Toyota Corolla Hatchback VS Mazda 3 Hatchback full comparison

The Toyota Corolla Hatchback and the Mazda 3 Hatchback are excellent picks if you are looking for a budget-friendly hatchback. Picking between one of the two can be tough since each wins in its own way.

This comparison guide of the two cars will assist you in making the right choice, we will compare the exterior, interior, and engine specifications of the Corolla hatchback and Mazda 3 hatchback head to head. By the end, you will understand the winning points of each vehicle and the drawbacks of each and hence make the right choice with consideration to your preferences.

The Toyota Corolla hatchback comes in two trims, the base trim being the SE and XSE being the highest trim level. For the Mazda 3 hatchback, there are different trim levels to pick from. This includes 2.5 S SELECT SPORT, 2.5 S PREFERRED, 2.5 S CARBON EDITION, 2.5 S PREMIUM, and the 2.5 TURBO PREMIUM PLUS.

1. Mazda 3 hatchback VS Toyota Corolla exterior

While both cars have a hatchback body, their appearance is different and one can easily tell apart one from the other. On the front side, the Mazda 3 looks flat with a noticeable big grill and the Mazda logo, on the other hand, the Corolla hatchback has a more sharp looking front. The rear of the Mazda 3 is shorter compared to that of the Toyota Corolla.

In general, the 2023 Toyota Corolla has a Sporty look while the 2023 Mazda 3 gives a premium and elegant look.

Below is a head to head comparison of the two cars exterior specifications:

Both are 5-door hatchback cars with the tailgate included
On both cars, the entry level trims have 16 inch alloy rims and all other trims come with 18 inch alloy wheels
For the Toyota Corolla, you can get a spoiler and black roof at an extra cost, this option is not available on the Mazda 3
2023 Mazda 3 has a sunroof on higher trims while all trims of the Toyota Corolla do not have a Sunroof option
Adaptive headlights are available on both vehicles
Mazda 3 has a ground clearance of up to 5.9 inches while the Toyota Corolla hatchback is around 5.1 inches

2. Toyota Corolla hatchback vs Mazda 3 hatchback interior

The interior of the two cars is not expensive, the Mazda 3 however has soft finishes all over making it fell more premium compared to the Toyota Corolla hatchback which have inexpensive plastics and some soft finishes hear and there.

Both cars have adequate space but not that great, this makes them less comfortable for long-distance travel especially on the rear low of seats.

Here is how the interior of the Mazda 3 compares to that of the Corolla hatchback:

The Mazda 3 has a trunk size of 20.1 cubic feet which is bigger than that of the Corolla hatchback which 17.8 cubic feet
The front seats on both cars have adequate legroom on both vehicles and are adjustable
The rear seats on the Mazda 3 are tight compared to the Toyota Corolla, that being said, the space is okay on both cars for medium-sized adults
Getting in and out of the Corolla hatchback rear seats is quite a job since the doors are low and narrow compared to the wide doors of the Mazda 3
Once inside the two vehicles, you will enjoy a better exterior view in the Corolla since it comes with big windows, the Mazda 3 on the other hand has small windows
Heated seats are available on higher trims on both vehicles
You get a center armrest on both the Corolla hatchback and the Mazda 3 at the rear row of sears
Headroom is okay on this to vehicles
Both vehicles have a semi-digital driver display clock
The infotainment system on the Mazda 3 is 8.8 inches in size while that of the Corolla hatchback is 8 inches
On Mazda 3, the infotainment system navigation is through a dial knob. The Corolla hatchback has a touch display infotainment system
Both vehicles come with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
Most Mazda 3 trims will come with the Bose music system which is better compared to the the JBL music system that is only available on the highest trim of the Corolla hatchback

Check, Toyota Auris VS Mazda Axela full comparison.

3. Toyota Corolla VS Mazda 3 engine features

When it comes to the engine, these two vehicles come with completely different engine options giving a driving experience that is miles apart as we will see later below.

Here is a comparison of the engine specifications:

The Toyota Corolla comes with one engine option, that is the 2.0L engine. For the Mazda 3, you can go for the naturally aspirated 2.5L or the turbocharged option
Toyota Corolla hatchback gives around 169hp while the power figures for the Mazda 3 ranges between 191hp to 227hp depending on the engine you go for
Torque figures of the Mazda 3 are 186 lb-ft to 310 lb-ft. The Toyota Corolla hatchback 2.0L gives a torque of 151lb-ft
Corolla hatchback comes as a FWD, for the Mazda 3, you can choose between an AWD and a FWD
The 2023 Corolla hatchback has a CVT transmission system, for models below 2023, manual transmission options are available. The Mazda 3 on the other hand comes with 6 speed automatic transmission, manual transmission options are available on entry grades
The consumption of the Mazda 3 ranges from 26 MPG to 35 MPG, that of the Toyota Corolla hatchback is between 30 MPG to 35 MPG

4. Toyota Corolla hatchback vs Mazda 3 hatchback driving experience

The Corolla hatchback with CVT will give you a smooth driving experience that is not engaging and no much driving fun. If you prefer a vehicle that is fun to drive and more engaging, the Mazda 3 with its 6 speed transmission will give you this.

The Toyota Corolla hatchback has Independent rear suspension while the Mazda 3 comes with Torsion beam rear suspension. What this means is that the Mazda 3 is less comfortable compared to the Corolla hatchback especially on bumpy rides.

The Mazda 3 has better handling, lower body roll, and a great responsive steering, the Corolla steering on the other hand feels light. Both vehicles have cabin noise but it is less on the Corolla hatchback.

5. Mazda 3 and Corolla hatchback safety tech compared

Both the Mazda 3 and the Corolla hatchback come with modern technology safety and driver assist features. Below is a look at what you get from the safety tech pack on the two cars.

The Corolla hatchback comes with the latest Toyota Safety Sense, which includes; Cruise control, Autonomous braking, Active lane centering, Lane keep assist, Cross traffic alerts, Pedestrian detection and Blind spot monitoring on highest trims.

On the Mazda 3, you get the Mazda ACTIVSENSE, this tech comes packed with some tech which includes; Blind spot monitoring, Adaptive cruise control, Autonomous braking, and Active lane centering on higher trims.

6. Reliability of the Mazda 3 and Corolla hatchback compared

The Corolla hatchback is a reliable car and only slight issues have been reported by previous owners such rough shift of the CVT. The Mazda 3 also matches the reliability of the Corolla with minimal issues reported by drivers such as AC problem and turbo engine oil consumption.

7. Toyota Corolla hatchback vs Mazda 3 hatchback price

The starting price of the Mazda 3 is $25,690 while that of the Toyota Corolla hatchback is $23,355. Clearly the Corolla hatchback comes at a slightly lower price. The price will however change depending the trim level you go for. The above listed prices are also the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price which means the price will be different from different dealerships.

Conclusion

Both the Mazda 3 and the Toyota Corolla compte closely, there are however slight differences that tell them apart, if you want a sporty looking hatchback with a smooth drive, the Corolla hatchback will be the right pick. For those looking for a fun to drive vehicle that have a premium exterior and interior feel, the Mazda 3 will be a good choice.