2021 Toyota Corolla Hatchback vs. 2020 Mazda 3

The Corolla Hatchback has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Mazda 3 doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Both the Corolla Hatchback and the Mazda 3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Corolla Hatchback for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Mazda doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the 3.

There are over 2 times as many Toyota dealers as there are Mazda dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Corolla Hatchback’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Corolla Hatchback’s reliability 54 points higher than the Mazda 3.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2019 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are better in initial quality than Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota 8th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 4 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is ranked 12th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2019 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota second in reliability, above the industry average. With 51 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is ranked 21st.

On the EPA test cycle the Corolla Hatchback gets better fuel mileage than the Mazda3 Hatchback:

On the EPA test cycle the Corolla Hatchback gets better fuel mileage than the Mazda3 Sedan:

The Corolla Hatchback offers an optional continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Mazda 3 doesn’t offer a CVT.

For better stopping power the Corolla Hatchback’s standard brake rotors are larger than those on the Mazda 3:

The Corolla Hatchback stops shorter than the Mazda 3:

For better traction, the Corolla Hatchback’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Mazda 3 (225/40R18 vs. 215/45R18).

The Corolla Hatchback SE’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Mazda 3 Sedan’s standard 60 series tires. The Corolla Hatchback’s optional tires have a lower 40 series profile than the Mazda 3 Hatchback/Select/Preferred/Premium’s 45 series tires.

For superior ride and handling, the Toyota Corolla Hatchback has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Mazda 3 has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The Corolla Hatchback has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Mazda 3 doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

The Corolla Hatchback’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (59.4% to 40.6%) than the Mazda 3’s (60.8% to 39.2%). This gives the Corolla Hatchback more stable handling and braking.

The Corolla Hatchback SE handles at .80 G’s, while the Mazda 3 Premium Sedan AWD pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Corolla Hatchback is 3.6 inches shorter than the Mazda 3 Sedan, making the Corolla Hatchback easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

As tested by Car and Driver while at idle, the interior of the Corolla Hatchback XSE is quieter than the Mazda 3 Premium Hatchback (39 vs. 40 dB).

The Corolla Hatchback has .4 inches more front headroom, .3 inches more rear headroom and 1 inch more rear shoulder room than the Mazda 3 Sedan.

The power windows standard on both the Corolla Hatchback and the Mazda 3 have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Corolla Hatchback is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Mazda 3 prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

If the windows are left open on the Corolla Hatchback the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (Your Toyota service department must activate this window function.) The driver of the Mazda 3 can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

Consumer Reports rated the Corolla Hatchback’s headlight performance “Fair,” a higher rating than the Mazda 3’s headlights, which were rated “Poor.”

The Corolla Hatchback’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. The Mazda 3 doesn’t offer heated side mirrors.

Both the Corolla Hatchback and the Mazda 3 offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Corolla Hatchback XSE has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Mazda 3 doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Corolla Hatchback is less expensive to operate than the Mazda 3 because it costs $282 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost less on the Corolla Hatchback than the Mazda 3, including $34 less for a water pump, $46 less for a muffler, $24 less for front brake pads, $157 less for a fuel pump and $193 less for a power steering pump.

Both are recommended, but Consumer Reports® chose the Toyota Corolla Hatchback as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Toyota Corolla outsold the Mazda 3 by over six to one during 2019.