Compare the2026 Toyota GR CorollaVS 2026 Mazda 3

The GR Corolla 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.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the GR Corolla. But it costs extra on the Mazda 3.

Both the GR Corolla 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, 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 and driver alert monitors.

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

The battery on the GR Corolla is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the GR Corolla’s 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’ 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.

The GR Corolla’s 1.6 turbo 3-cylinder produces 114 more horsepower (300 vs. 186) and 109 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 186) than the Mazda 3’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The GR Corolla’s 1.6 turbo 3-cylinder produces 50 more horsepower (300 vs. 250) than the Mazda 3’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Toyota GR Corolla is faster than the Mazda 3 4 cyl. (manual transmissions tested):

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

An eight-speed automatic is optional on the Toyota GR Corolla, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the Mazda 3.

To facilitate fast shifting and allow the driver to focus on the road, the GR Corolla has a standard up-shift light to indicate when the engine is approaching redline. The Mazda 3 doesn’t offer an up-shift light.

The GR Corolla Auto’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The Mazda 3 doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the GR Corolla’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Mazda 3:

The GR Corolla’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Mazda 3 are solid, not vented.

The GR Corolla stops much shorter than the Mazda 3:

For better traction, the GR Corolla has larger tires than the Mazda 3 (235/40R18 vs. 205/60R16). The GR Corolla’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Mazda 3 (235/40R18 vs. 215/45R18).

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

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the GR Corolla has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Mazda 3 S.

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

The GR Corolla has variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Mazda 3 doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

The GR Corolla’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (58.4% to 41.6%) than the Mazda 3’s (60.2% to 39.8%). This gives the GR Corolla more stable handling and braking.

The GR Corolla handles at 1.02 G’s, while the Mazda 3 Carbon Edition Sedan AWD pulls only .83 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The GR Corolla executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 3.2 seconds quicker than the Mazda 3 Carbon Edition Sedan AWD (24.9 seconds @ .74 average G’s vs. 28.1 seconds @ .58 average G’s).

The GR Corolla has .4 inches more front headroom, .3 inches more rear headroom and 1 inch more rear shoulder room than the Mazda 3 Sedan.

The GR Corolla has a much larger trunk with its rear seat up than the Mazda 3 Sedan (17.8 vs. 13.2 cubic feet).

To allow full utilization of available cargo room, the GR Corolla’s 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).

The GR Corolla’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Mazda 3 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The power windows standard on both the GR Corolla and the Mazda 3 have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the GR Corolla 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 GR Corolla 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 GR Corolla’s standard Smart Key System allows you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, open the trunk, 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. Push Button Start is not available on the Mazda 3 Select Sport/Preferred/Carbon/Premium.

The GR Corolla’s 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.

The GR Corolla has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the Mazda 3 Select Sport/Preferred/Carbon/Premium.

Compared to traditional radio, the Toyota GR Corolla’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.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Toyota GR Corolla has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the Mazda 3 Carbon/Premium offers wireless charging.

The GR Corolla was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2023. The Mazda 3 has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.

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