We’ve put the 2020 Honda Civic, 2020 Toyota Corolla Altis, as well as the 2019 Mazda 3 Sedan through the WapCar Ratings test. And now let’s take a side-by-side look at each cars and walk through all the aspects.

Driving Performance - Mazda 3 is the most engaging to drive

Power from the 2.0L NA engine isn’t as strong as in the turbocharged Honda Civic, which is why the Mazda 3 didn't get an excellent score in driving performance. But it’s punchy enough at lower revs and will happily climb up to the redline, with a smooth and linear power delivery.

The 6-speed automatic transmission feels more direct than any of its CVT rivals and shifts are crisp. Steering feels natural and the chassis reacts predictably according to driver inputs. The GVC+ works its magic in the background through the corners, ensuring a smooth affair.

Ride Comfort - Toyota Corolla is the most comfortable

The Toyota Corolla's suspension is the supplest in its class. Lumps and bumps are soaked up with minimal disruptions in the cabin. Only the sharpest of edges and largest of potholes can send a jolt, otherwise it’s a gentle nudge.

Seats are nicely sculptured and supportive. There’s plenty of adjustments including lumbar to get comfortable. It isn't the quietest in class however, that would be the Mazda 3.

Quality and Features - Winner goes to Mazda 3 again

The Toyota Corolla Altis showed the lowest standard deviation in both paint thickness and panel gap consistency, which suggest remarkable build quality.

In terms of cabin material and build quality however, the Mazda 3 is noticeably more upmarket, class-leading in fact. There’s soft leather across the middle of the dashboard and door panels as well as parts of the centre console.

While the Mazda 3 has the Mazda Radar Cruise Control (MRCC), it doesn’t feature low speed follow, which rivals like the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla Altis have. So, it gets 1 point knocked off in the ADAS section. But overall, the Mazda 3 still pulls ahead in this aspect.

Space and Practicality - None can rival the Honda Civic

Despite a fastback profile, the Civic manages to provide more headroom than the Corolla Altis, just about matching the Mazda 3 Sedan.

But kneeroom is vastly superior to both cars. While the numbers appear similar, do note that the Civic's seat bench is longer than the other two, which affects the measurements.

Fuel Consumption - Mazda 3 is the most efficient

The Mazda 3 Sedan returned the lowest fuel consumption figure, making it the most fuel-efficient C-segment sedan we've tested so far.

However, it does not have any Eco Mode/Assist, which penalised its overall score and the overall winner is the Corolla Altis.

Purchase and Cost - Honda Civic is the best value for money

Being a CKD model, the Honda Civic is more attractively priced than both the Altis and the Mazda 3. The Civic also comes with a 5 year and unlimited mileage (within 5 years) warranty which is a plus point in our books. 

In terms of maintenance cost, the Civic can't top the Mazda 3's 5-year free maintenance or its fuel efficiency however.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, the Honda Civic is has the most powerful engine, the most spacious and practical interior. The Mazda 3 Sedan is the most engaging to drive and has the best overall quality and features. The Toyota Corolla Altis is the most comfortable car and still manages to handle well.

Overall, the Honda Civic 1.5 TC-P leads the segment with its superior interior packaging and value proposition.

Ratings - Honda Civic 1.5 TC-P

Ratings - Toyota Corolla Altis 1.8G

Ratings - Mazda 3 2.0L Sedan