2022 Mazda MAZDA3 vs 2023 BMW 7 Series

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 maintained its sleek design with no significant changes, continuing to offer both sedan and hatchback body styles. It was available in various models, including the affordable Mazda3 2.0, the popular Mazda3 2.5 S, and the sporty Mazda3 2.5 Turbo. The 2.5 S lineup provided the most variety, with five trim levels and options for front-wheel or all-wheel drive. 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 the destination charge. The top-of-the-line 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus hatchback, with its Polymetal Gray Metallic paint, had an MSRP of $35,810, including the destination charge. While the Mazda3's design might not appeal to everyone, its deeply sculpted flanks and hatchback design had a certain artistry. The car's mature and serious appearance, devoid of flashy spoilers or body kits, was complemented by a refined interior with sophisticated materials and polished metallic finishes, offering an upscale driving experience.

The 2023 BMW 7 Series introduced a bold new design language, featuring an oversized beveled grille and split lighting elements. The front-end styling, with thin LED accent lights and recessed headlights, initially received mixed reactions but became more palatable over time. Paint color and style themes, such as the M Sport and M Sport Professional, significantly influenced the car's character. The profile retained the classic 7 Series silhouette, while the rear end boasted distinctive horizontal taillights. Inside, the 7 Series offered a modern and minimalistic interior with a broad horizontal layout, illuminated crystal-like accent strips, and a curved glass pane housing the instrument panel and infotainment touchscreen. The materials were of premium quality, with options like light gray cashmere wool-blend upholstery adding a cozy feel. The rear seats, especially with the optional Rear Executive Lounge Seating package, provided a luxurious experience akin to business class on an airline.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 offered a range of engine options, starting with the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine in the base model, producing 155 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque. While not particularly fast, it excelled in fuel economy, achieving 31 mpg in combined driving. The 2.5 S model, with its 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, delivered 186 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, with fuel economy ranging from 27 to 30 mpg, depending on the trim and powertrain. The 2.5 Turbo model featured a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine, producing 227 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque on 87-octane gas, or 250 horsepower and 320 pound-feet on 93-octane fuel. It achieved 26 mpg in combined driving for the hatchback and 27 mpg for the sedan. Despite its impressive performance, the turbocharged Mazda3 fell short of its advertised fuel economy, averaging 23.1 mpg. The car's driving experience was exhilarating, with smooth power delivery, nimble handling, and excellent balance. However, the brakes showed signs of fade during demanding driving conditions, suggesting a need for an upgrade.

The 2023 BMW 7 Series offered two powertrains, starting with the 740i, featuring a 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder engine paired with a 48-volt mild hybrid system, producing 375 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque. It accelerated to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds. The 760i xDrive, with its 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8, delivered 536 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque, reaching 60 mph in 4.1 seconds. The V8-powered 760i xDrive provided powerful and fluid acceleration, with smooth gear changes and confident braking. The handling was sportier than the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, offering an engaging driving experience on winding roads. The ride quality was slightly stiffer, but not harsh, and the Sport mode enhanced cornering and steering responsiveness. The 7 Series excelled in combining performance and comfort, making it an excellent choice for drivers who appreciated both aspects.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3's low-slung design made entry and exit challenging, with small door openings adding to the difficulty. However, once inside, the front seats offered a snug yet comfortable fit, with excellent thigh and side bolster support. The interior was driver-focused, featuring an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, heated front seats, and leather upholstery in higher trims. The back seat, while decent for shorter passengers, lacked legroom for taller individuals and did not include 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 hatchback offered 20.1 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 47.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2023 BMW 7 Series featured power-operated doors, which could be frustrating due to their sensitivity to nearby objects. Inside, the front seats were generously padded and offered numerous power adjustments, heating, and ventilation. The rear seats were spacious, accommodating tall passengers comfortably, with the lounge seating option adding a reclining passenger-side seat with massage functions. A 31.3-inch rear entertainment screen folded down from the panoramic sunroof, though its central placement could cause neck strain. The trunk offered 13.7 cubic feet of cargo space, with a wide and deep design for easy loading. Interior storage was adequate, with a wireless charging pad, cupholders, and small door pockets.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 featured the Mazda Connect infotainment system, with an 8.8-inch display integrated into the dashboard. The system relied on a central console dial and voice recognition for operation, as Mazda believed touchscreens were distracting. However, the lack of a physical tuning function and the voice recognition system's limitations were drawbacks. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto provided alternatives for music streaming and navigation. Mazda Connected Services offered remote access to vehicle functions via a smartphone app, with a complimentary three-year subscription. An eight-speaker audio system was standard, with a 12-speaker Bose Centerpoint surround-sound system available in higher trims.

The 2023 BMW 7 Series came with iDrive 8, the latest version of BMW's infotainment system, operable via touchscreen, central dial, or voice commands. While basic functions were easy to use, the system's complexity increased with deeper menu navigation. Voice controls helped mitigate this, allowing for commands like "Hey BMW, turn on the driver seat massage." An 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Surround Sound System was standard. The optional theater screen had touchscreen inputs but was inconsistent across apps. iDrive 8, while feature-rich, felt bloated and less intuitive compared to previous versions and rival systems.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 excelled in safety, with faultless crash-test ratings. Standard features 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, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive front headlights, Traffic Jam Assist, reverse automatic braking, and a surround-view camera system. The car's driver-assist features performed reliably, engendering trust in the technology. The Mazda3 received five-star ratings from the NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS.

The 2023 BMW 7 Series had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS. Standard safety features included frontal collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, traffic-sign reader, adaptive headlights, parking sensors, and safe exit warnings. The optional Driving Assistance Professional package added a hands-free automated driving system for highways. The adaptive cruise control and highway driving assistant performed smoothly, reducing driver fatigue on long trips. BMW planned to introduce a level 3 automated driving system in German and Chinese markets, with potential availability in the U.S.