Compare the2022 Toyota Corolla Hatchback VS 2021 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.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Toyota Corolla Hatchback is safer than the Mazda 3:

	Corolla Hatchback	Mazda 3
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	27%	30%
Neck Stress	165 lbs.	191 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH, results indicate that the Toyota Corolla Hatchback is safer than the Mazda 3:

	Corolla Hatchback	Mazda 3
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	92	112
Chest Movement	.9 inches	.9 inches
Abdominal Force	129 G’s	238 G’s
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	137	371
Spine Acceleration	43 G’s	71 G’s
Hip Force	367 lbs.	620 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

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.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2020 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 19th in initial quality. With 7 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is ranked 22nd.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 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 fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 23 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is ranked 14th.

The Corolla Hatchback’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 13 more horsepower (168 vs. 155) and 1 lbs.-ft. more torque (151 vs. 150) than the Mazda 3’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Toyota Corolla Hatchback is faster than the Mazda 3 4 cyl. (manual transmissions tested):

	Corolla Hatchback	3
Zero to 60 MPH	7.3 sec	7.4 sec

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Toyota Corolla Hatchback uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Mazda 3 with the 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder engine requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

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:

	Corolla Hatchback	3
Front Rotors	11.5 inches	11.02 inches
Rear Rotors	10.5 inches	10.43 inches

The Corolla Hatchback stops shorter than the Mazda 3:

	Corolla Hatchback	Mazda 3
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	133 feet	134 feet	Consumer Reports

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 2.0/2.5 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/Turbo’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 XSE handles at .85 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 XSE executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.2 seconds quicker than the Mazda 3 Premium Sedan AWD (26.9 seconds @ .63 average G’s vs. 28.1 seconds @ .58 average G’s).

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, .4 inches more rear headroom and 1 inch more rear shoulder room than the Mazda 3 Sedan.

The Corolla Hatchback has a much larger trunk than the Mazda 3 Sedan (17.8 vs. 13.2 cubic feet).

To allow full utilization of available cargo room, the Corolla Hatchback’s hatch uses gas strut supported hinges that don’t intrude into the cargo area. The Mazda 3’s useful trunk space is reduced by its intrusive beam hinge (except wagon).

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. (This window function must be activated by your Toyota service department.) 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. Mazda only offers heated mirrors on the Mazda 3 Turbo.

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.

The Toyota Corolla comes in sedan, four door hatchback and four door bodystyles; the Mazda 3 isn’t available as a wagon.

The Corolla Hatchback will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Corolla Hatchback will retain 52.84% to 53.96% of its original price after five years, while the Mazda 3 only retains 48.77% to 50.39%.

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.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Toyota Corolla Hatchback will be $1778 to $4919 less than for the Mazda 3.