2024 Mazda3 vs. Honda Civic Hatchback 

In the realm of high-quality compact cars, you cannot find a better pair than the 2024 Mazda3 Hatchback and the Honda Civic Hatchback. Both consistently ranked among the top options in their class, these affordable but stylish modern cars have a lot to offer drivers. Which one is better? Let’s take a closer look at how these top compact competitors compare.

Overview of the 2024 Mazda3 Hatchback

The tagline for the 2024 Mazda3 Hatchback is “Embrace what makes you feel different,” and that seems like an apt way to describe this classy, performance-driven compact car. Like all its siblings in the 2024 Mazda lineup, the Mazda3 Hatchback boasts a luxe, above-average interior, superior handling paired with turbocharged power, and standard all-wheel drive (AWD).

More than that, however, the Mazda3 Hatchback stands above the crowd for its refined profile and intuitive design, which embraces the whole of Mazda’s KODO design philosophy. As an affordable entry-level choice, the Mazda3 Hatchback is both beautiful to look at and exceptionally fun to drive.

Overview of the Honda Civic Hatchback

When it comes to value and reliability, the Honda Civic has ranked highly for years in the entry-level car buyers’ market. For 2024, the Honda Civic Hatchback strives to build on that reputation, offering drivers a sporty feel alongside additional cargo space as compared to its twin, the Civic sedan. With admirable performance statistics, a low entry price, and on-par safety and technology features, the 2024 Honda Civic Hatchback lives up to the legacy of its predecessors and offers drivers an incredible value.

Comparing the Design and Styling

When it comes to design and styling, both the Mazda3 and Honda Civic Hatchback have something to offer. The Honda strives for a sporty look that complements its compact stature. Signature features include angular lines, a bold front fascia, and a rear spoiler for a more dynamic appearance. Overall, the Civic Hatchback emphasizes a more youthful and edgy design aesthetic.

On the flip side, the Mazda3 stays true to the brand with a sophisticated appeal that seems to be far beyond its price range. Working from the KODO design philosophy that focuses on natural lines and light, the profile of the Mazda3 offers clean, sculpted lines and smooth edges that are simply stunning. Additional features include 18-inch black alloy wheels and black side mirrors that further set off the style of this stylish, sophisticated car.

Which Vehicle Outperforms the Other?

Performance is another area in which the Mazda3 really shines. While the Honda Civic Hatchback is known for its sporty performance, with lively acceleration, sharp handling, and nimble maneuverability, its standard model comes with a two-liter, 158 horsepower (hp) engine, although there is also a 180 hp turbocharged upgrade option. Mazda3 also features two engines, both offering more power than even the upgraded Honda.

The Mazda3 base engine is a 2.5-liter, 191 hp model, while the Turbo upgrade offers 227 hp. As a result, the Mazda3 offers a refined and engaging driving experience, with precise steering, responsive handling, and a smooth ride quality. Every 2024 Mazda3 Hatchback also comes equipped with SKYACTIV-G® direct-injection gasoline technology that achieves the world’s highest gasoline engine compression ratio of 14.0:1.

Examining the Interior Features and Technology

Interior comfort and technology are important parts of the driving experience, both for driver-owners and the loved ones they transport every day. When comparing the interiors of the Mazda3 vs. Honda Civic Hatchback, the battle focuses on luxury, amenities, and overall space.

In these fields, the Mazda3 is well positioned. It features a well-crafted interior with high-quality materials, upscale finishes, and a minimalist design aesthetic. The cabin offers a comfortable and quiet environment, with intuitive controls and advanced technology features alongside ample space for the driver and a cargo capacity of 20.1 cubic feet.

The technology inside of the Mazda3 includes either an eight-speaker surround system or a 12-speaker bespoke Bose® system on higher-level trims. All models come equipped with a full-color display (8.8- or 10.25-inch, depending on the model) with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

The Civic Hatchback is similarly loaded, offering a spacious and versatile interior, with 24.5 cubic feet of cargo space and comfortable seating for five passengers. Its cabin design is functional and ergonomic, leaning more toward sporty over luxury but still offering a refined look in its features. The technology of the Honda Civic Hatchback includes four-, eight-, and 12-speaker audio systems (depending on the model), seven- or nine-inch touchscreen color displays, and standard Apple Car Play and Android Auto connections. Overall, Honda offers a variety of user-friendly controls and a good selection of standard and available technology features.

How the Safety Features Compare

Safety is a premium standard for both Mazda and Honda, as evidenced by the accolades they have received for every vehicle in their respective lineups. When it comes to these hatchback options, both have earned high marks in the past. The 2024 Mazda3 Hatchback has received both of the industry’s highest safety honors: the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick+ and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) 5-Star overall ratings. The Honda Civic has also earned a 5-star overall rating from NHTSA alongside a Top Safety Pick rating from IIHS.

Several features in both vehicles have led to these ratings. In the Mazda3, those features include the full suite of i-Activsense® safety technology, which includes features like blind spot monitoring, radar cruise control, smart brake support, lane departure warning system, adaptive cruise control, parking sensors, and an available 360-degree camera. As for the Honda Civic, it takes advantage of the Honda Sensing® suite of tools, which provides drivers with alerts as well as steering and braking assistance when needed.

Pricing of the 2024 Mazda3 and Honda Civic Hatchback

As a member of the compact family, one of the biggest draws for buyers of the Mazda3 and Honda Civic Hatchback is the price. Both are entry-level models in their brands with a variety of trim levels that meet the varying needs of drivers. For its part, the Honda Civic Hatchback offers a great starting price of $24,950 for its entry-level LX model. Its four other trim levels offer various upgrades, peaking at around $31,450.

The price of the Mazda3 Hatchback is just a little higher than the Civic, with its entry-level 2.5 S Select model starting at $25,690. However, Mazda offers six different trim levels, including two turbocharged options, providing drivers with a more diverse set of choices when it comes to the exact model they want to drive. The top-level non-turbo model, the Mazda3 2.5 S Premium, is actually lower in price than the top Honda trim and starts at $30,350. The top trim of the Mazda3, the 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus, starts at $36,650 but offers increased power and performance along with a suite of Mazda’s top safety and technology upgrades.

How the 2024 Mazda3 and Honda Civic Hatchback Compare

Both of these hatchbacks offer drivers a variety of top features and fun additions that can suit their needs for an entry-level, compact vehicle. However, each comes with its own benefits. The Honda Civic Hatchback offers drivers a slightly lower entry price and a little more cargo space than the Mazda. It is a reliable vehicle with adequate power, and for those who appreciate a sporty look, the Civic is a good choice.

The Mazda3, on the other hand, has a lot of power to offer in a small, affordable package. With both of its engine options providing more power than the highest-level Civic, the Mazda3 Hatchback is the clear choice for drivers craving power and performance. The Mazda3 also offers a more luxurious, stylish interior experience. Like all 2024 models in the Mazda line, the Mazda3 Hatchback offers details such as a leather-trimmed steering wheel and aluminum speaker covers, which are usually reserved for cars in a much higher class.

Test Drive the 2024 Mazda3 Today

If you are ready to see the Mazda 3 in person and experience the power and the feel of the Mazda3 Hatchback on the road, come down to DePaula Mazda in Albany, NY. We have several of the top Mazda3 trims available onsite along with other vehicles you can compare them against, even used Hondas.