2023 Honda Accord vs 2023 Mazda MAZDA3

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 was characterized by its striking design, featuring rakish headlights and a large, aggressive grille. Available in both sedan and hatchback body styles, the sedan maintained a more conventional appearance, while the hatchback boasted a daring and futuristic design. The hatchback's rear angles curved around the rear window and doors, contributing to its forward-thinking aesthetic. Inside, the Mazda3 continued its clean and futuristic theme with a simple yet elegant cabin design. The infotainment system rose organically from the dash, and the conventional shifter design was a welcome touch. The climate controls were straightforward, and the steering wheel, though cluttered with controls, had an elegant design. Trim levels in Canada included the GX, GS, GT, and GT Turbo, with various features and drivetrain options available.

In contrast, the 2023 Honda Accord adopted a more technical and conservative look, moving away from the shiny chrome and character of its predecessor. The EX trim, priced at $37,000 in Canada, featured a dark grille, LED headlights, and a Canyon River Blue paint that garnered compliments. Inside, the Accord EX offered durable cloth seats with contrast stitching and a stylish metal mesh dashboard trim. The digital instrumentation and touchscreen infotainment system reflected attention to detail and refinement. While the Accord EX was nicely outfitted for its price and class, it lacked some desirable features like a power-adjustable front passenger seat and rear air conditioning vents, which were available on higher trims.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 offered a range of engine options, starting with a Skyactiv-G 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 155 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque. A 2.5-litre naturally aspirated inline-four was optional on the GS and standard on the GT, delivering 191 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. The top-tier GT Turbo trim featured a turbocharged 2.5-litre engine, generating 227 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque on regular fuel, or 250 horsepower and 320 pound-feet with premium fuel. The Mazda3's driving experience was engaging, with well-weighted steering and impressive handling. The turbocharged engine provided moderate acceleration, shining in second gear and Sport mode. The Mazda3's handling was precise and refined, offering a balance of agility and comfort.

The 2023 Honda Accord EX was equipped with a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 192 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) powered the front wheels, providing adequate performance for the 1,493-kilogram vehicle. The Accord's ride quality was communicative yet quiet, with excellent brake pedal modulation. The steering was precise, and the suspension effectively suppressed unwanted body motions. While the CVT's Sport mode was less satisfying, the Accord's ride and handling were commendable. The brakes performed well even in extreme heat, but the tires felt squishy during spirited driving. Overall, the Accord was enjoyable to drive, especially on winding roads.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 sedan offered 374 litres of cargo space, while the hatchback provided 569 litres. However, the rear seating area was cramped, with limited legroom and headroom, making it suitable for occasional use. The front seating area featured a decently sized centre console compartment and ergonomic design, with sizable cupholders.

The 2023 Honda Accord, on the other hand, came with a spacious 473-litre trunk, easily accommodating full-size suitcases. The rear seat offered excellent leg support and legroom, with easy entry and exit. However, the Accord EX lacked rear air conditioning vents and USB charging ports, which were available on higher trims. The driver's seat needed more seat-track travel, and the hard plastic lining the centre console sides was uncomfortable. Despite these drawbacks, the Accord provided numerous storage locations.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 featured 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 standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration were confusing, with the Home button not functioning as expected. The Mazda3 came with two USB ports, HD radio, Bluetooth connectivity, and voice control. Our test model included upgrades like navigation, satellite radio, and a 12-speaker Bose premium stereo system.

In contrast, the 2023 Honda Accord EX was equipped with a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The system included Bluetooth connectivity, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and HondaLink connected services. Two USB-C ports and an eight-speaker audio system were standard. While SiriusXM satellite radio was not included, streaming services like Pandora worked seamlessly via Apple CarPlay. The physical controls for the stereo were a delight, though the function control knob was misleading.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 in Canada came with standard safety features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The GS trim added forward automatic emergency braking, automatic cruise control, pedestrian and cyclist detection, automatic high beams, lane-departure warning, and rain-sensing windshield wipers. The GT grade included adaptive headlights, traffic-sign recognition, traffic jam assist, and a 360-degree parking camera system. The Mazda3 received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and five stars from the NHTSA.

The 2023 Honda Accord featured Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control, traffic-jam assist, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centring assist. The Accord also had a reversing camera, automatic high-beam headlights, traffic sign recognition, a driver monitoring system, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Accord earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.