Mazda vs Toyota: Which Brand is More Reliable?
Mazda and Toyota may call Japan their home, but as car manufacturers, they are a bit different. One is a colossal empire of a company that has produced some of the most successful cars in history and pioneered in the frontier of hybrids.
The other is a smaller, driver-focused brand that has built some remarkable sportscars and penned truly beautifully elegant designs, but which of the two is best?
What’s Better – Mazda or Toyota?
If you look only at sales figures and gauge a verdict from them, then Toyota wins by an almighty landslide. That said, it’s best not to judge manufacturers that way. Still, Toyota has the edge in hybrid technology, they hold their value a bit more and, despite large recalls in the past, possess a famous resilience.
Mazda is smaller, but ambitious and has debuted some truly impressive engineering. It’s also been turning out to be a slightly more reliable brand in recent times, though don’t think that means Toyota’s lost their touch.
On the more superficial side of the fence, Mazda has indeed drawn up far more interesting designs, whereas Toyota has been distinctly boring (only recently have they tried jazzing up their look). Today, Mazda has been on a roll with making some fabulous-looking cars thanks to their Kodo design language.
Mazda vs Toyota: Reliability
Toyota made its name on building cars that were durable at worst and indestructible at best. They continue to do so, but Mazda has been making a big challenge on that front. Their cars now aim for a higher quality that involves a greater emphasis on rolling on without major failure.
Mazda vs Toyota: Price
Since Toyota has been embracing hybrid powertrains more and more lately to tackle emission regulations, they can be a little bit pricier. A Mazda is more conventional in its design and thus cheaper to build and sell. A Mazda 3, for example, will start at £20,500, while the rival Toyota Corolla will set you back $20,815.
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Mazda vs Toyota: Maintenance Costs
Most yearly maintenance prices for a Toyota land around $100-$200, which isn’t so bad. Although, this can mushroom to $200-$500 when going past 60,000 miles on the odometer. Mazdas are a bit worse with an average of $462, but the hope is its reliability will keep you out of paying for heavy repairs.
Mazda vs Toyota: Safety
This is more a tie if anything. Both brands make cars that are five stars in safety as most manufacturers these days do. As a result, comparing most cars in this category these days often leads to the same conclusion with both being highly rated with little difference to split them apart.
Mazda vs Toyota: Performance
Toyota’s usual big sellers aren’t exactly rockets, but they do have a penchant for making brilliant performance vehicles. The Supra, MR2, and recent GR Yaris are well known for being excellent driver’s cars. Their hybrids will also have a decent kick as the batteries add extra power and torque.
Mazda doesn’t make big performance cars (not anymore at least), preferring to focus on handling. They’re not at all underpowered, since some of their engines have decent horsepower on tap. It’s even started working on a straight-six engine, but, at least for now, this might be a narrow overall victory for Toyota.
Mazda vs Toyota: Rust
Both make some truly tough cars, but rust can still slip through the net if just a little bit. The Toyota RAV4 has had reports of it and the Mazda 3 can suffer it too. If I had to pick which is worse though, Mazda edges out as they have a history of battling against it.
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Mazda vs Toyota: Longevity
While Mazda has done better on reliability surveys lately, Toyota might be the one winning this round. The fact they make near bulletproof cars like the Hilux and Land Cruiser is enough to make a difference. Old Toyotas are, arguably, even better at never throwing in the towel.
Now, that doesn’t mean a Mazda is bad by comparison, it’s that Toyota has spent even longer developing the best reliability in the world. Even German and fellow Japanese brands struggle to keep up with their high standard.
Mazda vs Toyota: Build Quality
Considering the longevity part, you’re probably thinking this means Toyota wins in this area too. However, Mazda’s recent aim of going in a more premium direction has led to some very charming cabin designs. This design isn’t just visual as reviewers have praised the latest models for feeling wondrously well made.
Mazda vs Toyota: Engines
Toyota’s engines are widely varying with increasing use of hybrid power. Not to mention, they just keep going without failure (especially if you give it the proper maintenance). Mazda, on the other hand, has relied on its Skyactiv dynasty and its innovative construction in increasing internal combustion efficiency instead of going full hybrid.
What we have are two different approaches with the same end result: very long-lasting, low-cost engines that are well received. For innovation’s sake and the fact they’ve continued to make a case for un-electrified motoring, perhaps Mazda wins out, but only just.
Looking to the past yields a less positive light for Mazda though as their use of the rotary engine for their sportscars returned poor fuel economy, heavy oil use and severely lacking in the typical Japanese reliability. It’s no wonder that a new rotary-engined car remains highly elusive for Mazda.
Mazda vs Toyota: Models Comparison
Here, I’ll go through a quick comparison of two cars from each brand and put them head to head. The first pair is the Toyota RAV4 and the Mazda CX-5, while the second is the Toyota Corolla and Mazda 3. Both pairs directly face each other in their respective markets.
Toyota RAV4 vs Mazda CX-5
Looking at the RAV4, it beats the CX-5 in fuel efficiency and has more space, but the Mazda possesses vastly superior handling and features a better cabin in spite of lacking wiggle room. The RAV4 also lacks a bit of grunt on its smaller engines, though both cars suffer from a less than flattering ride quality.
Meanwhile, equipment is high on both with the Toyota being slightly more generous. The CX-5 also has the issue where its non-turbocharged engines cause less flexibility. Even though it can be more powerful than some rival cars, it’s not much faster.
In terms of value, the RAV4 is expensive and its depreciation might not impress. The CX-5 isn’t that bad, though its lack of a hybrid will ensure the Toyota is a little cheaper to run. In the end, the Mazda is more for those wanting a more premium, fun handling choice, while the RAV4 appeals more to the customer wanting more space and fuel-saving refinement.
Toyota Corolla vs Mazda 3
It’s even more narrow between the Corolla and 3, seeing how both have received similar scores from critics. While the Corolla can cost more, it’s extremely economical and looks very sharp, but the Mazda has definitely made more of an impact with its appearance. It also features a much more intuitive drive and an infotainment system that the Toyota’s simply cannot beat.
Neither has great rear space though, but the Mazda will beat the Corolla on comfort. Its refinement is gentle and easygoing, while the Corolla has more road noise. Ironic, given this is a hybrid car. You’ll find the Mazda 3 is (albeit very narrowly) has more safety kit as standard on all cars.
Inside, the Mazda has another clear victory as it simply looks and feels like something several levels above its price range. The Corolla’s may have a space-age edge to it, but it’s just not as nice a place to sit. Yes, it is roomier, but maybe not so much that it fully turns you away from the 3.
To give a decisive verdict, both cars are highly competitive with their own mix of strengths and weaknesses. The Toyota is frugal, has more space, and is brilliantly reliable. On the side of the Mazda though, it feels, looks, and rides better, despite the drawbacks.
I would like to point out that while the Mazda wins here, the Corolla remains a very solid option and one of the best hatchbacks on the market. You will find it remains the best option for those wanting something green and makes a tiny impact on fuel costs. The Mazda 3 is good, particularly with its unique Skyactiv-X engine marrying the benefits of diesel and gasoline powerplants, but it stays a little behind the Toyota on consumption.
