2022 Mazda MAZDA3 vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, part of the W213 generation, was a testament to the brand's "sensual purity" design philosophy. It moved away from the sharper lines of its predecessor to embrace a more fluid and curvier aesthetic, reminiscent of the S-Class and C-Class models. The E-Class featured a slightly edgier front with squinted headlights and an inverted trapezoid grille, while the rear design echoed the W212 with horizontal taillights. Despite the absence of the classic standing hood ornament, the E-Class maintained its elegance across its various body styles, including sedan, wagon, coupe, and convertible. Inside, the E-Class was a showcase of luxury, with rich woods, aluminum, and carbon fibre adorning the cabin. The interior was a blend of decadent materials and modern technology, highlighted by two 12-inch screens and a digital instrument panel, making it a lavish and inviting space.

In contrast, the 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 offered a more understated yet artistic design. Available in both sedan and hatchback forms, the Mazda3 was known for its deeply sculpted flanks and mature appearance. The top-of-the-line hatchback with a turbo engine was particularly appealing for its stealthy look, devoid of flashy spoilers or body kits. Inside, the Mazda3's cabin was driver-focused, with refined materials and a sophisticated design. The interior was snug yet comfortable, with excellent thigh and side bolster support. However, the back seat was less accommodating for taller passengers, and the lack of rear air conditioning vents and USB ports was a drawback. Despite these limitations, the Mazda3's interior was praised for its quality and style, offering a more affordable alternative to entry-level luxury cars.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class introduced significant changes to its powertrain lineup, with the E450 model transitioning to a hybrid system featuring a 48-volt electrical system. This setup provided an additional 21 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque for brief moments, enhancing fuel efficiency and reducing emissions. The E450's 3.0-litre inline-six engine produced 362 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, with the battery's overboost offering more power. The AMG E53 model added a second turbo, delivering 429 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque, while the AMG E63 S boasted a 4.0-litre V8 engine with 603 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque. Despite the impressive performance figures, the E-Class prioritized comfort over sportiness, with the AMG models offering a balance of speed and handling precision. Fuel efficiency varied across models, with the E450 4Matic achieving 9.2 L/100 km combined.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 offered a range of engine options, starting with the base 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 155 hp and 150 lb-ft of torque. Most buyers opted for the 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 186 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque, available with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The turbocharged 2.5-litre engine, paired with standard AWD, delivered 227 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque on regular gas, or 250 hp and 320 lb-ft with premium fuel. Despite its fun-to-drive nature, the turbocharged Mazda3's fuel efficiency fell short of expectations, averaging 10.2 L/100 km. The Mazda3 excelled in handling, offering a smooth ride, nimble steering, and excellent balance. However, the brakes showed signs of fade during aggressive driving, indicating a need for an upgrade.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class featured a redesigned infotainment system with a touchscreen interface, making it more user-friendly. The cabin was spacious, accommodating four adults comfortably, with ample headroom and legroom. The E-Class offered various body styles, each with its own cargo capacity, ranging from 540 litres in the sedan to 1,820 litres in the wagon with seats folded. However, some features like rear USB ports and heated rear seats were missing in the E53 model, despite its high price.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3's interior was designed around the driver, with a snug fit and excellent support. The front seats were comfortable, but the back seat was less accommodating for taller passengers. Storage space was adequate, with large door bins and a sizable centre console. The hatchback offered 569 litres of cargo space, expanding to 1,334 litres with the rear seats folded. The sedan's trunk held 374 litres of cargo. Keyless entry and push-button start were standard features.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class was equipped with the MBUX infotainment system, featuring a touchscreen interface and natural voice processing. The system offered various functions, including live camera feeds, massaging seats, and seat kinetics. However, it lacked over-the-air updates and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The instrument cluster was highly customizable, allowing drivers to choose between traditional and modern displays.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 featured the Mazda Connect infotainment system, with an 8.8-inch display and a collection of controls on the centre console. Mazda's approach to infotainment avoided touchscreens, focusing on minimizing driver distraction. However, the lack of a physical tuning function and a cumbersome voice recognition system were drawbacks. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto provided alternatives for users. Mazda Connected Services offered remote access to vehicle functions, and a Bose audio system was available.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class was one of the safest cars on the market, with a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick+" designation from the IIHS. It featured innovative safety technologies, such as Pre-Safe Sound and side collision protection. Standard safety features included forward automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring, with additional driver-assist features available as options.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 also excelled in safety, earning five-star ratings from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick+" from the IIHS. However, many safety features were optional in Canada, including adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. The Mazda3's driver-assist features performed reliably, enhancing driver confidence without being intrusive.