Compare the2023 Honda Civic Type RVS 2023 Mazda 3

Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the Civic Type R deploy with different levels of force or don’t deploy at all to help better protect passengers of all sizes in different collisions. The Civic Type R’s side airbags will shut off if a child is leaning against the door. The Mazda 3’s side airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

The Civic Type R 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. 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 Civic Type R 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 Civic Type R and the Mazda 3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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 and rearview cameras.

Honda pays for scheduled maintenance on the Civic Type R for 2 years and 24,000 miles. Honda will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Mazda doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the 3.

There are almost 2 times as many Honda dealers as there are Mazda dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Civic Type R’s warranty.

The Civic Type R’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 124 more horsepower (315 vs. 191) and 124 lbs.-ft. more torque (310 vs. 186) than the Mazda 3’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Civic Type R’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 65 more horsepower (315 vs. 250) than the Mazda 3’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

The Civic Type R has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Mazda 3 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

To facilitate fast shifting and allow the driver to focus on the road, the Civic Type R has a standard up-shift light to indicate when the engine is approaching redline. The Mazda 3 doesn’t offer an up-shift light.

The Civic Type R’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 Civic Type R’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Mazda 3:

For better traction, the Civic Type R has larger tires than the Mazda 3 (265/30R19 vs. 205/60R16). The Civic Type R’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Mazda 3 (265/30R19 vs. 215/45R18).

The Civic Type R’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 30 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Mazda 3 2.5 S’ standard 60 series tires. The Civic Type R’s tires are lower profile than the Mazda 3 Hatchback/Select/Preferred/Premium/Turbo’s 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Civic Type R has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Mazda 3 2.5 S. The Mazda 3’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

For superior ride and handling, the Honda Civic Type R 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 Civic Type R has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Civic Type R flat and controlled during cornering. The Mazda 3’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The Civic Type R has a standard 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 Civic Type R 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.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Civic Type R is 2.3 inches wider in the front and 1.3 inches wider in the rear than on the Mazda 3.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Civic Type R a Large car, while the Mazda 3 is rated a Compact.

The Civic Type R has 6.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Mazda 3 Sedan (99 vs. 92.8).

The Civic Type R has 1.3 inches more front headroom, 1.3 inches more front shoulder room, 2.3 inches more rear legroom and 2.5 inches more rear shoulder room than the Mazda 3 Sedan.

The Civic Type R has a much larger trunk than the Mazda 3 Sedan (24.5 vs. 13.2 cubic feet).

To allow full utilization of available cargo room, the Civic Type R’s hatch uses gas strut supported hinges that don’t intrude into the cargo area. The Mazda 3’s useful trunk space is reduced by its intrusive beam hinge (except wagon).

The Civic Type R’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Mazda 3 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

If the windows are left open on the Civic Type R 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. The driver of the Mazda 3 can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Civic Type R 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.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Honda Civic Type R has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) for the front seat. Wireless charging costs extra on the Mazda 3.

The Civic Type R was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2 of the last 5 years. The Mazda 3 has never been a Car and Driver “Top Ten” pick.

The Civic Type R was chosen as one of Automobile Magazine’s “All Stars” in 2018. The Mazda 3 has never been an “All Star.”

The Honda Civic outsold the Mazda 3 by over five to one during the 2022 model year.