2022 Mazda MAZDA3 vs 2022 Toyota Corolla

The 2022 Toyota Corolla, having been around since its 2019 hatchback debut and 2020 sedan introduction, aimed to shake off Toyota's "boring" reputation with bold exterior styling. It featured scowling LED headlights and a wide grille, though it couldn't quite match the eccentricity of the Hyundai Elantra or the cohesive design of the Honda Civic. The Corolla offered different styling elements across its trim levels, with the SE and XSE models sporting an aggressive front fascia, while the Nightshade Edition added blacked-out trim. The Apex Edition, with its subtle body kit and model-specific 18-inch wheels, stood out in Cement Grey, exuding a "Fast and Furious" vibe. Despite its sporty exterior, the interior remained simple, with standard cloth upholstery and optional SofTex leatherette on higher trims. The fit and finish were up to Toyota's standards, but the piano black plastic trim was prone to dust and smudges.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3, available in both sedan and hatchback forms, offered a range of engine and powertrain configurations. It featured three trim levels and a choice between front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive, with a six-speed manual transmission option for Canadian buyers. The top-of-the-line hatchback with a turbo engine and Polymetal Gray Metallic paint carried a price tag of $38,981 in Canada. While its deeply sculpted flanks and hatchback design might not appeal to everyone, the Mazda3 exuded a mature and serious aesthetic. Inside, the refined materials and sophisticated design created an upscale atmosphere. The Mazda3 Turbo prioritized stealth over flashy features, offering a smooth and supple ride with nimble handling and outstanding balance. However, the brakes showed signs of fade during intense driving, and the ride could benefit from an adaptive damping suspension. Despite these minor drawbacks, the Mazda3 Turbo was praised for its exceptional quality, unassuming style, and attainable price.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla sedan offered two engine options. The L, LE, and XLE models featured a 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine with 139 horsepower and 126 pound-feet of torque. The SE and XSE models, along with the Apex Edition, were equipped with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 169 hp and 151 lb-ft of torque. The Apex Edition also boasted a sport exhaust system. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) was standard with the smaller engine, except for the base L model, which came with a six-speed manual. The 2.0-litre engine offered a choice between a six-speed manual gearbox with rev matching or a CVT with paddle shifters. All 2022 Corolla models were front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive expected in the 2023 model year. The SE Apex Edition, with its sportier suspension and unique coil springs, provided nimble handling and excellent front-end feel, though the ride quality was stiffer. While not a full-fledged performance model, the Apex Edition offered fun in corners, though it lacked tire, brake, or engine upgrades.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3's base GX sedan featured a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 155 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque, prioritizing fuel economy with a consumption rate of 7.6 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. Most buyers opted for the non-turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 186 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque, with a six-speed automatic or manual transmission. The turbocharged 2.5-litre engine, paired with a six-speed automatic and standard AWD, offered 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 advertised fuel efficiency, the turbocharged Mazda3 averaged 10.2 L/100 km. The Mazda3 Turbo delivered a smooth and gradual power build-up, with nimble handling, flawless steering, and outstanding balance. However, the brakes showed signs of fade during intense driving, and the ride could benefit from an adaptive damping suspension. Overall, the Mazda3 Turbo was praised for its driving experience, quality, and style.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla offered headroom and legroom similar to the Honda Civic, providing a decently roomy interior with a low beltline for improved visibility. However, the steeply raked windshield and deep dashboard affected forward visibility. The driver's seat was positioned for optimal comfort, though long-legged drivers might find knee space lacking. The Corolla sedan provided 371 litres of cargo space, falling behind competitors like the Honda Civic and Nissan Sentra. A 60/40 split-folding rear bench seat was standard, and a power trunk release was available on certain trims. The sleek interior design limited storage space for smaller items, with a thin centre console and shallow cupholders.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3, sitting low to the ground, posed challenges for entry and exit, with small door openings. Once inside, the front seats offered a snug but comfortable fit, with an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat and heated front seats standard in Canada. The interior featured supple leather upholstery, user-friendly controls, and excellent thigh and side bolster support. The back seat, however, offered limited legroom and comfort for taller passengers, with no rear air conditioning vents or USB ports. Storage space was adequate, with large door panel bins, a big glove compartment, and a sizable centre console bin. The hatchback provided 569 litres of cargo space behind the rear seat, expanding to 1,334 litres with the back seat folded. The sedan offered 374 litres of trunk space.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla's infotainment system lagged behind more recently redesigned compact cars. A 7-inch touchscreen was standard on the base model, while other trims featured an 8-inch touchscreen. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM satellite radio were standard, along with a six-speaker audio system. The XSE and XLE trims boasted a nine-speaker, 800-watt JBL audio system. While the interface was relatively easy to use, some tasks were less intuitive compared to competitors. The graphics appeared dated, and wireless versions of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were not available. The Corolla lacked novel features like the Hyundai Elantra's Digital Key.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 featured the Mazda Connect infotainment system with an 8.8-inch static display and Bluetooth. Mazda opted for a non-touchscreen approach, with primary controls on the centre console and steering wheel, along with a voice recognition system. While Mazda's philosophy aimed to reduce distractions, the lack of a physical tuning function and a cumbersome voice recognition system posed challenges. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto offered alternatives for music streaming and navigation. Mazda Connected Services, complimentary for two years, provided remote access to vehicle functions via a smartphone app. An eight-speaker audio system was standard, with a 12-speaker Bose Centerpoint surround-sound system available. An Active Driving Display projected data onto the windshield, enhancing safety.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla received the IIHS "Top Safety Pick+" award, with top "Good" scores in all crash tests, though its headlights received lower ratings. The NHTSA awarded the Corolla a five-star overall safety rating, with five stars in frontal and side crash tests and four stars in rollover tests. The Corolla featured eight airbags and a comprehensive suite of standard driver-assist features under Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning with steering assist, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was available and standard from the LE trim.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 excelled in safety, with faultless crash-test ratings. In Canada, blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard, while other features like adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist were optional. GT grades offered adaptive front headlights, Traffic Jam Assist, reverse automatic braking, and a surround-view camera system. The driver-assist features performed reliably, with smooth adaptive cruise control responses and effective lane-centring assistance. The Mazda3 received five-star ratings in all NHTSA assessments and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS.