For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Toyota C-HR have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Mazda CX-3 doesn't offer pretensioners for the rear seat belts.

The Toyota C-HR has a standard driver's side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The CX-3 doesn't offer knee airbags.

The C-HR's driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The CX-3 doesn't offer a driver alert monitor.

Compared to metal, the C-HR's plastic fuel tank can withstand harder, more intrusive impacts without leaking; this decreases the possibility of fire. The Mazda CX-3 has a metal gas tank.

Both the C-HR and the CX-3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Toyota C-HR is safer than the Mazda CX-3:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Toyota C-HR is safer than the Mazda CX-3:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard front crash prevention system, and its headlight's “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the C-HR its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2019, a rating granted to only 116 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The CX-3 is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2019.

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the C-HR for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Mazda doesn't pay scheduled maintenance for the CX-3.

There are over 2 times as many Toyota dealers as there are Mazda dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the C-HR's warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates' 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are better in initial quality than Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota 13th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 20 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is ranked 23rd, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates' 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 23 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is ranked 14th.

The C-HR has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the CX-3 AWD's standard fuel tank (13.2 vs. 11.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The C-HR has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The CX-3 doesn't offer a CVT.

For better stopping power the C-HR's brake rotors are larger than those on the CX-3:

The C-HR stops shorter than the CX-3:

For better traction, the C-HR has larger tires than the CX-3 (225/50R18 vs. 215/60R16).

The C-HR's tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the CX-3's standard 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the C-HR has standard 18-inch wheels. Only 16-inch wheels are available on the CX-3.

For superior ride and handling, the Toyota C-HR has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Mazda CX-3 has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The C-HR has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the C-HR flat and controlled during cornering. The CX-3's suspension doesn't offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the C-HR's wheelbase is 2.7 inches longer than on the CX-3 (103.9 inches vs. 101.2 inches).

For better maneuverability, the C-HR's turning circle is .6 feet tighter than the CX-3's (34.2 feet vs. 34.8 feet).

The C-HR has 1.8 inches more front legroom, .4 inches more front hip room, 1.1 inches more rear headroom and 2.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the CX-3.

The C-HR has a much larger cargo volume than the CX-3 with its rear seat up (19.1 vs. 17.8 cubic feet).

The C-HR has a maintenance free battery for long life without checking the battery's water level. The CX-3 doesn't have a maintenance free battery, so the water level in the battery's cells must be checked often to prevent damage.

The power windows standard on both the C-HR and the CX-3 have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the C-HR is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The CX-3 prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The C-HR's front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The CX-3's passenger windows don't open or close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the C-HR the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Toyota service department.) The driver of the CX-3 can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

Smart Key System standard on the C-HR allows you to unlock the driver's door, cargo door and start the engine all without removing a key from pocket or purse. This eliminates searching for keys before loading groceries, getting in the vehicle in bad weather or making a hurried start to your trip. The Mazda CX-3's Pushbutton Start doesn't unlock the doors or the cargo door.

The C-HR's power window, power lock and power mirror switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The CX-3's power window (except driver window) and power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don't exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The C-HR's available headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the CX-3's headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

The C-HR's standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. The CX-3 doesn't offer heated side mirrors.

The C-HR Limited has standard heated front seats, which keep the driver and front passenger extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated seats aren't available in the CX-3.

The C-HR's standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won't have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The CX-3 doesn't offer dual zone air conditioning.

The C-HR will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the C-HR will retain 56.66% to 57.4% of its original price after five years, while the CX-3 only retains 49.89% to 50.63%.

The Toyota C-HR outsold the Mazda CX-3 by over six to one during the 2021 model year.