The Toyota Corolla is not only the top choice for the compact car segment, but it’s also the best-selling car in the world. One of the Corolla’s compact car competitors is the Mazda3. Will the Mazda3 put an end to the Corolla’s dominance? Find out in this 2022 Toyota Corolla vs. 2022 Mazda3 compact car death battle. 

2022 Toyota Corolla vs. 2022 Mazda3 

For the 2022 Toyota Corolla vs. 2022 Mazda3 battle, we compared several areas. This includes performance, efficiency, safety, passenger and cargo space, interior features and technologies, reliability, warranty coverage, and price. Both the Corolla and Mazda3 offer sedan and hatchback models, and we note the differences when applicable. 

Corolla vs. Mazda3: Performance and efficiency

On the performance front, the 2022 Toyota Corolla offers customers a choice of three different powertrains: a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine (139 hp), a 2.0-liter cylinder engine (168 hp), and a hybrid (121 hp). The 2022 Mazda3 also offers three powertrain options, but not a hybrid: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (155 hp), a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine (186 hp), and a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine (250 hp). 

For both base engine output and maximum engine output, the Mazda3 has the advantage. Also, unlike the Corolla, the Mazda3 offers an available all-wheel drive system. 

On the efficiency front, the gas-powered Corolla has an estimated gas mileage of up to 31 city/40 highway mpg, while the Corolla Hybrid has a fuel economy of up to 53 city/52 highway mpg. In comparison, the Mazda3 has an estimated fuel economy of up to 28 city/36 highway mpg. For both the gas-engine models and the hybrid model, the Corolla has the advantage for efficiency. 

Corolla vs. Mazda3: Safety

Both the Corolla and Mazda3 are strong for safety. Both compact cars earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ score.

Corolla vs. Mazda3: Passenger and cargo space

While both compact cars provide a five-passenger seating capacity, the Mazda3 offers more passenger space. It has a total passenger volume of 92.8 cu-ft for the Mazda3 Sedan and 92.7 cu-ft for the Mazda3 Hatchback. In comparison, the Corolla Sedan has a total passenger volume of 88.6 cu-ft, while the Corolla Hatchback has 84.6 cu-ft of passenger space.

For storage space, the Corolla Sedan has a cargo capacity of 13.1 cu-ft in the trunk, while the Mazda3 Sedan offers 13.2 cu-ft of storage space in the trunk. For the hatchback models, the Corolla Hatchback has a maximum cargo capacity of 23.0 cu-ft, compared to 20.1 cu-ft for the Mazda3 Hatchback.

Corolla vs. Mazda3: Interior features and technologies

For the cabin, the overall interior quality is higher for the Mazda3. It has an upscale look and offers premium features and technologies that one might not expect to find for a mainstream compact car. This includes a head-up display, seat memory, a navigation system, and a multi-zone climate control system. 

The Corolla doesn’t offer any of these features, but unlike the Mazda3, it has a Wi-Fi hotspot. However, with its upscale quality and more premium features, the Mazda3 has the advantage for interior features and technologies.

Corolla vs. Mazda3: Reliability and warranty coverage

What compact car is more reliable: the 2022 Corolla or 2022 Mazda3? While the Corolla achieved a J.D. Power reliability rating of 85 out of 100, the Mazda3 earned a rating of only 74 out of 100. For warranty coverage, both compact cars have a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Corolla vs. Mazda3: Price

What compact car costs more: the 2022 Corolla or 2022 Mazda3? The starting price of the 2022 Corolla ranges from $20,175 MSRP for the Corolla Sedan L trim up to $28,460 MSRP for the Corolla Sedan Apex XSE trim. In comparison, the starting price of the 2022 Mazda3 ranges from $20,800 MSRP for the Mazda3 Sedan 2.0 FWD trim up to $34,400 MSRP for the Mazda3 Hatchback 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus AWD trim. 

2022 Toyota Corolla vs. 2022 Mazda3: Which compact car is better?

As you can see from our 2022 Toyota Corolla vs. 2022 Mazda3 comparison, the compact car death battle turned out to be a draw. Each compact car has advantages in different areas. Advantages for the 2022 Corolla include a hybrid engine option, efficiency, cargo space for the hatchback model, reliability, and price. For the 2022 Mazda3, advantages include performance, available all-wheel-drive, passenger space, cargo space for the sedan model, and interior features and technologies.