Head-to-head
2025 Honda Civic vs 2025 Mazda Mazda3
The Honda Civic edges it, 92 to 89, on fuel & range, space & cargo, tech & comfort. The Mazda Mazda3 is ahead on safety and performance. Raise the performance weight from 2 to 4 and it flips.
B
2025 Honda Civic
The 2025 Honda Civic is sold in the U.S. as a hybrid and gas midsize sedan with 7 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Civic 4Dr, is EPA-ra…
vs
A2025 Mazda Mazda3
The 2025 Mazda Mazda3 is sold in the U.S. as a gas midsize sedan with 7 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the 3 4-Door 2WD, is EPA-rated at …
Verdict · default weights
2025 Honda Civic
Slight edgeThe Honda Civic edges it, 92 to 89, on fuel & range, space & cargo, tech & comfort. The Mazda Mazda3 is ahead on safety and performance. Raise the performance weight from 2 to 4 and it flips.
Fuel & range 2025 Honda Civic leads by 37
Safety 2025 Mazda Mazda3 leads by 12.1
Performance 2025 Mazda Mazda3 leads by 21.5
| Category · weight | 2025 Mazda Mazda3overall 89 | 2025 Honda Civicoverall 92 | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricenot compared | No data | No data | |||||||||||||||
| Fuel & rangew 3 | 63 | 100 | |||||||||||||||
EPA annual fuel cost and combined mpg / MPGe; EV range when both are electric. | |||||||||||||||||
| Safetyw 4 | 94.9 | 82.8 | |||||||||||||||
NHTSA 5-Star rating, WhichTrim Safety Signal (open recalls by severity), owner complaints, standard driver-assist features (from the press kit, or from what the manufacturer filed with NHTSA where there is none). Open park-outside / do-not-drive advisories cost 25 points. | |||||||||||||||||
| Space & cargow 2 | 92.8 | 100 | |||||||||||||||
Seats, cargo volume behind the 1st and 2nd rows, rear legroom. | |||||||||||||||||
| Performancew 2 | 100 | 78.5 | |||||||||||||||
Horsepower, torque and horsepower per ton. | |||||||||||||||||
| Tech & comfortw 3 | 97.3 | 100 | |||||||||||||||
Standard (1) and optional (0.5) infotainment, convenience, climate and interior features from the manufacturer's press kit. | |||||||||||||||||
| Warrantynot compared | No data | No data | |||||||||||||||
| Overall | 89 | 92 | |||||||||||||||
Trim vs trim · 5 of 7 categories compared
Mazda Mazda3: base trim 2.5 S FWD · Honda Civic: base trim LX FWD. Pick a trim in the tool to compare any other trim.
Raise the performance weight from 2 to 4 and the answer flips.
Change what matters to you →Scores are 0–100 per category from the data on this page. The weights are yours to set.
Where the gap is
the biggest differences, from the scorecard's own numbersWhere the 2025 Honda Civic wins
- It costs $800 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($1,350 against $2,150).
- It is rated 49 combined against 31 (EPA mpg or MPGe).
- It lists 29 standard driver-assist features against 24.
Where the 2025 Mazda Mazda3 answers
- It has drawn fewer owner complaints (8 against 108 filed with NHTSA).
- It turns out 186 lb-ft of torque against 133.
What they share
- 5 NHTSA stars.
- 5 seats.
Ranked by how far apart the two score on each measure, so a price gap and a horsepower gap are compared on the same scale. Every figure is on this page.
Specifications side by side
49 specs · manufacturer press kits| Spec | Mazda Mazda32.5 S FWD | Honda CivicLX FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Engine Basics | ||
| Aspiration | naturally aspirated | naturally aspirated |
| Cylinder count | 4 | 4 |
| Engine displacement | 2,488 cc | 1,993 cc |
| Engine type (full description) | SKYACTIV-G 2.5L DOHC with Cylinder Deactivation | Atkinson In-Line 4-cylinder |
| Fuel injection system | gdi mpi | gdi mpi |
| Valve configuration | 4 valves per cylinder, Variable-Valve Timing | DOHC 16-Valve |
| Engine Output | ||
| Horsepower | 191 hp | 150 hp |
| Torque | 186 lb-ft | 133 lb-ft |
| Fuel Economy | ||
| MPG (city) | 27 mpg | 32 mpg |
| MPG (combined) | 31 mpg | 36 mpg |
| MPG (highway) | 37 mpg | 41 mpg |
| Transmission | ||
| Final drive ratio | 3.422 | 3.941 |
| Transmission speeds | 6 | — |
| Transmission type | SKYACTIV-DRIVE 6-speed AT | Continuously Variable Transmission |
| Dimensions Exterior | ||
| Ground clearance | 5.5 in | — |
| Overall height | 56.9 in | 55.7 in |
| Overall length | 184 in | 185 in |
| Overall width | 70.7 in | 70.9 in |
| Wheelbase | 107 in | 108 in |
| Cargo | ||
| Cargo volume behind 2nd row | 13.2 cu-ft | 14.8 cu-ft |
| Total interior volume | 92.8 cu-ft | 99 cu-ft |
| Seating | ||
| Passenger seating capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Headroom | ||
| Front headroom | 38 in | 39.3 in |
| Second-row headroom | — | 37.1 in |
| Third-row headroom | 37.3 in | — |
| Legroom | ||
| Front legroom | 42.3 in | 42.3 in |
| Second-row legroom | — | 37.4 in |
| Third-row legroom | 35.1 in | — |
| Weights | ||
| Curb weight (maximum) | 3,124 lbs | 2,877 lbs |
| Curb weight (minimum) | 3,124 lbs | 2,877 lbs |
| Suspension | ||
| Front suspension type | Independent MacPherson strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear suspension type | Torsion Beam Axle | Multi-Link |
| Steering | ||
| Steering type | Rack-and-pinion | Variable Ratio Electric Power-Assisted Rack-and-Pinion |
| Turning radius (curb-to-curb) | 17.4 ft | 36.1 ft |
| Brakes | ||
| Front brake diameter | 280 mm | 282 mm |
| Front brake type | ventilated disc | ventilated disc |
| Parking brake type | epb | Electric |
| Rear brake diameter | 265 mm | 259 mm |
| Rear brake type | solid disc | solid disc |
| Wheels | ||
| Wheel diameter | 16 in | 16 in |
| Wheel material | alloy | steel |
| Wheel width | 6.5 in | — |
| Tires | ||
| Tire size | 205/60R16 M+S | 215/55R16 93H |
| Fuel System | ||
| Fuel tank capacity | 13.2 gal | 12.4 gal |
| Minimum recommended octane | 87 | 87 |
| Connected Services | ||
| Connected services brand | Mazda Connect | — |
| Shoulder Room | ||
| Front shoulder room | 55.7 in | 57 in |
| Second-row shoulder room | — | 56 in |
| Third-row shoulder room | 53.5 in | — |
Green marks the better value where the direction is unambiguous (more room, more power, lower price). Blank rows are specs the press kit does not publish.
Equipment, feature by feature
184 features · differences first, then sharedSafety29 differ · 41 listed
| Feature | Mazda Mazda32.5 S FWD | Honda CivicLX FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Forward Collision Warning (FCW) | — | std |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | std | — |
| Rearview camera | std | — |
| Driver Attention Alert | std | — |
| Rear Outboard Passenger's Side Airbags | — | std |
| 3-point safety belts for all seating positions | std | — |
| Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) Body Structure | — | std |
| Blind Spot Information System (BSI) | std | — |
| Brake Assist | — | std |
| Child safety rear door locks | std | — |
| Child-Proof Rear Door Locks | — | std |
| Collision Mitigation Braking System™ (CMBS™) | — | std |
| Direct Ignition System with Immobilizer | — | std |
| Driver's and Front Passenger's Knee Airbags (SRS) | — | std |
| Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) | — | std |
| Front & Rear safety-belt pretensioners with force limiters | std | — |
| LATCH rear seat child safety seat anchors & upper tether anchors | std | — |
| Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren (LATCH): Lower Anchors (2nd-Row Outboard), Tether Anchors (2nd-Row All) | — | std |
| Multi-Angle Rearview Camera with Dynamic Guidelines | — | std |
| Rear Door Alert | std | — |
| Rear Seat Reminder (RSR) | — | std |
| Road Departure Mitigation System (RDM) | — | std |
| Seat belt warning/reminder for driver, front passenger and rear passengers | std | — |
| Seat-Belt Reminder for all Seating Positions | — | std |
| Side Curtain Airbags with Rollover Sensor | — | std |
| Smart Brake Support with pedestrian detection (SBS) | std | — |
| Traffic Jam Assist | — | std |
| Traffic Sign Recognition System (TSR) | — | std |
| Engine immobilizer anti-theft system | std | — |
| Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low-Speed Follow | std | std |
| Driver's and Front Passenger's Advanced Front Airbags (SRS) | std | std |
| Driver's and Front Passenger's Front Side Airbags | std | std |
| Lane Departure Warning (LDW) | std | std |
| Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS) | std | std |
| Side Curtain Airbags with Rollover Sensor | std | std |
| Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) | std | std |
| Auto High-Beam Headlights | std | std |
| Hill Start Assist | std | std |
| Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®) with Traction Control | std | std |
| Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®) with Traction Control | std | std |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) | std | std |
Infotainment21 differ · 21 listed
| Feature | Mazda Mazda32.5 S FWD | Honda CivicLX FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi Hotspot Capability | std | — |
| 160-watt Audio System with 4 Speakers | — | std |
| 6-speaker audio system with Mazda Harmonic Acoustics | std | — |
| 7-Inch Color Touchscreen | — | std |
| 7-Inch TFT Meter | — | std |
| 8.8" full-color center display | std | — |
| Alexa Built-In | — | std |
| AM/FM/Radio | std | — |
| Android Auto™ Compatibility | — | std |
| Apple CarPlay® Compatibility | — | std |
| Apple CarPlay™ / Android Auto™ integration | std | — |
| Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink® | — | std |
| Bluetooth® Streaming Audio | — | std |
| HondaLink® | — | std |
| MAZDA CONNECT™ Infotainment System | std | — |
| Multi-function Commander control | std | — |
| Radio Data System (RDS) | — | std |
| Speed-Sensitive Volume Compensation (SVC) | — | std |
| Steering wheel-mounted audio, phone and cruise controls | std | — |
| USB Type-C Audio Inputs (2 ports) | std | — |
| USB-C 3.0A Smartphone/Audio Interface (x2) - Front Seats | — | std |
Convenience13 differ · 14 listed
| Feature | Mazda Mazda32.5 S FWD | Honda CivicLX FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 12-Volt Power Outlet (Front) | — | std |
| Cruise Control | — | std |
| Cruise control with steering wheel-mounted controls | std | — |
| Electric Parking Brake with Automatic Brake Hold | — | std |
| Honda Maintenance Program 1yr / 12k miles | — | std |
| Illuminated entry system | std | — |
| One-Touch Turn Indicators | — | std |
| Power Door Locks | — | std |
| Power door locks - speed sensitive with 2-stage unlocking | std | — |
| Power Windows with Auto-Up/Down Driver's and Front Passenger's Windows | — | std |
| Power windows with one-touch down/up feature (4) | std | — |
| Remote keyless entry system | std | — |
| Security System with Remote Entry and Trunk Release | — | std |
| Push Button Start | std | std |
Climate2 differ · 2 listed
| Feature | Mazda Mazda32.5 S FWD | Honda CivicLX FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Air conditioning - manual | std | — |
| Automatic Climate Control System | — | std |
Seating7 differ · 7 listed
| Feature | Mazda Mazda32.5 S FWD | Honda CivicLX FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 6-way manual adjustable driver's seat with seat lifter | std | — |
| 4-way manual adjustable front passenger seat | std | — |
| 5-Person Seating Capacity | — | std |
| 60/40 split one-touch fold-down and reclining rear seatback | std | — |
| Headrests - height-adjustable, front & rear (3 passenger seats) | std | — |
| One Piece Fold-Down Rear Seatback | — | std |
| Seat material - cloth (black) | std | — |
Interior26 differ · 27 listed
| Feature | Mazda Mazda32.5 S FWD | Honda CivicLX FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 7-inch LCD meter display | std | — |
| Assist handles - (4) | std | — |
| Cargo Area Light | — | std |
| Cargo area light (LED) | std | — |
| Center Console with Sliding Armrest and Storage Compartment | — | std |
| Front Beverage Holders | — | std |
| Gear selector - urethane | std | — |
| Headroom (in.) (front/rear): 39.3 / 37.1 | — | std |
| Hiproom (in.) (front/rear): 54.3 / 48.9 | — | std |
| Illuminated Steering Wheel-Mounted Controls | — | std |
| Legroom (in.) (front/rear): 42.3 / 37.4 | — | std |
| Map Lights | — | std |
| Map lights (LED) | std | — |
| Passenger Volume (cu ft.): 99.0 | — | std |
| Shoulder Room (in.) (front/rear): 57.0 / 56.0 | — | std |
| Sliding Sunvisors | — | std |
| Steering wheel - tilt & telescopic | std | — |
| Steering wheel - urethane | std | — |
| Storage - center console armrest with covered storage compartments | std | — |
| Storage - cup holders, (2) front | std | — |
| Storage - glove compartment | std | — |
| Storage, bottle holder, front (2) and rear (2) door panels | std | — |
| Sun visors - dual covered vanity mirrors and extensions | std | — |
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Column | — | std |
| Rearview mirror - manual day/night | std | — |
| Trip computer - Odometer, Trip meter A & B, current and average fuel economy | std | — |
| Floor Mats | std | std |
Exterior34 differ · 35 listed
| Feature | Mazda Mazda32.5 S FWD | Honda CivicLX FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 16 x 6.5J inch aluminum alloy wheels with Silver Metallic Finish | std | — |
| 205/60 R16 all-season tires | std | — |
| All-Season Tires: 215/55R16 93H / 235/40R18 91W | — | std |
| Brake light - center high-mount | std | — |
| Capless Fuel Filler | — | std |
| Compact Spare Tire: T125/80D16 97M / T125/85R16 99M | — | std |
| Curb Weight (lbs.): 2,877 / 2,935 / 3,208 / 3,252 | — | std |
| Dual exhaust outlets | std | — |
| Fin-Type Roof-Mounted Antenna | — | std |
| Front grille - matte finish | std | — |
| Headlights - auto On/Off feature | std | — |
| Headlights - LED | std | — |
| Height (in.): 55.7 | — | std |
| LED Brake, Side Marker and Taillights | — | std |
| LED Headlights with Auto-On/Off | — | std |
| Length (in.): 184.8 | — | std |
| License plate lamp (LED) | std | — |
| Power Side Mirrors | — | std |
| Push-to-Release Fuel Filler Door | — | std |
| Rear combination lights | std | — |
| Rear hatch spoiler - black (Premium Plus Unique- PIO) | std | — |
| Side garnish - black | std | — |
| Side mirrors - body-color, dual power remote | std | — |
| Snowflake White Pearl Mica (exterior color option - Hatchback) | opt | — |
| Track (in.) (front/rear): 60.9/62.0 / 60.5/61.6 | — | std |
| Two-Speed Intermittent Windshield Wipers | — | std |
| Weight Distribution (%) (front/rear): 61/39 / 64/36 | — | std |
| Wheelbase (in.): 107.7 | — | std |
| Wheels: 16 in with Full Covers / 18 in Gloss Black Alloys / 18 in Alloys with Matte Shark Gray Inserts | — | std |
| Width (in.): 70.9 | — | std |
| Windshield wipers - rear intermittent with washer | std | — |
| Windshield wipers - variable-intermittent | std | — |
| Rear window defogger with timer | std | — |
| T125/70D16 temporary spare tire | std | — |
| LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL) | std | std |
Powertrain21 differ · 22 listed
| Feature | Mazda Mazda32.5 S FWD | Honda CivicLX FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Bore and Stroke (mm): 81 × 96.7 | — | std |
| CARB Emissions Rating: LEV3-SULEV30 / LEV4-SULEV30 | — | std |
| Compression Ratio: 13:1 / 13.9:1 | — | std |
| Continuously Variable Transmission | — | std |
| Direct Fuel Injection | — | std |
| Displacement (cc): 1,993 | — | std |
| Dynamic Drive Modes: 2-Mode Econ/Normal / 3-Mode Econ/Normal/Sport / 4-Mode Econ/Normal/Sport/Individual | — | std |
| Eco Assist™ System | — | std |
| Engine Type: Atkinson In-Line 4-cylinder | — | std |
| Fuel Tank Capacity (U.S. gal.): 12.4 / 10.6 | — | std |
| Horsepower (SAE net @ rpm): 150 @ 6,400 / 141 @ 6,000 | — | std |
| Idle-Stop | — | std |
| MPG Ratings (City/Hwy/Combined): 32/41/36 / 31/39/34 / 50/47/49 | — | std |
| Ratio Range: 2.526 ~ 0.408 / Electric Motor : 2.231 Lock-up : 0.805 | — | std |
| Redline (rpm): 6,700 / 6,250 | — | std |
| Required Fuel: Regular Unleaded | — | std |
| SKYACTIV-G® 2.5 DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder engine with Cylinder Deactivation | std | — |
| SKYACTIV®-Drive 6-Speed AT with manual-shift mode and Sport mode | std | — |
| Torque (lb.-ft. @rpm): 133 @ 4,000-5,000 / 134 @ 4,500 | — | std |
| Tune-up Interval: 100k +/- Miles / No Scheduled Tune-Ups | — | std |
| Valve Train: 16-Valve DOHC Dual-VTC | — | std |
| Front-Wheel Drive | std | std |
Chassis13 differ · 13 listed
| Feature | Mazda Mazda32.5 S FWD | Honda CivicLX FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) | std | — |
| Front Suspension - MacPherson strut with stabilizer bar | std | — |
| MacPherson Strut Front Suspension | — | std |
| Multi-Link Rear Suspension | — | std |
| Power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering | std | — |
| Power-Assisted Ventilated Front Disc/Solid Rear Disc Brakes (in.) (front/rear): 11.1 / 10.2 | — | std |
| Rear Suspension - Torsion Beam | std | — |
| SKYACTIV-VEHICLE DYNAMICS: G-Vectoring Control Plus (GVC Plus) | std | — |
| Stabilizer Bar (mm) (front/rear): 26.5 x 4.5 (tubular) / 17.0 (solid) / 17.5 (solid) | — | std |
| Steering Ratio: 11.3:1 / 11.5:1 | — | std |
| Steering Wheel Turns, Lock-to-Lock: 2.30 / 2.20 | — | std |
| Turning Diameter, Curb-to-Curb (ft.): 36.1 / 38.1 | — | std |
| Variable Ratio Electric Power-Assisted Rack-and-Pinion Steering (EPS) | — | std |
Cargo2 differ · 2 listed
| Feature | Mazda Mazda32.5 S FWD | Honda CivicLX FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Cargo Cover (hatchback) | std | — |
| Cargo Volume (cu ft.): 14.8 | — | std |
Highlighted rows are where the two differ. Wording is the manufacturer's own.
Safety record
NHTSA recalls, complaints, NCAPMazda Mazda3
Safety Signal 92 A
NHTSA overall ★★★★★
Frontal / side / rollover ★★★★★ / ★★★★★ / ★★★★★
Recalls 1
Owner complaints 8 · 2 crashes · 0 fires
Most complained about Forward Collision Avoidance (2), Unspecified (2), Air Bags (1)
Top recalls
- high Air Bags 25V357000 · 171,412 vehicles
Honda Civic
Safety Signal 85 B
NHTSA overall ★★★★★
Frontal / side / rollover ★★★★☆ / ★★★★★ / ★★★★★
Recalls 2
Owner complaints 108 · 11 crashes · 1 fires
Most complained about Steering (43), Forward Collision Avoidance (22), Fuel/Propulsion System (16)
Top recalls
- high Fuel System, Gasoline 24V763000 · 720,810 vehicles
- high Steering 24V744000 · 1,693,199 vehicles
Ownership
EPA, manufacturer warranty| Mazda Mazda32.5 S FWD | Honda CivicLX FWD | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | — (base trim) | — (base trim) |
| Price range across trims | — 13 trims | — 4 trims |
| Powertrains | GAS | HEV, GAS |
| EPA configuration compared | 3 4-Door 2WD | Civic 4Dr |
| Combined mpg / MPGe | 31 | 49 |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $2,150 | $1,350 |
| EV range | — | — |
| Basic warranty | — | — |
| Powertrain warranty | — | — |
| Roadside assistance | — | — |
Common questions
Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kitsWhich is better, the 2025 Mazda Mazda3 or the 2025 Honda Civic?
The Honda Civic edges it, 92 to 89, on fuel & range, space & cargo, tech & comfort. The Mazda Mazda3 is ahead on safety and performance. Raise the performance weight from 2 to 4 and it flips. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2025 Honda Civic scores 92 and the 2025 Mazda Mazda3 89. The weights are yours to change — move what you care about and the verdict recalculates on the page.
Which has the better safety record, the 2025 Mazda Mazda3 or the 2025 Honda Civic?
2025 Mazda Mazda3: 5 NHTSA stars, grade A, 1 recall. 2025 Honda Civic: 5 NHTSA stars, grade B, 2 recalls. Crash ratings come from NHTSA's own tests; the grade is WhichTrim's read of the recall record, and the two can disagree.
What are the biggest differences between the 2025 Mazda Mazda3 and the 2025 Honda Civic?
Where the 2025 Honda Civic wins: it costs $800 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($1,350 against $2,150), is rated 49 combined against 31 (EPA mpg or MPGe), and lists 29 standard driver-assist features against 24. Where the 2025 Mazda Mazda3 answers: it has drawn fewer owner complaints (8 against 108 filed with NHTSA) and turns out 186 lb-ft of torque against 133. What they share: 5 NHTSA stars and 5 seats.