2023 Mazda MAZDA3 vs 2024 Honda Civic Hatchback

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 was a striking vehicle with its rakish headlights and large, menacing grille. Available in both sedan and hatchback body styles, the sedan had conventional proportions, while the hatchback boasted a daring and futuristic design. The rear angles of the hatchback curved up around the rear window and doors, creating a clean and forward-thinking aesthetic. Inside, the cabin continued this theme of clean futurism, with a simple yet elegant design. The infotainment system rose organically from the dash, and the conventional shifter design was a welcome choice. The climate controls were straightforward, and the steering wheel, though cluttered with controls, had an elegant design.

The 2024 Honda Civic Hatchback, much like the character Gwen from Seinfeld, could appear either dowdy or sporty depending on the angle and lighting. Our test car, in Sport Touring trim with 18-inch alloy wheels and Boost Blue paint, mostly appealed to us. The rear end was a bit stubby, but overall, the styling was agreeable. The Sport Touring trim sat atop the Civic Hatchback lineup, offering quality materials, elegant detailing, and a sophisticated level of technology. The metal honeycomb mesh on the dashboard, knurled knobs for stereo and climate controls, and high-resolution digital displays added to the car's appeal.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 featured a base 2.5-liter naturally aspirated inline-four engine, producing 191 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. It came with a six-speed automatic transmission, with AWD available. A manual transmission was also an option for FWD Premium models. Our test model had the turbocharged 2.5-liter engine, delivering 227 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque on regular fuel, or 250 hp and 320 lb-ft with premium fuel. The turbo engine provided a fantastic sound and engaging driving experience, with well-weighted steering and impressive handling. The Mazda3 shone in second gear, especially in Sport mode, where the transmission held gears longer and provided ample torque.

The 2024 Honda Civic Hatchback offered a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine in LX and Sport trims, generating 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque. The Sport trim allowed for a six-speed manual gearbox, while a CVT with Sport mode and paddle shifters was standard. The EX-L and Sport Touring trims featured a turbocharged 1.5-liter engine with 180 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque. Our Sport Touring test car had a CVT, which, despite occasional high-rpm groaning, took advantage of the turbo engine's torque. The Civic Sport Touring felt light and lively, providing a fun driving experience, though it was loud on the highway. Fuel efficiency ranged from 29 to 35 mpg, with our test car averaging 30.2 mpg.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 sedan offered 13.1 cubic feet of cargo space, while the hatchback provided 20.1 cubic feet. However, rear seating was cramped, with limited legroom and headroom due to the sloping roofline. The front seating area had a decently sized center console, though the lid was frustrating to use. Ergonomics were helpful, and the cupholders were sizable.

The 2024 Honda Civic Hatchback, particularly in EX-L and Sport Touring trims, offered dual-zone automatic climate control, heated mirrors, heated front seats, leather upholstery, and a power sunroof. The driver's seat had eight-way power adjustment, and the rear seat was roomy enough for two adults or three kids. The Civic Hatchback provided 24.5 cubic feet of cargo space, with the potential to double when the rear seats were folded down.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 came with an 8.8-inch infotainment display operated via a dial, which was a weak point due to its clumsy menu navigation. The system included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but the interface was confusing. The car featured two USB ports, HD radio, Bluetooth, and voice control, with upgrades like navigation and a 12-speaker Bose stereo system.

The 2024 Honda Civic Hatchback, in Sport Touring trim, offered a 10.2-inch digital instrumentation display and a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system. This trim added wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, HD Radio, navigation, and wireless charging. The 12-speaker Bose sound system was impressive, and the infotainment system was easy to use, with responsive voice recognition.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 included forward automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, pedestrian and cyclist detection, and more. The Select trim added blind-spot monitoring, while the Turbo Premium Plus featured traffic-sign recognition and a 360-degree camera. However, the massive C-pillar created a significant blind spot, and the infotainment system's layout posed a safety issue.

The 2024 Honda Civic Hatchback came with Honda Sensing, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more. However, blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert were only available on higher trims. The Civic Hatchback earned high safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, though the adaptive cruise control was occasionally sluggish.