Despite the ever-increasing popularity of SUVs and crossovers in the market, a few sedans continue to appeal to buyers with their premium, practical, and comfortable packages. Most of these sedans are also loved and appreciated for their strong dynamics and lucrative performance. Sedans like the Toyota Corolla and the Mazda 3 are a few of the best-selling and most popular cars in the American market and have earned a reputation for their reliability, efficiency, and practicality.

While both these sedans stand out in the segment with their premium cabin, extensive features list, powerful and smooth powertrain options, and impressive safety, it is the Toyota Corolla which continues to dominate the market with its reliable, well-built, and fuel-efficient package. The Mazda 3 on the other hand also gives tough competition to the Toyota Corolla with its power-packed performance and sorted dynamics. If you are in the market for a new compact sedan, here are the top 5 solid reasons to buy the new Toyota Corolla and 5 ways the Mazda 3 is better and outshines the Corolla.

Related: 2023 Toyota Corolla Vs. 2023 Honda Civic

10 Toyota Corolla Boasts Better Fuel Economy

The new 2023 Toyota Corolla is offered with either a 1.8-liter four-cylinder hybrid engine or a 2.0-liter four-cylinder naturally aspirated gasoline engine. While buyers may not have a choice to opt for a more powerful turbocharged engine option, both these engines offer impressive gas mileage. For starters, the hybrid powertrain boasts a claimed mileage of 53 mpg in the city, 46 mpg on the highway, and a combined mileage of 50 mpg. A strong mileage and a large fuel tank help the Corolla deliver a total range of close to 570 miles on a single tank.

The 2.0L NA engine on the other hand delivers 32 mpg in the city, 41 mpg on the highway, and 35 mpg of combined claimed mileage. Those opting for this engine can expect a total range of over 462 miles. These fuel economy figures help the 2023 Toyota Corolla outshine most of its rivals.

9 Practical, Comfortable, And Spacious Cabin

The Toyota Corolla, ever since it made its debut in the American market, is well-known for its in-cabin experience and comfortable seats. The case is not different with the latest-gen Corolla, and the buyers continue to get a subtle and functional cabin. For starters, there is no dearth of features as the Corolla is now available with features like an 8.0-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, nine-speaker premium JBL audio, wireless charging pad, seven-inch digital instrument console, push-button start, and more.

Furthermore, the Corolla also outshines many of its rivals in terms of overall comfort and quality levels as it not only offers comfortable seats and a spacious seating experience but in addition to this, also boasts high-quality materials. As far as on-paper specs are concerned, the Corolla has a total of 88.6 cubic feet of interior room and can be a great choice for those looking for a perfect family car.

8 Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 And Many Other Advance Safety Features

The new Toyota Corolla comes with the famous Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 safety tech as a standard. The Safety Sense 3.0 suite consists of multiple safety features including

• Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection
• Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control
• Lane Departure Alert With Steering Assist
• Lane Tracing Assist
• Road Sign Assist
• Automatic High Beams
• Proactive Driving Assist

This is in addition to the other basic features like multiple airbags, Electronic Stability Control, Traction Control, and more. The Corolla also passed the IIHS crash tests with flying colors and secured the IIHS 2023 Top Safety Pick award in addition to a five out of five-star ratings in the NHTSA cr

RELATED: Is The 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Better Than A Rav4?

7 Toyota Offers Impressive Value For Money

With a starting price of just $21,700, the new 2023 Toyota Corolla is not only cheaper than many other sedans in the market but also offers supreme value for money to buyers. The brand is currently offering seven trim options for buyers to choose from and has two powertrain options including the fuel-efficient hybrid motor. Despite a not-so-expensive price tag, the Corolla offers excellent build quality, strong performance, impressive fuel economy, and segment-leading safety levels.

The Corolla is also known for its long features list and safety equipment which is offered as a standard part of the package, while multiple advanced features are offered with the higher and more expensive trim options. For those wondering, the range-topping, Hybrid XLE trim of the new 2023 Toyota Corolla is priced at $26,850.

6 Superior Long-term Reliability And Resale Value

It's no secret to anyone that Toyota makes one of the most reliable cars in the market, and the Corolla is no different. In fact, it is because of the cars like the Corolla, Camry, and RAV4 that the brand earned a strong reputation in the market. The Corolla sedan is not only reliable but is cheap to maintain in the longer run and ages well with time. Dependable after-sales support, impressive build quality, and impressive long-term reliability also make it a sought-after model in the used car market, thus helping it offer a superior resale value when compared to the rivals in the segment.

5 Mazda 3 Gets More Powerful Engine Options

Under the hood, the Mazda 3 is either offered with a 2.5-liter inline-four cylinder gas engine or a 2.5-liter inline-four turbo gasoline engine. For those wondering, while the naturally aspirated engine delivers a maximum power and torque output of 191 horsepower and 186 pound-feet respectively, the Turbo engine on the other hand delivers 250 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of maximum torque. Both these engines are offered with a six-speed automatic transmission as standard in addition to an optional six-speed manual which is only available with the 2.5-liter mill.

Having said this, while both these engines offer impressive performance for the buyers, it is the turbo that is strongly appreciated by hardcore driving enthusiasts for its acceleration and strong mid-range. The 2.5-liter NA unit however offers better fuel economy and can be a better choice for those looking for a more practical powertrain without compromising major performance.

Related: 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Vs. 2023 Toyota RAV4

4 Smart And Handsome Exterior Styling For The New-Age Buyers

For anyone who prefers a more elegant and sporty styling, the Mazda 3 is a better choice as it not only looks better but also complements the performance and character of the car. Based on the same Kodo design language which was first introduced in 2013 with the Mazda 6, the overall styling of the Mazda 3 has not only evolved but also looks better than most other cars in the segment.

The sleek exterior styling along with angular headlights at the front and strong character lines not only give the Mazda 3 a strong Japanese identity but also give it a sporty appeal. The design is further supported by smart alloy wheels and subtle trim elements to enhance the road presence of the Mazda 3, making it one of the best-looking sedans on sale in America in 2023.

3 Mazda 3 Offers A Premium And Feature-Rich Cabin

In addition to its strong performance and powerful powertrain options, the new Mazda 3 is also known for its premium and up-market cabin which not only keeps the occupants happy but ages really well with time. Be it the quality of the materials used inside the cabin or the overall layout, the Mazda 3 outshines most of its rivals with top-notch quality levels and impressive fit-finish levels. What is even more impressive is an extensive features list that makes the Mazda 3 a great option for those looking for a value-for-money sedan with a feature-loaded and premium cabin.

For those wondering, the Mazda 3 is offered with features like a heads-up display, heated front seats, a new 8.8-inch infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a 12-speaker BOSE stereo system, Sirius XM satellite radio, and more. Needless to say, the seats are comfortable and there is no dearth of storage spaces inside the cabin.

2 Mazda 3 Is Made For The Car Enthusiasts

The Mazda 3 has always been appreciated for its strong driving dynamics, fun-to-drive nature, well-tuned suspension setup, and communicative steering wheel. For starters, a slightly firm suspension with well-engineered chassis makes the Mazda 3 a great choice for hardcore driving enthusiasts looking for strong performance and a well-mannered car. The responsive chassis, along with compact dimensions also help improve the overall agility and nimbleness of the Mazda 3.

Related: Why The Mazda 3 Is Leagues Ahead Of The VW Golf GTi

1 Premium Build Quality And i-ACTIVSENSE Safety Tech

Just like most of the other cars in Mazda's portfolio, the Mazda 3 is also known for its superior build quality and extensive safety tech. The brand is also offering the sedan with the i-ACTIVSENSE safety tech which comprises features like Traffic Jam Assist, front and rear parking sensors, 360-degree view monitor, and smart support-rear cross alert. In addition to this, it also gets features like radar cruise control and low-speed steering assist.

Other features like multiple airbags, traction control, electronic stability control, brake assist, and ABS with EBD are also a standard part of the package across the range. Furthermore, just like the Corolla, the 2023 Mazda 3 too secured good ratings in the IIHS crash tests and received the 2023 Top Safety Pick award.