2017 Hyundai Tucson vs Mazda CX-3

What's the difference?

In 2015, Hyundai dropped a bomb in the medium SUV market with the all-new Tucson. Replacing the flawed but much-loved (and much-bought) ix35, the new Tucson arrived to market in a state preceding Hyundais weren't always in when launched - finished.

Not only was it finished, it was good. Very good. It looked great, had an excellent interior, appeared well-made and rode and handled like no Hyundai SUV before it. It also came with a few pieces of in-car technology that wouldn't be matched for almost 18 months by other makers. With a range stretching from $27,990 to $47,450, the Tucson covers a lot of bases for a lot of buyers in a rapidly growing market sector - the medium SUV.

Mazda's baby SUV, the CX-3, has been nothing short of a sales sensation since its release almost two years ago. After grabbing the segment by the scruff off its neck and tossing aside its erstwhile sales leader, the Mitsubishi ASX, like the whimpy kid in the playground, the minute Mazda has established itself as the Boy King.

Competition is getting hotter, though, and in a growing segment, you have to stay on your toes. Mazda recently gave the CX-3 range some attention to counter the arrival of Toyota's C-HR, while helping to continue to fend off its other rival, Honda. More trouble looms later in the year with the arrival of the Hyundai Kona.

Up here at the top of the range, however, not too far away from Euro offerings from Mini and Audi, things are pretty relaxed. Just 10 per cent of Mazda sales go the Akari's way, but that's still a healthy number (particularly in terms of Mazda's profits). Does the Akari have what it takes to hold buyers back from taking the plunge on a Countryman, or stretching even further to a Q2?