2 Things Make the 2024 Mazda3 a Solid Honda Civic Competitor
The Honda Civic is one of the best small cars on the market. However, there are many notable options that compete with it. One such example is the 2024 Mazda3. This isn’t as well-regarded a vehicle as the Honda Civic, but it offers similar features and is decently even in many ways. The same is the case for the 2023 Mazda3.
Here’s how the new Mazda3 stacks up.
The 2024 Mazda3 is among the best small cars for safety
The 2024 Mazda3 is a solid Honda Civic competitor because it’s one of the best small cars for safety. This is partly the case because the Insurance Institute For Highway Safety selected it as a Top Safety + pick. The car also has a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Administration. Luckily for buyers, the same is true for the 2023 Mazda3.
This is also one of the best small cars for safety because it includes the i-Activesense Safety Technology suite of features. They come in handy because they can help drivers avoid collisions altogether or at least lessen their impact. Of course, not all of the safety features for the 2024 Mazda3 are standard.
Some of the standard and available safety features include the following:
- Blind Spot Monitoring
- Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Stop & Go
- Smart Brake Support with Pedestrian Detection
- High Beam Control
- Lane Departure Warning System
- Driver Attention Alert
The new Mazda3 delivers efficient performance
This is also one of the best small cars for performance. According to Edmunds, the 2024 Mazda3 comes standard with a 2.5-liter inline-four engine that has a maximum output of 191 horsepower and a torque of 186 lb-ft. It has front and all-wheel drive configurations and uses a six-speed automatic transmission.
However, there is an upgraded engine option that uses a turbocharged engine. This one makes 227 horsepower and has a torque of 310 lb-ft. The base engine accelerates from 0 to 60 miles per hour in about 8.3 seconds. Of course, the turbocharged engine is faster as it only needs about 6.1 seconds for the feat. However, some road tests say it is quicker and only needs about 5.3 seconds.
The Mazda3 is also a solid Honda Civic competitor because it’s fuel-efficient. It averages 27 miles per gallon in the city and 37 MPG on the highway. As expected, the turbocharged engine is less so as it averages 26 MPG in the city and 35 MPG on the highway. Buyers should note that the Honda Civic is faster and more fuel-efficient than the Mazda3.
The 2024 Mazda3 might be a solid Honda Civic competitor, but these are two different cars. Buyers should be aware that the Honda is a generally more reliable vehicle and has a higher resale value. Still, the 2024 Mazda3 is pretty good in these areas. It starts at $25,690 and comes with a three-year or 36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty. The Mazda also has a five-year or 50,000-mile powertrain warranty.
