2022 Honda Civic vs 2023 Mazda MAZDA3

The 2022 Honda Civic was available in familiar LX, Sport, EX, and Touring trim levels, with prices starting at $21,700 for the Civic LX and going up to $28,300 for the Civic Touring, excluding a $995 destination charge. A new five-door Honda Civic hatchback was also set to return to the lineup later in the year, but the two-door coupe was no longer available. The primary evaluation vehicle was a Civic Touring in extra-cost Morning Mist Blue, bringing the test vehicle’s price to $29,690, including destination charges. Another model tested was a Civic Sport with extra-charge Platinum White Pearl paint and the new Honda Performance Development (HPD) appearance package, estimated at just under $25,880.

The redesigned 2022 Civic resembled the larger, longer-wheelbase Accord sedan and was more conservative and plain in appearance compared to the previous model. The interior aimed for simplicity, featuring a minimalistic approach to controls and layout. A span of metal honeycomb mesh ran the dashboard’s width to hide the air vents elegantly. Honda improved the car’s interior materials, especially in the Touring trim, reflecting a maturity the previous Civic lacked.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 featured rakish headlights framing a large, menacing grille and was offered in both sedan and hatchback body styles. While the sedan had conventional proportions, the hatchback boasted a more daring design, with rear angles curving up around the rear window and doors, creating a futuristic look. This design, however, had some shortcomings. The clean, futuristic design continued into the cabin, with a simple yet organic layout for the infotainment system, which rose out of the dash. The conventional shifter design was a welcome choice, and the climate controls were surprisingly conventional and easy to use.

Trim levels for the Mazda3 included the 2.5 S, Select, Preferred, Carbon Edition, Premium, 2.5 Turbo, and 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus. Standard features on the 2.5 S included 16-inch alloy wheels, pushbutton start, keyless entry, two USB ports, and an 8.8-inch infotainment display operated via a rotary dial, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims added features like 18-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, synthetic leather upholstery, a moonroof, heated front seats, and more. The top trim, 2.5 Turbo AWD Premium Plus, added reverse automatic emergency braking, surround-view parking monitoring, and other driver assistance features.

The 2022 Honda Civic offered two engines in its redesigned sedan. The LX and Sport trims featured a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque. This engine was adequate but less satisfying than the turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder available in the EX and Touring trims, which delivered 180 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with continuously variable transmissions (CVTs), with different CVTs for each engine. The new Step Shift programming mimicked the sound and sensation of a traditional automatic transmission, operating unobtrusively.

Sport and Touring trims included a Sport transmission mode, enhancing the car’s responsiveness. The 2022 Civic boasted improved structural rigidity, revised suspension tuning, and better steering feel, making it fun to drive. The capable handling did not compromise ride quality, and the car was quieter on the road than its predecessor. However, the Civic Touring returned 30.4 mpg on a 95-mile driving loop, falling short of the EPA’s estimate of 34 mpg. The Civic’s predictable and trustworthy demeanor made it a satisfying compact sedan for various driving scenarios.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3’s base engine was a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated inline-four, producing 191 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive (AWD) was available, and a manual transmission was offered on front-wheel drive (FWD) Premium models. The test model featured the optional turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 227 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque with regular fuel or 250 hp and 320 lb-ft with premium fuel. The automatic transmission and AWD were standard with this engine.

The turbo engine emitted a fantastic sound, engaging drivers from the start. The Mazda3’s well-weighted steering provided just enough force feedback without feeling numb. Off-the-line acceleration was moderately quick, but the car shone in second gear, especially in Sport mode, which held gears longer and cleverly downshifted. The 300-plus lb-ft of torque ensured ample power in any gear. Sport mode also enhanced steering feedback and brake feel, making the Mazda3 agile and precise through corners while maintaining ride comfort. The tap-shift function mimicked race-car sequential shifters, adding to the performance driving experience.

The 2022 Honda Civic’s redesigned front seats offered better support, especially in the leather-lined Touring trim, where the power driver’s seat adjusted to create a perfect position behind the steering wheel. The front passenger seat lacked a height adjuster but provided excellent thigh support. The Civic sat low to the ground, making entry and exit challenging for some, but the back seat offered more legroom than most in the segment. However, the backrest angle might feel too reclined for some.

The Civic’s interior redesign included a new center console with less storage space and flexibility than before. The trunk volume remained generous at 14.8 cubic feet, or 14.4 cubes with Touring trim, accommodating full-size suitcases and featuring a split-folding backseat for added utility. The Touring trim’s trunk was smaller due to premium sound system components. The Civic lacked rear air conditioning vents, and the Touring trim lost its heated rear cushions for 2022.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 sedan provided 13.1 cubic feet of cargo space, smaller than competitors like the Honda Civic, Kia Forte, or Nissan Sentra. The hatchback offered 20.1 cubic feet of cargo space, usable but not as spacious as many small SUVs. The rear seating area had limited legroom and headroom, making it suitable for occasional use only.

The front seating area featured a decently sized center console compartment with a sliding lid that only flipped up when fully slid back. The Mazda3 provided helpful ergonomics and sizable cupholders, enhancing front-seat comfort and convenience.

The 2022 Honda Civic featured digital instrumentation, with the Touring trim’s display panel growing from seven to ten inches. The larger panel offered greater customization and driving environment data. The Vehicle Activity display showed when the LED headlights, taillights, brake lights, and turn signals were on, addressing the issue of drivers unknowingly turning off their automatic headlights.

The standard infotainment setup included a 7-inch touchscreen with volume and tuning knobs, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The screen was recessed into the dashboard for stability. The LX trim had four stereo speakers, while the Sport and EX doubled the speaker count. The Touring trim offered a 12-speaker Bose Centerpoint 2 premium surround-sound audio system, delivering a richer audio experience. The Touring trim also featured a 9-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, wireless smartphone charging, HD radio, satellite radio, and a navigation system. The system performed well, especially the voice recognition technology.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 came standard with an 8.8-inch infotainment display that rose organically out of the dash. It was not a touchscreen and was operated via a dial in the center console, which was unintuitive and clumsy. The learning curve for this system was steep, and using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto was confusing. The Home button did not function as expected, adding to the frustration.

The Mazda3 included two USB ports, HD radio, Bluetooth connectivity, and voice control. The test model featured upgrades like navigation, satellite radio, and a 12-speaker Bose premium stereo system, which delivered great sound and looked good with brushed aluminum speaker covers throughout the cabin.

The 2022 Honda Civic’s upgraded Honda Sensing collection of advanced driver assistance systems included Traffic Jam Assist, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and Lane Keeping Assist. These features operated smoothly and accurately, thanks to a new wide-view front camera and eight ultrasonic sonar sensors. The Civic EX and Touring trims included a proper blind-spot warning system with rear cross-traffic alert, replacing the old LaneWatch system. The Civic’s vehicle architecture was stronger, offering better protection in collisions, and new front airbag designs improved head protection. The Civic also featured rear side-impact airbags and a standard rear-seat reminder system.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 came standard with forward automatic emergency braking, automatic cruise control, pedestrian and cyclist detection, adaptive headlights, lane-departure warning, and rain-sensing windshield wipers. The Select trim added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while the Turbo Premium Plus included traffic-sign recognition, traffic jam assist, and a 360-degree parking camera system. The traffic-sign recognition feature was helpful, and the side mirrors tilted down in reverse to avoid curbs. However, the massive C-pillar created a significant blind spot, and the confusing infotainment system layout posed a safety issue by distracting drivers.