2023 Mazda MAZDA3 vs 2023 BMW 7 Series

The 2023 BMW 7 Series presented a bold new design language for the luxury sedan segment, featuring a distinctive front-end styling with an oversized beveled grille and split lighting elements. The LED accent lights, positioned where traditional headlights would be, gave the car a focused squint, while the actual headlights were recessed to improve aerodynamics. Despite initial mixed reactions to its appearance, the 7 Series' design grew on observers over time. The vehicle offered two style themes: the standard M Sport with chrome accents and the M Sport Professional with a more aggressive blacked-out look. The interior was modern and minimalistic, with a broad horizontal layout and high-quality materials, including a unique faceted crystal-like accent strip. The rear seats, especially with the optional Rear Executive Lounge Seating package, provided a premium luxury experience akin to business class on an airline.

In contrast, the 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 was noted for its rakish headlights and large, menacing grille, available in both sedan and hatchback body styles. The hatchback, in particular, was praised for its daring and futuristic design, though it had some practical shortcomings. Inside, the Mazda3 continued its clean and futuristic theme, with a simple yet stylish cabin. The infotainment system rose organically from the dash, and the conventional shifter design was a welcome feature. The Mazda3 offered a range of trim levels, each adding more features and luxury elements, culminating in the 2.5 Turbo AWD Premium Plus hatchback, which included advanced driver assistance features and a powerful turbocharged engine.

The 2023 BMW 7 Series offered two initial powertrains. The base 740i featured a 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder engine with a 48-volt mild hybrid system, producing 375 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque. This setup allowed the 740i to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds. The 760i xDrive, with its 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8, delivered 536 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque, achieving 0 to 60 mph in just 4.1 seconds. The V8-powered 760i xDrive impressed with its quick and fluid acceleration, offering a sporty yet comfortable ride. The handling was sportier than the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, with a slightly stiffer ride that was still comfortable. The Sport mode enhanced the driving experience by firming up the air suspension and making the steering more responsive.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 came with a base 2.5-liter naturally aspirated inline-four engine, producing 191 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. It was available with either a six-speed automatic or a manual transmission, with all-wheel drive as an option. The test model featured the optional turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, which delivered 227 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque on regular fuel, or 250 horsepower and 320 pound-feet with premium fuel. The turbo engine provided a thrilling driving experience, with well-weighted steering and a fantastic sound. The Mazda3 excelled in handling, offering a perfect blend of precision and refinement, with agile cornering and a comfortable ride. The Sport mode enhanced the driving dynamics, making the steering feedback more forceful and the transmission more responsive.

The 2023 BMW 7 Series offered a spacious and luxurious interior, with power-operated doors that could be a source of frustration due to their sensitivity to nearby objects. The front seats were comfortable and adjustable, with standard heating and ventilation. The rear seats were remarkably spacious, accommodating tall passengers with ease, and the lounge seating option added a reclining passenger-side rear seat with massage functions. The 31.3-inch rear entertainment screen was a striking addition, though its central placement could cause neck strain. The trunk provided 13.7 cubic feet of cargo space, slightly larger than competitors, with a wide and deep design for easy loading.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 sedan offered 13.1 cubic feet of cargo space, while the hatchback provided 20.1 cubic feet. However, the rear seating area was cramped, with limited legroom and headroom, making it suitable for occasional use only. The front seating area featured a decently sized center console compartment, though the lid was somewhat frustrating to operate. The Mazda3's ergonomics were generally helpful, with sizable cupholders and a user-friendly layout.

The 2023 BMW 7 Series featured the iDrive 8 infotainment system, which could be operated via touchscreen, central dial, or voice commands. While basic functions were easy to use, the system's complexity increased with more advanced features. Voice controls helped mitigate some of the frustrations, but they interrupted audio playback. The standard 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Surround Sound System provided excellent audio quality. The optional theater screen had some usability challenges, with inconsistent touchscreen inputs and a missing remote control.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 came with an 8.8-inch infotainment display operated via a dial in the center console. The lack of touchscreen functionality made menu navigation clumsy and unintuitive, with a steep learning curve. The system's integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto was also problematic, with confusing navigation and a lack of logic in the layout. The Mazda3 included two USB ports, HD radio, Bluetooth connectivity, and voice control, with available upgrades such as navigation and a 12-speaker Bose premium stereo system.

The 2023 BMW 7 Series had not been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS, but it came with a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including frontal collision warning, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keep assist. The optional Driving Assistance Professional package added a hands-free automated driving system for highways, which was praised for its smooth operation and reduced driver fatigue.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 offered a wide range of standard safety features, including forward automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure warning. Higher trims added features like blind-spot monitoring, traffic-sign recognition, and a 360-degree parking camera system. However, the large C-pillar created a significant blind spot, and the infotainment system's confusing layout posed a potential safety issue.