2024 Mazda3 vs. 2024 Toyota Corolla Comparison

Compact passenger vehicles from any of the big Japanese automakers are always a sensible purchase choice. We take a closer look at two of the top contenders in this segment, the latest Mazda3 and the well-known Toyota Corolla that first made its appearance way back in 1966.

Read on as we compare the 2024 Mazda3 vs. Toyota Corolla to see what's on offer.

2024 Mazda3

Available in both sedan and hatchback body styles, the 2024 Mazda3 is now in its current fourth generation, first seen in 2019, and has a choice of two 2.5-liter four-cylinder engines.

Key highlights of the 2024 lineup are the upgraded interiors and a special Carbon Edition trim available exclusively on the Turbo hatchback.

Buyers of the 2024 Mazda3 sedan can choose from six trims: 2.5 S, 2.5 Select Sport, 2.5 S Preferred, 2.5 S Carbon Edition, 2.5 Turbo Carbon Edition, and 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus, with the hatchback dropping the base 2.5 S trim.

2024 Toyota Corolla

The 12th generation Toyota Corolla saw big changes in 2023 with the range being treated to refreshed exterior styling and the introduction of the sporty GR model, which means minimal changes for the 2024 Toyota Corolla, which, like the Mazda3 is available as either a four-door sedan or five-door hatchback.

Updates to the lineup include the reintroduction of the dark-themed Nightshade Edition and the blue-themed Circuit Edition. Buyers also get to choose from the LE, SE, and XSE grades that guarantee to fit almost any budget or style choices.

In the 2024 Mazda3 vs. Toyota Corolla comparison, the Mazda3 stands out with its fourth-generation design, upgraded interiors, and diverse trim options, while the 12th-generation Toyota Corolla maintains its appeal with refreshed styling, the addition of the sporty GR model, and a range of choices in the LE, SE, and XSE grades.

Mazda3 vs. Toyota Corolla Interior

The 2024 Mazda3 stands out of the crowd with its upmarket cabin fitted with premium materials. The interior design focuses on clean, uncluttered spaces and surfaces.

The interior shows clever design finishes like the air vents and door handles that are hidden away to create an elegant and sophisticated look and feel to the cabin.

With a wide range of trim levels, buyers will get more luxurious finishes like leather upholstery, a heads-up display, and heated and ventilated seats in the top-of-range trims.

The interior of the 2024 Corolla features a streamlined dashboard finished in soft-touch materials. Lower trims offer cloth seating surfaces with higher specs, kitted with leather trim and leather-wrapped steering wheels.

Most trims are fitted with passive entry and push-button start convenience. When buying up in the range, options such as ambient interior lighting, dual-zone climate control, and heated front seats become available.

In the 2024 Mazda3 vs. Toyota Corolla comparison, the Mazda3 impresses with its upscale cabin and diverse trims, offering premium features, while the Corolla showcases a streamlined dashboard and convenient amenities in higher trims.

Mazda3 vs. Toyota Corolla Exterior

Mazda's standout KODO design language shows off striking curves and angles on the body, elevating its looks above the mundane.

Key exterior fitment includes standard LED daytime running lights, LED headlights and combination tail lights. All Mazda3 models ride on alloy wheels ranging from 16" to 18", and convenient features such as rain-sensing variable-intermittent windshield wipers are on offer.

With choices of up to six standard exterior paint finishes, all trims feature body-colored side mirrors with the exclusive Carbon Edition in Polymetal Grey Metallic sporting black finish mirrors.

The 2024 Toyota Corolla shows off the recent updates made to the front and rear styling that give the car a more sporty and bolder look. Updated LED headlights and a large grill lend the front end a more aggressive and modern look.

Fitment of alloy wheels from 16-inch wheels on the base model is standard, with higher trims having the option of bigger 18-inch wheels.

For those seeking more style from their Corolla, the aforementioned Nightshade trim features blackout badging, black mirror caps, and 18-inch bronze-finished alloy wheels.

In the Mazda3 vs. Toyota Corolla showdown, Mazda's KODO design flaunts striking curves and LED features, while the 2024 Corolla impresses with sporty updates, including LED headlights and stylish options like blackout badging and bronze-finished alloy wheels for the Nightshade trim.

Performance and Powertrain Differences

Continuing the Mazda3 vs. Toyota Corolla comparison, for 2024, the Mazda3 offers two engines: a naturally-aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine making 191 horsepower and 189 pound-feet of torque, and for buyers wanting better performance, a sporty performance-oriented 250 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque turbo engine is available.

Lower trim levels make use of front-wheel drive, while all-wheel drive is standard equipment on all the turbo trim levels. A six-speed manual transmission is found on FWD models with AWD optional, and turbo versions make use of a six-speed automatic transmission.

The 2024 Toyota Corolla range is fitted with a 169-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with a continuously variable automatic transmission sending power to the front wheels. Those buyers seeking a bit more oomph will have to consider the all-wheel drive, performance GR model pushing out some 300 horsepower from its 1.6-liter turbo engine.

Fuel Economy Comparison

Good fuel consumption is expected from a compact family car, with the Mazda offering fuel economy figures of 28/37 City/Highway mpg and the Toyota coming in at 32/41 City/Highway mpg. Making the Mazda3 vs. Toyota Corolla a close match on efficiency.

Safety and Technology Differences

Both the Mazda3 vs. Toyota Corolla have earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award, which happens to be the highest safety standard given to motor vehicles.

The Mazda3 benefits from standard dual front airbags, front and rear seat-mounted side-impact airbags, side-impact air curtains, and driver's and front passenger's knee airbags, and driver assistance technology includes the likes of forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking.

All 2024 Corolla models feature Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 to enhance their safety features. Standard features include automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, road sign assist, forward-collision warning, and automated emergency braking.

Pricing and Features

When comparing the Mazda3 vs. Toyota Corolla, pricing is a key factor. The Mazda3 range starts at an MSRP of $24,170, going up to $35,450 for the Turbo Premium Plus. Base models still offer a classy interior with top trims that really elevate the driving experience with the likes of a Bose 12-speaker premium audio system and aluminum speaker grills.

The 2024 Corolla sedan range kicks off with the base LE trim at $22,050 MSRP and tops out with the XSE trim at $27,150, which gets you niceties such as the SofTex-trimmed, heated front sport seats and premium instrumentation cluster.

Who Should Buy the 2024 Mazda3?

Drivers looking for a compact vehicle with a standout design, peppy performance, modern technology, and classy cabin space with finishes seemingly from a class above will do well to consider the Mazda3.

Who Should Buy the 2024 Toyota Corolla?

With global sales of over 50 million vehicles through its various generations, the Toyota Corolla nameplate can be more than trusted to deliver a quality family vehicle with good fuel economy, up-to-date technology, and safety features.

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