2024 Toyota Prius vs 2025 Mazda MAZDA3

The 2024 Toyota Prius retained its iconic wedge-shaped profile, but with a redesign in 2023, it boasted more appealing and distinctive styling. The XLE and Limited trims stood out with their attractive 19-inch aluminum wheels. Inside, the Prius maintained its quirky nature, with the instrumentation moving to a position in front of the driver, though visibility could be an issue depending on seating adjustments. The interior was marred by hard plastics, leading to a flimsy feel despite Toyota's reputation for durability. The 2024 model continued with no changes, available in LE, XLE, and Limited trims, with prices ranging from $27,950 to $34,965, excluding destination charges. Our XLE test vehicle, with options like Supersonic Red paint and a 12.3-inch touchscreen, had an MSRP of $35,532.

The 2025 Mazda MAZDA3 Hatchback featured an organically shaped design with a long hood and tapered greenhouse, creating a dynamic appearance. The Polymetal Gray paint over red leather in our test car looked stunning. The interior was driver-oriented, with high-quality materials and a calming atmosphere, though the gloss black plastic trim showed wear easily. The Mazda 3 came in 2.5 S and 2.5 Turbo model series, with prices ranging from $25,150 to $37,150, excluding destination charges. Our test car, a 2.5 S Premium hatch, was the only version with a manual transmission, and with additional features, the MSRP was $33,045.

The 2024 Toyota Prius received a power boost with its redesign, boasting a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an 83-kilowatt electric motor and a lithium-ion battery. The hybrid system delivered 194 horsepower with FWD and 196 hp with AWD, achieving 0-60 mph in 7.2 seconds and 7 seconds, respectively. The Prius LE was the most fuel-efficient, with EPA ratings of 57 mpg combined (54 mpg with AWD). Our test car averaged 48.3 mpg on a mountainous route. Despite improvements, the Prius's steering felt artificial, and the CVT could be noisy under hard acceleration. Visibility was also hindered by dramatic windshield pillars.

The 2025 Mazda MAZDA3 offered a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 191 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque. The Turbo models delivered up to 250 hp and 320 lb-ft with premium gas. The standard engine was smooth and refined, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission or a manual gearbox in the Premium trim. The manual version achieved 29.1 mpg on a challenging test route. Mazda's G-Vectoring Control Plus enhanced handling, though the suspension could be firmer on rough roads. The steering was precise, but road noise was noticeable at highway speeds.

The 2024 Toyota Prius's interior felt snug due to its dramatic exterior styling. The driver’s seat was comfortable, but the 7-inch display panel was too small and often obstructed by the steering wheel. The rear seats were cramped, and storage space was adequate, with 20.3 cubic feet of cargo space in the XLE and Limited trims. A wireless smartphone charging slot was innovative but difficult to clean. An optional digital rearview mirror was available only with Limited trim.

The 2025 Mazda MAZDA3 felt compact, with snug seating but comfortable seats. The test car's red leather upholstery was soft, and the driver’s seat was power-adjustable. Forward visibility was excellent, but rear visibility was compromised. The rear seats lacked legroom and amenities like air vents and USB ports. Cargo space was 20.1 cubic feet, accommodating two full-size suitcases. The rear seat folded to expand space, but Mazda did not provide a maximum cargo measurement.

The 2024 Toyota Prius featured a Toyota Audio Multimedia system with an 8-inch or 12.3-inch touchscreen, offering Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Various connected services were available, with trial subscriptions. The Limited trim had an eight-speaker JBL sound system, but it was bass-heavy. A 360-degree camera system and parking assistance were optional with Limited trim.

The 2025 Mazda MAZDA3 used the Mazda Connect infotainment system with an 8.8-inch or 10.25-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were accessible via touchscreen, but other functions required physical controls. Alexa Built-in faced connectivity issues, and the native voice-recognition system was unreliable. The test car's 12-speaker Bose audio system was impressive. Infotainment features included Wi-Fi hotspot access and a one-year subscription to Mazda Connected Services.

The 2024 Toyota Prius came with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. Proactive Driving Assist added subtle steering and braking. The Prius earned high safety ratings, with five stars from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS.

The 2025 Mazda MAZDA3 also excelled in safety, with a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS and five stars from NHTSA. Standard features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. The adaptive cruise control was smooth, but lane departure warnings were sometimes inaccurate.