2023 Honda Accord Hybrid vs 2024 Mazda MAZDA3

The 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid was often mistaken for a luxury sedan due to its sleek design, reminiscent of the Audi A7. Its elongated body, measuring 7 centimetres longer than previous models, featured a redesigned front grille and updated LED lighting, giving it a refined, near-luxury appearance. The car's planted stance was enhanced by a long, flowing roofline tapering to the trunk, and it was available in six exterior colours with 19-inch alloy wheels. Inside, the Accord Hybrid Touring boasted a modern dashboard design with a 12.3-inch touchscreen, offering features like Amazon Alexa and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The interior, with its Canyon River Blue Metallic paint and black leather, exuded sophistication, while cloth seats were standard in the Hybrid Sport.

The 2024 Mazda MAZDA3, despite its last redesign in 2019, maintained a modern and luxurious look with its swooping lines and scalloped bodywork. The front featured squinting headlights with LED turn signals, adding to its dramatic design. Available in sedan and hatchback styles, the Mazda3 offered various trims, with the hatchback providing more storage and powertrain options. Our test car, similar to a 2024 Mazda3 Sport GT hatchback with AWD and a turbocharged engine, impressed with its red leather interior and high-quality materials. The Mazda3's interior was awash in leather, with a delicate steering wheel and shift knob, offering a beautifully designed and furnished driver’s seat.

The 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid was powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors, delivering 204 horsepower to the front wheels through a CVT. While it lacked AWD, the Accord Hybrid offered smooth and efficient driving, seamlessly switching between electric and gas power. Its suspension absorbed road imperfections well, providing a comfortable ride. The regenerative braking system, upgraded to six levels, allowed for fine-tuning, enhancing the driving experience. Despite its increased length, the Accord remained easy to park and drive, offering a familiar and relaxing experience.

The 2024 Mazda MAZDA3 offered two engine options: a standard 2.5-litre four-cylinder with 191 horsepower and an optional turbocharged version with 250 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque. AWD was available with the turbo engine, and a six-speed manual transmission was offered on the Sport GT with FWD. The turbocharged engine provided a delightful driving experience, with the intelligent AWD system managing traction well. Fuel economy varied depending on the configuration, with the turbocharged AWD hatchback achieving 10.1 litres per 100 kilometres in the city. The Mazda3 excelled on back roads, with tight steering and minimal body roll, offering a performance-oriented driving experience.

The 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid's cabin adopted a layout similar to Honda’s Civic and CR-V models, featuring a honeycomb mesh trim that concealed the air vents. The dashboard housed a 12.3-inch touchscreen, with physical buttons for climate control and heated seats. The front seats provided excellent support, while the rear offered generous legroom and shoulder room, though headroom was limited by the tapering roofline. The trunk offered 473 litres of space, easily accessible with a low load floor.

The 2024 Mazda MAZDA3, while compact, offered 569 litres of cargo space in the hatchback, competitive with rivals like the Subaru Impreza. However, rear passenger space was limited, with tight legroom and headroom. The sedan offered only 374 litres of trunk space. The hatchback's design created a significant blind spot, affecting rearward visibility.

The 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen with intuitive menus and easy navigation. The Touring trim included advanced tech features like wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Google Built-in, and a head-up display. A 12-speaker Bose audio system and four USB ports were also included, enhancing the tech experience.

The 2024 Mazda MAZDA3 used a rotary controller for its infotainment system, offering an 8.8-inch display standard, with a new 10.25-inch screen available. The system supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with wireless connectivity on upper trims. A wireless charging pad and Mazda Connect system with remote services were also available. The rotary controller required some adjustment but offered a unique and featured tech experience.

The 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including a multi-angle rearview camera, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. The Accord Hybrid Touring added front and rear parking sensors and a head-up display. It earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, scoring "Good" in all crash tests.

The 2024 Mazda MAZDA3 received five stars from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS. Standard safety features included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, with additional features like automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assist available on higher trims. Adaptive Cruise Control with stop-and-go was included from the GS trim, with Traffic Jam Assist added on the GT trim.