In the modern market, C-class cars are the most competitive. And this is not without reason, because these machines can indeed be called quite affordable, but at the same time they usually have a quite good set of functions. Buying a model of the newest generation is quite problematic for many due to the fact that new cars, as a rule, are more expensive than their predecessors.
Among all its competitors, two good Japanese cars stand out - Mazda 3 and Toyota Corolla. Being representatives of the C-class sedans, they are direct competitors. Very often the question arises, which of these cars should be preferred?
For comparison, it is worth choosing models with the same configuration, with a 1.6 liter engine and automatic transmission: the second generation Mazda 3 BL built in 2012, as well as the tenth generation Toyota Corolla E140 of about the same age. These two models are now at the peak of popularity, despite the fact that newer versions have already been created and are successfully sold.
Cars can be evaluated according to several criteria: appearance, interior design and comfort, engine, as well as driving performance.
Ride quality of competitors
It’s not interesting to compare which car is more beautiful than the Toyota Corolla or Mazda 3. All opinions are subjective, and the difference becomes more blurred with each generation. Therefore, let's move straight to the driving performance.
Mazda has always relied on sporty dynamics. But the time of two-liter engines for Mazda 3 is gone. Mazda 3 or Toyota Corolla drives well, which is better? The latest Mazda 3 with a one and a half liter engine has 120 horsepower. The car accelerates well and corners at high speed. When starting from a traffic light, Mazda wins a fraction of a second. But, as soon as the revolutions approach 4000, the control unit limits the fuel supply in favor of environmental standards, thereby worsening the dynamics. And even a 6-speed classic automatic doesn’t save the situation.
A Corolla with a 1.6 liter engine of 122 hp, equipped with a continuously variable transmission, feels more harmonious. Toyota engineers went towards environmental friendliness and efficiency through new technologies and changes in electronic settings, without using mechanical and electronic dampers. As a result, the Corolla, losing at the beginning, later outperforms the Mazda 3 both in urban conditions and on the highway.
To improve handling, the Mazda suspension is quite stiff, but on rough roads this has a downside in the form of deterioration in comfort. Toyota moves more smoothly on Russian roads. The handling of cars varies at the level of nuances. Average gasoline consumption is almost the same among competitors and depends rather on the style of movement.
Objects of Worship - Comparative Test of Mazda 3 and Toyota Corolla
Despite the relatively low price of such cars, for their owners they are real objects of worship - large-scale fan clubs are created on the Internet and in the real world, active debates are held, which sometimes go too far.
Admirers of the Mazda 3 are especially ferocious - thanks to the driving image of this model, it is not the most calm drivers who buy it. But the Toyota Corolla, on the contrary, is more attractive to successful people who strive to give themselves a respectable image.
Judging by the number of fans, it is impossible to immediately say which car is better in all respects - Mazda 3 or Toyota Corolla. To find out for sure, it is necessary to conduct a comprehensive comparison test.
Mazda 3 and Toyota Corolla - both cars boast positive features
Designer delights
They greet you by their clothes...
Even when the first-generation Mazda 3 and Mazda 6 cars went on sale, dealers said that they were selling themselves - the buyer only had to look at the exterior of the car to go to the cashier or bank to apply for a loan. The situation has not changed - the new Mazda corporate style of the compact model 3 is even more suitable than the older 6.
The front of the car has become aggressive - the headlights, tilted towards the center, are equipped with optics with clearly visible lenses, which gives the Mazda 3 a truly unforgettable look in the spirit of the best sports cars of our time.
The Mazda 3 radiator grille, the fog lights placed in shallow recesses, and even the ventilation hole in the lower part of the front bumper are striking.
Show the roofline of the Mazda 3 to experienced motorists and clarify what type of body we are talking about - 90% will answer that there is a coupe in front of them! Despite the formal preservation of the three-volume layout, the car's cabin is strongly moved back, as a result of which the hood acquires enormous dimensions, and the trunk is almost lost against the background of the rest of the vehicle elements. Looking at the rear of the Mazda 3, you can again make the assumption that it is a coupe body - or, at least, a liftback. However, the latter is relevant for the “big sister” Mazda 3, while the sloping rear window in this case belongs to the sedan. By the way, when viewed from the rear “half-turned”, Mazda 3 reveals its beauty in all details - appreciate how well each bend of the smooth non-linear sides of the car is worked out.
Previously, when arguing about who is better - Toyota Corolla or Mazda 3, Toyota supporters always remained silent when it came to appearance.
However, now the manufacturer has given them a great gift - the eleventh generation car looks just great! The beauty of the Corolla is not the same as that of the Mazda - the appearance shows the desire of the small Toyota sedan more for the business class than for sports cars.
The front part looks especially good, in which a wide radiator grille clearly stands out, the side parts of which merge with the headlights, continuing in narrow stripes of LED daytime lights.
And the Toyota Corolla headlights themselves, which have complex shapes that look like a masterfully cut gem, also invariably attract the attention of neighbors in city traffic.
Unlike Mazda designers, the specialists who worked on the body of the Toyota Corolla did not play with shifting the interior back - the cabin is located exactly in the center, as a result of which the car looks quite solid and respectable, and also seems larger than it actually is when viewed on the side.
The smooth lines characteristic of the tenth generation are completely a thing of the past - the Corolla shines in the sun with its multifaceted planes, which makes it stand out among the rounded cars that make up the majority in this price category. From behind, Toyota looks no less respectable.
Large headlights, occupying a significant part of the plane of the wings, are connected to each other by a silver chrome bridge, adding visual richness to the design of the car.
It is worth noting the Toyota Corolla bumpers, which have smooth surfaces and considerable dimensions, which allows you to get the last straw that was missing to recognize the appearance of the car as solid and upscale.
Same approach to the interior
If you carefully examine both cars from the inside, then Toyota fans involved in the debate about which is better - Mazda 3 or Corolla, will have a new argument in favor of the object of their adoration.
Previously influenced by “sporting values,” the interior of the Mazda 3, after a change of generations, was transformed and became incredibly similar... to the interior of a Toyota Corolla! The center console became almost vertical and lost the multimedia system monitor, which moved to the top of the front panel, becoming like a large smartphone alien to the car interior. But on the tunnel there is now a rotary controller, similar to a similar part of the interior of BMW cars, and the front panel has received a silver plastic insert that plays the role of decoration. The only reminders of the former design are the steering wheel and the instrument cluster, in which each dial is hidden under a large visor.
It cannot be said that the Toyota Corolla is much superior to the Mazda 3 in terms of ease of use of the main controls and the aesthetics of the interior design, but Toyota specialists clearly managed to give the interior a laconic beauty, which is a real decoration of this vehicle.
The center console, as such, is almost absent - its place is taken by a small section under the front panel, on which the climate control unit is located.
But the Toyota Corolla multimedia monitor is raised higher and built into the middle part of the front panel, surrounded by control buttons and air deflectors - unlike the “smartphone” in the Mazda 3 , this solution looks quite harmonious.
The instruments of the Toyota Corolla are very beautiful thanks to the soft bluish backlight and detailed scales, but the steering wheel looks rustic for a car in this price category. A nice decoration is also the silver stripe that runs along the entire front panel of the Corolla, covering the air vents and instruments.
Capacity
Another disappointment may befall fans of the sporty image of cars when comparing the Toyota Corolla against the Mazda 3.
A sedan is often purchased for family trips with a lot of luggage - and in the Mazda 3 you have to be content with a cargo compartment with a volume of 400 liters, which has strongly protruding wheel arches.
There can be no talk of spaciousness on the back seat - there is much less legroom than in all other cars of similar dimensions, which is the negative side of the cabin set back.
In addition, the sloping roof of the Mazda 3 greatly reduces the headroom, so only children, teenagers and short people will be comfortable in the back. But the comfort of the front seats is at a high level thanks to an ideal profile, good lateral support and a wide range of seat position adjustments.
Taking a closer look at the Toyota Corolla, you will notice that the car's trunk has almost 60 liters more space than its competitor - which means you can load another travel bag into it, which can be important on a long journey.
Engine
Let's take a closer look at the comparison of Toyota Corolla and Mazda 3 in technical equipment.
The Corolla 1.6 1ZR FE VVT-i power unit is the most popular, created using advanced technologies. Engine power - 122 hp. at 6000 rpm. Torque - 157 N*m at 5200 rpm.
Engine Mazda 3 SKYACTYV-G 1.5 is a modern engine with a high compression ratio and innovative developments. The engine produces 120 horsepower at 6000 rpm, and peak torque is 150 Nm at 4000 rpm.
Both engines consume exclusively 95-octane gasoline.
Incendiary dynamics?
Car engines
The previous Mazda 3 was famous for its excellent dynamic parameters, which allowed it to easily pull ahead from traffic lights and get ahead of other city traffic participants. However, such fame accompanied mainly cars with a two-liter engine, while for comparison Toyota Corolla vs. Mazda 3 was chosen as a car with the latest SKYACTIV-G power unit with a volume of 1.5 liters. At first, the engine shows its best side - its elements are fast starts, active maneuvers and “traffic light races”. However, as soon as the tachometer needle crosses the threshold of 3500 rpm, the electronics begin to limit the fuel supply, significantly worsening the dynamics to improve efficiency and reduce the damage caused by exhaust to the environment. As a result, even with a traditional six-speed automatic transmission, the Mazda 3 loses to its competitor - and if you try to press the gas pedal to the floor, you will only achieve an increase in fuel consumption to 12-13 liters per 100 km without a significant increase in dynamics.
Specifications
| Car model: | Mazda 3 | Toyota Corolla |
| Manufacturer country: | Japan | Japan (Assembly - Türkiye) |
| Body type: | Sedan | Sedan |
| Number of places: | 5 | 5 |
| Number of doors: | 4 | 4 |
| Engine capacity, cubic meters cm: | 1500 | 1598 |
| Power, l. s./about. min: | 120/6000 | 122/6000 |
| Maximum speed, km/h: | 191 | 195 |
| Acceleration to 100 km/h, s: | 11,6 | 10,5 |
| Type of drive: | Front | Front |
| Checkpoint: | 6 automatic transmission | Variable speed drive |
| Fuel type: | Gasoline AI-95 | Gasoline AI-95 |
| Consumption per 100 km: | In the city 8.5 / Outside the city 5.2 | In the city 8.2 / Outside the city 5.3 |
| Length, mm: | 4585 | 4620 |
| Width, mm: | 1795 | 1775 |
| Height, mm: | 1450 | 1465 |
| Ground clearance, mm: | 150 | 150 |
| Tire size: | 205/60 R16 | 195/65 R15 |
| Curb weight, kg: | 1270 | 1290 |
| Total weight, kg: | 1835 | 1760 |
| Fuel tank volume: | 51 | 55 |
At first, it’s even surprising that the Toyota Corolla, equipped with a continuously variable transmission, is perceived as a more harmonious car. However, then you realize that Toyota engineers have done a tremendous amount of work to give the car ideal parameters. The notorious efficiency and environmental safety are achieved through fine-tuning electronics and the use of new technologies, and not through the operation of mechanical and electronic dampers. As a result, Toyota Corolla confidently outperforms Mazda both in the city and on the highway, losing slightly only in the first seconds of the competition.
Chassis
If you want to buy a Corolla or Mazda 3 and read reviews, you will probably hear that the latter has a fairly stiff suspension, which often causes discomfort. Don’t believe it - such statements were only true for previous generations, while the current generation of the car is equipped with a completely redesigned chassis. Former shortcomings have been completely eliminated - the car transfers almost no shock to the cabin, even if the driver does not brake too actively before large bumps. At the same time, Mazda specialists managed to maintain all the advantages:
- Accurate reactions to steering wheel turns;
- No fluctuations in directional stability;
- No body sway.
Test drive a Mazda 3:
But we had to pay for comfort with slight rolls when turning, which are a consequence of the use of less rigid springs.
As for the Toyota Corolla, it shows an average result in this competition. Of course, you won’t feel outright discomfort in the interior of this vehicle, but you would still like to count on less intensity of impacts and less booming sounds coming from under the bottom. But in the area of handling, it is on par with the Mazda 3 thanks to the ideal settings of the electric power steering.
Test drive a Toyota Corolla:
Volume and mass
The geometric dimensions of the cars are very close. You might think that they are built on the same platform - the wheelbase is the same down to the millimeter and is 2700 mm for both cars. The Corolla is slightly longer and taller. The curb weight of the Mazda 3 is 1296 kg, and the Toyota Corolla is 1375 kg. But the volume of internal space varies more.
Fan controversy
I would immediately like to please fans of both cars - it cannot be said that the Mazda 3 or Toyota Corolla is much worse than its competitor. The cars have completely different target audiences - for example, Mazda is more often bought by young people who are not burdened with family and demanding office work. But the Toyota Corolla will probably be chosen by those who are accustomed to moving up the career ladder from a very young age. For them, the car will be a kind of display of status and a promise of success in the future - they say, Corolla is only the first step, which will be followed by more expensive cars. Still, Toyota is a more balanced and practical car, which should be preferred when design is not the determining factor of choice.
Salon
Inside the Mazda 3 there is a vertical center console with an aluminum-look insert. The multimedia system screen rises above it. On the central tunnel there is a control joystick “a la BMW”. Instrument panel with tachometer in the center and digital speed display. Sports steering wheel with paddle shifters for automatic manual mode.
The interior of the Corolla is classically austere. The car has a multimedia screen built into the front panel, unlike the Mazda. The climate control unit is located under the front panel. The dashboard has classic instruments with an on-board computer screen in the middle. The steering wheel looks rustic.
General points
The vehicle brands in question are similar in the following characteristics:
- Produced and assembled in Japan.
- They are of high quality.
- Accommodates five people. They have a fairly spacious and comfortable car showroom.
- Low ground clearance.
- Same engine size.
- Operates on gasoline. They are quite sensitive to the quality of the fuel mixture.
- Fuel tanks hold the same amount of fuel.
- They have front-wheel drive.
- They are four-door.
- They weigh a little.
- Economical in gasoline consumption.
- Car owners leave good reviews about these brands.
Comfort
Both cars have good ergonomics: all devices and controls are in their places. The driver's seat in the Mazda 3 is very comfortable, despite the seats with extensive lateral support. Comparison with Corolla seats will not reveal a winner. The Toyota seat is looser for people of larger size, but the seating position is also good.
In the back row of the Mazda 3, riders rest their knees on the front backrests, but the headroom is greater than that of the competitor. There is a fairly high central tunnel, so a third person in the back seat will be uncomfortable. When compared, the Toyota Corolla sedan offers a more comfortable rear seat and a large amount of space in front of the passengers' knees. But it’s not enough above the head. But Toyota does not have a central tunnel, and therefore it will comfortably accommodate three people from behind.
In terms of acoustic comfort, the Corolla is ahead; it is much quieter here than in the Mazda.
When evaluating cars based on the convenience of the luggage compartment, it is worth noting that the Mazda 3 sedan has a trunk volume of 408 liters and protruding wheel arches. The Corolla provides 44 liters more cargo space, which is important on long journeys.
Car appearance
Here, clearly, the Mazda 3 easily gives a head start to the Toyota Corolla, because starting with the old models of 1995 (323), Mazda can boast of an original exterior design. Beautiful streamlined body shapes and aggressive headlights are the main advantages of the “troika”.
The Corolla, on the contrary, is gray and monotonous, even though its appearance has been improved compared to the 9th generation. However, it remains laconic and boring. Of course, choosing a car is not a beauty contest, so the last thing you should pay attention to is appearance. Usually this criterion plays a role only for girls. The front of the E140 is very reminiscent of another car - the Toyota Camry, but this is a completely different case.
Comparison of equipment
Mazda 3 in dealer showrooms is presented in sedan and hatchback body styles. Sedan in the basic Active+ version with a 1.6 104 hp engine. and a 4-speed automatic transmission costs 1,181,000 rubles. Maximum Exclusive configuration with 1.5 120 hp engine. and a 6-speed automatic transmission will cost 1,356,800 rubles. The hatchback in its only configuration with a 1.5-liter engine and 6-automatic transmission is estimated at 1,271,000 rubles.
The Corolla is only available as a sedan, but has 6 different trim levels. First Standard 1.33 l 99 hp with a 6-speed manual transmission in the price list it has a price of 933,000 rubles. Top equipment Prestige 1.8 l 140 hp with a CVT it rises to 1,339,000 rubles.
Designer delights
We should also talk about the steering column. It is adjustable as for tilt. Electronic braking systems ABS and brake force distribution create active driving safety.
Comfort for the driver and passengers is worthy only of praise. In addition, when entering a tunnel, if there is unexpected darkness, the rain sensor and headlights automatically turn on. The instrument panel has three deep wells, and the volume control for the music center is located right on the center console.
new toyota corolla or new mazda3
Power plant, transmission, suspension The engine has a durable aluminum cylinder block, and many of its other parts are also made in a lightweight form. Engine capacity is 1.6 liters diesel and 1.4 liters petrol. But on the tunnel there is now a rotary controller, similar to a similar part of the interior of BMW cars, and the front panel has received a silver plastic insert that plays the role of decoration.
Weaknesses and typical problems
| Mazda 3 | Toyota Corolla |
| Insufficient sound insulation | Lower ground clearance |
| Harsh suspension | Front brakes squeak |
| The back seat is cramped. | Rear view camera produces unclear image |
| Theftability, additional measures are required. | When the trunk is full, its hinges rest against the luggage |
| Small trunk | Weak paint coating |
Mazda 6 vs Camry
- Appearance. Mazda's complete destruction of its competitors. The six resembles an elegant sports car, while its competitor seems to have been assembled by different designers who never came to an agreement.
- Controllability and comfort. Both cars are good, but each has its own characteristics. The Camry has a smooth ride, good sound insulation and complete indifference to minor defects on the road. But the response time of the brakes and steering leaves much to be desired. The six is as playful as a panther and takes turns of any complexity perfectly. But the roughness of the road here is felt more strongly and heard louder.
- Dynamics and fuel consumption. Unfortunately for Camry fans, the comparison is clearly not in its favor. Mazda is faster, smarter and much more economical: it consumes 2.3 liters less fuel in the combined cycle.
Final conclusions of comparisons
As a result of comparing these extraordinary cars, we are faced with a dilemma. On the one hand they are very similar, but on the other they are completely different! Mazda 3 does not allow you to drive slowly and sedately. This goes against her entire philosophy. Corolla is more conservative and comfortable. You can move on it quietly and smoothly. After studying all the pros and cons from different angles, you can join one of two armies of fans.
Specifications
| Characteristic | Toyota Corolla | Mazda 3 |
| Engine capacity, cc | 1598 | 1496 |
| Power | 122 hp | 120 hp |
| Maximum torque, N*m (kg*m) at rpm. | 157 (16) / 5200 | 150 (15) / 4000 |
| Fuel tank volume, l | 55 | 51 |
| Number of doors | 4 | 4 |
| Trunk capacity, l | 452 | 408 |
| Acceleration time 0-100 km/h, s | 11,1 | 11,8 |
| Weight, kg | 1375 | 1296 |
| Body length | 4620 | 4585 |
| Body height | 1465 | 1450 |
| Wheelbase, mm | 2700 | 2700 |
| Ground clearance (ride height), mm | 150 | 155 |
| Fuel consumption, l/100 km | 6,3 | 5.8 |
Less car for the same money: Mazda3 vs Toyota Corolla
Russia, 2021, crossovers rule the market. One and a half million is serious money for the average worker. But when buying a new car, this amount becomes mediocre, which you can’t get around to.
For example, this is exactly how much the Mazda3 and Toyota Corolla, which were once popular in our country, cost.
Previously, loans for three rubles were willingly taken out by young people who had successfully settled in offices after university, and Corolla was the goal and guideline for a family man counting money.
Now the former bestsellers have become a niche version of a small sedan at the price of a large one. Or even a crossover.
Look: the new Mazda three-ruble starts at 1,570,000 rubles, and the larger six costs from 1,586,000.
A Corolla with a CVT is a minimum of 1,434,000, and a Camry is 1,573,000, as is the next Corolla trim level (1,580,000). Why buy less car for the same money?
Mazda3Toyota Corolla Mazda's front bumper hangs low - only 13 cm, which becomes 10 cm closer to the wheel arches. With such characteristics, not every curb allows you to confidently park in front. The Corolla has a confident 16 cm under the front overhang
So as not to be like everyone else
Therefore, driving either a new Corolla or a new three-ruble car means standing out in the crowd, if only because there are few of them. But the design of both sedans was not just not familiar on the streets. It is interesting in itself.
Although, when I found the previous three-ruble car parked next to the test new one, to my surprise I found far fewer external differences between them than I expected. It’s just that this model has long become almost exotic in our country.
Subjectively, it is in the four-door body that the new Mazda3 looks most advantageous. The rear of the hatch looks heavy from certain angles, while the sedan looks smart from all sides.
The sloping roof, the “bunker” bend of the rear pillar with the parallel junction of the bumper and fender, the embossed trunk lid with a hint of a duck tail spoiler, the widely spaced round lights and the exhaust pipes that rhyme with them - look at this body in detail, it’s worth it!
Mazda3Toyota Corolla Both have 24 centimeters of space under the rear bumper - you won’t be able to damage the muffler or anything else when parking
Corolla is different - it lacks expression and sportiness. The appearance plays on the hi-tech theme: many sharp corners, chrome, heavy-looking optics. It looks assertive, modern and, unlike the previous generation, the shapes do not seem bland.
And thanks to the obvious aggression of the front end, in the rearview mirror this Corolla can easily be mistaken for a modern Camry.
Wheels measuring 17 inches are available in the top two trim levels (1.58 and 1.7 million) and look advantageous against the background of the uncontested 16-inch Mazda wheels.
Which brand should who buy?
To decide which brand of car is best to buy, you need to answer a number of questions:
- On what quality roads do you plan to operate the car?
- What driving style does the driver use?
- Is fuel efficiency important?
- How much money is a person willing to allocate to purchase a car?
- Are there any children in the family?
- Are you planning frequent trips with your family by car?
If you plan to drive on poor quality roads, then it is better to choose a Toyota Corolla. This brand has a softer and more reliable suspension. Fans of fast driving should choose Toyota Corolla. Those who care about efficiency should also give preference to this model. If your financial budget is limited, then you should buy a Toyota Corolla. This brand is also cheaper in terms of maintenance and repairs.
For family people who have small children, it is better to choose the Toyota Corolla: it has a lower ride height, so it will be easier for short people to get into it. If a person often travels with his family by car, then it is recommended to buy a Toyota Corolla: it has a more spacious interior.
Advice from experienced people (selections from car enthusiast forums)
404 Not Found: A friend of mine had a Mazda 3. We drove together a lot. Sound insulation is poor (my E150 was much quieter). The suspension is stiff, it transmits all the cracks on the road to your butt... Five years later we bought new ones: he - Mazda 5СХ, I - Corolla E160. Who cares... each car has its own buyer.
Dandy: What I liked most was the design of the new three-ruble car - Mazda. It seems that only this Japanese manufacturer has not lost its sobriety of thought and balance between European standards and Eastern practicality. The rest of the models are clearly Asian.
Vitaly: IMHO... It’s like an elephant stood on the roof of the Mazda, the poor thing already caved in. I like the Corolla better.
Valedjio: Mazda costs are much more expensive and the engines are more suitable for the American market. With our gasoline... coke, detonation. Corolla is more reliable, a proven option!
Dandy: My friend’s arches on his Mazda rotted in a year and a half. It all started with small saffron milk caps, and when I took off my lockers, there were holes. So afraid of reagents. Here's Mazda!
Goll: The neighbor drives a Mazda 5 with the SkyActiv system. I do not like. Stupid and lazy, he said... Just now they stuck it all on the matryokha. Think...
baton: Mazda has more options, but there is almost no ground clearance. A friend was exhausted listening to his Mazda shoveling ice and snow drifts every time. The Corolla is more versatile, but has fewer options. And the name also adds a green or two to the price. In short, on the highway it’s a Mazda, no question. But forever and without complaints about service or design - Toyota, of course.
Alexey: Toyota is a thing! Tested a hundred times. There is nothing more reliable from the Japanese. And our roads are OK. The matryoshka is hard, especially if it’s on a rough road. And Corolla is comfort.
tuapseslov: On my Matryoshka, already at the age of three, rust began to creep on the chipped paint. And when I sold it, buyers found a lot in the trunk, under the spare wheel.
xromovich: I used to drive a Mazda, then I also had a choice. Cannot be compared. As a result, now the Corolla is for the whole family. And Mazda - if on its own. In addition, CASCO is hellish and theft statistics are not encouraging.
dz2504: I don’t see a single advantage in the Mazda 3. The sedan is so molded out of theme... It's cramped. The bug is real on our roads, especially in winter. And the appearance is for eccentrics, I think.
