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2025 Car Mileage with the Best Gas MileageHyundai Elantra vs Mazda3
Two of the very best cars in the segment go head-to-head as we compare the Hyundai Elantra to the Mazda3.
Dark Horses Go Head-to-Head
The Hyundai Elantra and the Mazda3 have at least one major thing in common. They’re both a far better value than most people give them credit for. They each start at or under $25,000. They’re fun to drive. They feature unique styling. And they both come with excellent technology. That set of features is nearly impossible to find when shopping at other brands. Nevertheless, these two cars fly under the radar but today, one will shine brightly as they go head-to-head.
Specs
The 2024 Mazda3 starts at $25,335 and comes with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 191 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque. Front-wheel drive is standard but buyers can option all-wheel drive should they prefer it. Both layouts use a six-speed automatic gearbox but in rare cases, buyers can opt for a manual.
In addition, the Mazda3 is available with a turbocharged four-cylinder that makes 250 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque. The base engine gets up to 28 mpg in the city and 37 on the highway. The turbo gets 23 mpg in the city and 31 on the highway. Notably, the Mazda3 is the only car in this battle that is available as a sedan or a hatchback.
The 2024 Hyundai Elantra might not be available as a hatchback or with AWD but it has its own unique feature. It’s available with four different engines including a hybrid. Things kick off with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that makes just 147 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque. It gets up to 36 mpg combined. The hybrid version uses a 1.6-liter four-cylinder with 139 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque but it manages up to 54 mpg combined.
Both engines use a continuously variable transmission. Hyundai also offers two sporty versions of the Elantra. The first is the N-Line trim with a 1.6-liter engine tuned to make 201hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. It gets up to 31 mpg and uses a six-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. Finally, a hot 2.0-liter engine propels the Elantra N trim with 286 hp and 289 lb-ft of torque. It sees fuel economy drop to just 23 mpg combined despite using a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. Pricing starts at $22,590.
Driving and Performance
If there’s one thing that the Mazda3 does great, it’s engage the driver. The chassis is playful and eager to please, the controls are responsive and easy to master, and both engines are lovely. While it would be wrong to call the Mazda3 a four-door MX-5, it’s clear that the two cars share a parent company.
The six-speed automatic gearbox that comes standard on AWD versions of the Mazda3 is rarely in the wrong cog. At the same time, we bet that this little car would get even better fuel economy if Mazda used something like an eight or nine-speed transmission.
The Elantra offers an incredibly wide array of driving experiences depending entirely on trim. The base engine and the hybrid provide smooth and consistent performance, but both feel lackluster. It’s worth noting that the CVT also creates a bit of whine and drone in some driving situations.
The N-Line and N are also somewhat noisy but it’s by design. The N-Line is punchy and fun to drive but not as sharp as something like the Honda Civic Si. The Elantra N is a hoot to drive and provides all of the right sounds, noises, and sensations for a vehicle with the type of performance pedigree that it has. It’s sort of a wonder that Mazda still hasn’t brought back a proper rival for the Elantra N.
Comfort and Interior
We’ve praised Mazda’s interior work for years and the Mazda3 is no outlier. It feels more expensive than it is thanks to high-quality soft-touch materials, tight panel gaps, and contrast stitching where appropriate. It’s easy to appreciate the sleek and elegant dash design, the crystal-clear gauge display, and the supportive seating.
At the same time, it’s not a perfect car by any means. The rear seats are a bit cramped, the hatchback version has some notable blind spots for those who use traditional mirror positioning, and not everyone will love the non-touch-sensitive infotainment system. Still, we think it’s an excellent overall package worthy of consideration.
Just like Mazda, Hyundai is great at providing an interior that feels more expensive than it really is. The interior feels more futuristic but should age well thanks to clean lines, physical buttons and switches where they should be. We love the switchgear itself as it feels great to use and lacks the slop and slack that so many brands in this price point have.
The seating is comfortable too and we appreciate that Hyundai also offers high-end features like front seat ventilation, a fully digital gauge cluster, and a great blind-spot video feed in that gauge cluster. The trunk is relatively small at just 14.2 cubic feet but that means more rear-seat leg room which is another big win for this smallish sedan.
Trims and Features
Mazda sells the 3 in seven trims kicking off with the Base or S trim level. It gets the normally aspirated engine, 16-inch wheels, LED headlights, cloth upholstery, and an 8.8-inch infotainment system. Next is the Select Sport which adds 18-inch wheels, faux leather upholstery, rain-sensing wipers, and dual-zone automatic climate control. Then there’s the Preferred trim with heated front seats, a sunroof, and a power-adjustable driver’s seat. The Carbon Edition comes next and is the first to come standard with AWD.
It also gets red leather upholstery, wireless Android and Apple connectivity, and a wireless charging pad. The Premium trim is the most expensive non-turbo trim. It adds a heads-up display, leather upholstery, and 12 speakers. The Carbon Turbo adds the snail under the hood along with black 18-inch wheels, a 10.25-inch infotainment system, and red faux leather upholstery. The Turbo Premium Plus includes a surround-view camera system, paddle shifters, premium leather upholstery, a lane-centering system, and parking sensors.
The Elantra comes in seven trim levels as well starting with the SE. It comes with the base engine, 15-inch wheels, LED headlights, and USB ports for both rows. The SEL is next and it adds 16-inch wheels, a 10.25-inch infotainment system, and a matching digital gauge cluster. The Blue Hybrid is the first electrified Elantra and it gets heated side mirrors and heated seats too.
The Limited comes standard with LED exterior lighting, a sunroof, 17-inch wheels, and adaptive cruise control. The N-Line adds the 1.6-liter turbo engine, 18-inch wheels, sport seats, and leather upholstery. The Limited Hybrid combines the hybrid engine with leather upholstery, driver’s side memory settings, and front-seat ventilation. Finally, the Elantra N gets the sporty 2.0-liter engine, a unique suspension setup, a variable exhaust system, and 19-inch wheels.
The Verdict
These are both outstanding cars and probably deserve a lot more attention than they get. Of the two though we’d recommend the Elantra for a few important reasons. Without knowing each buyer’s specific needs, the Hyundai offers a wider array of available trims, features, and powertrains. In addition, it comes with a fantastic five-year limited warranty, a 10-year powertrain warranty, and three years of complimentary maintenance. The Mazda3 is a delightful car and would’ve beat a lot of rivals in this space. The Hyundai Elantra just isn’t one of them.
