For over a generation, auto writers worldwide have given the Honda Civic positive reviews. But the plaudits car critics have given to the Civic often pale compared to the bouquets thrown at the Mazda Mazda3. (And we are not being redundant here; Mazda is the brand, and Mazda3 is the model.)
Car writers love the Mazda3 because of its fun-to-drive nature. While some specialty models from other brands, like the Honda Civic Type R, outperform it in enthusiast-style driving, the typical Mazda3 outpoints its mainstream compact car rivals in handling, steering, braking, and overall performance. While Mazda doesn't use "Zoom-Zoom" as its advertising catchphrase anymore, there is more than a bit of zoom-zoom left in the Mazda3.
The Honda Civic is also widely appreciated for its fun-to-drive nature. It backs up that side of its dual personality with unique trims like the Type R and the Civic Si. At the same time, many consumers and car critics see it as one of the most practical cars on the market. A perennial bestseller, it is inexpensive to buy, economical to own, and has a reputation for good resale value.
The 2023 Honda Civic and the 2023 Mazda Mazda3 are available as either a 4-door sedan or a 4-door hatchback. They offer a variety of powertrains and trim levels, so you can select a car with the price and equipment level that suits your desires. In an era that stresses electrification, neither Honda nor Mazda offers hybrid versions of their Civic or Mazda3. Honda markets the performance-oriented Civic Si and Civic Type R. Mazda is a bit more subtle with no dedicated performance variant. Still, the 250-horsepower Turbo trims deliver plenty of thrills to enthusiast drivers. Here is a detailed comparison pitting the 2023 Honda Civic versus the 2023 Mazda Mazda3.
2023 Honda Civic Si
Honda markets 4-door sedan and 4-door hatchback versions of the 2023 Civic. Mazda matches its Japanese counterpart with 4-door sedan and 4-door hatchback versions of the 2023 Mazda3. Neither brand offers a hybrid-powered version, but both provide turbocharged engines in addition to normally aspirated 4-cylinders. In addition to its mainstream Civics, Honda has sold the performance-oriented Civic Si and Civic Type R for several years. The Mazda3 specialty model—the 2.5 S Carbon Edition—features the popular blackout treatment.
The 2023 Honda Civic is available in Sport, EX, Touring, Si, and Type R versions. Honda dropped the entry-level LX trim for the 2023 model year. Honda priced the Civic Sport sedan at $26,145, including the $1,095 destination fee, making it the least expensive Civic model. Its buyers get a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine and a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The EX ($27,545) mid-range trim with the more powerful turbocharged engine makes an intelligent compromise between luxury and reasonable cost. The Touring ($31,145) gives its buyers an even tonier treatment with a 10.2-inch digital instrument display, leather seats, a 9-inch touchscreen, and a Bose sound system. The more versatile Civic Hatchback trims (Sport, EX-L, and Sport Touring) provide equipment similar to their sedan siblings, with base prices about $800 higher.
For those seeking a more engaging driving experience, the 200-hp 2023 Honda Civic Si ($29,595) delivers it while not breaking the bank. The 2023 Civic Type R ($44,390) takes the performance level up a notch with 315 hp and additional equipment. To add to its esteem, the Honda Civic is the highest-ranked Compact Car in the JD Power 2023 U.S. ALG Residual Value Awards.
Including optional packages, the 2023 Mazda Mazda3 comes in seven trims: 2.5 S, 2.5 S Select, 2.5 S Preferred, 2.5 S Carbon Edition, 2.5 S Premium, 2.5 Turbo, and 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus. You can probably guess which trims feature a turbocharged engine. The Mazda3 offers both hatchbacks and sedans in its varied lineup. And the Mazda3 is one of the few compacts to offer all-wheel drive (AWD), though most are front-wheel drive (FWD).
The 2.5 S is the lowest-priced Mazda3 in the lineup, with a starting price of $23,615, including the $1,065 destination fee. Mazda equips it with a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine matched to a 6-speed conventional automatic transmission driving the front wheels. The Select, Preferred, Carbon Edition, and Premium add ascending comfort and convenience features. The Carbon Edition ($28,265) is the most notable, with the availability of AWD, standard black-finished alloy wheels and trim, and gray metallic exterior paint. It also features a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system.
With a starting manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $30,465, the Mazda3 Premium is the least expensive trim with standard AWD. It offers niceties, including a leather-wrapped steering wheel with paddle shifters, a leather-wrapped gear selector, a navigation system, and a SiriusXM satellite radio trial subscription. The 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus is the most costly of all the Mazda3s. It mimics the 2.5 S Premium equipment level with AWD, a moonroof, leather seats, and navigation for a suggested base price of $35,065. In comparison, the 2.5 S Premium has an MSRP of $30,465. The 2.5 Turbo is only available as a hatchback with a suggested retail price of $33,515, including destination. The Mazda3 hatchbacks typically cost $1,000 more than their sedan counterparts.
Advantage: Honda Civic
2023 Mazda Mazda3
The Honda Civic does not rank among the top three models in the Compact Car segment in the JD Power 2022 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS), which assesses owner-reported problems during the third year of ownership. The Civic also does not rank among the top three models in its segment in the JD Power 2022 U.S. Initial Quality Study (IQS).
The 2023 Honda Civic has the following warranty, roadside assistance, and scheduled maintenance coverage:
The Mazda Mazda3 does not rank among the top three models in the Compact Car segment in either the 2022 VDS or the 2022 IQS.
The 2023 Mazda Mazda3 has the following warranty, roadside assistance, and scheduled maintenance coverage:
Advantage: Honda Civic
2023 Honda Civic Sedan
The 2023 Honda Civic enables buyers to choose among four engines—two performance powertrains reserved for the Civic Si and Civic Type R and two widely available power plants. Honda equips the Sport trims with a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine that delivers 158 hp through a CVT driving the front wheels. The EX, EX-L Hatchback, Sport Touring Hatchback, and Touring trims step things up with a 180-hp, turbocharged 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine.
Customers can equip the Sport and Sport Touring hatchbacks with a 6-speed manual transmission or a CVT. The Sport and Sport Touring models also feature a Sport mode in addition to the standard Normal and Eco driving modes.
The Civic Si is popular with enthusiasts because of its 200-hp, turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine plus a 6-speed manual transmission. The Type R takes performance farther down the road with its highly tuned turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine that produces 315 hp and 310 pound-feet of torque.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the 2023 Civic sedan with the base 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine at an estimated 33 mpg combined. In an amusing quirk, the higher-horsepower 1.5-liter turbo engine delivers better fuel economy at 36 mpg combined. With the turbocharged 1.5-liter engine, the Civic Hatchback turns in 35 mpg combined. The manual transmission models are somewhat less fuel-efficient than those with the CVT. The EPA rates the manual transmission Sport Hatchback at 29 mpg combined, the sporty Civic Si at 31 mpg combined, and the Civic Type R at 24 mpg combined.
For its part, Mazda equips the 2.5 S trims of the 2023 Mazda3 with (not surprisingly) a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine. Formerly an optional engine, the 2.5-liter produces a potent 191 hp and 186 pound-feet of torque. In most trims, it drives the front wheels via a 6-speed conventional automatic transmission. The Carbon Edition and 2.5 S Premium hatchback make AWD optional, and the 2.5 Premium sedan and both Turbo trims are AWD. The 2.5 Turbo and 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus feature a turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine. It delivers 227 hp on regular gas and 250 hp on premium fuel. The Turbo trims do not offer a manual transmission but instead a sport-oriented 6-speed automatic.
The Mazda3's 191-hp base outpoints the base (158 hp) and up-level (180 hp) mainstream Civic engines. It is one of several reasons the Mazda3 is such a joy to drive. Of course, the 250-hp turbocharged engine takes the program to a headier plateau—another big plus—paired with the conventional automatic transmission.
While the Mazda3's horsepower creates joy, its fuel economy might bring a little rain to the parade. According to the EPA, the Mazda3 sedan with the base engine and FWD will deliver an estimated 31 mpg combined. The Turbo Premium Plus sedan gets 27 mpg combined. The Turbo and Turbo Premium Plus hatchbacks get 26 mpg combined. The EPA rates the front-drive hatchbacks (2.5 S, Select, Preferred, and Carbon Edition) and the manual transmission Premium at 30 mpg combined. The Carbon Edition and Premium hatchbacks—both AWD—turn in 29-mpg marks.
Advantage: Honda Civic
2023 Mazda Mazda3
Honda was among the leaders in offering customers an array of standard electronic safety and driver-assistance features. It calls its roster of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) Honda Sensing. The advanced safety features in the 2023 Honda Civic include forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-centering assistance, lane-keeping assistance, adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, and traffic-sign recognition. Drivers of manual transmission-equipped Civics don't benefit from low-speed follow as part of their adaptive cruise control. The Civic Type R adds a blind-spot warning system and rear cross-traffic warning to its standard grouping of ADAS.
For the 2023 model year, Honda has upgraded some of its safety systems. For example, a new single-camera automatic emergency braking system provides a broader field of view than the previous radar-and-camera-based arrangement. According to Honda, it can identify pedestrians, bicyclists, and vehicles more accurately than before. Traffic-jam assist, which leverages the car's standard adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping systems, is enhanced to feel less intrusive.
On the crashworthiness front, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the maximum 5-star overall ratings to all Civic models except the Type R, which it has yet to rate. Meanwhile, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the Civic Sedan and Hatchback the highest-possible Good rating in six of seven crash tests, the lone exception being an Acceptable rating in the updated side-impact test. The Institute also gave the 2023 Civic its highest accolade—Top Safety Pick+—for the 2022 calendar year.
Like Honda, Mazda has a name for its suite of ADAS technologies: i-ActivSense. Mazda equips all 2023 Mazda3 models with standard safety features that include forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, driver monitoring system, and automatic high-beam headlights. Blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warnings are standard on all but the lowest 2.5 S trim. Rear automatic braking and traffic-jam assist are standard on the top-level 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus model. The top version of the 2023 Mazda3 also has standard front and rear parking sensors.
The standard adaptive cruise control with a stop-and-go function works well and is easy to deploy and manipulate while underway. It offers some benefits of the more sophisticated traffic-jam assist, which leverages it and other ADAS functionality.
At this writing, the NHTSA has not rated the crashworthiness of the 2023 Mazda3. However, the structurally similar 2022 model received 5 out of 5 stars in its new-car assessment program. Meanwhile, the 2023 Mazda3 received (the highest) Good ratings in all crashworthiness categories in crash tests conducted by the IIHS. The Institute also named the 2023 Mazda3 sedan and hatchback a Top Safety Pick+ for the 2022 calendar year.
Advantage: Mazda Mazda3
2023 Honda Civic Hatchback
After some stumbles late in the previous decade, Honda has improved the controls of its infotainment systems to make them easier to use. The brand equips the 2023 Honda Civic Sport, Sport Hatchback, EX, and EX-L Hatchback with a standard 7-inch touchscreen, accompanied by power/volume and tuning/selection knobs—the most telling upgrade. The unit has physical buttons that enable users to skip music tracks and navigate the audio menu. It supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with a wired connection. The standard audio system has eight speakers.
Buyers of the Civic Touring, Sport Touring Hatchback, Si, and Type R get a 9-inch touchscreen with a volume knob but no tuning knob. A finger rest and mode selections at the bottom of the touchscreen are distinguishing features of the up-level unit. SiriusXM satellite radio, HD Radio, wireless Apple CarPlay, and wireless Android Auto are standard with the larger touchscreen. The Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System featuring voice recognition and real-time traffic is another standard feature. To accompany the upscale system, Honda product planners chose a Bose premium audio system with 12 speakers and an 8-inch subwoofer.
Mazda prides itself on its independent thinking, and its infotainment system evidences that. While the majority of brands embrace a touchscreen as the control system of choice, the 2023 Mazda Mazda3's infotainment system doesn't employ one. Instead, the system uses a console-mounted controller plus a console-mounted volume control knob. Users flip through various screens and lists using the rotary controller and choose functions by pressing down. Once one gets the hang of it, the actions become second nature but are not intuitive. Difficulties arise because some menus, like the radio station list, are somewhat challenging to access, requiring multiple scrolls and presses.
All Mazda3s feature 8.8-inch digital display screens, and all support Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and AM/FM/HD Radio. The 2.5 S Premium and 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus add a dedicated navigation system and SiriusXM real-time traffic information. Those two trims plus the 2.5 Turbo feature a three-month trial subscription to SiriusXM plus a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system. Mazda fits the other trims with 8-speaker audio. Mazda Connected Services connectivity, standard across all Mazda3s, includes an in-vehicle Wi-Fi hotspot (with a three-month trial subscription) and remote services like door locking and remote engine start. All Mazda3 trims have two USB audio input ports.
Advantage: Honda Civic
2023 Mazda Mazda3
One significant advantage of the 2023 Honda Civic is its spacious interior. Among the largest in the segment, it delivers a feeling of openness and comfort. The EPA classifies the 2023 Civic as a midsize car, while the agency designates most of its competitors, including the Mazda3, as compact cars. Because of this, rear-seat passengers are less likely to feel confined. Families can easily fit a pair of child safety seats into the rear seating area.
When Honda re-did the Civic for the 2022 model year, its designers improved the look and feel of the interior. The easy-to-use heating/ventilation/air conditioning controls sit below the center-mounted infotainment screen. A mesh design that integrates variable-direction vents spans most of the attractive dashboard. Both driver's and front passenger seats are comfortable and multi-adjustable.
With 14.8 cubic feet of trunk space in the sedan and 24.5 cubic feet of luggage space in the hatchback, the mainstream Civics provide versatile cargo-carrying ability. The Honda Civic Si has 14.1 cubic feet of cargo space, and the Civic Type R has the same 24.5 cubic feet of luggage area as the other hatchbacks. So, Honda engineers made sure they were practical as well as fun to drive.
While the Honda Civic recently upped its interior game, the Mazda3 has always been known for its upscale, near-luxury interiors in design and materials. The 2.5 S sedan and 2.5 S hatchback are the only trims of the 2023 Mazda3 with cloth seats. The mid-range trims have leatherette seats, and the Carbon Edition, Premium, and Premium Plus feature leather seats. Except for the 2.5 S and the 2.5 S Select, all driver's seats are 8-way power-adjustable. Mazda fits all Mazda3s with a 60/40 split rear seat, a convenient one-touch fold-down function, and a reclining rear seatback. Dual-zone automatic climate control is standard on all trims except the entry 2.5 S.
Though the Mazda3 is longer than the Honda Civic by more than 4 inches, it delivers less passenger volume, according to the EPA measuring scheme. The Mazda3 sedan offers 13.2 cubic feet of trunk space. And the hatchback provides 20.1 cubic feet of cargo area.
If you'd like to learn more about these compact cars, be sure to read our expert reviews of the Honda Civic Sedan, Honda Civic Hatchback, and the Mazda Mazda3. To find out how people like you rate models in this segment, check out our ratings from verified vehicle owners.
Also, please keep in mind that while the information in this article was accurate and valid on January 19, 2023, it may have changed since that date. Always confirm product details and availability with the automaker's website or your local dealership.
Part of BMW’s Neue Klasse (new class) rollout of redesigned models, the 2027 BMW 3 Series is all-new and goes on sale in the first quarter of 2027.
Read the Full Article
Updates to the 2027 Honda Passport TrailSport include a reworked suspension, improved steering, subtle styling enhancements, and added standard equipment.
Read the Full Article
The midsize 2027 Mercedes GLE remains available in original and spicy Coupe recipes, now with standard 4Matic all-wheel drive (AWD), MBUX Superscreen technology, and a panoramic glass sunroof for ...See More
Read the Full Article
Nissan is about to introduce an innovative new SUV. The 2027 Nissan Rogue Hybrid has a gasoline engine, but it does not power the wheels. Instead, electric motors at each axle provide propulsion, ...See More
Read the Full Article