We are aware of the login problems affecting the forums, and appreciate your patience as we work on a fix.
Did you recently purchase a new Tesla, Rivian or Lucid vehicle directly from the manufacturer and willing to share how your experience compared to previous vehicle purchases made through a traditional dealer? A reporter would like to speak with you; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com by 2/19 for details.
Mazda3 vs Toyota Matrix

Has anyone compared the Mazda3 and the Matrix before?
0
This discussion has been closed.
Comments
The Mazda is much more nailed down - the ride is good but the handling is superb, and better than that of the Matrix. The flip side is the usual one: the Matrix is more comfortable over rough roads and bad pavement and quieter too.
The Mazda has the better shifter and better clutch feel of the two, especially compared to the base Matrix. If you are considering the Matrix XRS, you can definitely get a '3' hatch for less money. The XRS's shifter is short-throw, but very notchy and high-effort compared with the Mazda's. Both Matrix clutches are so light it is kind of hard to tell where they are engaging, which is great for everyday driving but not so good if you are trying to have some fun!
Interiors, well those are personal preference. There is not that much between them but one thing is for sure, getting out of the Mazda and into the Matrix, you feel like you are stepping into a minivan. High seating with a high roof. One reason the Mazda feels less tippy in tight cornering.
The Matrix XR and XRS are two very different beasts in terms of how they drive and how they handle, so interiors aside they are too different to refer to in one discussion - are we talking about the XR or the XRS here?
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
If you have lots of people-carrying work for that back seat, then you should lean towards the Matrix. The Mazda3 has about as much room back there as the old Protege5 did, which is to say precious little. The Matrix, OTOH, is comfortable to sit in the back of, even for long trips.
BUT, if you are on the sportier end of the spectrum and will mainly use that back hatch to stow bikes or give your dog a ride, than you should lean towards the Mazda, as long as you understand the ride is harder and noisier - the better handling will be your reward.
The caveat (of course there has to be a caveat!) is that there is something really intoxicating about taking that Matrix up to 7800 rpm, and if you don't mind working to keep it in the powerband most of the time (6200-7800 rpm) there is nothing really quite like it out there, especially not the Mazda3.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
In terms of comparisons, I would say that the Mazda 3 has no real direct competitors; only the 3 door hatches, like the Civic Si, VW GTi and the Mini Cooper, are in the same class in terms of handling and power (Ok, perhaps the Focus SVT, but that has been discontinued). Perhaps we will be lucky and the Mazda 3 will force the other makers of small 5 door hatches to start putting together packages that have both power and excellent handling.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
The 3 trades some of the utility and economy of the Matrix for better handling and a better engine in terms of power and low end grunt.
I don't think the Goodyear Eagles that come on the Mazda3S (at least in my area) are known for their whisper-quiet ride.
Meade
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)