Compare the2025 Toyota PriusVS 2025 Mazda 3

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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The Prius has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Mazda 3 doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

The Toyota Prius offers an optional Panoramic View Monitor and it also offers an optional rear camera washer to make backing always safe, regardless of road dirt or grime, while the Mazda 3 doesn’t offer a camera washer, requiring manual cleaning.

Both the Prius and the Mazda 3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Toyota Prius is safer than the Mazda 3:

	Prius	Mazda 3
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Compression	25 lbs.	27 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	131/151 lbs.	205/212 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	25.3%	30%
Neck Stress	151 lbs.	191 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Toyota Prius is safer than the Mazda 3:

	Prius	Mazda 3
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Abdominal Force	128 lbs.	212 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	11 inches	12 inches
Spine Acceleration	34 G’s	38 G’s
Hip Force	666 lbs.	754 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Warranty

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Prius for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Mazda doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the 3.

There are over 2 times as many Toyota dealers as there are Mazda dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Prius’ warranty.

Reliability

The battery on the Prius is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the Prius’ battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The Mazda 3’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are better in initial quality than Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota above average in initial quality. With 40 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota second in reliability, above the industry average. With 38 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is ranked 7th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Mazda vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota third in overall reliability. Mazda is ranked 6th.

Engine

The Prius’ standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 3 more horsepower (194 vs. 191) than the Mazda 3’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Toyota Prius 2.0 is faster than the Mazda 3 4 cyl. (automatics tested):

	Prius	3
Zero to 60 MPH	7.2 sec	8.1 sec
Quarter Mile	15.5 sec	16.2 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	91.7 MPH	87.7 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Prius gets better mileage than the Mazda 3 Sedan:

			MPG
Prius
FWD	Auto	LE 2.0 4-cyl. Hybrid	57 city/56 hwy
		XLE/Nightshade/Limited 2.0 4-cyl. Hybrid	52 city/52 hwy
AWD	Auto	LE 2.0 4-cyl. Hybrid	53 city/54 hwy
		XLE/Nightshade/Limited 2.0 4-cyl. Hybrid	49 city/50 hwy
Mazda 3 Sedan
FWD	Auto	2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	27 city/37 hwy
AWD	Auto	2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	26 city/35 hwy
		2.5 turbo 4-cyl.	23 city/32 hwy

On the EPA test cycle the Prius gets better mileage than the Mazda 3 Hatchback:

			MPG
Prius
FWD	Auto	LE 2.0 4-cyl. Hybrid	57 city/56 hwy
		XLE/Nightshade/Limited 2.0 4-cyl. Hybrid	52 city/52 hwy
AWD	Auto	LE 2.0 4-cyl. Hybrid	53 city/54 hwy
		XLE/Nightshade/Limited 2.0 4-cyl. Hybrid	49 city/50 hwy
Mazda 3 Hatchback
FWD	Manual	2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	26 city/36 hwy
	Auto	2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	27 city/35 hwy
AWD	Auto	2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	26 city/33 hwy
		2.5 turbo 4-cyl.	23 city/31 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the Prius’ fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Mazda 3 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Prius’ engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. The Mazda 3 doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Toyota Prius uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Mazda 3 with the 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder engine requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

Transmission

The Prius has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Mazda 3 doesn’t offer a CVT.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Prius AWD-e’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Mazda 3:

	Prius	Prius AWD-e	Mazda 3	Mazda 3 AWD
Front Rotors	11.1 inches	12 inches	11.02 inches	11.61 inches
Rear Rotors	11 inches	11 inches	10.43 inches	10.43 inches

The Prius stops shorter than the Mazda 3:

	Prius	Mazda 3
70 to 0 MPH	171 feet	176 feet	Car and Driver

Tires and Wheels

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Prius LE has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Mazda 3 2.5 S Sedan. The Prius XLE/Nightshade/Limited’s 19-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels on the Mazda 3 Select Sport/Preferred/Carbon/Premium.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Toyota Prius has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Mazda 3 has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The Prius has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Prius flat and controlled during cornering. The Mazda 3’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The Prius XLE handles at .88 G’s, while the Mazda 3 Carbon Edition Sedan AWD pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Prius XLE executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.3 seconds quicker than the Mazda 3 Carbon Edition Sedan AWD (26.8 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 28.1 seconds @ .58 average G’s).

Chassis

The front grille of the Prius uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Mazda 3 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Prius Limited is quieter than the Mazda 3 Premium Hatchback:

	Prius	3
At idle	32 dB	40 dB

Passenger Space

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Prius a Mid-size car, while the Mazda 3 is rated a Compact.

The Prius has .9 inches more front legroom, .1 inches more front hip room and .8 inches more rear hip room than the Mazda 3 Sedan.

Cargo Capacity

The Prius has a much larger trunk than the Mazda 3 Sedan (23.8 vs. 13.2 cubic feet).

To allow full utilization of available cargo room, the Prius’ hatch uses gas strut supported hinges that don’t intrude into the cargo area. Its intrusive beam hinge reduces the Mazda 3’s useful trunk space (except wagon).

Ergonomics

The Prius Limited’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Mazda 3 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The power windows standard on both the Prius and the Mazda 3 have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Prius is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Mazda 3 prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

If the windows are left open on the Prius the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Toyota service department.) The driver of the Mazda 3 can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Prius’ standard Pushbutton Start allow you to unlock the doors from the driver’s outside door handle and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Push Button Start standard on the Mazda 3 only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the car.

The Prius LE’s standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The Mazda 3 2.5 S’ standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Consumer Reports rated the Prius’ headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the Mazda 3’s headlights, which were rated “Poor.”

The Prius’ standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Mazda only offers heated mirrors on the Mazda 3 Select Sport/Preferred/Carbon/Premium.

Both the Prius and the Mazda 3 offer available heated front seats. The Prius Limited also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Mazda 3.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Prius Limited keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Mazda 3 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

Compared to traditional radio, the Toyota Prius’ standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks. Satellite radio is only offered on the Mazda 3 Premium/Turbo Premium Plus.

The Prius Limited’s optional Advanced Park can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Mazda 3 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Toyota Prius and the Mazda 3, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Prius/Prius Prime was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2024 and 1 more times in the last 22 years. The Mazda 3 has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.

Motor Trend selected the Prius as their 2024 Car of the Year. The Mazda 3 has never been chosen.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Prius as the 2024 North American Car of the Year. The Mazda 3 has never been chosen.

The Toyota Prius outsold the Mazda 3 by 19% during 2024.

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