2021 Mazda3 vs 2022 Honda Civic: Mazda's model has nothing to fear
July 29 2021,
Competition is strong in the compact car segment, and when a model is renewed, it usually gets the better of its rivals. On the Mazda side, the popular Mazda3 has been redesigned for 2020. The bar has been set very high for the enemies.
The main one is of course Honda with the Civic which has always been very popular with Quebec consumers. And for 2020, this one has just been redesigned, which could worry those interested in the Mazda3.
They have nothing to worry about. No, the 2022 Civic isn't a bad car, far from it, but it doesn't have the dynamism of the Mazda3.
A self-effacing style
The 2022 Honda Civic has a neutral style that doesn't convey emotion. We tried not to shock with this 11th generation. At Mazda, the philosophy is not the same. We like to provoke reactions, palpitations. That's why the Mazda3's design is much more eye-catching than the new Civic's.
One look at the car's nose gives you an idea.
More powerful engines
The Honda Civic currently offers two powertrains, a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder and a 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder. The former boasts 158 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque. That's less than what Mazda's similarly sized engine delivers; 155 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque.
For the more powerful block, the cavalry is at 180 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque with the Civic. For the Mazda 5, the next powertrain is a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder that delivers 186 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque. Once again, the Mazda advantage.
And add to that the new addition to the lineup this year, a 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder that suggests up to 250 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque. Even the upcoming Si version of the Honda Civic won't offer that much.
Driving pleasure
Finally, where the Honda Civic could have joined the Mazda3 is by offering a superior or at least equivalent driving experience. Well, even though Honda has greatly improved things, the Mazda3 has nothing to worry about. It still offers the best feeling behind the wheel, thanks to a perfectly calibrated steering and a chassis that shares everything it senses on the road.
The connection with the latter is once again superior with Mazda's compact car.
In fact, to be sure, why not test drive both models back to back; that's how much confidence we have in our Mazda3.
