2024 Honda Accord Hybrid vs 2023 Mazda MAZDA3

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 was a striking vehicle with its rakish headlights and large, menacing grille. Available in both sedan and hatchback body styles, the sedan had conventional proportions, while the hatchback boasted a daring and futuristic design. The rear angles of the hatchback curved up around the rear window and doors, creating a clean and forward-thinking aesthetic. Inside, the cabin continued this clean futurism with a simple yet elegant design. The infotainment system rose organically from the dash, and the conventional shifter design was a welcome feature. Despite the modern look, the climate controls were surprisingly conventional and user-friendly. The steering wheel, though elegant, was somewhat cluttered with controls. The Mazda3 offered various trim levels, each adding more features, with the 2.5 Turbo AWD Premium Plus hatchback being the top trim for 2023.

The 2024 Honda Accord Hybrid, available in Sport, EX-L, Sport-L, and Touring trims, presented a clean and technical look, especially when paired with machined-finish 19-inch wheels. The Canyon River Blue metallic paint on the Touring test car was complemented by a black leather interior, though the lack of color options was noted. The interior featured a gray headliner, contrast stitching, and metallic finishes, creating a light and airy feel despite the shiny plastic in some areas. The Accord Touring's interior was described as 'Acura Lite,' offering a blend of luxury and technology. The MSRP for the Touring trim was $39,985, including the destination charge, and it came equipped with several exclusive features.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 featured a base 2.5-liter naturally aspirated inline-four engine, producing 191 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, with power routed to the front wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive was available, and a manual transmission was offered on front-wheel drive Premium models. The test model, however, came with 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 turbo engine provided a fantastic sound and engaging driving experience, with well-weighted steering and impressive handling. The Mazda3 excelled in cornering balance and agility, offering a refined yet sporty ride.

The 2024 Honda Accord Hybrid utilized a two-motor hybrid powertrain, combining a 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with two electric motors. This setup produced a total output of 204 horsepower and 247 lb-ft of torque, with the latter available from zero to 2,000 rpm. The Accord Hybrid was front-wheel drive only, and its powertrain provided a normal driving experience with simulated gear changes. The car was zippy in city driving and performed well on freeways and mountain grades. The Accord EX-L achieved 48 mpg in combined driving, while the Sport, Sport-L, and Touring trims, with larger wheels, earned 44 mpg. The Touring returned 43.1 mpg during testing, showcasing its fuel efficiency. The Accord's ride and handling were praised for their responsiveness and natural feel, making it an excellent daily driver.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 sedan offered 13.1 cubic feet of cargo space, which was small compared to other compact sedans. The hatchback provided 20.1 cubic feet, offering more usable space. However, the rear seating area was cramped, with limited legroom and headroom due to the sloping roofline. The front seating area featured a decently sized center console compartment, though the lid's design was frustrating. Ergonomics were helpful, and the car provided sizable cupholders.

The 2024 Honda Accord Hybrid prioritized comfort, though taller drivers might find the seat adjustment lacking. The Accord Hybrid featured a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat, with heated front seats in leather-upholstered versions. The Touring trim added ventilated front seats and heated rear seats. Rear passengers enjoyed ample legroom and headroom, with supportive seating and convenient features like air conditioning vents and USB ports. The trunk offered 16.7 cubic feet of cargo space, surpassing rivals in its class.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 came with an 8.8-inch infotainment display operated via a dial, which was a weak point due to its clumsy menu navigation and lack of touchscreen functionality. The system's learning curve was steep, and using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto was confusing. The car included two USB ports, HD radio, Bluetooth, and voice control, with available upgrades like navigation and a 12-speaker Bose stereo system.

The 2024 Honda Accord Hybrid featured a 10.2-inch digital instrumentation display and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Alexa Built-in, and HondaLink services. The Touring trim added a 12-speaker Bose sound system, wireless charger, and Google Built-in with a complimentary three-year subscription. However, voice recognition issues were noted with Google Assistant and Alexa, leading to a preference for Apple CarPlay and Siri. The digital instrumentation was practical, providing clear information to the driver.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 offered a range of standard safety features, including forward automatic emergency braking, adaptive headlights, and lane-departure warning. Higher trims added features like blind-spot monitoring, traffic-sign recognition, and a 360-degree parking camera system. However, the hatchback's design created a significant blind spot, and the infotainment system's layout posed a distraction risk.

The 2024 Honda Accord Hybrid earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and came with Honda Sensing, which included features like automatic high-beam headlights, forward collision warning, and adaptive cruise control. The EX-L trim added parking sensors, and the Touring gained low-speed automatic braking. Some issues were noted with the lane assist features in bright sunlight, and the adaptive cruise control's following distance allowed other drivers to cut in.