and the light gray upholstery in the SE Apex Edition seemed susceptible to stains. The Corolla's interior design was simple but functional, with standard cloth upholstery and available SofTex leatherette on higher trims.

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3 2.5 Turbo stood out with its turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 250 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque on 93-octane fuel. Even with 87-octane, it delivered 227 hp and 310 lb-ft. Paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and Mazda's i-Activ AWD system, the car offered a smooth and predictable driving experience. The turbocharged powertrain added only 120 pounds to the car, significantly enhancing performance. The Mazda3 Turbo's dynamic tuning, including stiffer front suspension springs and dampers, provided a sporty yet refined ride. Despite the lack of summer tires, the car's handling was impressive, making it a joy to drive on twisty roads. However, fuel economy during testing fell short of the EPA estimate, averaging 20.4 mpg.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla offered two engine options: a 1.8-liter four-cylinder with 139 horsepower and 126 pound-feet of torque for the L, LE, and XLE trims, and a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 169 hp and 151 lb-ft for the SE and XSE trims. The Apex Edition added a sport exhaust system to the 2.0-liter engine. A CVT was standard with the smaller engine, while the 2.0-liter could be paired with a six-speed manual on SE and SE Apex Edition models. The SE Apex Edition's sportier suspension, including unique coil springs and solid stabilizer bars, improved handling but compromised ride quality. While the Apex Edition was fun in corners, it lacked the power and performance upgrades of a true performance model, making it less exciting than the Mazda3 Turbo.

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3 2.5 Turbo's interior, lined with Nappa leather and equipped with heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, exuded luxury. However, it lacked some premium features like ventilated seats and rear-seat amenities such as air conditioning vents and USB ports. In-cabin storage was adequate but limited, and the optional wireless smartphone charging pad reduced storage capacity. The sedan's trunk offered 13.2 cubic feet of space, while the hatchback provided more utility with 20.1 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 47.1 cubic feet with it folded down.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla's interior felt roomy, aided by a low beltline for better visibility. However, the steeply raked windshield and deep dashboard made forward visibility challenging. The driver's seat positioning was optimized, but long-legged drivers might find knee space lacking. The Corolla's 13.1 cubic feet of cargo space was less than some competitors, but the 60/40 split-folding rear bench seat added versatility. The sleek interior design limited storage space for smaller items, with a thin center console and shallow cupholders. The angled phone tray was also too small and oddly shaped to be practical.

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. A WiFi hotspot and the MyMazda app for remote operations were also available. However, the lack of a touchscreen and poor voice-recognition technology were significant drawbacks. The 12-speaker Bose premium sound system offered good audio quality, but the infotainment system's usability issues were frustrating. The Active Driving Display (HUD) was a useful feature, showing speed, speed limits, and safety technology status.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla's infotainment system was starting to show its age. A 7-inch touchscreen was standard on the base model, with an 8-inch screen on higher trims. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, WiFi connectivity, Amazon Alexa integration, and SiriusXM satellite radio were standard, along with a six-speaker audio system. A nine-speaker JBL audio system was available on higher trims. While the interface was user-friendly, the graphics looked dated, and some tasks were cumbersome. The Corolla lacked wireless versions of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and didn't offer novel tech features like Hyundai's Digital Key.

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3's i-ActiveSense suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) aimed to support rather than replace the driver. 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 high-definition surround-view camera, front and rear parking sensors, low-speed reverse automatic braking, and Traffic Jam Assist. The Mazda3 excelled in crash tests, earning top five-star ratings from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS in 2020.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla received a "Top Safety Pick+" award from the IIHS, with top scores in all crash tests but lower ratings for headlights. The NHTSA gave the Corolla a five-star overall safety rating, with five stars in frontal and side crash tests and four stars in rollover tests. The Corolla's standard Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 suite included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning with steering assist, automatic high beams, Lane Tracing Assist, adaptive cruise control, and traffic-sign recognition. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was available on higher trims.