2020 Mazda MAZDA3 vs. Its Competition

2020 Mazda MAZDA3
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.

2020 Mazda MAZDA32020 Mazda MAZDA3
2020 Honda Civic2020 Honda Civic
2020 Hyundai Elantra2020 Hyundai Elantra
2020 Subaru Impreza2020 Subaru Impreza
2020 Toyota Corolla Nightshade Edition2020 Toyota Corolla
2020 Volkswagen Jetta GLI2020 Volkswagen Jetta
Quick Specs
6.7
The Mazda 3 punches above its weight class with an upmarket interior, good handling, and optional all-wheel drive.
6.7
The 2020 Honda Civic sets the pace among affordable compact cars.
5.8
The 2020 Hyundai Elantra is a well-equipped value.
6.3
The 2020 Subaru Impreza is a rational choice among compact cars, especially for those who need foul-weather traction.
6.7
It’s still among the more mildly flavored mass-market sedans, but the 2020 Toyota Corolla has dropped the bland from its diet.
5.8
The docile 2020 Volkswagen Jetta is a solid compact sedan choice; for zesty performance, opt into the Jetta GLI.
MSRP From     
$21,500$20,000$19,300$18,695$19,600$18,895
Gas Mileage     
24 MPG City / 36 MPG Hwy22 MPG City / 40 MPG Hwy23 MPG City / 41 MPG HwyComing Soon MPG City / Coming Soon MPG Hwy28 MPG City / 52 MPG Hwy25 MPG City / 40 MPG Hwy
Engine     
Regular Unleaded I-4Regular Unleaded I-4Regular Unleaded I-4N/ARegular Unleaded I-4Intercooled Turbo Regular Unleaded I-4
EPA Class     
Compact CarsMidsize CarsMidsize CarsN/ACompact CarsCompact Cars
Style Name     
FWDLX ManualSE IVTN/AL CVT (GS)S Manual w/SULEV
Drivetrain     
Front Wheel DriveFront Wheel DriveFront Wheel DriveN/AFront Wheel DriveFront Wheel Drive
Passenger Capacity     
555N/A55
Passenger Doors     
N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A
Body Style     
SedanSedanSedanN/ASedanSedan
Transmission     
Automatic w/ODManual w/ODCVT w/ODN/ACVT w/ODManual w/OD
Detailed Spec Comparison
 2020 Mazda MAZDA3 vs. 2020 Honda Civic2020 Mazda MAZDA3 vs. 2020 Hyundai Elantra2020 Mazda MAZDA3 vs. 2020 Subaru Impreza2020 Mazda MAZDA3 vs. 2020 Toyota Corolla2020 Mazda MAZDA3 vs. 2020 Volkswagen Jetta