2021 Toyota Corolla vs 2021 Mazda 3: Comparison Review

One thing that is common in both the cars to start with, both of these models boast a diverse lineup for their customers. The 2021 Toyota Corolla and 2021 Mazda 3 are two cars that are in the market to offer a broad appeal and it would certainly be interesting to compare these two sedans. Both these cars offer sedan or hatchback body styles, both of them have compact dimensions and both of these cars offer quite similar engines.

The Corolla is focused more on the value-seeking segment of the market, but it has more to offer than just that. There is a Corolla for nearly everyone as the model has a sprawling line-up which not just contains several sporty variants but even a fuel-sipping hybrid. The Mazda 3 on the other hand is aimed towards the premium segment of customers, especially true when you look at the higher end of the trim line-up. You have a greater variety of engines on offer, along with available all-wheel-drive.

The Mazda3 is the better one to drive

The Corolla is easily the underwhelming one to drive as the people who generally buy the car are usually the ones aiming frugality and economy. Under the hood of the base Corolla is a 1.8-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine which develops a healthy enough 139 hp and 123 lb-ft of torque. The underwhelming acceleration will take you to 60 in 8.8 seconds, this is bad news for the highways as you will need to floor the pedal to make passes. The Corolla XSE aims to be a sporty trim level but it is not as sporty as it sounds. The car leans noticeably in corners and the tires don’t offer that much grip. The car is excellent in day-to-day driving situations however, the CVT gearbox is unobtrusive.

The Mazda has a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine under the hood, putting out 155 hp and 150 lb-ft of torque. Yes, the standard engine is more powerful than that in the Corolla, both the engines however are relatively weak. The car stands strong on the company’s priority on having great driving characteristics. Even when the roads quit being straight, the 3 handles comfortably and confidently. The changes in direction are balanced and controlled complemented by the steering which is precise and quick. The power delivery is smooth, but the meat of the powerband lies in the middle, which means passing vehicles is no issue. If you are not impressed yet, opt for the optional turbocharged 2.5-liter engine, this fits in the hatchback and only takes 6.1 seconds to reach 60 mph. it is as thrusty as it is refined.

The Corolla’s interior looks and feels cheaper

The engineer at Toyota wanted to make the interiors simple and easy-to-use, which is why all the controls and dials are logically and rather simply placed. The console does not look all that cluttered as the number of buttons is just right. The infotainment Toyota puts in their car never ins anyone over, but the one in the Corolla is improved than before. One thing which it is not is visually appealing, but you get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard now.

Things over at Mazda aren’t exactly cutting edge as well, it lacks touchscreen functionality. The single knob controller provided, however, is intuitive; the controller-based interface is also quite nice and nothing is complicated in this car. The learning curve with the infotainment system also is not that long, most of the functions require just a glance to understand. The 8.8-inch infotainment screen is impressively vibrant, equally impressive is the audio system. The single-knob controller makes things easier, but you still will feel limited without touchscreen functionality.

The Corolla is a little better when it comes to comfort

Doesn’t matter if you are tall or small, you have a wide range of adjustments and you can find your preferred position easily. The front seats are comfortable, the cloth seats should be preferred over the simulated leather if it gets hot where you live. The ride quality is quite smooth over a variety of surfaces, but road noise is present all the time; it gets unbearably lof on the highway.

The 3 tries its best to deliver than sporty premium experience without coming shortly on comfort. One huge advantage it has over the Corolla is that it is quite on the highways. The front seats are supportive but not perfect. The air-conditioner also is not sufficiently powerful, and the head restraint is more obtrusive than one would like. The well-controlled suspension limits the body roll but also makes the ride a bit stiff. Still, the bumps and pavement irregularities get absorbed sufficiently well.

You have to spend more on the Mazda3

Yes, the Mazda 3 has some clear advantages over the Corolla, but it also costs more than the latter, and in this segment that a drawback. The base Corolla starts at $19,925 and the top trim without accessories costs $28,915. In contrast, the Mazda 3 starts at $20,500 and tops out just under $30,000, opt for the all-wheel-drive and the sticker price reads $31,000.

Get the 2021 Toyota Corolla if…

• Do want value, that means fuel economy and sticker price

• Do want expansive trim options, including a hybrid

• Do want user-friendly technology

• Do want composed ride quality

• Do want strong resale value

• Do want Toyota’s reliability

• Do not want Mazda’s tight rear space

Get the 2021 Mazda 3 if…

• Do want an engaging drive, including the powerful turbo engine and AWD options

• Do want upscale and rich interiors

• Do not want the Corolla’s lackluster performance

The things the Mazda 3 does well, it does it enviably better than the Corolla, like the excitement behind the wheel and premium interiors. The Corolla is more of a package that does great overall but not necessarily anything better than the Mazda, except the fuel economy of course. The Mazda 3 should be the choice if all you want is the best, and you don’t mind paying extra for it.