2021 Mazda MAZDA3 vs 2022 Toyota Corolla

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3, following its 2019 redesign, continued to impress with its dramatic yet sophisticated styling. Its bodywork exuded a sense of daring and refinement, earning it accolades like the World Car Design of the Year and Canadian Car of the Year awards for 2020. The sedan version, which was tested, offered a more conservative look compared to the aggressive stance of the hatchback. The Mazda3 2.5 Turbo sedan, with its Premium Package and Machine Gray Metallic paint, provided a luxurious feel, enhanced by its white leather interior and attention to design detail, aiming to elevate Mazda into the premium car segment.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota Corolla aimed to shed its reputation for blandness with bold exterior styling, featuring scowling LED headlights and a wide grille. The SE and XSE trims sported an aggressive front fascia, while the Nightshade and Apex Editions added unique styling elements. The SE Apex Edition, tested in Cement Grey, showcased a sporty presence. However, the Corolla's interior, while simple and appealing, lacked the imaginative flair of its exterior. The fit and finish were up to Toyota's standards, but the use of piano black plastic trim was less practical, and the interior design did not match the sportiness of the exterior.

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3 2.5 Turbo was a standout in 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 227 hp and 310 lb-ft. 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 Mazda3's dynamic tuning and G-Vectoring Control Plus software further improved handling, making it a joy to drive on twisty roads. Despite its sporty nature, the Mazda3 maintained a balance between performance and comfort, though fuel consumption was higher than estimated during testing.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla offered two engine options: a 1.8-litre four-cylinder with 139 hp and 126 lb-ft of torque for the L, LE, and XLE trims, and a 2.0-litre engine with 169 hp and 151 lb-ft for the SE and XSE trims. The Apex Edition, tested with a manual transmission, featured a sport exhaust system and model-specific suspension, enhancing handling and agility. However, the Apex Edition was not a full performance model, lacking tire, brake, or engine upgrades. While it was fun in corners, the Corolla's overall performance was less thrilling compared to the Mazda3, and the ride quality was stiffer due to the suspension changes.

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3 2.5 Turbo's interior was lined with leather and featured heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, offering a luxury feel. However, it lacked some premium features, such as ventilated seats and rear-seat amenities like air conditioning vents and USB ports. The driver-focused cabin provided a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat, but the front passenger seat lacked power adjustment. Trunk space was competitive at 374 litres, while the hatchback version offered more utility with 569 litres behind the rear seats and 1,334 litres with them folded.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla provided decent headroom and legroom, with a low beltline aiding visibility. However, the steeply raked windshield and deep dashboard affected forward visibility. The driver's seat was positioned for optimal comfort, but long-legged drivers might find knee space lacking. The Corolla's 371 litres of cargo space was slightly less than some competitors, but it included a 60/40 split-folding rear bench seat. The interior design limited storage space for smaller items, with a thin centre console and shallow cupholders.

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 an Active Driving Display, providing useful information like speed and safety technology status.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla's infotainment system was starting to show its age, with a 7-inch touchscreen on the base model and an 8-inch screen on higher trims. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM were standard, with a nine-speaker JBL audio system on the XSE and XLE trims. While the interface was user-friendly, the graphics looked dated, and wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto was not available. The Corolla lacked innovative tech features found in some competitors.

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3 emphasized driver engagement with its advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), designed to support rather than replace the driver. The Premium Package added features like a high-definition surround-view camera and Traffic Jam Assist. The Mazda3 excelled in safety ratings, earning top marks from both the NHTSA and IIHS.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla also received high safety ratings, with a "Top Safety Pick+" award from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. It came with eight airbags and a comprehensive suite of standard driver-assist features under Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring was available from the LE trim.