See how the top Mazda3 Premium compares to the Lexus IS 300

At Mazda City of Orange Park in Jacksonville FL, we serve Orange Park and surrounding areas with a great selection of Mazda3 sedans and hatchbacks. Today, we want to take on the exciting challenge of pitting our Mazda3 against the Lexus IS 300! While it might seem strange to pit the Mazda brand against the Lexus label, know that Mazda really aims to provide shoppers with interiors, style, and performance that are class-above, and that by getting a high-trim Mazda3 you'll actually get more value than you would with an entry-level Lexus IS 300. So, let's see how the two go head to head.

How does the Mazda3 Premium Package compare to the Lexus IS 300?

Safety

Both models come standard with several advanced safety technologies, like high-beam control, LED headlights, a lane-keeping system, and brake support. The Mazda3 Premium stands out against the Lexus IS 300, thanks to its Driver Attention Alert - a feature you won't find in the Lexus IS 300 - and blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert that you can only get on the Lexus IS 300 with a package add-on. The Mazda3 Premium also comes with adaptive front lighting to help you drive safely around curves in Middleburg FL, and that's another features you need to upgrade to get on the Lexus IS 300.

Performance

• Drive System: the Mazda3 is available in FWD or AWD. Most drivers in Saint Augustine will do fine with FWD, but if you want a bit more traction for the rainy season, the AWD is here to assist. The Lexus IS 300 comes in either RWD or AWD.
• Engines: the Mazda3 Premium has a 2.5L with 186 horsepower and 186 lb-ft torque. There's a 6-speed automatic with Sport Mode and SKYACTIV® Vehicle Dynamics for G-Vectoring Control Plus, and the G-Vectoring Control Plus really gives the Mazda3 its class-above handling. The Lexus IS RWD has a 2.0L with 241 horsepower and the AWD gets a bigger 3.5L V6 with 260 horsepower for a stronger Gainesville commute. While the Lexus IS has notably higher engine outputs, auto journalists felt the acceleration is lackluster and that the handling isn't all that exciting, which is something you'd expect with a luxury performance brand that carries a luxury performance price tag.

Looks

Both models have good looks, but if you want a more sophisticated vehicle to drive in Gainesville, we actually encourage you to come test drive the 2019 Mazda3. It has soft curves, swooping character lines, and you can also get it in a hatchback style. The Lexus IS 300 rocks a more performance-focused look that some might find a bit too youthful, and the wide grille is quite polarizing. Also there's no hatchback variant.

Once inside the Lexus IS 300 goes for a luxury look - there's even an analog clock in the dash - but while the cabin is nice it still has a lot of hard plastics and that gives away its entry-level placement. The Mazda3 interior is more minimalist, and we love how designers played with the dashboard levels and made the placement of the touchscreen really stand out. By the way, the Mazda3's touchscreen is 1.8-inches larger than its competitor's! Another benefit of getting the Mazda3 Premium over the Lexus IS 300 is that you'll get genuine leather sports seats instead of NuLuxe materials in the Lexus IS 300 that merely simulate leather.

Price

The Mazda3 Premium is a fully-equipped ride that offers style, performance, and plenty of features. It starts under $30,000, making it an affordable vehicle that won't kill your bank account. Lexus is a luxury brand, and as we mentioned before that means it has a higher price tag. The Lexus IS 300 starts about $10K more than the Mazda3. True, you do get better horsepower, but when you realize how much the two have in common when you look at the list of features, does the Lexus IS 300 really earn that higher price? Plus, it'll cost more to service than the Mazda3.

Of course, we'll let you be the judge, but once you come into our dealership for a test drive, we're sure you'll appreciate how well the Mazda3 balances premium offerings with affordability compared to the Lexus IS 300!