2021 Mazda MAZDA3 vs 2022 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 exterior 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 sedan, which was tested, came with a Premium Package and Machine Gray Metallic paint, priced at $36,881 Canadian. The interior, with its white leather, exuded a premium feel, although it was prone to staining from dark clothing. The design was driver-centric, with a focus on quality and attention to detail, despite the use of hard plastics in some areas.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota Camry TRD stood out with its eye-catching Cavalry Blue paint, a new addition for the model year. The TRD model featured a sporty design with an aerodynamic body kit, matte-black wheels, and red accents, making it distinct from other Camry versions. Priced at $37,040 Canadian, the TRD model included a JBL premium sound system and a 9-inch touchscreen. While the styling was bold, it was not universally appealing, reminiscent of 1990s Pontiacs. The interior had a unique dashboard layout, but the red gauge illumination and other red accents were considered tacky by some.

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3 2.5 Turbo was equipped with a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 250 horsepower with 93-octane fuel and 227 horsepower with 87-octane. The engine was paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission and Mazda’s i-Activ AWD system, enhancing corner-exit capability. The turbocharged powertrain added minimal weight but significantly boosted performance, offering a smooth and predictable driving experience. The car’s dynamic tuning, including stiffer suspension components, provided a sporty feel without compromising comfort. During testing, the Mazda3 averaged 11.5 litres per 100 kilometres, slightly higher than the estimated 8.8 L/100 km.

The 2022 Toyota Camry TRD featured a 3.5-litre V6 engine with 301 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. The TRD model boasted track-tuned dynamics, with enhanced torsional rigidity, stiffer suspension, and larger brakes. Despite its sporty setup, the Camry TRD maintained a comfortable ride, with excellent brake modulation and minimal fade. The car averaged 9.5 L/100 km during testing, slightly above the expected 9.4 L/100 km. However, the lack of all-wheel drive made it easy to lose traction with the front wheels.

Inside the 2021 Mazda MAZDA3, the cabin was lined with leather and featured heated front seats and a heated steering wheel. However, it lacked some premium features, such as ventilated seats and rear-seat amenities. The trunk offered 374 litres of space, while the hatchback variant provided more utility with up to 1,334 litres of cargo capacity.

The 2022 Toyota Camry TRD had a sporty driving position with fabric seat inserts and a tall centre console. While the back seat accommodated two adults comfortably, it lacked air vents and a folding seatback due to structural enhancements. The trunk measured 428 litres, smaller than some competitors, but the Camry offered generous in-cabin storage.

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

The 2022 Toyota Camry came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen, with a 9-inch display available on the TRD model. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM, with additional subscription services for higher trims. The JBL audio system offered decent sound quality, though it was bass-heavy. The Camry TRD lacked some advanced navigation and voice recognition features, but smartphone integration provided a workaround.

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. The Mazda3 received top safety ratings from both the NHTSA and IIHS.

The 2022 Toyota Camry included Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, offering a range of driver assist features. The Camry TRD came standard with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. While some lane-keeping features could be intrusive, the Camry maintained high safety standards, earning top ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA.