Hyundai I20 vs Mazda 3
What's the difference?

Hyundai I20

$27,950 - $32,888

2022 price

View pricing & specs

Mazda 3

$19,950 - $42,998

2024 price

View pricing & specs

Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Summary

2022 Hyundai I20

2024 Mazda 3

By James Cleary

By Byron Mathioudakis

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Turbo 4, 1.6L

Inline 4, 2.5L

Fuel Type

Unleaded Petrol

Fuel Efficiency

6.9L/100km (combined)

6.6L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Dynamics
Powertrain
Practicality

Stunning design
Superb cabin presentation
Athletic handling and control

Dislikes

Firm ride
Flaky launch control
Turning circle

Small boot
Gloomy rear seat
No more manual

2022 Hyundai I20 Summary

Start occupying the top step of the World Rally Championship podium and the brand benefits are huge. Just ask Audi, Ford, Mitsubishi, Subaru, Toyota, Volkswagen and the many others which have done exactly that to great effect over the years.

And Hyundai’s most recent foray into the WRC has focused on the compact i20, and here we have that rally weapon’s civilian offspring, the much-anticipated i20 N.

It’s a lightweight, high-tech, city-sized, hot hatch designed to steer you away from Ford’s Fiesta ST or VW’s Polo GTI, and add even more lustre to Hyundai’s N performance badge.

View full pricing & specs

2024 Mazda 3 Summary

Half a decade on, the current-generation Mazda 3 has weathered a world of change.

Cheap cars have vanished. Electric vehicles are commonplace and the small car class it belongs to has been decimated by SUVs. Big names like the Ford Focus, Holden Astra and Mitsubishi Lancer are history.

But while it looks identical to the car unveiled at the 2018 LA Auto Show, today’s Mazda 3 has also evolved, albeit gently.

Let’s see how competitive the latest and improved (as well as more expensive) version is.

View full pricing & specs

Deep dive comparison

2022 Hyundai I20 2024 Mazda 3

Verdict

The i20 N hatch is so much fun, and not in a special occasion kind of way. It’s an affordable, compact performance car that’ll put a smile on your face no matter where or when you drive it. The Fiesta ST and Polo GTI have a worthy new playmate. I love it!

Verdict

Given how effortlessly it traverses the mainstream and premium small car classes, the Mazda 3 might be the best value small car on the planet.

With racy styling, sports car handling, classy interior presentation and impressive, intelligent efficiency, there’s plenty to sink your teeth into here.

Poor rear vision, a dark back-seat area and smallish boot aside, it doesn’t have any glaring faults.

In a world overrun with SUVs, props to Mazda for evolving the small car so brilliantly to mask a half-decade of existence. Continuous improvements have made the 2024 G25 Evolve SP Vision an essential small car shortlist proposition, regardless of price.

Hyundai I20 vs Mazda 3 What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Hyundai I20 vs Mazda 3
What's the difference?