2021 Mazda MAZDA3 vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, part of the W213 generation, showcased a design evolution that embraced the "sensual purity" theme, moving away from the sharper angles of its predecessor. This model featured a more fluid and curvier form, reminiscent of the S-Class and C-Class models. The E-Class had a slightly edgier front with squinted headlights and an inverted trapezoid grille, while the rear design echoed the W212 with horizontal taillights. The car's exterior was marked by new bumpers, larger air intakes, and updated exhaust tips, maintaining its elegant and handsome appearance across sedan, wagon, coupe, and convertible variants. Inside, the E-Class was a showcase of luxury, with rich woods, aluminum, and carbon fiber adorning the cabin. The interior was a blend of decadent materials and modern technology, featuring two 12-inch screens, a digital instrument panel, and a new steering wheel design. The E-Class interior was unmatched in its class, offering a lavish and inviting space.

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3, following its 2019 redesign, was celebrated for its dramatic and sophisticated design, earning the World Car Design of the Year award for 2020. The sedan version was more conservative, while the hatchback boasted an aggressive stance with a minimalistic greenhouse and short overhangs. The Mazda3 2.5 Turbo, available in both sedan and hatchback forms, featured all-wheel drive and a choice of standard or Premium Plus trim. The interior of the Mazda3 was designed to elevate the brand into premium territory, with options for Nappa leather and a high-contrast two-tone interior. Despite the use of hard plastics, the cabin was well-executed with bright metallic accents and clear gauges. The design focused on the driver, with the cabin revolving around the person in control. The Mazda3 2.5 Turbo's interior was a testament to Mazda's commitment to quality and design, offering a legitimate entry-luxury experience.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class introduced significant changes to its powertrain lineup, notably transitioning from conventional V6 engines to electrified inline-six powertrains for its high-volume models. The E450 became a hybrid, utilizing a 48-volt electrical system to supplement the traditional 12-volt system. This setup included a small lithium-ion battery powering an electric starter-generator, providing extra power and torque for brief moments. The E450's 3.0-liter inline-six engine produced 362 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, with additional overboost from the battery. The AMG E53 model added a second turbo, delivering 429 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque, offering brisk acceleration and a refined driving experience. The AMG E63 S, with its hand-built 4.0-liter V8 engine, produced 603 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque, making it a performance powerhouse. Despite its performance capabilities, the E-Class maintained a focus on comfort and luxury, with fuel economy ratings ranging from 18 to 26 mpg combined, depending on the model.

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3 2.5 Turbo featured a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque with 93-octane fuel, or 227 hp and 310 lb-ft with 87-octane. The engine was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and Mazda's i-Activ AWD system, enhancing the car's corner-exit capability. The turbocharged powertrain added minimal weight to the Mazda3, resulting in a transformative performance experience. The car's dynamic tuning and smooth power delivery made it a standout in the compact car segment. The Mazda3 2.5 Turbo's driving experience was characterized by its smoothness, consistency, and predictability, offering a natural driving character on twisty roads. Despite its sporty nature, the Mazda3 2.5 Turbo achieved an average fuel economy of 20.4 mpg during testing, falling short of the EPA estimate of 27 mpg combined.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class featured a redesigned infotainment system with a touchscreen interface, making everyday tasks more intuitive. The cabin was spacious, accommodating four adults comfortably, with ample headroom and legroom. The E-Class offered various body styles, including a sedan with 13 cubic feet of trunk space, a coupe with usable rear seats, and a wagon with a stowable rear-facing jump seat and up to 64 cubic feet of cargo space. The E-Class All-Terrain wagon added ground clearance and body cladding for a more rugged appearance. Despite its luxury status, some features like rear USB ports and heated rear seats were missing in certain models.

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

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class was equipped with the MBUX infotainment system, featuring a touchscreen interface and improved organization. The system included natural voice processing, live camera feeds with overlay arrows, and optional features like massaging seats and seat kinetics. While the system lacked over-the-air updates and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, it offered a range of connected services and optional driving assists. The instrument cluster could display information in various styles, providing a customizable and engaging experience for passengers.

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 system was not touch-sensitive, and its voice-recognition technology was subpar. The infotainment system was paired with a 12-speaker Bose premium sound system, offering good sound quality, especially with FLAC files. The Mazda3 2.5 Turbo also included an Active Driving Display, providing useful information to the driver.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class was highly rated for safety, with a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick+" designation from the IIHS for the sedan and wagon models. The E-Class featured innovative safety technologies, such as Pre-Safe Sound and side bolster inflation during side collisions. Standard safety features included forward automatic emergency braking, a driver-attention monitor, and blind-spot monitoring, with additional driver-assist features available as options.

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3 emphasized driver engagement with its i-ActiveSense collection of advanced driving assistance systems. The Premium Plus trim added exclusive safety features like a high-definition surround-view camera and Traffic Jam Assist. The Mazda3 received top five-star ratings in NHTSA crash tests, demonstrating its commitment to safety. The i-ActiveSense systems operated smoothly, encouraging drivers to utilize them for enhanced safety.