2020 Mazda MAZDA3 vs 2019 Toyota Prius

The 2019 Toyota Prius was never known for its looks. Its design, especially in the fourth generation introduced in 2016, was more about making a statement than winning beauty contests. The Prius's boomerang-shaped profile and split rear glass were distinctive, but not necessarily attractive. Despite its unconventional exterior, the Prius offered a practical solution for daily driving with a range of trim levels and a new all-wheel-drive option.

Inside, the Prius continued its offbeat design with centralized controls and a digital instrumentation strip beneath the windshield. The 2019 model added gloss black interior trim, which, while visually appealing, attracted dust easily. The unusual transmission controls took some getting used to, but overall, the interior functioned well once acclimated.

The 2020 Mazda MAZDA3, available in both sedan and hatchback body styles, stood out with its curvaceous and unique silhouette, especially the hatchback. The sedan, while more traditional, still exuded a premium feel, competing directly with upmarket rivals. The test vehicle, a sedan with the Premium Package and AWD, featured 18-inch alloy wheels, a blacked-out mesh front grille, and round running lamps, giving it a sophisticated look.

Inside, the Mazda3 embraced simplicity and minimalism. The front seats were supportive and adjustable, with materials that held up well even after 10,000 miles. The rear seat, though tight on legroom, had soft front seatbacks to mitigate discomfort. The trunk offered 13.2 cubic feet of cargo space in the sedan and 20.1 cubic feet in the hatchback, both on the smaller side for the segment.

The 2019 Toyota Prius combined a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine with an electric motor to produce 121 horsepower. The optional AWD-e system added a 5-kilowatt rear electric motor and a nickel-metal hydride battery, powering the rear wheels up to 43 mph. This system reduced fuel economy slightly, with the AWD-e achieving 50 mpg compared to the standard Prius's 52 mpg. The Prius's CVT handled power delivery, and the car offered a smooth ride with decent handling, especially in Power mode.

The 2020 Mazda MAZDA3 featured a 2.5-liter SkyActiv four-cylinder engine producing 186 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. This engine provided a predictable but not particularly punchy performance. The Mazda3's handling was precise, though the torsion beam rear suspension, a cost-cutting measure, resulted in a less refined ride over rough roads. The Mazda3 offered a six-speed manual transmission option, but only in specific configurations, with most models equipped with a six-speed automatic.

The 2019 Toyota Prius offered comfortable seating for four adults, with manual height adjustment for the driver's seat and heated front seats. Rear passengers had decent legroom and thigh support but lacked air conditioning vents. The Prius's hatchback design provided ample cargo space, with up to 27.4 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 65.5 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The AWD-e version had slightly less cargo space.

The 2020 Mazda MAZDA3 sedan measured 183.5 inches in length with a 107.3-inch wheelbase, while the hatchback was more compact at 175.6 inches. The front seats were supportive and adjustable, with the driver's seat offering a low, sporty position. The rear seat was tight on legroom, and the large transmission hump in the middle seat was a drawback. The sedan's trunk held 13.2 cubic feet of cargo, and the hatchback offered 20.1 cubic feet, both smaller than some competitors.

The 2019 Toyota Prius Limited trim featured an 11.6-inch touchscreen with navigation, a premium JBL sound system, and more. The XLE AWD-e test car had a standard 6.1-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth and a CD player. The Prius's instrumentation was a mix of modern and outdated displays, and the Advanced Technology Package included a head-up display and adaptive headlights. However, the Prius lacked Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The 2020 Mazda MAZDA3's 8.8-inch infotainment display was integrated into the dashboard, controlled by a rotary dial rather than touch. This system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and Sirius XM. The new software was faster and featured sharp graphics. The head-up display reflected off the windshield, enhancing the premium feel.

The 2019 Toyota Prius offered standard Toyota Safety Sense, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. The LE trim added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Prius received a 5-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.

The 2020 Mazda MAZDA3 was a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS and received a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA. It offered advanced driver assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.