2020 Mazda MAZDA3 vs. Its Competition

2019 Mazda 3 - first drive - Los Angeles, January 2019
Andrew Ganz Andrew Ganz Senior Editor

The compact car ranks have shrunk in recent years, though the remaining offerings are solid.

The Honda Civic was recently updated, and there’s not a bad one in the bunch if you can get past its racy styling.

The Hyundai Elantra has a stylish body and an excellent infotainment system, and it’s a great value.

Toyota has updated its Corolla with bold styling, which mostly works, and its hybrid fuel economy is unmatched.

VW’s Jetta has an Audi-lite feel for the most part and can be had in sporty GLI trim.

If all-wheel drive is a major selling point, no automaker has a longer track record acing wintry weather than Subaru, so check out the refined Impreza and its Crosstrek off-roady sibling.

2019 Mazda 3 - first drive - Los Angeles, January 20192020 Mazda MAZDA3
Get Your Price		2020 Honda Civic2020 Honda Civic
Get Your Price		2020 Hyundai Elantra SEL IVT Angular Front Exterior View2020 Hyundai Elantra
Get Your Price		2020 Toyota Corolla SE2020 Toyota Corolla
#13 in Compact Cars
Get Your Price		2020 Volkswagen Jetta GLI2020 Volkswagen Jetta
2019 Subaru Impreza2019 Subaru Impreza
Get Your Price
Quick Specs
6.7
The Mazda 3 punches above its weight class with an upmarket interior, good handling, and optional all-wheel drive.
6.5
The 2020 Honda Civic sets the pace among affordable compact cars.
6.2
It’s still among the more mildly flavored mass-market sedans, but the 2020 Toyota Corolla has dropped the bland from its diet.
6.0
The docile 2020 Volkswagen Jetta is a solid compact sedan choice; for zesty performance, opt into the Jetta GLI.
6.3
The 2019 Subaru Impreza is a sensible, right-price, low-compromise compact car.
MSRP From     
N/A$19,750$18,950$19,600$18,895N/A
Gas Mileage     
25 MPG City / 40 MPG Hwy23 MPG City / 41 MPG Hwy28 MPG City / 52 MPG Hwy25 MPG City / 40 MPG Hwy
Engine     
N/ARegular Unleaded I-4Regular Unleaded I-4Regular Unleaded I-4Intercooled Turbo Regular Unleaded I-4N/A
EPA Class     
N/ACompact CarsMid-Size CarsCompact CarsCompact CarsN/A
Style Name     
N/ALX ManualSE IVTL CVT (GS)S Manual w/SULEVN/A
Drivetrain     
N/AFront Wheel DriveFront Wheel DriveFront Wheel DriveFront Wheel DriveN/A
Passenger Capacity     
N/A5555N/A
Passenger Doors     
N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A
Body Style     
N/ASedanSedanSedanSedanN/A
Transmission     
N/AManual w/ODCVT w/ODCVT w/ODManual w/ODN/A
Detailed Spec Comparison
 2020 Mazda MAZDA3 vs. 2020 Honda Civic2020 Mazda MAZDA3 vs. 2020 Hyundai Elantra2020 Mazda MAZDA3 vs. 2020 Toyota Corolla2020 Mazda MAZDA3 vs. 2020 Volkswagen Jetta2020 Mazda MAZDA3 vs. 2019 Subaru Impreza