Hyundai Ioniq vs Mazda 2
What's the difference?

Hyundai Ioniq

$19,395 - $42,950

2021 price

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Mazda 2

$14,500 - $26,998

2024 price

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Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Summary

2021 Hyundai Ioniq

2024 Mazda 2

By Tom White

By Chris Thompson

Safety Rating

Electric motor type

—

Inline 4, 1.5L

Vehicle type

—

Unleaded Petrol

Electric range

—

5.4L/100km (combined)

Energy consumption

—

Battery capacity

—

Seating

Likes

Well-tuned electric drive
Range is about right
Excellent energy consumption

Still dynamically fun
Manual remains
Ergonomically sensible

Dislikes

Feels very heavy
Design won't be for everyone
Still a little too pricey for mass adoption

Interior is dating
Engine noise under load
Pricing not quite 'first-car'

2021 Hyundai Ioniq Summary

Hyundai's Ioniq range is nothing if not a flex in the face of Toyota.

Sure, Toyota has a dominating position in the Australian market, with its well-received range of hybrid models, but what happens after hybrid? Hyundai takes on the blocky Prius formula with not only a directly competing hybrid model, but a plug-in and a fully electric version, too.

This expansive range is as though Hyundai is trying to demonstrate it's ready for any future, near or far, and guess what, Toyota? Anything you can do; the Korean juggernaut thinks it can do better.

These cars aren't really designed to sell so much as they are offerings for early adopters, but a few years after its launch, with a host of rivals set to take it on, and an entire sub-brand based on the Ioniq just around the corner, is Hyundai's top-spec Ioniq electric worth a look? I took one for a week to find out.

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2024 Mazda 2 Summary

The entry-point into one of Australia's most popular brands has been around for almost 10 years in its current generation, but the Mazda2 has had a refresh.

Possibly for the last time in its current lifespan, the small hatchback gets a facelift to remain appealing, Mazda hopes, to first-car-buyers.

Mazda's up against not only direct rivals, like the Suzuki Swift and Toyota Yaris, but also the shifting market.

Mazda has sold just over 3500 Mazda2s so far this year, but almost 11,000 CX-3 small SUVs, the latter based on our friend here's platform.

It's a name with a little over two decades behind it, but can it be a first-car-favourite in an increasingly difficult small car market?

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Deep dive comparison

2021 Hyundai Ioniq 2024 Mazda 2

Verdict

Just like the Kona EV, Hyundai's Ioniq is still one of the best EV options on the market today. It strikes an excellent balance by offering significantly more range and better energy consumption than the more affordable Nissan Leaf or MG ZS EV, while providing the familiarity of the Hyundai spec and drive experience at a price only a little higher than a top-spec Prius.

Its relatively high score is a product of these factors, but also the way in which its interactivity offers the early adopters the engagement they will be searching for.

Verdict

While Mazda's insistence that the Mazda2 is a 'first-car' could be very limited by the incomes of most teenagers or early-20s city-dwellers, the starting price being close enough to $20,000 for a dynamically enjoyable and convenient small car isn't to be scoffed at.

The new styling of the Mazda2 is well executed, and as an alternative to small SUVs (which continue to become more popular) it's a sensible option, especially considering its efficiency and ease of use.

The lower specifications in the range are probably the best in terms of value, as even the features on the higher grades aren't groundbreaking, and the Pure SP definitely exudes the most style cred.

Hyundai Ioniq vs Mazda 2 What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Hyundai Ioniq vs Mazda 2
What's the difference?