Compare the2023 BMW 2 Series Gran CoupeVS 2023 Mazda 3

The 2 Series Gran Coupe has a standard PostCrash iBrake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Mazda 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.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. Only the Mazda 3 Select/Preferred/Carbon/Premium/Turbo offers a blind spot warning system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the 2 Series Gran Coupe has a standard rear cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Only the Mazda 3 Select/Preferred/Carbon/Premium/Turbo has a rear cross-path warning system.

Both the 2 Series Gran Coupe and the Mazda 3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, 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 and available all wheel drive.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The 3’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the Mazda 3’s (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the 2 Series Gran Coupe for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Mazda doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the 3.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 2 Series Gran Coupe first among small premium cars in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The Mazda 3 isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW above average in initial quality. With 15 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is rated lower.

The 228i Gran Coupe’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 37 more horsepower (228 vs. 191) and 72 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 186) than the Mazda 3’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The M235i xDrive Gran Coupe’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 51 more horsepower (301 vs. 250) and 11 lbs.-ft. more torque (331 vs. 320) than the Mazda 3’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the 228i Gran Coupe is faster than the Mazda 3 4 cyl. (automatics tested):

As tested in Car and Driver the M235i xDrive Gran Coupe is faster than the Mazda 3 (250 HP engine) (automatics tested):

On the EPA test cycle the 2 Series Gran Coupe gets better mileage than the Mazda 3 Sedan:

On the EPA test cycle the 2 Series Gran Coupe gets better mileage than the Mazda 3 Hatchback:

Regenerative brakes improve the 2 Series Gran Coupe’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Mazda 3 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the Mazda 3.

To facilitate fast shifting and allow the driver to focus on the road, the 2 Series Gran Coupe offers an optional up-shift light to indicate when the engine is approaching redline. The Mazda 3 doesn’t offer an up-shift light.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The Mazda 3 doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the 2 Series Gran Coupe’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Mazda 3:

The 2 Series Gran Coupe’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Mazda 3 are solid, not vented.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe stops much shorter than the Mazda 3:

For better traction, the 2 Series Gran Coupe has larger standard tires than the Mazda 3 (225/45R17 vs. 205/60R16). The 2 Series Gran Coupe’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Mazda 3 (235/35R19 vs. 215/45R18).

The 2 Series Gran Coupe’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Mazda 3 2.5 S’ standard 60 series tires. The 2 Series Gran Coupe’s optional tires have a lower 35 series profile than the Mazda 3 Hatchback/Select/Preferred/Premium/Turbo’s 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the 2 Series Gran Coupe has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Mazda 3 2.5 S. The 2 Series Gran Coupe’s optional 19-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels on the Mazda 3 Hatchback/Select/Preferred/Premium/Turbo.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the 2 Series Gran Coupe can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Mazda 3 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

For superior ride and handling, the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe 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 3 has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the 2 Series Gran Coupe flat and controlled during cornering. The Mazda 3’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The Mazda 3’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Mazda 3 doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

The M235i xDrive Gran Coupe handles at .91 G’s, while the Mazda 3 Premium Sedan AWD pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The M235i xDrive Gran Coupe executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.3 seconds quicker than the Mazda 3 Premium Sedan AWD (25.8 seconds @ .71 average G’s vs. 28.1 seconds @ .58 average G’s).

As tested by Car and Driver while at idle, the interior of the M235i xDrive Gran Coupe is quieter than the Mazda 3 Premium Hatchback (36 vs. 40 dB).

The 2 Series Gran Coupe has a much larger trunk than the Mazda 3 Sedan (15.1 vs. 13.2 cubic feet).

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the 2 Series Gran Coupe. The Mazda 3 doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the 2 Series Gran Coupe’s available trunk can be opened just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Mazda 3 doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its trunk, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Mazda 3 uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that BMW service is better than Mazda. J.D. Power ranks BMW 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 10% lower rating, Mazda is ranked 11th.

The power windows standard on both the 2 Series Gran Coupe and the Mazda 3 have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the 2 Series Gran Coupe is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Mazda 3 prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

If the windows are left open on the 2 Series Gran Coupe the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Mazda 3 can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

Consumer Reports rated the 2 Series Gran Coupe’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the Mazda 3’s headlights, which were rated “Poor.”

The 2 Series Gran Coupe’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Mazda only offers heated mirrors on the Mazda 3 Carbon/Turbo.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe has a 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. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the Mazda 3 Select/Preferred/Carbon/Premium/Turbo.

Both the 2 Series Gran Coupe and the Mazda 3 offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the 2 Series Gran Coupe has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Mazda 3 doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe’s optional Parking Assistant can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Mazda 3 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe and the Mazda 3, based on reliability, safety and performance.