2022 Honda Civic Hatchback vs 2023 Mazda MAZDA3

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback emerged during a time when hatchbacks were losing popularity in North America, with many automakers discontinuing them in favour of small crossover SUVs. Honda, however, saw this as an opportunity to capture a significant portion of the remaining market. The redesigned Civic hatchback was manufactured in Indiana, making it one of the few compact cars still produced in North America. It shared its front design with the Civic sedan but featured a unique grille and wheel designs. Despite its modern appeal, the Civic hatchback still had some design quirks, such as the "stubby butt syndrome" when viewed from certain angles. Inside, the Sport Touring trim offered sophisticated digital instrumentation and infotainment displays, although the CVT shifter operation was slightly lacking in refinement.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3, available in both sedan and hatchback forms, boasted a daring and futuristic design, particularly in the hatchback variant. Its sleek lines and rakish headlights framed a large grille, making it one of the most forward-thinking designs in the market. The interior continued this theme with a clean and minimalist approach, featuring an infotainment system that rose organically from the dash. The conventional shifter design was a welcome touch, and the climate controls were straightforward and easy to use. The Mazda3's cabin was elegantly designed, although the steering wheel was somewhat cluttered with controls. The hatchback's design, while visually striking, did have some practical shortcomings, particularly in terms of rear visibility.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback offered a choice between a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 158 horsepower and a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower. The latter was available in the Sport and Sport Touring trims, providing a more energetic driving experience with peak torque accessible from 1,700 to 4,500 rpm. All models were front-wheel drive, with no all-wheel drive option. The CVT worked well with the turbo engine, offering a smooth driving experience, while the six-speed manual transmission was praised for its short throws and fluid gear engagement. The Civic hatchback delivered a satisfying ride with firm suspension tuning and responsive steering, although it was not designed for aggressive driving on winding roads. Fuel efficiency was commendable, with real-world testing nearly matching official estimates.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 offered a range of engine options, starting with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 155 horsepower. The 2.5-litre naturally aspirated engine, available on higher trims, delivered 191 horsepower. The standout option was the turbocharged 2.5-litre engine, producing up to 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque with premium fuel. The Mazda3's driving experience was engaging, with well-weighted steering and a responsive transmission. Sport mode enhanced the driving dynamics, providing more forceful steering feedback and clever gear shifts. The Mazda3 excelled in handling, offering a perfect blend of precision and refinement while maintaining a comfortable ride. The turbo engine's sound added to the driving enjoyment, and the brakes provided a sports car-like feel.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback prioritized functionality, offering a generous 693 litres of trunk space and a two-piece cargo shade. The back seat featured a 60/40-split folding design, although the load floor was not flat. The interior provided comfortable seating with sufficient legroom, although some passengers noted the lack of a seat-height adjuster for the front passenger seat and the absence of rear air conditioning vents. The driver enjoyed an eight-way power-adjustable seat, and heated front seats were standard in Canada. The Sport Touring trim added heated outboard rear seats and black leather upholstery, enhancing comfort and style.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 hatchback offered 569 litres of cargo space, which was usable but not as spacious as some small SUVs. The rear seating area was cramped, with limited legroom and headroom due to the sloping roofline. The front seating area featured a decently sized centre console compartment, although the lid's design was somewhat frustrating. Despite these limitations, the Mazda3 provided helpful ergonomics and sizable cupholders, making the front seats the primary focus for comfort and usability.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback featured a new infotainment system with a 7-inch touchscreen display on the LX and Sport trims, while the Sport Touring trim offered a 9-inch display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system included physical knobs for sound controls, addressing previous criticisms of Honda's infotainment interfaces. The voice recognition system worked effectively, and the digital instrumentation provided clear information. However, the Sport trim's speakers were mediocre, prompting potential upgrades for better sound quality.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 came with an 8.8-inch infotainment display operated via a dial in the centre console. This system was a weak point, with clumsy menu navigation and a steep learning curve. The integration of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto was confusing, and the dial scrolling was unintuitive. Despite these challenges, the Mazda3 offered two USB ports, HD radio, Bluetooth connectivity, and voice control. The test model included upgrades such as navigation, satellite radio, and a 12-speaker Bose premium stereo system, which delivered excellent sound quality.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback was equipped with the Honda Sensing suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. The system also offered lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centring assistance. New features included low-speed following capability and Traffic Jam Assist, although these were only available with the CVT. The Sport Touring trim added a rear cross-traffic warning system and Low-Speed Braking Control. The Civic hatchback earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS, thanks to its advanced safety engineering and effective driver aids.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3's standard safety features included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The GS trim added forward automatic emergency braking, automatic cruise control, and other safety features. The GT grade offered adaptive headlights, traffic-sign recognition, and a 360-degree parking camera system. However, the Mazda3's design presented a significant blind spot due to the massive C-pillar, posing a safety concern. The infotainment system's layout also created distractions, impacting safety. Despite these issues, the Mazda3 received a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS and five stars from the NHTSA in front crash and rollover tests.