Compare the2026 Toyota Corolla HybridVS 2025 Mazda 3

The Corolla Hybrid 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.

Both the Corolla Hybrid and the Mazda 3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front 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 all wheel drive.

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

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 Corolla Hybrid is safer than the Mazda 3:

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

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Corolla Hybrid 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 Corolla Hybrid’s warranty.

The Mazda 3’s redline is at 6300 to 6500 RPM, which causes more engine wear, and a greater chance of a catastrophic engine failure. The Corolla Hybrid has a 4000 RPM redline.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are better in initial quality than Mazda vehicles. With 25 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Toyota higher than Mazda.

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.

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

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

Regenerative brakes improve the Corolla Hybrid’s 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 Corolla Hybrid’s 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 Corolla Hybrid 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.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Toyota Corolla Hybrid higher (6 out of 10) than the Mazda 3 (4 to 6). This means the Corolla Hybrid produces up to 12.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Mazda 3 every 15,000 miles.

The Corolla Hybrid 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.

For better traction, the Corolla Hybrid SE’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Mazda 3 (225/40R18 vs. 215/45R18).

The Corolla Hybrid LE/XLE’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Mazda 3 2.5 S Sedan’s standard 60 series tires. The Corolla Hybrid SE’s tires have a lower 40 series profile than the Mazda 3 Select Sport/Preferred/Carbon/Premium’s 45 series tires.

For superior ride and handling, the Toyota Corolla Hybrid 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 Corolla Hybrid has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Corolla Hybrid flat and controlled during cornering. The Mazda 3’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The Corolla Hybrid SE eAWD handles at .83 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 Toyota Corolla Hybrid may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 150 to 250 pounds less than the Mazda 3.

The Corolla Hybrid has .3 inches more front headroom and .4 inches more rear hip room than the Mazda 3 Sedan.

The power windows standard on both the Corolla Hybrid and the Mazda 3 have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Corolla Hybrid 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 Corolla Hybrid 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.

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

Compared to traditional radio, the Toyota Corolla Hybrid’s 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.

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

The Toyota Corolla outsold the Mazda 3 by over six to one during 2024.