2023 Mazda MAZDA3 vs 2023 Toyota Crown

The 2023 Toyota Crown was a full-size sedan with seating for five, comparable in size to the discontinued Toyota Avalon but with a ride height four inches higher. This elevated stance made it stand out on the road, reminiscent of the old Honda Accord Crosstour. The Crown's styling was more widely accepted, featuring a massive grille that was mostly aesthetic, with actual air inlets above it flanked by angular wraparound headlights. Large wheels and a black trim piece along the doors added to its sporty look. The rear was rounded with a bold taillight strip, and the Platinum trim offered a two-tone color option that was audacious for Toyota.

Inside, the Crown was modern with a digital instrument panel and a large horizontal touchscreen. Below it were physical buttons for climate control with 1980s-era LED displays. The cabin mixed hard but sturdy plastics with cushioned touchpoints. Improved surface graining and fewer hard plastics could have made it resemble an entry-level luxury vehicle. As it stood, it looked and felt like a fancier Toyota.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 offered rakish headlights framing a large grille and came in sedan and hatchback body styles. The sedan had conventional proportions, while the hatchback was daring and futuristic. The rear angles curved around the rear window and doors, creating a clean, forward-thinking design. Inside, the simplicity continued with an infotainment system that rose organically from the dash, offering a styling lesson for Tesla designers. The conventional shifter and easy-to-use climate controls added to the clean design, though the steering wheel was cluttered with controls.

Trim levels ranged from the 2.5 S to the 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus, with standard features like 16-inch alloy wheels, pushbutton start, and an 8.8-inch infotainment display. Higher trims added features like dual-zone climate control, leather upholstery, a moonroof, and a head-up display. The 2.5 Turbo models offered a more powerful engine, with the top trim adding advanced driver assistance features.

The 2023 Toyota Crown offered two hybrid powertrains across its XLE, Limited, and Platinum trims. The base powertrain combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with a hybrid electric motor, producing 236 horsepower and featuring on-demand all-wheel drive (AWD). The Platinum trim's Hybrid Max powertrain upgraded to a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine and a more powerful rear electric motor, delivering 340 horsepower. The base hybrid used a continuously variable transmission (CVT), while the Hybrid Max had a six-speed automatic. Toyota estimated the base hybrid could accelerate to 60 mph in 7.6 seconds, with the Hybrid Max achieving it in 5.7 seconds.

The Crown's ride quality was tuned for comfort, with the Platinum trim adding an adaptive suspension and a Sport+ drive mode. Despite the engine drone, the cabin remained quiet on various road surfaces. The new Curve Speed Reduction system and driver-attention alerts were intrusive, but the overall driving experience was enjoyable.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3's base engine was a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated inline-four, 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 offered on FWD Premium models. The optional turbocharged 2.5-liter engine delivered 227 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque on regular fuel, or 250 hp and 320 lb-ft with premium fuel. The turbo engine and AWD were standard with this setup.

The Mazda3's driving experience was engaging, with well-weighted steering and a fantastic engine sound. Off-the-line acceleration was moderate, but the car shone in second gear, especially in Sport mode. The transmission's clever gear shifts and the car's handling balance made it agile yet refined. The brake feel was akin to a sports car, and the suspension soaked up bumps with ease.

The 2023 Toyota Crown's base XLE trim featured fabric seat upholstery with SofTex faux-leather trim, while the Limited and Platinum trims had full leather coverings. The front seats were comfortable for long trips, though firm cushioning could cause discomfort over time. The driver's view was largely unobstructed, with a slightly better road view due to the taller ride height. The rear seats offered ample legroom and adequate headroom, with a panoramic sunroof in higher trims enhancing the sense of space. The trunk had a capacity of 15.2 cubic feet, smaller than some competitors but still useful.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 sedan provided 13.1 cubic feet of cargo space, while the hatchback offered 20.1 cubic feet. The rear seating area had limited legroom and headroom, making it suitable for occasional use. The front seating area had a decently sized center console compartment, though the lid's sliding mechanism was frustrating. The ergonomics and cupholders were helpful, but the overall space was more suited for front-seat use.

The 2023 Toyota Crown came standard with a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, featuring sharp graphics and quick responses. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were included, along with a wireless charging pad. Higher trims offered an 11-speaker JBL premium audio system. The infotainment system supported over-the-air updates and had a voice-recognition system activated by saying "Hey Toyota." A digital key feature was standard on the Platinum trim and optional on the Limited.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3's 8.8-inch infotainment display was not a touchscreen and was operated via a dial in the center console. The menu navigation was clumsy, and using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto was confusing. The system had a steep learning curve, and the dial scrolling was unintuitive. The Mazda3 came with two USB ports, HD radio, Bluetooth connectivity, and voice control. Higher trims offered navigation, satellite radio, and a 12-speaker Bose premium stereo system.

The 2023 Toyota Crown's crash test results were not yet available, but it came with standard safety features like frontal and cross-traffic collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, automatic high beams, traffic-sign recognition, and a rear-seat-passenger reminder. The Platinum trim added a semi-automated parallel parking system. The adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist were well-tuned, but some new features were intrusive.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 came standard with forward automatic emergency braking, automatic cruise control, pedestrian and cyclist detection, adaptive headlights, lane-departure warning, and rain-sensing windshield wipers. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, traffic-sign recognition, traffic jam assist, and a 360-degree parking camera system. The C-pillar design created a massive blind spot, and the infotainment system's layout was a safety issue due to its distracting nature.