2022 Mazda MAZDA3 vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 continued without significant changes, available in both four-door sedan and five-door hatchback body styles. It offered a range of models, including the affordable Mazda3 2.0 (sedan only), the popular Mazda3 2.5 S, and the speedy Mazda3 2.5 Turbo. The 2.5 S lineup provided the most variety with five trim levels and options for front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). The 2.5 S Premium hatchback was the only model offering a six-speed manual transmission. Prices ranged from $20,800 to $34,400, excluding a $1,015 destination charge. The top-of-the-line 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus hatchback, with extra-cost Polymetal Gray Metallic paint, had an MSRP of $35,810, including the destination charge.

The Mazda3's appearance was not universally appealing, with deeply sculpted flanks and a hatchback design that some might call "hunchback." However, it had a certain artistry that could be appreciated. The 2.5 Turbo model emphasized stealth with a mature, serious look, devoid of flashy spoilers or body kits. Inside, the refined materials and sophisticated design, accented with polished metallic finishes, created an upscale, almost elegant driving environment. The Mazda3 offered more value for money compared to entry-level luxury cars, except in perceived cachet.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class incorporated elements from other Mercedes models into a cohesive and stylish sedan. The front end resembled the CLA-Class, while the squared-off rear and thin taillights were reminiscent of the S-Class. The cab-rearward proportions, with a long hood and short rear deck, emphasized its rear-wheel-drive (RWD) platform, distinguishing it from the FWD CLA-Class and A-Class. Standard LED headlights and taillights could be upgraded to the Digital Light system, which adjusted to follow curves and projected warning icons.

Inside, the C-Class aimed to be a baby S-Class with a freestanding touchscreen and instrument cluster, prominent air vents, and intricate speaker grilles for the optional Burmester audio system. The nightclub-style ambient lighting with 64 colors added to the luxurious feel. Despite the luxury billing, the C-Class came standard with MBTex synthetic leather upholstery, with Nappa leather seats available on higher trims. The interior elements combined to create a special feel, making a strong case for choosing a luxury car over a mainstream brand.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 offered a range of performance options. The most affordable 2.0 sedan featured a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 155 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque, prioritizing fuel economy with 31 mpg in combined driving. The 2.5 S model, the most popular choice, had a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine generating 186 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque, with a six-speed automatic transmission and options for FWD or AWD. Fuel economy for the 2.5 S ranged between 27 mpg and 30 mpg in combined driving.

The Mazda3 2.5 Turbo, with a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, offered 227 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque on 87-octane gas, or 250 hp and 320 lb-ft on 93-octane fuel. It came with a six-speed automatic and standard AWD, achieving 26 mpg (hatchback) or 27 mpg (sedan) in combined driving. Despite its advertised fuel economy, real-world driving averaged 23.1 mpg. The Mazda3 2.5 Turbo provided a smooth and supple ride, nimble handling, flawless steering, and outstanding balance, making it a fun car to drive. However, the brakes showed signs of fade during intense driving on Deer Creek Canyon Road, though they performed well on less demanding roads.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class C300 featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. The electric motor contributed up to 20 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque in short bursts. The C300 accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds, with a top speed electronically limited to 130 mph. The sportier Mercedes-AMG C43, with a more powerful turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, produced 402 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, achieving zero to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds and a top speed of 155 mph (or 165 mph with optional wheels).

The C300 4Matic test car felt powerful but exhibited turbo lag and occasional rough shifts. The ride quality was up to luxury-car standards, muting impacts with bumps and potholes, though there was some juddering and vibration. The C300 handled twisty roads with good body control and precise steering, though it required a more deliberate approach compared to the best sports sedans.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3, sitting low to the ground, was difficult to enter and exit, with small door openings. However, once inside, the front seats provided a snug but comfortable fit. The driver-centric design included an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and heated front seats, with leather upholstery in the loaded test vehicle. The controls were user-friendly, except for the Mazda Connect infotainment system. The front seats offered excellent thigh and side bolster support, with well-padded armrests and thoughtful padding for bracing legs during spirited driving.

The back seat of the Mazda3 hatchback was less accommodating, with decent comfort and legroom for shorter passengers but limited space for taller individuals. There were no rear air conditioning vents or USB ports. Storage space was adequate, with large door panel bins, a big glove compartment, and a sizable center console bin. The cargo area offered 20.1 cubic feet of space behind the rear seat, expanding to 47.1 cubic feet with the back seat folded down.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan, longer and wider than its predecessor, offered increased interior space. Headroom increased by 0.1 inch in front and 0.4 inch in back, with rear-seat legroom up by 0.8 inch. The C-Class led its segment in front-seat headroom and rear-seat legroom, though front legroom was near the bottom. The seats were comfortable with enough bolstering for spirited driving. Forward visibility was excellent, but thick rear pillars created a blind spot, justifying the C-Class’ many driver aids. The dashboard trim produced glare in direct sunlight, and the wireless charging pad was inconveniently located when the cupholders were in use.

The C-Class had 17.9 cubic feet of trunk space, more than its rivals, with a wide trunk opening for easy loading and unloading. The 40/20/40 split-folding rear bench accommodated longer items, though Mercedes did not publish a cargo-space figure with the seat folded. A power trunk release was available.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 featured the Mazda Connect infotainment system with an 8.8-inch static display integrated into the dashboard. Primary controls were located on the center console, with additional steering wheel controls and a voice recognition system. Mazda avoided touchscreens, believing them to be distracting, but the lack of a physical tuning function and a voice recognition system that required specific commands were drawbacks. The system did not always recognize voices correctly, leading to distractions.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto provided alternatives, with native Siri and Google Assistant digital assistants. Mazda Connected Services, complimentary for three years, offered remote access to vehicle functions via a smartphone app, including remote engine starting and a car finder function. An eight-speaker audio system was standard, with a 12-speaker Bose Centerpoint surround-sound system available. An Active Driving Display projected data onto the windshield, including blind-spot warnings.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class featured an infotainment setup similar to the S-Class, with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and an 11.9-inch touchscreen angled toward the driver. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard. The mid-tier C300 Premium added a Burmester 3D surround-sound system, while the top C300 Pinnacle included a head-up display and augmented-reality navigation system.

The MBUX infotainment system, familiar from other Mercedes models, included the “Zero Layer” setup from the EQS electric car, displaying multiple items on the screen at once. Functions like audio and phone connectivity appeared as tiles, with the navigation map as a background. Climate controls were in a separate menu bar below. The voice recognition system was one of the best, and touch controls on the steering wheel were easy to use. The optional augmented-reality navigation system provided a front-camera feed with overlaid arrows for turns, more helpful than conventional systems.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 excelled in safety features and crash-test ratings. Standard equipment included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive front headlights, Traffic Jam Assist, reverse automatic braking, and a surround-view camera system.

The adaptive cruise control exhibited a delayed response when vehicles cut in, but the reaction was smooth once recognized. The driver-assist features behaved as expected, engendering trust in the technology. The Mazda3 received five-star ratings in every assessment from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA at the time of publication. The 2021 C-Class was an IIHS Top Safety Pick+, but the award did not automatically carry over to the redesigned 2022 model. The C-Class included standard safety features such as automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring with safe exit assist, a driver-attention monitor, Pre-Safe, and Pre-Safe Sound.

Optional features included lane-keep assist, evasive steering assist, a 360-degree camera system, dashcam, park assist, and two levels of Distronic adaptive cruise control. The basic version had a stop-and-go function, while Active Distance Assist Distronic increased the time limit to 30 seconds. The C-Class also offered Car-to-X communication, sharing information between vehicles, which provided advance warnings of hazards like potholes.