2023 Mazda MAZDA3 vs 2024 Honda Civic Hatchback

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 was a striking vehicle with its rakish headlights and large, menacing grille. Available in both sedan and hatchback body styles, the sedan had more conventional proportions, while the hatchback boasted a daring and futuristic design. The rear angles of the hatchback curved up around the rear window and doors, creating a clean and forward-thinking aesthetic. Inside, the cabin continued this theme of clean futurism, with a simple yet elegant 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 2024 Honda Civic Hatchback had a design that varied in appeal depending on the angle, lighting, and colour. Our test car, in Sport Touring trim with 18-inch alloy wheels and Boost Blue paint, mostly impressed us. The rear end was a bit stubby, but overall, the styling was agreeable. The Sport Touring trim sat atop the Civic Hatchback lineup in Canada, offering quality materials, elegant detailing, and a good amount of technology. The dashboard featured metal honeycomb mesh, and the controls had knurled knobs, adding to the car's sophisticated feel. The Civic Sport Touring trim justified its higher price with these quality touches and a comfortable, supportive driving experience.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 offered a range of engine options in Canada. The base engine was a Skyactiv-G 2.0-litre four-cylinder with 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, producing 191 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. Our test model featured the turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 227 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque on regular fuel, or 250 hp and 320 lb-ft with premium fuel. The driving experience was engaging, with well-weighted steering and a performance-oriented feel. The turbo engine provided moderate acceleration off the line but shone in second gear, especially in Sport mode. The handling was precise and refined, offering a balance of agility and comfort.

The 2024 Honda Civic Hatchback in Canada came with a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 180 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque. The Sport Touring trim offered a choice between a six-speed manual and a CVT with paddle shifters and a Sport driving mode. Our test car had the CVT, which, despite some high-rpm groaning, made good use of the engine's torque. The Civic Sport Touring felt light and lively, providing a fun driving experience. It was enjoyable for daily commutes, errands, and twisty roads. However, the cabin was noisy on the highway, and the CVT's fuel efficiency was slightly lower than the manual transmission. Overall, the Civic Hatchback offered a sporty alternative to the sedan, with a focus on driving enjoyment.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 sedan offered 374 litres of cargo space, which was small compared to other compact sedans. The hatchback provided 569 litres, which, while not as spacious as many small SUVs, was still usable. However, the rear seating area was cramped, with limited legroom and headroom due to the sloping roofline. The front seating area had a decent centre console compartment, though the lid was frustrating to use. The ergonomics were helpful, and the cupholders were sizable.

The 2024 Honda Civic Hatchback, whether in Sport or Sport Touring trim, offered appealing features. Standard equipment included dual-zone automatic climate control, heated exterior mirrors, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a power sunroof. The Sport Touring trim added leather upholstery and an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat. The rear seat was roomy enough for two adults or three kids, with good support and quick-charge USB ports. However, there were no air conditioning vents in the rear. The cargo space behind the back seat was 693 litres, significantly more than the Civic Sedan's trunk, and likely doubled with the rear seat folded down.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 came with 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 car included two USB ports, HD radio, Bluetooth connectivity, and voice control. Our test model had upgrades like navigation, satellite radio, and a 12-speaker Bose premium stereo system, which offered great sound quality.

The 2024 Honda Civic Hatchback in Sport trim had a 7-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which were basic compared to rivals. The Sport Touring trim, however, featured a 10.2-inch digital instrumentation display and a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, adding sophistication to the cabin. The upgraded system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, HD Radio, a navigation system, and wireless smartphone charging. The 12-speaker Bose premium sound system was standard with Sport Touring trim, and the infotainment system was easy to use, with responsive voice recognition.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 in Canada came with standard safety features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The GS trim added features such as 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. However, the massive C-pillar created a significant blind spot, and the infotainment system's layout posed a distraction. The Mazda3 received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and five stars from the NHTSA.

The 2024 Honda Civic Hatchback was equipped with Honda Sensing, a package of advanced driving assistance systems. This included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, traffic jam assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and traffic sign recognition. Blind-spot monitoring was standard, but rear cross-traffic alert and parking sensors were exclusive to the Sport Touring trim. The Honda Sensing technology was refined and accurate, though the adaptive cruise control was slow to respond, and there were occasional issues with emergency braking. The Civic Hatchback received Good ratings from the IIHS, with an Acceptable rating in a new side-impact test, and five stars from the NHTSA.