2019 Mazda MAZDA3 vs 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

The 2019 Mazda MAZDA3 was one of the best-looking cars on the market, despite not being a sports or luxury car. Mazda designers created a dramatic design that captured attention, putting the industry on notice. The Mazda3 came in both sedan and hatchback forms, with the hatchback particularly standing out due to its clean rear quarter panel, sharply raked rear window, and sports-car-like taillights. The interior was equally impressive, featuring clean, uncluttered spaces and seamless technology integration, making it feel more luxurious than its price suggested. The driver and front passenger sat low and leaned back, with controls enveloping the driver, including a naturally positioned controller dial for the 8.8-inch MazdaConnect infotainment screen.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, available in sedan, wagon, coupe, or cabriolet, featured a rounded, smooth body reminiscent of earlier generations. Its resemblance to the larger S-Class and smaller C-Class made it recognizable within the Mercedes family. The sedan looked especially rich with the hood ornament and thin-laced chrome grille, while most models had a sport grille with a large Mercedes emblem. LED lighting was delicate, and the proportions were visually appealing across different trims. The cabriolet's contrasting soft top revealed a sumptuous interior with multi-tone leathers, aluminum, and deep-polished wood. Two feet of high-res digital screens stretched across the dash, with industrial elements like circular air vents and silver toggles offsetting the touchpads and thumbpads controlling the car's features. The ambient lighting, available in 64 colors, added to the luxurious feel.

The 2019 Mazda MAZDA3 featured a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 186 horsepower, paired with either a 6-speed manual or automatic transmission. It offered front-wheel drive (FWD) and newly available all-wheel drive (AWD), though AWD was only available with the automatic transmission. The SkyActiv-G engine provided responsive acceleration, athletic handling, and composed braking, making it a great commuter car with the potential for spirited driving. Fuel economy varied, with the most efficient being the FWD automatic sedan with the Premium package, returning 27 mpg city, 36 highway, and 30 combined. The least efficient was the AWD hatchback, returning 24/32/27. Our test model achieved 28.2 mpg in combined driving.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class offered several powertrains. The E350 replaced the E300, featuring a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with 255 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission. The E450 featured a 3.0-liter V6 with 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, providing effortless performance. AMG models included the E53 with a hybrid setup producing 429 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque, and the E63 S with a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 producing 603 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque. AWD was standard on most models, with performance-tuned AWD available on AMG models. Fuel economy ranged from 19 to 23 mpg city and 26 to 32 highway, depending on the powertrain and body style.

The 2019 Mazda MAZDA3 sedan offered 13.2 cubic feet of trunk space, while the hatchback provided 20.1 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 47.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The low, sports-car-like seating position benefited front-seat passengers but made rear-seat accommodations tight, especially for taller individuals. The center console featured a deep tray and a center bin, though the armrest/console cover design was less user-friendly.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class featured a complicated COMAND infotainment system on its large screens, which were not touchscreens. The system required multiple steps for various functions, making it potentially distracting. However, the E-Class offered functional features like seat and seat climate controls on the door panels, ample space in every dimension, and clear sightlines. The coupe had a usable rear seat, and the wagon included a rear-facing jump seat for small children. The front passenger footwell had a net for securing items, and the cupholders were neatly concealed.

The 2019 Mazda MAZDA3 featured an 8.8-inch MazdaConnect infotainment screen with crisp graphics, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. However, the system was entirely remote-controlled, which could be less intuitive for some users. The available head-up display provided excellent graphics, and the instrument panel included a fully digital center panel with customizable content.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class boasted advanced tech, including a semi-automated driving system, V2X communication, and reconfigurable digital dash designs. Standard features included Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Optional features included multi-contour seats, a Burmester stereo, and the Energizing Comfort Package. AMG models offered a Track Pace app for race track guidance.

The 2019 Mazda MAZDA3 hatchback came standard with Mazda’s i-Activsense suite, including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and driver-attention alerts. However, these features were not standard on the base sedan trim. The hatchback's large C-pillars created significant blind spots, and the auto-engage parking brake system was not intuitive.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan and wagon received a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. The coupe and cabriolet were not tested but were expected to perform similarly. Innovations included Pre-Safe Sound, side bolster inflation during side collisions, and crosswind countermeasures. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, a driver attention monitor, and blind-spot monitoring, with additional driver-assist features available as options.