Compare the2023 Mazda 3VS 2022 Toyota Corolla Hybrid

Safety
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Mazda 3 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 Toyota Corolla Hybrid doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Mazda 3 Turbo Premium Plus has standard Smart Brake Support that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Corolla Hybrid doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Mazda 3 offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Corolla Hybrid doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The Mazda 3 Turbo Premium Plus has a standard 360-Degree Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Corolla Hybrid only offers a rear monitor.

Both the Mazda 3 and the Corolla Hybrid have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee 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, driver alert monitors, available 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 Mazda 3 is safer than the Toyota Corolla Hybrid:

	Mazda 3	Corolla Hybrid
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	89	187
Neck Injury Risk	17%	27%
Neck Stress	214 lbs.	243 lbs.
Neck Compression	27 lbs.	50 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	205/212 lbs.	330/310 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	153	356
Chest Compression	.4 inches	.6 inches
Neck Compression	20 lbs.	86 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	178/201 lbs.	301/156 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 Mazda 3 is safer than the Toyota Corolla Hybrid:

	Mazda 3	Corolla Hybrid
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.9 inches	.9 inches
Hip Force	239 lbs.	330 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	10 inches	12 inches
HIC	199	239
Spine Acceleration	30 G’s	32 G’s
Hip Force	527 lbs.	623 lbs.

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

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Mazda 3 its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 93 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Corolla Hybrid last would have qualified as only a standard “Top Safety Pick” in 2017.

Reliability

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Toyota vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Mazda first in overall reliability. Toyota is ranked second.

Engine

The Mazda 3’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 70 more horsepower (191 vs. 121) and 81 lbs.-ft. more torque (186 vs. 105) than the Corolla Hybrid’s 1.8 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The Mazda 3’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 129 more horsepower (250 vs. 121) and 215 lbs.-ft. more torque (320 vs. 105) than the Corolla Hybrid’s 1.8 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the Mazda 3 4 cyl. is faster than the Toyota Corolla Hybrid (automatics tested):

	3	Corolla Hybrid
Zero to 60 MPH	7.3 sec	10.3 sec
Quarter Mile	15.7 sec	17.6 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	90.3 MPH	79 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Mazda 3 (except Turbo)’s fuel efficiency. The Corolla Hybrid doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

Both the Mazda 3 and the Corolla Hybrid offer an available automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All Mazda 3s with automatic start/stop have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

The Mazda 3 AWD’s standard fuel tank has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Corolla Hybrid (12.7 vs. 11.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Mazda 3 FWD’s standard fuel tank has 1.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the Corolla Hybrid (13.2 vs. 11.4 gallons).

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Mazda 3’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Corolla Hybrid:

	Mazda 3	Mazda 3 AWD	Corolla Hybrid
Front Rotors	11.02 inches	11.61 inches	10.8 inches
Rear Rotors	10.43 inches	10.43 inches	10.2 inches

The Mazda 3 stops much shorter than the Corolla Hybrid:

	Mazda 3	Corolla Hybrid
60 to 0 MPH	115 feet	133 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	134 feet	148 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Mazda 3 has larger standard tires than the Corolla Hybrid (205/60R16 vs. 195/65R15). The Mazda 3 Hatchback/Select/Preferred/Premium/Turbo’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Corolla Hybrid (215/45R18 vs. 195/65R15).

The Mazda 3 2.5 S’ standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Corolla Hybrid’s standard 65 series tires. The Mazda 3 Hatchback/Select/Preferred/Premium/Turbo’s tires have a lower 45 series profile than the Corolla Hybrid’s 65 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Mazda 3 2.5 S has standard 16-inch wheels. Only 15-inch wheels are available on the Corolla Hybrid. The Mazda 3 Hatchback/Select/Preferred/Premium/Turbo has standard 18-inch wheels.

The Mazda 3 has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Corolla Hybrid; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

Suspension and Handling

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Mazda 3 is 1.4 inches wider in the front and 1.2 inches wider in the rear than on the Corolla Hybrid.

The Mazda 3 Premium Sedan handles at .86 G’s, while the Corolla Hybrid LE pulls only .77 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Mazda 3 Premium Sedan executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.4 seconds quicker than the Corolla Hybrid LE (26.7 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 29.1 seconds @ .54 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Mazda 3’s turning circle is .8 feet tighter than the Corolla Hybrid’s (34.8 feet vs. 35.6 feet).

Chassis

The Mazda 3 Sedan is 6.7 inches shorter than the Corolla Hybrid, making the Mazda 3 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Passenger Space

The Mazda 3 Sedan has 4.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Corolla Hybrid (92.8 vs. 88.6).

The Mazda 3 Sedan has .3 inches more front legroom, .7 inches more front hip room, 1.7 inches more front shoulder room, .2 inches more rear headroom, .3 inches more rear legroom and 1.8 inches more rear shoulder room than the Corolla Hybrid.

Cargo Capacity

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the Mazda 3 Turbo Hatchback has a standard power trunk, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button. The Corolla Hybrid doesn’t offer a power trunk.

Ergonomics

The Mazda 3 Auto offers a remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The Corolla Hybrid doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

When two different drivers share the Mazda 3 Preferred/Carbon/Premium/Turbo, the memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for both. Each keyless remote activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The Corolla Hybrid doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Mazda 3 Premium/Turbo has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Corolla Hybrid doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Mazda 3’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Corolla Hybrid’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Mazda 3’s headlights were rated “Good” to “Acceptable” by the IIHS, while the Corolla Hybrid’s headlights are rated “Marginal.”

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Mazda 3 Premium/Turbo has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Corolla Hybrid doesn’t offer cornering lights.

When the Mazda 3 Preferred/Carbon/Premium/Turbo is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Corolla Hybrid’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Mazda 3’s optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Corolla Hybrid doesn’t offer the luxury of automatic dimming mirrors.

On extremely cold winter days, the Mazda 3 Turbo’s standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The Corolla Hybrid doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Mazda 3 Select/Preferred/Carbon/Premium/Turbo’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 Corolla Hybrid doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

Both the Mazda 3 and the Corolla Hybrid offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Mazda 3 Select/Preferred/Carbon/Premium/Turbo has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Corolla Hybrid doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

The Mazda 3 Premium’s standard GPS navigation system has a real-time traffic update feature that plots alternative routes to automatically bypass traffic problems. (Service not available in all areas.) The Corolla Hybrid’s available navigation system doesn’t offer real-time traffic updates.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Mazda 3 offers an available wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The Corolla Hybrid doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

Model Availability

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

Recommendations

The Mazda 3 has won recognition from these important consumer publications:

	Mazda 3	Corolla Hybrid
Consumer Reports® Recommends	TRUE	Top Pick
Car Book “Best Bet”	TRUE	n/a