2022 Mazda MAZDA3 vs 2021 Hyundai Elantra

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra stood out in the compact sedan category with its bold and distinctive design, a result of Hyundai's Sensuous Sportiness design language. The car featured sharp creases and dramatic angles, making it easily recognizable. A unique Z-shaped dent in the doors, designed by Davis Lee, added to its character, breaking conventional design rules. The Elantra's appearance improved with higher trims, offering a range of options from the Essential to the Ultimate, with hybrid powertrains available in select trims. Inside, the Elantra boasted a driver-focused dashboard, with the Ultimate trim offering a modern and upscale interior, highlighted by light gray seats and contrasting black elements.

In contrast, the 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 maintained its artistic appeal with deeply sculpted flanks, available in both sedan and hatchback styles. The car's design was mature and serious, avoiding flashy elements. Inside, the Mazda3 offered a refined and sophisticated environment, with polished metallic finishes and a focus on driver-centric design. The hatchback's back seat, however, was less accommodating for taller passengers. The Mazda3's interior was praised for its quality and style, appealing to those seeking a more understated yet elegant vehicle.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra offered a range of powertrain options, starting with a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. The Elantra Hybrid combined a 1.6-litre engine with an electric motor, delivering 139 horsepower and impressive fuel efficiency. The sporty Elantra N Line featured a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine with 201 horsepower, while the high-performance Elantra N boasted a 2.0-litre turbo engine with 276 horsepower. The Elantra N was particularly praised for its dynamic driving experience, with features like an electronic limited-slip differential and customizable driving modes.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 offered a base 2.0-litre engine with 155 horsepower, focusing on fuel economy. Most buyers opted for the 2.5-litre engine with 186 horsepower, available with AWD. The turbocharged 2.5-litre engine provided up to 250 horsepower with premium fuel, delivering a smooth and enjoyable driving experience. However, the Mazda3's brakes showed signs of fade during intense driving, and its fuel efficiency was lower than advertised. Despite these drawbacks, the Mazda3 was praised for its balance, handling, and overall driving enjoyment.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra was classified as a midsize car, offering ample interior space. The driver's seat was height-adjustable, and the rear seat provided best-in-class legroom. However, the lack of a height-adjustable front passenger seat and hard plastic door panels were noted as drawbacks. The Elantra's trunk offered 402 litres of space, with a 60/40-split folding rear seat for added utility.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3, while stylish, had a lower seating position, making entry and exit challenging. The front seats were comfortable and supportive, with an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat available. The back seat was less spacious, especially for taller passengers. The hatchback offered 569 litres of cargo space, expandable to 1,334 litres with the rear seats folded. The sedan's trunk held 374 litres of cargo.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and a digital instrument cluster. The system included a dynamic voice recognition system and a Bose premium audio option. However, the larger screen lost wireless smartphone integration.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 used the Mazda Connect infotainment system with an 8.8-inch display. The system relied on a rotary controller, avoiding touchscreens to reduce driver distraction. While the system had some usability issues, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available. Mazda Connected Services offered remote access features, and a Bose audio system was available on higher trims.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra was built on a new platform with advanced safety features, including SmartSense ADAS. Most trims included forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot warning. Higher trims offered additional features like adaptive cruise control and Highway Drive Assist.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 excelled in safety, with top ratings from NHTSA and IIHS. However, many safety features were optional in Canada. Standard features included blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, with adaptive cruise control and other advanced features available on higher trims. The driver-assist systems performed reliably, enhancing driver confidence.