Hyundai Ioniq vs Mazda 3
What's the difference?

Hyundai Ioniq

$19,395 - $42,950

2021 price

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Mazda 3

$19,950 - $42,998

2024 price

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Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Summary

2021 Hyundai Ioniq

2024 Mazda 3

By Tom White

By Byron Mathioudakis

Safety Rating

Electric motor type

—

Inline 4, 2.5L

Vehicle type

—

Unleaded Petrol

Electric range

—

6.6L/100km (combined)

Energy consumption

—

Battery capacity

—

Seating

Likes

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

Stunning design
Superb cabin presentation
Athletic handling and control

Dislikes

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

Small boot
Gloomy rear seat
No more manual

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 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.

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Deep dive comparison

2021 Hyundai Ioniq 2024 Mazda 3

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

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 Ioniq vs Mazda 3 What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Hyundai Ioniq vs Mazda 3
What's the difference?