2021 Mazda MAZDA3 vs 2021 BMW 5 Series

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3, following its 2019 redesign, continued to impress with its award-winning design. Its bodywork was a blend of drama and sophistication, offering a daring yet refined appearance. The sedan version, which was more conservative compared to the hatchback, still managed to captivate with its elegant styling. The 2.5 Turbo model, available in both sedan and hatchback forms, came with all-wheel drive and a range of interior options, including luxurious leather finishes. The interior of the Mazda3 was a testament to Mazda's commitment to premium design, featuring high-quality materials and a driver-centric layout.

In contrast, the 2021 BMW 5 Series maintained a more restrained design, lacking the flamboyance of its 3 Series sibling or the imposing presence of the 7 Series. The 5 Series received a minor styling refresh for 2021, with sleeker LED headlights and a larger, yet tastefully sized, twin-kidney grille. The interior retained the classic BMW layout, with a focus on familiar design elements and high-quality materials. The 540i xDrive test car featured Nappa leather and aluminum trim, enhancing its luxurious feel, although the sporty steering wheel seemed somewhat out of place in the otherwise elegant cabin.

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3 2.5 Turbo was a standout in terms of performance, thanks to its turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine. When using 93-octane fuel, it delivered 250 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque, while 87-octane fuel resulted in slightly lower figures. The engine was paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission and Mazda's advanced i-Activ AWD system, which significantly improved corner-exit capability. The Mazda3 Turbo's performance was transformative, offering smooth and predictable power delivery, enhanced by the Sport mode and G-Vectoring Control Plus software. Despite its sporty nature, the Mazda3 maintained a balance between performance and comfort, with improved steering feel and response.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series offered a range of powertrain options, starting with the 530i's 2.0-litre turbocharged engine producing 248 horsepower. The 540i featured a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six engine with a 48-volt mild hybrid system, delivering 335 horsepower and 362 pound-feet of torque. The 540i xDrive test car provided precise handling and a smooth engine, though it felt more like a luxury car with sporty pretensions rather than a true driver's car. For those seeking more power, the M550i xDrive and M5 models offered significantly higher performance figures, with the M5 capable of reaching 100 km/h in just 3.0 seconds.

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3 2.5 Turbo's interior was lined with leather and featured heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, exuding a luxury feel. However, it lacked some premium features, such as power adjustment for the front passenger seat and rear-seat ventilation. The rear seats were cramped, and storage space was adequate but not exceptional. The sedan offered 374 litres of trunk space, while the hatchback provided more utility with 569 litres behind the rear seats and 1,334 litres with them folded down.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series, available only as a sedan in Canada, offered spacious accommodations for front-seat passengers, with 16-way power seats and a range of features. The rear seats, while slightly less roomy on paper, still provided ample space for passengers. The 540i's trunk offered 396 litres of space, surpassing some rivals, and the rear bench had a 40/20/20 split fold for added versatility. Despite its size, forward visibility was somewhat limited, but a surround-view camera system helped with parking.

Mazda Connect, the infotainment system in the 2021 Mazda MAZDA3, featured an 8.8-inch display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. However, the lack of a touchscreen and subpar voice-recognition technology were notable drawbacks. The system was paired with a 12-speaker Bose audio system, which delivered impressive sound quality, especially with FLAC files. The Premium Package included a head-up display, providing useful information to the driver.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series came with a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen and the latest iDrive 7 system, along with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The graphics were excellent, though the layout of the instrument cluster could be confusing. The rotary knob controller provided a tactile interface, and voice control was available with the prompt "Hey BMW." Gesture controls were also an option, though they required some learning. Overall, the technology in the 5 Series was sophisticated and user-friendly.

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3 was equipped with a comprehensive suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), designed to support rather than replace the driver. The Premium Package added features like a surround-view camera and Traffic Jam Assist, which provided lane-centring assistance at low speeds. The Mazda3 excelled in safety ratings, earning top marks from both the NHTSA and IIHS.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series had not been crash-tested by the IIHS for that year, but the 2020 model received a "Top Safety Pick+" award. Standard safety features included lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. The Driving Assistance Plus Package added adaptive cruise control and other advanced features. BMW's driver-assist technology was noted for its smooth operation and sophistication.