Discover How the Mazda3 Compares to its Jacksonville Competitor

When you're looking for a compact car that delivers an engaging driving experience, room for five, and the fuel efficiency that stands up to Jacksonville traffic, your options become somewhat limited. Add in a need for quality tech features and safety features, and the list narrows even further. Two of the top choices that meet all of these requirements are the Mazda3 and the Acura ILX. Let's see how they fare when compared to one another. Though the Mazda3 is offered as both a hatchback and a sedan, we used the sedan in order to keep things comparable.

Price

The introductory level Mazda3 has a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price that's several thousand dollars lower than the MSRP for the base ILX, saving you money right from the very start. When you add in the fact that the Mazda3 includes standard features that aren't offered for the ILX, or cost even more money to add as options, the economic advantage offered by the Mazda3 becomes even more profound.

Those savings continue throughout your ownership, as well. The Mazda3 is rated to deliver the better city and highway fuel economy, and accepts regular unleaded gasoline. To operate at max efficiency, the ILX requires that owners use premium unleaded -- which costs significantly more per gallon.

Performance

The Mazda3 features a 2.5-liter SKYACTIV-G four-cylinder engine, while the ILX is equipped with a 2.4-liter i-VTEC four-cylinder engine. While the ILX delivers slightly more horsepower, the Mazda3 boasts the better low-end torque that you need when you're looking to get going in a jiffy.

When it comes to handling and maneuverability, the Mazda3 is the champ. Thanks to its wider stance and longer wheelbase, the Mazda3 offers the smoother ride and better stability and handling of the two. The Mazda3 is also shorter than the Acura ILX, which makes it easier to get into and out of tight spaces -- as evidenced by its tighter turning radius.

Interior Comfort

When it comes to transporting people and their gear comfortably, the Mazda3 is the clear choice. With more overall passenger volume, including an advantage in front hip room, front shoulder room, rear headroom and rear legroom, the Mazda3 accommodates drivers and passengers alike with the comfort they need on a long road trip. The Mazda3 also boasts the larger trunk of the two sedans, and boasts a split folding rear seat for bulkier cargo. The single-piece rear seat in the ILX doesn't allow longer cargo and passengers to share the rear seat.

Explore the Mazda3 at Mazda City of Orange Park

Now that you've seen how these two models compare in a head-to-head competition, we think you'll agree that the Mazda3 clearly delivers the better value. We invite you to visit us at your convenience and take a closer look at our inventory of Mazda3 models. Our team is always happy to help our customers from the Orange Park, Saint Augustine, Middleburg FL, and Gainesville areas.