2023 MINI Cooper vs 2022 Mazda MAZDA3

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 continued to offer both four-door sedan and five-door hatchback body styles, with a variety of engine and powertrain configurations. It was available in three trim levels, with options for front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD). Canadian buyers had the unique option of a six-speed manual transmission in both sedan and hatch configurations. Prices ranged from $21,400 to $31,000, excluding engine upgrades and a $1,750 destination charge. The top-of-the-line hatchback with a turbo engine and Polymetal Gray Metallic paint cost $38,981 in Canada, including the destination charge. The Mazda3's design was not universally appealing, with its deeply sculpted flanks and hatchback shape, but it had a mature and serious appearance. Inside, the car featured refined materials and a sophisticated design, offering an upscale driving experience. It was an attractive option for those seeking value over perceived luxury cachet.

The 2023 MINI Cooper was available as a two-door hatchback, four-door hatch, or two-door convertible, maintaining its unique and playful design. Despite being larger than its predecessors, it remained compact, with a bug-eyed, bulldog-like appearance. The Cooper's design was simple and authentic, with options for gradient paint effects and 18-inch wheels. The interior featured Chesterfield leather seats with diamond-patterned stitching and a classic design. The manual transmission offered a long gear shifter and clutch pedal, providing an engaging driving experience. The Cooper S and electric SE models could be ordered in the Resolute Edition, featuring unique paint and accents. The electric MINI Cooper SE offered a range of 183 kilometres. The JCW model provided enjoyable handling and flat cornering, though the steering lacked immediacy. The ride was firm, but the brakes were impressive, ensuring a safe driving experience.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 offered a range of engine options, starting with the GX sedan's 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 155 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque. It excelled in fuel economy, consuming 7.6 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. Most buyers opted for the non-turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, generating 186 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque, with fuel consumption between 7.8 and 8.6 L/100 km. The turbocharged 2.5-litre engine, paired with a six-speed automatic and AWD, delivered 227 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque on 87-octane gas, or 250 hp and 320 lb-ft on 93-octane fuel. Despite its power, the turbocharged Mazda3 averaged 10.2 L/100 km, with a small 48-litre fuel tank limiting driving range. The car offered a smooth ride, nimble handling, and excellent balance, though the brakes showed signs of fade during intense driving.

The 2023 MINI Cooper JCW was the quickest model, featuring a 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four engine with 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The engine, shared with certain BMW models, provided smooth revs and strong performance. The six-speed manual transmission had an abrupt clutch take-up, requiring practice for smooth launches. The JCW's handling was enjoyable, with flat cornering and adaptive dampers, though the steering lacked immediacy. The base MINI Cooper models had a 1.5-litre inline-three turbo engine with 134 hp and 162 lb-ft, while Cooper S models had a detuned version of the JCW engine with 189 hp and 206 lb-ft. The electric MINI Cooper SE offered a range of 183 kilometres. Fuel economy varied, with the JCW manual rated at 10.7/7.5/9.3 L/100 km. The brakes were impressive, ensuring safety during spirited driving.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 had a low seating position, making entry and exit challenging. The interior was driver-focused, with an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat and heated front seats as standard in Canada. The test vehicle featured leather upholstery and user-friendly controls, though the Mazda Connect infotainment system was less intuitive. The front seats offered excellent support, while the back seat was less accommodating for taller passengers. Storage space was adequate, with large door bins and a sizable centre console bin. The hatchback offered 569 litres of cargo space, expandable to 1,334 litres with the rear seats folded. The sedan's trunk held 374 litres of cargo.

The 2023 MINI Cooper offered good outward visibility and ample front seat space. The two-door model's rear bench and cargo hold were limited, with 254 litres of cargo space, expandable to 962 litres with the seats folded. The four-door model offered more cargo space, with 368 litres and 1,160 litres with the seats up and down, respectively. The convertible had 226 litres of cargo space, with a tailgate that folded down for easy access. The convertible's roof rails allowed the fabric section to slide back like a sunroof. The instrument panel had a matte finish, and the infotainment system used a touchscreen and console buttons. The dashboard's glowing ring provided visual feedback for various functions.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 featured the Mazda Connect infotainment system with an 8.8-inch static display and Bluetooth. The system used a centre console controller, steering wheel controls, and voice recognition, though the latter was less effective. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available, offering alternative digital assistants. Mazda Connected Services provided remote access to vehicle functions via a smartphone app. An eight-speaker audio system was standard, with a 12-speaker Bose system available. An Active Driving Display projected data onto the windshield, including blind-spot warnings.

The 2023 MINI Cooper came with an 8.8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM satellite radio, and connected apps. The Cooper S models in Premier 2.0 trim added a panoramic moonroof and heated leatherette seats. Wireless phone charging and a head-up display were available on the Premier+ 2.0 trim. The infotainment system used reskinned BMW iDrive software, with an Openometer and cartoonish sounds. The dashboard's glowing ring provided visual feedback for various functions.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 offered a range of safety features, though many were not standard in Canada. Standard features included blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. The car received five-star ratings from the NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS.

The 2023 MINI Cooper came with eight airbags, rear parking sensors, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. Blind-spot monitoring and other advanced safety features were unavailable. Adaptive cruise control was available on certain versions with the automatic transmission. The NHTSA had not rated the MINI Cooper, but the IIHS gave the structurally identical 2014 model high ratings in five out of six crash tests.