Compare the2022 Toyota Corolla CrossVS 2021 Mazda CX-3

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Toyota Corolla Cross have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Mazda CX-3 doesn’t offer pretensioners for the rear seat belts.

The Toyota Corolla Cross has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The CX-3 doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The Corolla Cross has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The CX-3 doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Corolla Cross XLE has standard Automatic Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The CX-3 doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Corolla Cross XLE has standard Front and Rear Parking Assist to help warn the driver about vehicles, pedestrians or other obstacles behind or in front of their vehicle. The CX-3 doesn’t offer a front parking aid.

The Corolla Cross’ driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The CX-3 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Corolla Cross and the CX-3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Toyota Corolla Cross is safer than the Mazda CX-3:

	Corolla Cross	CX-3
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	27%	27%
Neck Stress	243 lbs.	334 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	27%	39%
Neck Stress	165 lbs.	198 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	301/156 lbs.	252/310 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Toyota Corolla Cross is safer than the Mazda CX-3:

	Corolla Cross	CX-3
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	92	183
Abdominal Force	129 lbs.	199 lbs.
Hip Force	330 lbs.	334 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	137	241
Spine Acceleration	43 G’s	85 G’s
Hip Force	367 lbs.	487 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	12 inches	14 inches
HIC	239	287
Hip Force	623 lbs.	629 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Warranty

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Corolla Cross for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Mazda doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the CX-3.

There are over 2 times as many Toyota dealers as there are Mazda dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Corolla Cross’ warranty.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are better in initial quality than Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota 13th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 20 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is ranked 23rd, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 23 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is ranked 14th.

Engine

The Corolla Cross’ 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 21 more horsepower (169 vs. 148) and 5 lbs.-ft. more torque (151 vs. 146) than the CX-3’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Corolla Cross gets better mileage than the CX-3:

			MPG
Corolla Cross
	FWD	2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	31 city/33 hwy
	AWD	2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	29 city/32 hwy
CX-3
	FWD	2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	29 city/34 hwy
	AWD	2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	27 city/32 hwy

In heavy traffic or at stop lights the Corolla Cross’ engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The CX-3 doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Toyota Corolla Cross higher (7 out of 10) than the Mazda CX-3 (3 to 7). This means the Corolla Cross produces up to 24.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the CX-3 every 15,000 miles.

Transmission

The Corolla Cross has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The CX-3 doesn’t offer a CVT.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Corolla Cross’ brake rotors are larger than those on the CX-3:

	Corolla Cross	CX-3	CX-3 AWD
Front Rotors	12 inches	11 inches	11.6 inches

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Corolla Cross XLE’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the CX-3 (225/55R18 vs. 215/60R16).

The Corolla Cross XLE’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the CX-3’s 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Corolla Cross has standard 17-inch wheels. Only 16-inch wheels are available on the CX-3. The Corolla Cross XLE has standard 18-inch wheels.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Corolla Cross AWD has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Mazda CX-3 has a solid rear axle, with a non-independent rear suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Corolla Cross’ wheelbase is 2.7 inches longer than on the CX-3 (103.9 inches vs. 101.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Corolla Cross is 1.5 inches wider in the front and 2.1 inches wider in the rear than the track on the CX-3.

For greater off-road capability the Corolla Cross has a 2 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the CX-3 (8.1 vs. 6.1 inches), allowing the Corolla Cross to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Passenger Space

The Corolla Cross has 7.3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the CX-3 (94.9 vs. 87.6).

The Corolla Cross has .2 inches more front headroom, 1.2 inches more front legroom, .3 inches more front hip room, 1.8 inches more rear headroom and 2 inches more rear shoulder room than the CX-3.

Cargo Capacity

The Corolla Cross has a much larger cargo volume than the CX-3 with its rear seat up (26.5 vs. 17.8 cubic feet).

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the Corolla Cross XLE offers an optional power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button. The CX-3 doesn’t offer a power liftgate.

Towing

The Corolla Cross has a 1500 lbs. towing capacity. The CX-3 has no towing capacity.

Ergonomics

The power windows standard on both the Corolla Cross and the CX-3 have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Corolla Cross is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The CX-3 prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Corolla Cross’ front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The CX-3’s passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the Corolla Cross the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Toyota service department.) The driver of the CX-3 can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Smart Key System standard on the Corolla Cross LE/XLE allows you to unlock the driver’s door, cargo door and start the engine all without removing a key from pocket or purse. This eliminates searching for keys before loading groceries, getting in the vehicle in bad weather or making a hurried start to your trip. The Mazda CX-3’s Pushbutton Start doesn’t unlock the doors or the cargo door.

The Corolla Cross’ standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. The CX-3 doesn’t offer heated side mirrors.

The Corolla Cross XLE has standard heated front seats, which keep the driver and front passenger extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated seats aren’t available in the CX-3.

The Corolla Cross XLE’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The CX-3 doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

Both the Corolla Cross and the CX-3 offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Corolla Cross has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The CX-3 doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Toyota Corolla LE/XLE has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The CX-3 doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

Model Availability

The Toyota Corolla comes in sedan, four door hatchback and four door bodystyles; the Mazda CX-3 isn’t available as a sedan or four door hatchback.

Recommendations

The Toyota Corolla outsold the Mazda CX-3 by almost 45 to one during the 2021 model year.