2023 Mazda3 vs. 2023 Civic Comparison in Queensbury, NY

2023 Mazda Mazda3

2023 Honda Civic

2023 Mazda Mazda3 vs. 2023 Honda Civic

Despite the proliferation of SUVs from subcompact all the way through to full-size, plus everything in between, the humble compact sedan continues to attract a following. Not everyone wants an SUV or crossover, after all. That’s why cars such as the 2023 Mazda3 and 2023 Honda Civic continue to be sold in the United States. The 2023 Mazda3 is based on the fourth generation, which was released in 2019. The 2023 Honda Civic is newer, based on the eleventh generation that hit the market in 2022. Both cars are available in sedan and hatchback body styles.

Which is the best compact car? We will compare the Mazda3 vs. Civic in terms of interior, performance, and safety characteristics and provide you with an answer. You’ll just need to read through this Mazda vs. Honda matchup to find out. If you’d like to check out a 2023 Mazda3, call DELLA Mazda in Queensbury, NY, and have a chat with the dealership staff.

Interior Comparison

The 2023 Mazda3 and 2023 Civic can seat up to five adults each, regardless of sedan or hatchback body style. The Civic has the edge on spaciousness, as it’s a larger car. While the Civic sports a newer design than the Mazda3, the latter counters with more premium materials, soft-touch surfaces, and a less busy outlook. Reviewers have noted that Honda’s air vent design, for instance, can create some visual clutter.

Both cars come with climate control, adaptive cruise control, backup camera, Apple CarPlay®, and Android Auto™ across the range. The infotainment screen on all Mazda3 variants is an 8.8-inch unit, while the base Civic sees a smaller 7-inch unit which can be upgraded to a 9-inch unit. Bose sound system upgrades are available, too.

Performance Comparison

The 2023 Mazda3 comes with two engine options. The base engine is a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated 4-cylinder with a healthy 191 horsepower. You can also step up to a turbocharged variant of the same engine that offers a thrilling 250 horsepower and sprints to sixty from rest in under six seconds. Buyers can choose between a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission, but if they opt for an all-wheel-drive system, they can only have the automatic.

The 2023 Honda Civic is decidedly more pedestrian, as it comes with just two engine choices. We are not considering the sportier Civic Si or Type-R variants. You can have your 2023 Civic with a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated 4-cylinder that puts out 158 horsepower or a turbocharged 1.5-liter 4-cylinder with 180 horsepower. On the hatchback variant, you can choose a six-speed manual transmission or CVT automatic. The manual is not available on the sedan. The 2023 Civic is strictly front-wheel-drive; an all-wheel-drive system cannot be optioned.

The 2023 Civic is a bit more fuel efficient owing to its smaller and less powerful engines, but it only offers a 12.4-gallon fuel tank. The 2023 Mazda3 counters with a 13.2-gallon tank.

Safety Features Comparison

The 2023 Mazda3 and 2023 Honda Civic have seen their generations win IIHS Safety Pick+ awards. Both cars are comprehensively equipped and come with at least eight airbags, stability control, brake assist, daytime running lamps, child safety locks, lane-departure warning, and lane-keep assist as standard features.

Find the 2023 Mazda3 in Queensbury, NY

If you’re trying to find the best compact car, you can’t go wrong with the 2023 Mazda3. Despite facing tough competition from the 2023 Honda Civic, it manages to beat it. A higher quality interior, peppier engines on standard trims, an optional all-wheel-drive system, and Mazda’s attractive Kodo design language contributed towards its win. If you'd like to take this winner for a test drive, drop by DELLA Mazda in Queensbury, NY, and check out the 2023 Mazda3 in person.