To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the EcoSport. But it costs extra on the Mazda3.

Both the EcoSport and the Mazda3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

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, results indicate that the Ford EcoSport is safer than the Mazda3:

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

There are over 5 times as many Ford dealers as there are Mazda dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the EcoSport's warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates' 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Ford vehicles are better in initial quality than Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Ford 14th in initial quality. With 15 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is ranked 23rd.

The EcoSport's 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 11 more horsepower (166 vs. 155) than the Mazda3's standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Ford EcoSport uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Mazda3 with the 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder engine requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The EcoSport has 1.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Mazda3 AWD's standard fuel tank (13.8 vs. 12.7 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The EcoSport has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it's removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Mazda3 doesn't offer a cap-less fueling system.

For better stopping power the EcoSport's brake rotors are larger than those on the Mazda3:

For superior ride and handling, the Ford EcoSport 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 Mazda3 has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The EcoSport is 1 foot, 2.3 inches shorter than the Mazda3 Hatchback, making the EcoSport easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces. The EcoSport is 1 foot, 10.2 inches shorter than the Mazda3 Sedan.

The front grille of the EcoSport uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Mazda3 doesn't offer active grille shutters.

The EcoSport has a 2000 lbs. towing capacity. The Mazda3 has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the EcoSport uses the AdvanceTrac® sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Mazda3 doesn't offer electronic trailer sway control.

The power windows standard on both the EcoSport and the Mazda3 have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the EcoSport is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Mazda3 prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don't have them with you, you can let yourself in using the EcoSport's available exterior PIN entry system. The Mazda3 doesn't offer an exterior PIN entry system.

Consumer Reports rated the EcoSport's headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the Mazda3's headlights, which were rated “Poor.”

The EcoSport (except S) offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Mazda3 doesn't offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Insurance will cost less for the EcoSport owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the EcoSport will cost $305 less than the Mazda3 over a five-year period.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the EcoSport is less expensive to operate than the Mazda3 because it costs $36 less to do the manufacturer's suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost less on the EcoSport than the Mazda3, including $94 less for a water pump, $7 less for a starter, $73 less for fuel injection and $140 less for a fuel pump.

The Ford EcoSport outsold the Mazda3 by 22% during the 2021 model year.