1 – 2014 Mazda3 Sport GS : 84,1 %
So, the mighty Corolla loses to the fancy-looking Mazda3. Did it win on looks alone? Hardly.
What the Toyota Corolla S lacks, the Mazda3 has in spades: drivability and personality. In a segment where at least one of those has some serious pull, there’s a good chance the Mazda3 would win out when a buyer was considering the two.
First, the exterior design of the 2014 Mazda3 Sport GS is so much more polarizing than the Corolla. That alone makes it more interesting. The Mazda3’s mature, Mazda6-inspired front end could be a conversation starter. It’s poignant and makes a statement on the road. While we prefer the look of the sedan over the hatch, the rear’s not so bad either and continues with the modern, classy look from the front.
Inside, the simplicity of the Mazda3’s centre stack was a bit off-putting for some. The dash-mounted screen (that looks for all the world like a removable tablet) is both funky and very much the style these days. However, it’s about more than just style and is actually quite functional as well. Where the Toyota’s infotainment screen seemed dated (graphics used) the Mazda’s was light-years ahead, and even features an iDrive-esque control knob now for easier navigation. Definitely hip with the times
Mazda built its reputation on being a driver’s car, and they’ve managed to deliver on that and match our expectations for the 2014 Mazda3. Not only is the Mazda3 Sport GS fun to drive, but it’s also a quality-built vehicle where a great deal of attention to detail was paid both in how the car drives and how it looks.
Let’s take a closer look at that driveability; the 2014 Mazda3 Sport GS provides good driver feedback and gives an overall solid and confident feeling on the road. With a bit more oomph than the Corolla (155 horses from a 2.0L 4-cylinder), the Mazda3 at least feels like it has some want to go when asked, unlike the complacent Toyota.
Clearly, the Mazda3 came out on top because it was able to elicit some sort of serious opinion and reaction in the comparison. Where the Toyota Corolla just was, the Mazda3 brought about discussions, talks, and opinions about how it looked, drove, and handled. There was nothing to discuss when it came to the Corolla because it simply trucks along as it always has, albeit in a more evolved sort of way, and does what it’s supposed to do.
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| Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre |
So, the mighty Corolla loses to the fancy-looking Mazda3. Did it win on looks alone? Hardly.
What the Toyota Corolla S lacks, the Mazda3 has in spades: drivability and personality. In a segment where at least one of those has some serious pull, there’s a good chance the Mazda3 would win out when a buyer was considering the two.
First, the exterior design of the 2014 Mazda3 Sport GS is so much more polarizing than the Corolla. That alone makes it more interesting. The Mazda3’s mature, Mazda6-inspired front end could be a conversation starter. It’s poignant and makes a statement on the road. While we prefer the look of the sedan over the hatch, the rear’s not so bad either and continues with the modern, classy look from the front.
Inside, the simplicity of the Mazda3’s centre stack was a bit off-putting for some. The dash-mounted screen (that looks for all the world like a removable tablet) is both funky and very much the style these days. However, it’s about more than just style and is actually quite functional as well. Where the Toyota’s infotainment screen seemed dated (graphics used) the Mazda’s was light-years ahead, and even features an iDrive-esque control knob now for easier navigation. Definitely hip with the times
 |
| Inside, the simplicity of the Mazda3’s centre stack was a bit off-putting for some. The dash-mounted screen (that looks for all the world like a removable tablet) is both funky and very much the style these days. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre) |
Mazda built its reputation on being a driver’s car, and they’ve managed to deliver on that and match our expectations for the 2014 Mazda3. Not only is the Mazda3 Sport GS fun to drive, but it’s also a quality-built vehicle where a great deal of attention to detail was paid both in how the car drives and how it looks.
Let’s take a closer look at that driveability; the 2014 Mazda3 Sport GS provides good driver feedback and gives an overall solid and confident feeling on the road. With a bit more oomph than the Corolla (155 horses from a 2.0L 4-cylinder), the Mazda3 at least feels like it has some want to go when asked, unlike the complacent Toyota.
Clearly, the Mazda3 came out on top because it was able to elicit some sort of serious opinion and reaction in the comparison. Where the Toyota Corolla just was, the Mazda3 brought about discussions, talks, and opinions about how it looked, drove, and handled. There was nothing to discuss when it came to the Corolla because it simply trucks along as it always has, albeit in a more evolved sort of way, and does what it’s supposed to do.
 |
| With a bit more oomph than the Corolla (155 horses from a 2.0L 4-cylinder), the Mazda3 at least feels like it has some want to go when asked, unlike the complacent Toyota. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre) |