Compare the2025 BMW 2 Series Gran CoupeVS 2025 Mazda 3

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics

Safety

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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.

Both the 2 Series Gran Coupe and the Mazda 3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

Warranty

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, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Mazda doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the 3.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Mazda vehicles. With 26 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks BMW higher than Mazda.

Engine

The 228 Gran Coupe’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 50 more horsepower (241 vs. 191) and 109 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 186) than the Mazda 3’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The M235’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 62 more horsepower (312 vs. 250) than the Mazda 3’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

Fuel Economy and Range

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.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the 2 Series Gran Coupe’s engine automatically turns off 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 Mazda 3 doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

Transmission

A seven-speed automatic (SMG) 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.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The Mazda 3 doesn’t offer an SMG.

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 optional 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.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	228 sDrive	M235	Mazda 3	Mazda 3 AWD
Front Rotors	13 inches	15.2 inches	11.02 inches	11.61 inches
Rear Rotors	11.8 inches	13 inches	10.43 inches	10.43 inches

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.

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the 2 Series Gran Coupe has larger standard tires than the Mazda 3 (225/45R18 vs. 205/60R16). The M235’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Mazda 3 (235/40R19 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 Sedan’s standard 60 series tires. The M235’s optional tires have a lower 40 series profile than the Mazda 3 Select Sport/Preferred/Carbon/Premium’s 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the 2 Series Gran Coupe has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Mazda 3 2.5 S Sedan. The M235’s optional 19-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels on the Mazda 3 Select Sport/Preferred/Carbon/Premium.

Suspension and Handling

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 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 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.

Cargo Capacity

To allow full utilization of available cargo room, the 2 Series Gran Coupe’s trunk lid uses concealed beam hinges that don’t intrude into the trunk. Its intrusive beam hinge reduces the Mazda 3’s useful trunk space (except wagon).

With its sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the 2 Series Gran offers cargo security. The Mazda 3’s non-lockable remote release defeats cargo security.

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 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.

Servicing Ease

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.

Ergonomics

The 2 Series Gran Coupe’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Mazda 3 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

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 or from a distance using the remote. 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.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe’s standard Comfort Access allow you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, open the trunk, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Push Button Start standard on the Mazda 3 only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the car. Push Button Start is not available on the Mazda 3 Select Sport/Preferred/Carbon/Premium.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe’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 Mazda 3 2.5 S’ standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

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 Select Sport/Preferred/Carbon/Premium.

Both the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe and Mazda 3 offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The 2 Series Gran Coupe features standard power folding mirrors, which allow for easy, one-touch folding or unfolding at the driver’s discretion. This provides added convenience when maneuvering or parking, as well as when walking past the parked vehicle. In comparison, the Mazda 3’s foldable mirrors are manual, requiring the driver to get out and physically fold them once parked and unfold them before getting in.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Mazda 3.

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 Sport/Preferred/Carbon/Premium.

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.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the BMW 2 Series Gran has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the Mazda 3.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe’s optional Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Optional Remote Control Parking will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Mazda 3 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

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