Post: Kelley Blue Book: How is the 2022 Mazda3 compared with the Toyota Corolla?

Above average: Excellent handling; optional all-wheel drive; high-quality materials; standard driver assist features; optional turbo engine.

Below average: Manual transmission only available on the Premium hatchback; hatchback body style isn’t for everyone; large blind spots.

Consensus: The 2022 Mazda3
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-1.56%
offers a choice of engines including a powerful 2.5-liter turbo and comes as either a sedan or hatchback. It’s fun to drive, but with either body style, there are some fairly large blind spots caused by thick C-pillars.

2022 Toyota Corolla

2022 Toyota Corolla starting price: $20,175

Above average: Reputation for reliability; numerous safety features; optional hybrid; both sedan and hatchback body styles.

Below average: No all-wheel-drive option; plain driving manners; ubiquitous.

Consensus: Reliable, safe, and offered as both a sedan and a hatchback, the 2022 Toyota
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-0.97%
Corolla is a rock-solid choice for a compact. It’s not the most exciting thing to drive, however, and front-wheel drive is the only option.

Mazda3 vs. Corolla: plenty of choices

Mazda3

The driver’s car of the compact class, the 2022 Mazda3 handles incredibly well, and now with the optional 2.5-liter turbo, has the power to compete with the best in its class. But even the base Mazda3 is a blast to drive, with a very capable 2.0-liter 4-cylinder hooked to a 6-speed automatic transmission that always knows what gear to be in. Front-wheel drive is standard, although the Mazda3 is one of the rare members of its class that offers all-wheel drive, which comes standard on the Turbo model.

The interior of the Mazda3 exudes a premium feel, including the base model with its cloth seats. Other trims get synthetic leather, and the top trims have the real thing. There’s lots of soft-touch materials, and an 8.8-inch screen provides the infotainment center. It is not a touchscreen, however, and is controlled by a rotary knob similar to those found in some luxury cars. The new 2.0 is considered the base model and is only available as a sedan, and while it has the screen, USB ports, Bluetooth, and push-button start, Android Auto/Apple
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-2.59%
CarPlay are not available until the next level up.

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While not as well equipped with safety features as the above models, the base trim includes both adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking. The sedan has a useful 13 cubic feet of storage space, with the hatchback expanding that to 20 cubic feet. Resale values are about average for the segment.

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Toyota Corolla

Few cars are more ubiquitous on American roads than the Toyota Corolla, which has been a worldwide best-seller through 12 generations and several decades. It has succeeded by being extremely reliable, spacious, and well equipped at a reasonable price. There is also variety, as the 2022 Corolla is also offered as a hatchback and a hybrid.

Other than the hybrid, there is a choice of two gas engines, a standard 1.8-liter 4-cylinder and an upgrade 2.0-liter 4-cylinder. Powered by the 1.8-liter base engine, the Corolla gets around, but that’s about it. In the upper trim SE and XSE models, the 2.0-liter has more oomph and is paired with a sport suspension, making the Corolla considerably more lively, although no one would ever mistake it for a sports car. The SE actually has an optional 6-speed manual for more involved driving.

Inside, the sedan provides a respectable 34.8 inches of legroom in the back as well as 13.1 cubic feet of cargo space. The hatchback is down considerably on rear seat space, with a mere 29.9 inches of rear legroom. The dash is tidy and clean, and the materials are perfectly pleasant. Cloth seats are standard, with simulated leather in the top XLE trim.

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Standard features include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration as well as Amazon
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Alexa, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, satellite radio, and a 7-inch touchscreen. Safety features are excellent and include 10 airbags, forward collision warning with automatic braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Higher trims have the stronger engine, better upholstery, a larger touchscreen, and other perks.

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Similarities

Starting price; engine choices; cargo space; optional 6-speed manual; 5-star safety rating.

2022 Mazda3 advantages

Optional all-wheel drive; base power; premium interior feel; more fun to drive.

2022 Toyota Corolla advantages

Optional hybrid; fuel economy; reputation for reliability.

Which one is right for me?

Exuding a premium feel for a base price, the 2022 Mazda3 is a great compact sedan or hatchback with a lot of style. It’s a great choice if you like to tackle the curves, too, particularly with the optional 2.5-liter turbo and all-wheel drive.

There’s a good reason the Toyota Corolla has been such a hit for so many decades, and the 2022 Toyota Corolla continues to offer reliability, a wide choice of body styles, and several fuel-efficient engines. It may not inspire passion, but it has a well-deserved reputation for dependability.

Compare the specs:

This story originally ran on KBB.com.