The hot hatch market is in an interesting state of flux. Performance CUVs are rapidly entering the territory once strongly held by icons like the Volkswagen GTI. However, the hot hatch is still alive and there are still models fighting for sales supremacy. Two of them are the Mazda3 Turbo hatch and the Toyota GR Corolla. Both of these hatchbacks are two of the best performance models you can get from a Japanese automaker but which one is the best?
2025 Mazda3 Premium Plus Turbo Hatch
At first glance, it might be safe to assume that Mazda is applying a light touch to the hatchback model when it comes to updates. The current generation model has been around for a long time with the model receiving its last major update several years ago. As a result, the updates that do exist are limited to trim and equipment reallocation for certain trims. While the naturally aspirated engine is still present, the turbocharged engine is always the preferred upgrade. It also works well with the Mazda’s distinctive looks though the rear end is still portly and bulbous.
Slip inside and the interior continues to be an impressive luxury-filled space to spend time in. The seats in our tester continue to provide good support though the rear seat is still too tight for taller passengers. The cabin was supposed to target European models and while the interior quality and some of the appointments are top-notch, the infotainment system is rapidly starting to show its age. Unlike other newer systems, this one is still operated by a large rotary controller with the whole setup being awkward and frustrating to use. That’s a shame since the stereo in our example does a good job pumping the tunes.
Performance for our car came from the turbocharged version of the four-cylinder that’s paired with all-wheel drive. It still makes 250 hp but no manual is available. Instead, a six-speed automatic continues to be the lone transmission available and while it shifts smoothly, it’s two gears or more behind rivals including the GR Corolla which gets a newer eight-speed automatic. The engine itself is still punchy and has an impressive amount of low-end torque with the boost providing tremendous amounts of acceleration. The 3 is still an impressive hatchback, but age and the slow pace of updates are beginning to show.Â
2025 Toyota GR Corolla
Unlike the Mazda3 the GR Corolla is a fresh performance offering from Toyota with the GR making waves when it debuted for the 2024 model year. Toyota made it clear that the GR Corolla was all about fun with Toyota throwing everything but the kitchen sink at the Corolla hatchback in an attempt to make it faster and more track capable than ever before. The front fascia is heavily reworked with a bigger front grille to improve cooling and flared-up wheel arches to help fit bigger wheels.
A major update for 2025 is the addition of an all-new eight-speed automatic. While the idea of launching this spicy hatchback with a manual only was a great way to send a message to rivals, it also limited the appeal of the hatch to people who could drive a manual and with more young buyers shunning the stick for an automatic, Toyota knew that it eventually had to concede defeat and give buyers two transmission formats to choose from. While we have not had the opportunity to try out an automatic-equipped GR Corolla as of yet (we hope this will change in the new year) our experience with a manual-equipped model makes it clear that the GR Corolla is all about providing the driver with as much fun as possible. Power comes from a turbocharged 1.6-liter three-cylinder that makes 300 hp. While it loses some displacement and a cylinder to the Mazda, this engine can still deliver the proverbial goods with the GR having plenty of snappy acceleration for buyers to take advantage of. All-wheel drive is also standard and unlike the Mazda, Toyota and GR engineers allow drivers to control the torque split with a switch that allows them to adjust how much of that torque goes to the front or rear wheels.
Slip inside the GR Corolla and the transformation inside is even more dramatic. While the dashboard and some of the core Corolla DNA still look blander than ever, the front seats are heavily bolstered and the instrument cluster has been reworked to make it more performance-oriented. Granted, the Corolla does lose to the Mazda when it comes to interior appointments and finish (the backseat is just as useless for rear passengers too) but Toyota clearly understood the teacher’s homework when it created the GR Corolla with the sacrifices it made in those categories going towards more performance upgrades and an effort to try and keep the price down for consumers including those who want more spice than a GR86 but are not quite ready yet to go all-in on the Supra coupe.
Who wins?
An old adage states that “nothing replaces displacement” but in this case, we have to give the win to the Toyota. While the Mazda3 turbo is still a capable vehicle with a turbocharged engine that can deliver the thrills, it’s no match for the GR Corolla. The GR not only does a better job of delivering the performance car experience to consumers, but Toyota’s willingness to push the envelope of performance more allows the Corolla to be the bolder car in the room with the Mazda preferring to let its soft-spoken nature and it’s high-quality interior do the talking.Â
That said, Toyota needs to be sharp on updates for the GR Corolla with the model still facing a small but potent pool of rivals in the performance compact segment. These rivals include the Hyundai Elantra N and the Honda Civic Type R two potent benchmarks in the segment that might have also become the new measuring stick in the segment as the Volkswagen GTI loses its manual transmission and embraces a new side of itself that puts technology and mature looks over raw speed even in its hotter Golf R version. Â
Carl Malek has been an automotive journalist for over 10 years. First starting out as a freelance photographer before making the transition to writing during college, his work has appeared on numerous automotive forums as well as websites such as Autoshopper.com.
Carl is also a big fan of British vehicles with the bulk of his devotion going to the Morgan Motor Company as well as offerings from Lotus, MG, and Caterham. When he is not writing about automobiles, Carl enjoys spending time with his family and friends in the Metro Detroit area, as well as spending time with his adorable pets.