Two leading choices for the compact car segment are the Honda Civic and the Mazda3. See how they stack up in this 2023 Honda Civic vs. 2023 Mazda3 comparison. With its wide array of advantages, the Civic beats the Mazda3. 

2023 Honda Civic vs. 2023 Mazda3: What are the differences?

In this 2023 Honda Civic vs. 2023 Mazda3 compact car comparison, we evaluated several areas. This includes performance, gas mileage, safety, passenger and cargo space, warranty coverage, reliability, and price. Both the Civic and Mazda3 offer sedan and hatchback versions, and we note the differences when applicable.

Civic vs. 2023 Mazda3: Performance

On the performance front, engine options for the standard 2023 Honda Civic model include a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (158 horsepower) and a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine (180 horsepower). Also, the sporty Civic Si features another variant of the turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, which generates 200 horsepower.

For even greater performance, you can get the Civic Type R “hot hatch.” The Civic Type R comes equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, which produces 315 horsepower.

In comparison, the 2023 Mazda3 offers two engine options. The base-level 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine generates 191 horsepower, while the available turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine produces 250 horsepower.

The Civic has a higher maximum horsepower output, but the Mazda3 has a higher base engine output. Also, unlike the Civic, the Mazda3 offers an available all-wheel drive system.

Civic vs. Mazda3: Gas mileage

For gas mileage, the Civic has the advantage. It gets an estimated fuel economy of up to 33 city/42 highway mpg, compared to 28 city/37 highway mpg for the Mazda3.

Civic vs. Mazda3: Safety

The Civic and Mazda3 are safe vehicles. For the previous model year, both compact cars earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award, which is the highest possible IIHS rating.

Civic vs. Mazda3: Passenger and cargo space

The 2023 Civic is slightly bigger than the 2023 Mazda3, resulting in more interior space. Both the Civic Sedan and Civic Hatchback provide 99.0 cu-ft of passenger space, compared to 92.8 cu-ft for the Mazda3 Sedan and 92.7 cu-ft for the Mazda3 Hatchback.

For trunk storage space in the sedan models, the Civic Sedan has a cargo capacity of 14.8 cu-ft, compared to 13.2 cu-ft for the Mazda3 Sedan. For the hatchback models, the Civic Hatchback has a maximum cargo capacity of 24.5 cu-ft, compared to 20.1 cu-ft for the Mazda3 Hatchback.

Civic vs. Mazda3: Warranty coverage and reliability

The Civic and Mazda3 have similar warranty coverage, with the backing of a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. However, unlike the Mazda3, the Civic has a free maintenance plan, with two years or 24,000 miles of coverage.

Also, the Civic is more reliable than the Mazda3. It earned a J.D. Power reliability rating of 82/100, compared to 77/100 for the Mazda3.

Civic vs. Mazda3: Price

Which compact car costs more: the 2023 Civic or the 2023 Mazda3? The starting price of the 2023 Mazda3 ranges from $22,550 MSRP for the 2.5 S Sedan trim up to $35,300 MSRP for the 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus Hatchback trim.

While the official price information is not yet available for the 2023 Civic, it will likely cost slightly more than the 2022 version. The starting price of the 2022 Civic ranges from $22,550 MSRP for the Civic Sedan LX trim up to $30,050 MSRP for the Civic Hatchback Sport Touring trim. 

2023 Honda Civic vs. 2023 Mazda3: Which compact car is better?

In this 2023 Honda Civic vs. 2023 Mazda3 comparison, the 2023 Civic has most of the advantages. This includes advantages for maximum horsepower output, gas mileage, passenger and cargo space, a free maintenance plan, and reliability. Conversely, the 2023 Mazda3 has advantages for base engine horsepower and an available all-wheel drive system.