The Mazda3 and the Toyota Corolla are both compact cars available as a sedan or a hatchback, but the Mazda 3 stands out with its more upscale interior, sporty handling, and option for all-wheel drive. If you take a look at the features and equipment for each vehicle, the 2022 Mazda 3 is real competition for the Corolla.
The Power
Both the Corolla and the Mazda 3 offer a choice of engines, but no matter which one you choose, the Mazda has more power. The base engine for the Mazda 3 is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 155 horsepower, and it offers an optional 2.5-liter four-cylinder and a new 2.5-liter turbo four-cylinder. Base power for the Corolla is a 1.8-liter four-cylinder with 139 horsepower, and you can opt for a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that gets you 168 horsepower.
Along with the extra power, the Mazda 3 is fun to drive. Even the base engine will propel up to 60 mph in just over 7 seconds, and the turbo will get you there in 5.6 seconds.
The Interior
Take a look inside these two cars, and you’ll find a premium feel inside the Mazda and more space in the cabin than you get with the Corolla. Both have room for five, but rear-seat passengers in the Mazda will appreciate the extra legroom. The Mazda 3 has high-quality cloth upholstery in the base trim, with synthetic leather or genuine leather in the higher-end models. These higher trims also offer a heated steering wheel, driver’s seat memory settings, and a heated steering wheel. The Corolla also starts with cloth upholstery, and the top-level trims come with synthetic leather. Heated front seats are available depending on the trim and you can get a power-adjustable driver’s seat.
The Technology
Whether you need a car to commute to and from work or something to run around town, the tech features are important for your ride. The Mazda 3 comes standard with an 8.8-inch infotainment screen, two USB ports, and Bluetooth. Stepping up to the S trim gets you Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and another step up adds a 12-speaker Bose stereo system and a larger display with a touch screen.
Choose the base Toyota Corolla, and you’ll get a 7-inch touch screen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and satellite radio.
The Safety Features
Both the Mazda 3 and the Corolla come well-equipped with advanced safety features, but again, the Mazda 3 has a slight edge because it offers rear parking assistance and a drowsy driver monitor. Whether you have the Mazda or the Corolla, it comes with forwarding collision warning, automatic braking, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beam headlights, and lane-keep assist. A blind-spot monitor is available if you step up from the base trim for both models, and these also offer rear cross-traffic alerts. The 2022 Mazda 3 is quick, fun to drive, and has an upscale cabin. These features make it stand out in a head-to-head competition against the 2022 Corolla.
Whichever sedan you choose you won’t be disappointed, and if you’re interested in saving even more you could always search for a used Mazda3 or a used Toyota Corolla!
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