2023 Volkswagen Jetta vs 2023 Mazda MAZDA3

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 featured rakish headlights framing a large, menacing grille, available in both sedan and hatchback body styles. While the sedan had conventional proportions, the hatchback boasted a daring and futuristic design. The clean, forward-thinking aesthetics extended into the cabin, where simplicity and organic design elements, such as the infotainment system rising out of the dash, created a stylish and functional interior. The conventional shifter design and easy-to-use climate controls added to the user-friendly experience, although the steering wheel was somewhat cluttered with controls.

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 base 2.5 S included 16-inch alloy wheels, pushbutton start, keyless entry, two USB ports, and an 8.8-inch infotainment display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims added features such as 18-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather-wrapped steering wheel, synthetic leather upholstery, moonroof, heated front seats, power-adjustable driver’s seat, and more. The top trim, 2.5 Turbo AWD Premium Plus, included advanced driver assistance features and a more powerful engine.

The 2023 Volkswagen Jetta, available in S, Sport, SE, SEL, and GLI trim levels, ranged in price from $20,665 to $31,585, excluding the $1,095 destination charge. The GLI model, with its sport-tuned dynamics, was not part of this review. The Jetta SEL test car, priced at $29,480, featured Platinum Gray Metallic paint and a Volcano Brown over Titan Black interior. Despite its conservative and somewhat bland appearance, the Jetta's no-nonsense interior channeled the VW Group’s Audi luxury brand, offering ambient lighting, genuine leather upholstery, an oversized power sunroof, and larger screens for digital instrumentation and infotainment systems.

The Jetta’s interior was visually inoffensive and functional, with a focus on delivering emotional value at a reasonable price. The SEL trim included features such as an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel. The Jetta’s spacious interior comfortably accommodated four adults, with ample legroom and supportive seating. The trunk offered 14.1 cubic feet of cargo space, nearly matching some midsize sedans, and the 60/40-split folding back seat allowed for carrying longer items.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 came with a base 2.5-liter naturally aspirated inline-four engine, producing 191 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and optional all-wheel drive. A manual transmission was available on front-wheel drive Premium models. The test model featured a 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 AWD were standard with this engine.

The turbo engine provided an engaging driving experience, with well-weighted steering and a fantastic sound. The Mazda3 excelled in handling, offering precision and refinement, with fantastic balance through cornering and agility without being punishing. The Sport mode enhanced the driving dynamics, making the steering feedback more forceful and the transmission more responsive. The brake feel was akin to that of a hardcore sports car, requiring dexterity to avoid stopping short.

The 2023 Volkswagen Jetta featured a 1.5-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine, producing 158 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The S and Sport trims came with a standard six-speed manual transmission, while the SE and SEL had an eight-speed automatic, with the automatic available as an option for the S and Sport trims. The Jetta’s automatic transmission had a noticeable delay in acceleration, which could be mitigated by using the Sport mode, though this affected fuel economy. The Jetta SEL achieved an average of 30 mpg in combined driving.

Despite the acceleration issues, the Jetta SEL provided a rewarding driving experience with light, responsive steering, and a soft, compliant suspension. The car felt nimble in urban and suburban environments and performed well on mountain roads, thanks to accurate steering, faithful brakes, and predictable handling. The all-season tires impressed with their grip and communication about the road surface.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 sedan offered 13.1 cubic feet of cargo space, while the hatchback provided 20.1 cubic feet. However, the rear seating area was cramped, with limited legroom and headroom, making it suitable only for occasional use. The front seating area had a decently sized center console compartment, though the lid was frustrating to use. The ergonomics and cupholders were helpful, but the overall interior space was limited compared to competitors.

The 2023 Volkswagen Jetta, straddling the compact and midsize sedan segments, comfortably accommodated four adults, with the option to fit a fifth passenger for short trips. The interior storage space was generous, with a large bin under the center armrest, a sizable glove compartment, and ample door panel storage. The trunk offered 14.1 cubic feet of cargo space, with a shape and size that made loading luggage easy. The 60/40-split folding back seat allowed for carrying longer items, enhancing the car’s practicality.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 came with an 8.8-inch infotainment display operated via a dial in the center console, which was a major weak point. The menu navigation was clumsy, and the lack of a touchscreen made it difficult to use. The standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration were confusing, with the Home button taking users to the home screen of these programs instead of the main menu. The Mazda3 included two USB ports, HD radio, Bluetooth connectivity, and voice control. The test model featured upgrades such as navigation, satellite radio, and a 12-speaker Bose premium stereo system, which provided great sound quality.

The 2023 Volkswagen Jetta SEL featured a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro instrumentation panel and an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen with proximity-sensing surface, knobs for stereo volume, and shortcut tiles for main system menus. The infotainment system allowed for configuring vehicle settings and interacting with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, the radio tuning process was cumbersome, and the voice recognition system required a subscription for advanced features. The Car-Net connected service provided access to a Wi-Fi hotspot and several safety and convenience features for the first five years of ownership. The SEL trim included a Beats Audio premium sound system, which was not particularly satisfying compared to previous Fender systems.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 came standard with a range 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. Higher trims added features such as blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, traffic-sign recognition, traffic jam assist, and a 360-degree parking camera system. However, the massive C-pillar created a significant blind spot, and the confusing infotainment system presented a safety issue by distracting the driver.

The 2023 Volkswagen Jetta SE and SEL came with the IQ.Drive package, which included advanced driving assistance systems such as Travel Assist and Emergency Assist. Travel Assist combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assist, providing a semi-autonomous driving aid. Emergency Assist could identify an unresponsive driver and brake the car to a safe stop. The Jetta received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA but earned four-star ratings for frontal-impact protection. The IIHS rated the Jetta’s safety as Poor in a new moderate overlap frontal-impact crash test and was unimpressed with the car’s headlights.