Well this is surprising. The 3 does put up better numbers (aside from fuel economy) but this sets the tone for the result:
Both the 2019 Mazda3 and 2020 Toyota Corolla ride on new architectures that are stiffer and more rigid than their predecessors. In a stunning turn of events, they traded rear suspensions; the Mazda3 now has a torsion beam, and the Corolla sports a multilink setup. In SE and XSE flavors, the Corolla also comes with wider tires than the Mazda3, further hinting at a sportier direction for Toyota's venerable compact car.
This is either a sign that Mazda is doing really bad here or that Toyota is doing really well, or perhaps some combination of both. Consider that the Corolla has the smaller, less powerful engine AND a CVT trans.With its multilink rear suspension, the Corolla handily dispatches road imperfections and doesn't get upset unless you go over something sizable. The Mazda3 does the opposite. "It doesn't really absorb the bumps like it used to," MotorTrend en Español managing editor Miguel Cortina said. "There's a bit more roll, and a few times I felt like the rear end was dancing a bit on the twisty roads whenever I ran into a small bump." On the worst streets in Los Angeles, the Mazda3's suspension crashes violently, sending a nasty jolt into the cabin and causing a loud bang upon contact.
The Toyota Corolla's handling has improved significantly; it takes corners confidently and has good high-speed stability. Light and balanced steering makes maneuvering the Corolla through tight spaces a cinch. In comparison, the Mazda3's steering is stiff and accurate, which is great on the highway but tiresome in gridlock. Although the Mazda3 possesses better body control than the Corolla, it behaves like a comfort-oriented sedan; it understeers excessively, plows into corners when you ask it to hustle, and lacks the liveliness of its predecessors. Shockingly, the Mazda3's brakes didn't inspire confidence. "The pedal feel is so off that I almost had an 'oh s***' moment while trying to brake downhill," Cortina said. "You really have to press the pedal hard to stop."
The Corolla averaged a solid 4 mpg better in all conditions, which is exactly what the EPA ratings indicated should happen. I'd argue that in this segment, 4 mpg matters. Then again as tested these cars were $29k. Is that considered cheap now?? Either way, probably never going to see a Camaro V8 for $33k if these cost $29k. They may be upper trims but are still very modest cars on the whole.Although the Mazda3 has more power than the Corolla, it's let down by a poorly calibrated transmission. "What's going on with this six-speed tranny?" Cortina asked. "It feels very jerky at low speeds, especially when starting from a stop." Shift times are also behind competitors, even in Sport mode when the gearbox responds quicker. Cortina also criticized the 2.5-liter I-4 for feeling like the 155-hp 2.0-liter unit from his previous-generation Mazda3.
In the Corolla, Toyota's 2.0-liter I-4 pairs well with the CVT, which makes good use of the available power. "The engine and transmission offered in higher trims makes such a huge difference," senior production editor Zach Gale said. "The CVT is responsive in the city and on the highway. I'm really impressed." Downsides? It's loud at full throttle, and some may notice the transitions between the physical first gear and the belt and pulleys.
Did a Soul Swap Just Happen?
After a hard-fought battle, we declared our winner: the 2020 Toyota Corolla. How? Competitors have caught up to Mazda's once class-leading compact car. The Mazda3 has a plush interior and better build quality than the Toyota Corolla, but a finicky infotainment system, clunky powertrain, unrefined chassis, inconsistent active driver assistance tech, and a cramped interior let it down. The 2020 Toyota Corolla's fuel efficiency advantage, superior ride and handling balance, additional interior space, and a simpler multimedia interface make it the better all-around compact sedan. Extra power and a snazzy interior are nice, but they're not worth it if the rest of the vehicle doesn't deliver. Frankly, we'll take tire noise over a choppy ride and muted handling. Mazda, the most unlikely of rivals has put you on notice.