2021 Mazda MAZDA3 vs 2021 Toyota Camry

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3, following its 2019 redesign, continued to impress with its award-winning design, capturing the World Car Design of the Year and Canadian Car of the Year awards for 2020. Its styling was a blend of drama and sophistication, with the sedan offering a more conservative look compared to the aggressive stance of the hatchback. The 2.5 Turbo variant, available in both body styles, featured all-wheel drive and a premium interior with options like white leather, which elevated its appeal to a near-luxury level. Despite some use of hard plastics, the interior design was driver-focused, with a clear and legible gauge set and a well-integrated infotainment system.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Camry aimed to shed its previous image of being a generic sedan by incorporating more dynamic styling elements. While some features like flared wheel arches and thin headlights enhanced its appearance, others, such as fake vents on the SE and XSE trims, added unnecessary clutter. The interior mirrored this chaotic styling, with a mix of materials and a lack of cohesive design. However, the Camry offered comfortable seating and excellent outward visibility, with a focus on practicality and ease of use through analog controls for essential functions.

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3 Turbo was powered by a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 250 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque with 93-octane fuel, or 227 hp and 310 lb-ft with 87-octane. This engine was paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission and Mazda's i-Activ AWD system, enhancing its corner-exit capability. The turbocharged powertrain added minimal weight but significantly boosted performance, offering a smooth and predictable driving experience. The Mazda3 Turbo's dynamic tuning and G-Vectoring Control Plus software provided improved handling, making it a joy to drive on twisty roads. Despite its sporty nature, the car maintained a balance between performance and comfort, with a fuel consumption of 11.5 litres per 100 kilometres during testing.

The 2021 Toyota Camry offered a range of powertrains, starting with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque with FWD, and slightly less with AWD. The XSE trim featured a dual-exhaust system, increasing output slightly. A 3.5-litre V6 engine with 301 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque was also available, along with a hybrid option. Our SE Nightshade Edition test car had the base four-cylinder engine and AWD, providing a surprisingly engaging driving experience with a good balance between handling and ride quality. The Camry's steering was responsive, and the chassis tuning allowed for enjoyable cornering, although it wasn't as sharp as some competitors. The TRD package offered additional performance enhancements, but even without it, the Camry was a rewarding drive.

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3 2.5 Turbo featured a luxurious interior with leather upholstery and heated front seats, but lacked some premium features like ventilated seats and rear-seat amenities. The driver-focused cabin offered a 10-way power-adjustable seat, but the front passenger seat was less accommodating. Rear-seat space was cramped, with limited storage and no air conditioning vents or USB ports. The sedan's trunk provided 374 litres of space, while the hatchback offered more utility with 569 litres behind the rear seats and 1,334 litres with them folded.

The 2021 Toyota Camry provided generous rear headroom and legroom, though front space was slightly compromised. The front seats were comfortable and adjustable, with excellent visibility. Cargo space was average at 428 litres, and in-cabin storage was limited, with small cupholders and door bins. The Camry's controls were user-friendly, with analog knobs for essential functions, though some were a long reach from the driver's seat. Dual-zone automatic climate control was available on higher trims.

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3 featured the Mazda Connect infotainment system with an 8.8-inch display, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth. However, the lack of a touchscreen and poor voice-recognition technology were drawbacks. The system was paired with a 12-speaker Bose audio system, offering good sound quality, especially with FLAC files. The Premium Package included a head-up display, providing useful driving information.

The 2021 Toyota Camry came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth. Higher trims offered a 9-inch touchscreen, navigation, and a JBL audio system. A 10-inch head-up display was available on the XSE and XLE trims. The infotainment system was functional, with easy-to-navigate menus, though the graphics were plain. USB ports and a 12-volt outlet were standard, but additional ports were not available on higher trims.

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3 emphasized driver engagement with its advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), designed to support rather than replace the driver. The car featured adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, an Adaptive Front Lighting System, and a high-definition surround-view camera. The Premium Package added low-speed reverse automatic braking and Traffic Jam Assist. The Mazda3 received top safety ratings from both the NHTSA and IIHS.

The 2021 Toyota Camry earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. The TSS 2.5+ package included adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, and more. New features for 2021 included enhanced adaptive cruise control and a Rear Seat Reminder. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available as options.