Compare the2024 Mazda 3VS 2022 Ford EcoSport

Safety
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Economic Advantages
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 Ford EcoSport doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Mazda 3 are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The EcoSport doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Mazda 3 has standard Whiplash Reducing Headrests, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash Reducing Headrests system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The EcoSport doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The Mazda 3 has standard Smart Brake Support, which use forward mounted sensors to warn the driver of a possible collision ahead. If the driver doesn’t react and the system determines a collision is imminent, it automatically applies the brakes at full-force in order to reduce the force of the crash or avoid it altogether. The EcoSport doesn't offer collision warning or crash mitigation brakes.

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 use rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. The EcoSport doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Mazda 3’s lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. The EcoSport doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

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 EcoSport only offers a rear monitor and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the front or sides.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Mazda 3 has standard Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Rear Cross Traffic Braking on the Turbo Premium Plus automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. Ford charges extra for rear cross-path warning on the EcoSport and its not available on the S.

The Mazda 3’s 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 EcoSport doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Mazda 3 and the EcoSport have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras and available all wheel drive.

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 Ford EcoSport:

	Mazda 3	EcoSport
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	89	250
Neck Injury Risk	17%	36%
Neck Stress	214 lbs.	403 lbs.
Neck Compression	27 lbs.	60 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	205/212 lbs.	495/441 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	153	325
Chest Compression	.4 inches	.5 inches
Neck Injury Risk	30%	38%
Neck Stress	191 lbs.	200 lbs.
Neck Compression	20 lbs.	74 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	178/201 lbs.	329/236 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 Ford EcoSport:

	Mazda 3	EcoSport
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.9 inches	.9 inches
Hip Force	239 lbs.	337 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Hip Force	620 lbs.	685 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	10 inches	12 inches
HIC	199	215
Spine Acceleration	30 G’s	37 G’s
Hip Force	527 lbs.	549 lbs.

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

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the Mazda 3, with its five-star roll-over rating, is 9% to 10.3% less likely to roll over than the EcoSport, which received a three-star to four-star rating.

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, and daytime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Mazda 3 the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2023, a rating granted to only 54 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The EcoSport has not been fully tested, yet.

Reliability

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Mazda 3’s reliability 29 points higher than the EcoSport.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mazda above average in long-term dependability. With 13 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Ford is rated lower.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Mazda fourth in overall reliability. Ford is ranked 18th.

Engine

The Mazda 3’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 25 more horsepower (191 vs. 166) and 37 lbs.-ft. more torque (186 vs. 149) than the EcoSport’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Mazda 3’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 84 more horsepower (250 vs. 166) and 171 lbs.-ft. more torque (320 vs. 149) than the EcoSport’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Mazda 3 (base 2.5 4-cylinder) is faster than the Ford EcoSport (automatics tested):

	3	EcoSport
Zero to 30 MPH	3 sec	3.9 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	7.7 sec	10.7 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	4.6 sec	6.7 sec
Quarter Mile	16.1 sec	18.1 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	91 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 EcoSport doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The Mazda 3 has a standard locking fuel door which locks and unlocks with the power locks The fuel filler door is not lockable on the EcoSport. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Mazda 3 higher (7 out of 10) than the Ford EcoSport (5). This means the Mazda 3 produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the EcoSport every 15,000 miles.

Transmission

The Mazda 3 offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and sportiness. The EcoSport doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

Brakes and Stopping

The Mazda 3 stops much shorter than the EcoSport:

	Mazda 3	EcoSport
70 to 0 MPH	164 feet	186 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	115 feet	132 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	134 feet	139 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Mazda 3 Select Sport/Preferred/Carbon/Premium’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the EcoSport (215/45R18 vs. 205/60R16).

The Mazda 3 Select Sport/Preferred/Carbon/Premium’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the EcoSport’s optional 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Mazda 3 Select Sport/Preferred/Carbon/Premium has standard 18-inch wheels. The EcoSport’s largest wheels are only 17-inches.

The Mazda 3’s wheels have 5 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Ford EcoSport only has 4 wheel lugs per wheel.

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Mazda 3’s wheelbase is 8.1 inches longer than on the EcoSport (107.3 inches vs. 99.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Mazda 3 is 1.9 inches wider in the front and 2.5 inches wider in the rear than on the EcoSport.

The Mazda 3 Carbon Edition Sedan handles at .86 G’s, while the EcoSport SE pulls only .74 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

Chassis

The Mazda 3 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 200 pounds less than the Ford EcoSport.

The Mazda 3 is 8.4 inches shorter in height than the EcoSport, making the Mazda 3 much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

Cargo Capacity

The Mazda 3 Hatchback’s standard liftgate lifts up in one piece, completely out of the way of loading and unloading, while sheltering the cargo loading area. The EcoSport’s swing out door blocks loading from the driver’s side.

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 EcoSport doesn’t offer a power cargo door.

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the Mazda 3 Preferred/Carbon/Premium, 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 EcoSport doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Mazda 3 Premium 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 EcoSport doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Mazda 3’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The EcoSport has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

The Mazda 3’s 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 EcoSport’s passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

On a hot day the Mazda 3’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the EcoSport can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Mazda 3’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the EcoSport’s standard halogen headlights. LED lights also light instantly and last over twenty times longer than halogen. The Mazda 3’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the EcoSport’s projector halogen headlights and light instantly. LED lights also last over twenty times longer than halogen.

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors standard on the Mazda 3 detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The EcoSport doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

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

When the Mazda 3 Preferred/Carbon/Premium 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 EcoSport’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 EcoSport offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Mazda 3 Select Sport/Preferred/Carbon/Premium’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 EcoSport doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

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

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the Mazda 3 has a standard Radar Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The EcoSport doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

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

Model Availability

The Mazda 3 comes in sedan and four door hatchback bodystyles; the Ford EcoSport isn’t available as a sedan or four-door hatchback.

The Mazda 3 is available in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The EcoSport doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Economic Advantages

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Mazda 3 is less expensive to operate than the EcoSport because typical repairs cost much less on the Mazda 3 than the EcoSport, including $61 less for a muffler, $7 less for front brake pads, $79 less for front struts, $529 less for a timing belt/chain and $335 less for a power steering pump.

Recommendations

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

	Mazda 3	EcoSport
Consumer Reports® Recommends	TRUE	FALSE
Car Book “Best Bet”	TRUE	FALSE