2022 Mazda MAZDA3 vs 2021 Honda Accord

The 2021 Honda Accord was a staple in the midsize sedan market, competing fiercely with rivals like the Toyota Camry, Mazda6, and Kia K5. For 2021, Honda refreshed the Accord with a wider, restyled grille, giving it a more sculpted appearance. The Honda Sensing safety system's radar unit was better integrated, enhancing the vehicle's aesthetic appeal. The Accord featured LED headlights and lowlights, improving nighttime visibility, and new alloy wheel designs for most trims. The interior boasted high-quality materials, with cloth seats in lower trims and leather in higher ones, maintaining a sophisticated look. The Canada-exclusive SE trim offered a well-rounded package with heated front seats and smartphone integration, while higher trims added features like a power moonroof and premium audio systems.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 continued to offer both sedan and hatchback body styles, with a focus on driver-centric design. The car's exterior featured deeply sculpted flanks, which some found artistic, while others saw as unconventional. Inside, the Mazda3 provided a snug yet comfortable fit, with refined materials and a sophisticated design. The front seats offered excellent support, and the driver-centric layout ensured easy access to controls. However, the back seat was less accommodating for taller passengers, and the hatchback's cargo space, while adequate, was limited in shape. The Mazda3's understated style and quality materials made it an attractive option for those seeking a mature, serious automobile.

The 2021 Honda Accord offered two engine options: a 192-horsepower 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder and a more powerful 252-horsepower 2.0-litre turbo-four. The 1.5-litre engine, paired with a CVT, provided 192 pound-feet of torque and was standard on most trims. It delivered a combined fuel economy of 7.2 to 7.5 litres per 100 kilometres, depending on the trim. The 2.0-litre engine, available in Sport 2.0 and Touring 2.0 trims, was paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, producing 273 lb-ft of torque and a combined fuel economy of 9.1 L/100 km. The Accord's front-wheel-drive setup and improved braking system offered a balanced driving experience, with paddle shifters available for a more engaging drive.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 offered three engine options: a 155-horsepower 2.0-litre four-cylinder, a 186-horsepower 2.5-litre four-cylinder, and a turbocharged 2.5-litre engine with up to 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque. The base engine focused on fuel economy, consuming 7.6 L/100 km combined. The non-turbo 2.5-litre engine, available with FWD or AWD, offered a balance of power and efficiency, with fuel consumption ranging from 7.8 to 8.6 L/100 km. The turbocharged engine, paired with AWD, provided a thrilling driving experience, though it averaged 10.2 L/100 km in real-world conditions. The Mazda3's smooth ride, nimble handling, and responsive steering made it a joy to drive, though the brakes showed signs of fade during intense driving.

The 2021 Honda Accord was designed for practicality and comfort, with ample head-, hip-, and legroom for both front and rear passengers. The interior featured dual-zone automatic climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and push-button start as standard. The rear seats offered a 60/40 split, allowing access to the spacious 473-litre trunk. The cabin layout ensured easy access to essential controls, though small-item storage was limited.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3's low seating position and small door openings made entry and exit challenging, but once inside, the front seats provided a snug and comfortable fit. The driver-centric design included an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat and heated front seats. The back seat was less accommodating for taller passengers, and the hatchback's cargo space, while offering 569 litres behind the rear seat, was limited in shape. Folding the back seat increased cargo capacity to 1,334 litres. The sedan offered 374 litres of trunk space.

The 2021 Honda Accord featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with physical volume and tuning knobs. Standard technology included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and two USB ports. Higher trims added features like satellite radio, a wireless phone charger, and a 10-speaker premium audio system. The Touring trims offered an on-board navigation system, rain-sensing wipers, and a head-up display.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 used the Mazda Connect infotainment system with an 8.8-inch display and centre console controls. While Mazda avoided touchscreens to reduce driver distraction, the lack of a physical tuning function and a cumbersome voice recognition system were drawbacks. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration helped mitigate these issues. Mazda Connected Services offered remote access to vehicle functions, and higher trims included a 12-speaker Bose audio system and an Active Driving Display.

The 2021 Honda Accord came standard with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including vehicle stability assist, brake assist, a rearview camera, and the Honda Sensing suite with lane-keeping assist, blind spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. The Accord earned top safety ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA, with a Top Safety Pick+ designation and a five-star overall safety rating.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 offered a range of safety features, though many were not standard in Canada. Standard features included blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist were optional. The Mazda3 received top safety ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA, earning a Top Safety Pick+ designation and five-star ratings in all crash tests.