2023 Mazda MAZDA3 vs 2022 Toyota Corolla

The 2022 Toyota Corolla, which had been around since its 2019 hatchback launch and 2020 sedan debut, aimed to shed Toyota's "boring" reputation with bold exterior styling. It featured scowling LED headlights and a wide grille, though it couldn't quite match the eccentricity of the Hyundai Elantra or the cohesiveness of the Honda Civic. Different trim levels offered unique styling elements, such as the aggressive front fascia on SE and XSE models, blacked-out trim on Nightshade Editions, and a subtle body kit with bronze accents on Apex Editions. The SE Apex Edition, in particular, stood out with its "Fast and Furious" vibe, thanks to its Cement gray color and model-specific 18-inch wheels.

Inside, the Corolla's design was simpler but still appealing. The fit and finish met Toyota's high standards, though the piano black plastic trim was prone to dust and smudges. The SE Apex Edition's interior was essentially the same as the standard SE, with light gray upholstery that seemed susceptible to stains. Cloth upholstery was standard, with SofTex leatherette available on higher trims. The Corolla used the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform, sharing structural elements with the Camry and RAV4, among others.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 boasted rakish headlights and a large, menacing grille, available in both sedan and hatchback body styles. While the sedan had conventional proportions, the hatchback's daring design featured rear angles that curved up around the rear window and doors, creating a futuristic look. This clean, forward-thinking design extended into the cabin, where simplicity and organic lines dominated. The infotainment system rose seamlessly from the dash, offering a styling lesson for even Tesla designers.

The Mazda3's interior featured a conventional shifter design, easy-to-use climate controls, and a well-designed steering wheel, albeit cluttered with controls. Trim levels ranged from the 2.5 S to the 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus, each adding more features and luxury. Standard features included 16-inch alloy wheels, pushbutton start, keyless entry, and an 8.8-inch infotainment display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims added amenities like a moonroof, heated front seats, and a head-up display. The top-tier 2.5 Turbo AWD Premium Plus hatchback included advanced driver assistance features and a powerful turbocharged engine.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla sedan offered two engine options. The L, LE, and XLE models came with a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine producing 139 horsepower and 126 pound-feet of torque. The SE and XSE models featured a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 169 hp and 151 lb-ft of torque. The Apex Edition versions of the SE and XSE had the same engine but with a sport exhaust system. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) was standard with the smaller engine, while the 2.0-liter engine could be paired with a six-speed manual gearbox on the SE and SE Apex Edition models. All 2022 Corollas were front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive expected for the 2023 model year.

The SE Apex Edition test car, with its manual transmission, sport exhaust, and model-specific suspension, offered a nimble and engaging driving experience. The unique coil springs, solid stabilizer bars, and increased spring rate improved handling but at the cost of ride quality. While the Apex Edition wasn't a full-fledged performance model, it was fun in corners, unlike the standard Corolla, which was more comfortable but less exciting. The Volkswagen Jetta was a better choice for those seeking a comfortable commuter car.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3's base engine was a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated inline-four, producing 191 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. This engine came with a six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive available. A manual transmission was also available but only on front-wheel drive Premium models. Our test model featured the optional turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 227 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque on regular fuel, or 250 hp and 320 lb-ft with premium fuel. The automatic transmission and all-wheel drive were standard with this engine.

The turbo engine provided an engaging driving experience, with a fantastic sound and well-weighted steering. Off-the-line acceleration was moderate, but the Mazda3 shone in second gear, especially in Sport mode, which held gears longer and provided ample torque. The steering feedback became more forceful in Sport mode, and the brake feel was akin to that of a hardcore sports car. The Mazda3's handling was its standout feature, offering a perfect blend of precision and refinement while maintaining a comfortable ride. The tap-shift function for the automatic transmission mimicked race-car sequential shifters, adding to the performance driving experience.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla's interior felt decently roomy, though Toyota hadn't released specific headroom and legroom measurements. The low beltline improved outward visibility, but the steeply raked windshield and deep dashboard hindered forward visibility. The driver's hip point was lowered, and the seat was moved rearward for optimal positioning, but long-legged drivers might still find knee space lacking. The tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel helped with finding an ideal driving position. The front and rear seat cushions were squishy and not very supportive.

The Corolla sedan offered 13.1 cubic feet of cargo space, less than competitors like the Honda Civic and Nissan Sentra. A 60/40 split-folding rear bench seat was standard, and a power trunk release was available on certain trims. The sleek interior design limited storage space for smaller items, with a thin center console and shallow cupholders. The angled phone tray was too small and oddly shaped to be useful.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 sedan also provided 13.1 cubic feet of cargo space, which was small compared to other compact sedans. The hatchback offered 20.1 cubic feet of cargo space, which, while not as much as many small SUVs, was still usable. However, the rear seating area was hardly usable, with little to no legroom when the front seats were set up for taller adults. The sloping roofline cut into headroom in both the sedan and hatchback, making the back seats suitable only for occasional use.

The front seating area in the Mazda3 had a decently sized center console compartment, though the lid's sliding mechanism was frustrating. The ergonomics were helpful, and the sizable cupholders were a plus.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla's infotainment system was starting to show its age. The base model came with a 7-inch touchscreen, while all other trims had an 8-inch touchscreen. Standard features included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, WiFi connectivity, Amazon Alexa integration, and SiriusXM satellite radio, along with a six-speaker audio system. A nine-speaker, 800-watt JBL audio system was available on the XSE and XLE trims, as well as CVT-equipped SE models.

The interface was relatively easy to use, with helpful home buttons for each menu, but some tasks, like selecting a radio station, were more cumbersome than in other cars. The graphics looked dated compared to newer Hyundai and Kia models, and wireless versions of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were not available. The Corolla also lacked novel features like the Hyundai Elantra's Digital Key.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 came standard with an 8.8-inch infotainment display that rose organically from the dash. However, it was not a touchscreen and was operated via a dial in the center console, which was a major weak point. The menu navigation was clumsy, and the dial scrolling was unintuitive, making tasks like changing radio presets confusing. The learning curve for this system was steep.

Using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto was also frustrating, as pressing the Home button took you to the home screen for those programs instead of the main menu. The Mazda3 came with two USB ports, HD radio, Bluetooth connectivity, and voice control. Our test model included upgrades like navigation, satellite radio, and a 12-speaker Bose premium stereo system, which provided great sound and stylish brushed aluminum speaker covers throughout the cabin.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla received top safety ratings, including an IIHS "Top Safety Pick+" award and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features under the Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 banner 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 but not standard on all trims.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 came standard with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including 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 displayed stop signs in the head-up display, and the side mirrors tilted down when in reverse to help avoid curbs.

However, the Mazda3 hatchback's massive C-pillar created a significant blind spot, posing a safety risk. The confusing infotainment system also presented a distraction, forcing drivers to take their eyes off the road.