Compare 2020 Toyota Corolla vs. Mazda 3

The Toyota Corolla represents a legacy originating in 1966. The 2020 Corolla model builds on this solid history.

The 2019 Mazda 3, in contrast, is relatively new with its North American release in 2004.

With an EPA-estimated rating of 30/38/33 MPG (city/highway/combined)⁷⁵, the Corolla L beats the Mazda 3 sedan’s EPA-estimated fuel economy rating of 26/35/30 MPG.

The 2020 Corolla Hybrid LE offers a superior fuel economy with an EPA-estimated 53/52/52⁷⁵. The Mazda 3 does not offer a hybrid grade.

ToyotaCare comes as an advantage due to its no-cost maintenance plan for 2 years or 25,000 miles. Prepaid Mazda maintenance plans come at an added cost.

We’ll compare the Mazda 3 and Corolla in safety, price, and fuel economy in this head to head.

2020 Toyota models including all Corolla grades feature Toyota Safety Sense® 2.0 (TSS 2.0)²⁴ – a suite of advanced safety features. The features included are: Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD)²³²², Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist (LDA w/SA)²⁰, Automatic High Beams (AHB)¹⁸, and Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC)¹⁹.

Only the more costly Mazda 3 Sedans (Select Package and higher) deliver comparable driver assistance features including Smart Brake Support which includes pedestrian detection.

Drivers have depended on the Toyota Corolla more than four decades longer than the Mazda 3. Adding to this legacy, two J.D. Power dependability awards from 2018 can inspire consumer confidence. This award indicates that 100 Toyota vehicle owners reported the fewest problems in a 12-month period with their 3-year old vehicles.

Mazda did not receive similar awards in 2018.

The 2020 Toyota Corolla takes the edge over the 2019 Mazda 3 in price. The Corolla L MSRP starts at $19,600¹² while the Mazda 3 sedan MSRP starts at $21,000. But the cost of a car does not indicate the overall cost to own for vehicles.

That’s why ToyotaCare comes as an advantage due to its no-cost maintenance plan for 2 years or 25,000 miles. Prepaid Mazda maintenance plans come at an added cost. Both vehicles feature 3-year/36,000-mile roadside assistance plans.

But Corolla grades also deliver a number of standard convenience features that some Mazda 3 grades miss. This includes Apple CarPlay®⁵¹ which comes standard on the Mazda 3 Select and higher grades. The base-grade Mazda 3 sedan lacks this feature.

Corolla also has the Toyota+Alexa app⁷⁴. Mazda offers a similar feature through its Mazda Connect service, but it requires a paid subscription to access.

All grades of Mazda 3 and Corolla except the base trims have automatic climate control standard.

The Toyota Corolla emerges as the clear winner in the Mazda 3 vs. Corolla fuel economy head to head.

With an EPA-estimated rating of 30/38/33 MPG (city/highway/combined)⁷⁵, the Corolla L beats the Mazda 3 sedan’s EPA-estimated fuel economy rating of 26/35/30 MPG.

As for hybrid options, the Mazda 3 does not offer a hybrid grade. The 2020 Corolla Hybrid LE offers a superior fuel economy with an EPA-estimated 53/52/52⁷⁵.

2019 Mazda 3 models offer AWD which is not available on 2020 Corollas. However, 2020 Corollas offer a manual transmission that is not available on the 2019 Mazda 3.

As for performance, the Mazda 3 offers 186 hp and 186 lb.-ft. torque while the 2020 Corolla XSE delivers 169 hp and 151 lb.-ft. torque. The slight boost in horsepower comes at a fuel economy disadvantage.

While the 2020 Corolla XSE gets an impressive EPA-estimated 31/38/34 MPG, the Mazda 3 only delivers an EPA-estimated 26/35/30 MPG⁷⁵.

Having first been released in 1966, the Toyota Corolla offers a longer history of reliability. The Mazda 3 came out in North America in 2004, making it a much newer sedan in comparison.

The Corolla starts at a lower base MSRP¹² than the base Mazda 3 grade and could potentially add more savings with its significantly better fuel economy.

ToyotaCare¹¹ and Toyota Safety Sense® 2.0 (TSS 2.0)²⁴ also come standard on every Corolla. Only the Mazda 3 Select and above packages offer similar safety features. No-cost maintenance plans also cost extra.

The EPA-estimated fuel economy of 30/38/33 MPG (city/highway/combined)⁷⁵ for the Corolla L beats the fuel economy rating of 26/35/30 MPG for the Mazda 3 sedan.

For these reasons and more, it is easy to see why the 2020 Corolla is our winner in this head to head.