Compare the2024 Mazda 3VS 2022 Toyota C-HR

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

Safety

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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 C-HR doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Mazda 3 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The C-HR doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

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 C-HR doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

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 C-HR 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 C-HR 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 C-HR only offers a rear monitor.

Both the Mazda 3 and C-HR have Rear Cross Traffic Alert, but the Mazda 3Turbo Premium Plus has Rear Cross Traffic Braking (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The C-HR’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Mazda 3 and the C-HR have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

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 C-HR:

	Mazda 3	C-HR
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	89	163
Neck Injury Risk	17%	27%
Neck Stress	214 lbs.	312 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	205/212 lbs.	383/344 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
Chest Compression	.4 inches	.8 inches
Neck Injury Risk	30%	41%
Neck Stress	191 lbs.	238 lbs.
Neck Compression	20 lbs.	59 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	178/201 lbs.	155/276 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 C-HR:

	Mazda 3	C-HR
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Hip Force	239 lbs.	419 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	10 inches	13 inches
HIC	199	243
Spine Acceleration	30 G’s	40 G’s
Hip Force	527 lbs.	714 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 4.2% less likely to roll over than the C-HR, which received a four-star rating. The C-HR tipped up during the NHTSA handling test; the Mazda 3 didn’t.

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 C-HR last would have qualified as a “Top Safety Pick” in 2022.

Engine

The Mazda 3’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 47 more horsepower (191 vs. 144) and 47 lbs.-ft. more torque (186 vs. 139) than the C-HR’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Mazda 3’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 106 more horsepower (250 vs. 144) and 181 lbs.-ft. more torque (320 vs. 139) than the C-HR’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Mazda 3 is faster than the Toyota C-HR (automatics tested):

	Mazda3	Mazda3 Turbo	C-HR
Zero to 60 MPH	7.2 sec	5.6 sec	11 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	19.6 sec	14.3 sec	33.8 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	7.7 sec	6.4 sec	11.8 sec
Quarter Mile	15.6 sec	14.1 sec	18.4 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	91 MPH	99 MPH	79 MPH
Top Speed	131 MPH	134 MPH	115 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 C-HR doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Mazda 3 offers an optional system to automatically turn off the engine 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 C-HR 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 Mazda 3 higher (7 out of 10) than the Toyota C-HR (3). This means the Mazda 3 produces up to 24.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the C-HR every 15,000 miles.

Brakes and Stopping

The Mazda 3 stops much shorter than the C-HR:

	Mazda 3	C-HR
70 to 0 MPH	164 feet	174 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	115 feet	137 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	134 feet	147 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

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 C-HR’s 50 series tires.

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Mazda 3’s wheelbase is 3.4 inches longer than on the C-HR (107.3 inches vs. 103.9 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Mazda 3 is 1.1 inches wider in the front and 1.6 inches wider in the rear than on the C-HR.

The Mazda 3 Premium Hatchback AWD handles at .88 G’s, while the C-HR Limited pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver 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 Toyota C-HR.

Passenger Space

The Mazda 3 Hatchback has 6.7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the C-HR (92.7 vs. 86). The Mazda 3 Sedan has 6.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the C-HR (92.8 vs. 86).

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 C-HR doesn’t offer a power liftgate.

Servicing Ease

A maintenance reminder system is standard on the Mazda 3 to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals for oil changes, based on odometer mileage. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Toyota doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the C-HR.

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 C-HR doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

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 C-HR 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 C-HR doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The C-HR’s standard power locks don’t automatically lock the doors. The Mazda 3’s standard doors lock when a certain speed is reached. This is an important feature for occupant safety. Locked doors are proven to open less often in collisions, and they are also effective in preventing crime at traffic lights.

The Mazda 3’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The C-HR’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Mazda 3’s standard wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The C-HR’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

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 C-HR’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 C-HR has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

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

The Mazda 3 Select Sport/Preferred/Carbon/Premium has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The C-HR doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

Both the Mazda 3 and the C-HR 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 C-HR 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 Mazda 3 offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The C-HR doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

Model Availability

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

Recommendations

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

	Mazda 3	C-HR
Consumer Reports® Recommends	TRUE	TRUE
Car Book “Best Bet”	TRUE	n/a

The Mazda 3 outsold the Toyota C-HR by over two to one during 2022.