Hyundai i40 Elite vs Mazda 6 Touring

Auto transmission with paddle shifters, seven-speaker audio, Bluetooth with audio streaming, satnav, electric park brake, electric driver-only seat adjustment, leather upholstery and dual-zone climate aircon with rear ducting. Five-year warranty has unlimited km, $259 annual capped price servicing for three years.

Leather seats, paddle-shift auto, satnav, front seat electric adjustment, Bose 11-speaker 231W audio, Bluetooth with audio streaming, 17-inch alloys and dual-zone climate aircon with rear ducting all standard. Three-year unlimited km warranty, $360 twice yearly servicing.

Euro-designer look. The dash feels less cluttered and more open than the Mazda and the cabin feels spacious. Small screen makes it harder to see the rear view and there's some annoying scattering of ancillary switches. Mazda presents a bold new shape but subjectively the Hyundai looks just as good.  

Big at 4.8m long yet boot space and personal storage less than the shorter Hyundai. Quality cabin materials and excellent space, but tall rear passengers can clip heads on sloping roof. In-dash function screen (controlled by rotary dial) and vents bigger than i40's.

Direct injection 2.0-litre (131kW/214Nm) averages 7.7L/100km and sips regular from a 70-litre tank. Components are class standard: electric-assist steering, MacPherson front and multi-link rear suspension, 17-inch alloys and four-wheel disc brakes.  

Direct injection 2.5L engine (138kW/250Nm ) gets stop-start and clever SkyActiv treatment for lean-burn combustion for 6.6L/100km of regular fuel. Compact i-Eloop capacitor stores energy to run electrics. SkyActiv covers crisp-shifting six-speed auto.

Five-star crash rating and electronic stability and traction control, rear camera, front and rear park sensors and heated mirrors. Nine airbags, daytime running lights, LED tail-lights, corner lights and a full-size spare wheel.  

Five-star crash rating, six airbags, emergency stop signal that flashes a warning to following traffic, hill-start assist, park sensors front and rear, reverse camera and heated mirrors. The spare is an oversized temporary.

Comfort and ease of operation are highlights. Small engine means it's not especially quick but it's tractable and helped by a slick auto gearbox. The engine can get a bit thrashy when pushed. Handling is adequate and electric steering suits the market.

Engine brisk if a bit wheezy at low revs. Pleasant and responsive drive giving great fuel economy. Auto is delight and cabin quietness much improved. All seats could do with more cushioning. Needs a big parking space.