2025 Mazda MAZDA3 vs 2024 Honda Civic

The 2024 Honda Civic Si continued the legacy of compact, quick, and fun cars that have been a staple in the American automotive scene since the early 1980s. It maintained its reputation as a sport-injected version of the Civic sedan, offering a balance of performance and driving engagement without the extreme flair of the Civic Type R. The Civic Si's design was subtle, featuring LED headlights, a gloss-black lip spoiler, and 18-inch matte-black wheels, with a mix of vibrant and understated paint options. Inside, the Civic Si was more expressive, with red accents and a metal mesh trim, complemented by a touchscreen infotainment system and high-quality materials.

In contrast, the 2025 Mazda MAZDA3 Hatchback was known for its organic shape, with a long hood and tapered greenhouse that gave it a unique appearance. The Polymetal Gray paint over red leather in the test car looked striking, and the interior was driver-focused, with high-quality materials and a calming design. The Mazda 3 offered a range of models, from the 2.5 S to the 2.5 Turbo, with prices varying accordingly. The test car, a 2.5 S Premium hatch, featured a manual transmission and additional upgrades, making it a well-rounded choice for driving enthusiasts.

The 2024 Honda Civic Si was equipped with a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 200 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque. It featured a close-ratio six-speed manual transmission with a downshift rev-matching feature, which could be turned off for those who preferred traditional heel-and-toe shifting. The Civic Si's drivetrain included a single-mass lightweight flywheel and a helical limited-slip differential, enhancing its performance in corners. The car's suspension and steering systems were specifically tuned for the Si model, and it came with 18-inch wheels and Goodyear Eagle F1 summer tires. The Civic Si offered a fun driving experience, with different driving modes and a speed limit warning feature. However, the braking system showed signs of overheating during testing in hot weather, which was a concern. The Civic Si achieved an average fuel efficiency of 29.5 mpg during testing.

The 2025 Mazda MAZDA3 offered two engine options: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 191 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, and a turbocharged version with up to 250 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque on premium gas. The standard engine was smooth and refined, providing ample power for most driving situations. The Mazda 3 featured a six-speed automatic transmission with a Sport mode, while the Premium trim offered a manual gearbox. The car's G-Vectoring Control Plus technology enhanced handling and stability, though the suspension could have been firmer on rough roads. The Mazda 3's torsion-beam rear suspension occasionally magnified road imperfections, but overall, it provided a communicative and enjoyable driving experience. The car averaged 29.1 mpg during testing.

The 2024 Honda Civic Si balanced practicality with performance, featuring sport-bolstered front seats and a manual transmission. The interior offered a comfortable driving position, though entering and exiting the car required some effort due to its low stance. The Civic Si included single-zone automatic climate control, a power sunroof, and heated exterior mirrors, but lacked heated front seats and rear-seat air vents. The back seat was surprisingly roomy, with generous legroom, and the trunk offered 14.4 cubic feet of cargo space, with a 60/40-split folding back seat for added versatility.

The 2025 Mazda MAZDA3 felt compact, with a snug fit in every seating position. The test car's eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat and red leather upholstery provided comfort, while heated front seats added warmth. Forward visibility was excellent, but the design compromised rear visibility. The rear seat offered limited legroom and lacked air vents and USB ports. The Mazda 3's cargo space was practical, with 20.1 cubic feet behind the back seat, allowing for efficient storage of luggage.

The 2024 Honda Civic Si came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, lacking native navigation but offering Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, and HD Radio. The system was user-friendly, with physical controls for volume and tuning, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system provided impressive sound quality.

The 2025 Mazda MAZDA3 featured the Mazda Connect infotainment system, with an 8.8-inch or 10.25-inch display, depending on the model. While Apple CarPlay and Android Auto could be used via touchscreen, other functions required physical controls or voice commands. The system included Wi-Fi hotspot access and a Bose audio system, but wireless charging was unavailable in the test car.

The 2024 Honda Civic Si was equipped with the Honda Sensing suite of advanced driving assistance systems, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. However, some features proved irksome during testing, and the adaptive cruise control was not very responsive. The Civic Si received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.

The 2025 Mazda MAZDA3 boasted a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five stars in all NHTSA crash tests. It came with standard safety features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. The adaptive cruise control system was smooth and composed, and the head-up display showed blind spot warnings. However, the lane departure warning system issued inaccurate alerts in certain situations.