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The Mazda 3 vs the Toyota Corolla
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While many other manufacturers are dropping their sedans and hatchbacks, the 2020 Mazda 3 and the Toyota Corolla Hatchback continue to stand out as two of the best five-doors out there.
At first glance, the competition is tough. They’re both really good cars and are amazing in their own right. The Mazda 3 has great style, a luxurious cabin, and it feels great to drive. The Toyota Corolla is simply a seriously good hatchback delivering efficiency and comfort at a good price.
Let’s take a closer look at five aspects every driver should consider when choosing their next car.
Pricing
The Mazda 3 is priced at $25,200 to start, with the top-range 3 X20 Astina M Hybrid going for up to $41,590. There are various add-ons and features you might want to consider depending on your needs, preferences, and budget. You might want a better engine, some dealer accessories, or a premium paint job.
The Toyota Corolla starts at $20,000 for the base Corolla hatch while the XSE starts at a reasonable $23,000. You can customise your Corolla for an additional few thousand dollars and still have a price-efficient vehicle that does the job.
Power
The Mazda 3’s front-wheel-drive offers the lightweight agility you would need for city driving and beyond. While it costs $1,400 extra, it provides a superb advantage over the two-wheel Corolla.
The Mazda 3 feels great to drive. Its four-cylinder engine has plenty of low-end torque, giving it plenty of power off the line. With its well-weighted steering and responsive suspension, it can corner really well and is a fun drive overall.
The Corolla hatch doesn’t have the same control as the Mazda 3. Its variable transmission is a bit laggy and the steering can be a bit too light, but it’s helpful if you need to steer quickly. It’s a nice drive, but nothing quite compares to Mazda, with their core philosophy of cars that are simply fun to drive.
Fuel Economy
With the right specs, the Toyota Corolla Hatchback can run as one of the most fuel-efficient cars in its class. You get 9.5 litres per 100 kilometres on city driving, 7.4 on the highway, and 8.5 combined for the front-drive XSE. The base Corolla Hatchback SE gets you 7.8 litres per 100 kilometres, which is a bit more economical than 9.5 on the front-wheel-drive Mazda 3. That’s a small difference. If you want a more powerful feel on the road, the Mazda 3 is still worth that extra fuel budget. With a much better engine, the Mazda 3 still offers better value for your money.
Safety
Every Mazda 3 now comes with one of the most advanced safety features in its class. You get active safety features such as adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, automatic emergency braking, automatic high-beam assist, lane-departure warning, and lane-keep assist.
These features are useful in a variety of situations and can make driving in traffic much more tolerable. If there’s one thing that can be improved, it’s that the backup camera should take up the full screen when used.
The Toyota Corolla Hatchback also comes with a long list of standard safety features through the Toyota Safety Sense 2.0. This includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, road-sign recognition, lane-departure warning with steering assist, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, and automatic high-beam assist.
The two vehicles are on-par when it comes to safety, but be warned that the Corolla XSE loses adaptive cruise control with full stop-and-go functionality and shuts off at speeds under 50kph.
Reliability
The Mazda 3 is regarded as the choice long-term vehicle and the Toyota Corolla Hatchback is a classic for good reasons. The two vehicles are an attractive option to both new and used car buyers because virtually nothing goes wrong with them mechanically.
Repair costs and insurance premiums are lower for the Toyota Corolla while Mazda recommends servicing every 6 months, with an average annual repair cost of $433. Mazda’s wheels are generally performance-oriented, which can make them expensive to replace although you won’t have to do so often.
The Mazda has an extremely reliable engine with good power and torque outputs. It’s also known for its stylish body and interior, making it a great long-term investment. If you look at people who own a Mazda, they tend to keep their vehicles for a long time and even pass them down to family members.
The Mazda 3 is a top choice for its satisfying drive and amazing design while the Toyota Corolla is an efficient car that does its job. We hope this guide helped you choose the right one for you!