Our love affair with SUVs may be well documented but all is not lost for the humble small car.
In fact Australians have bought more than 50,000 of them so far this year.
And these two are Aussie favourites.
It’s the Mazda 3 and Hyundai i30.
But there’s not much humble about these models as their manufacturers push towards
premium territory.
On test are two of the priciest models in their respective line-ups.
The Mazda 3 G25 Astina sits atop the new Mazda 3 range.
While the new i30 N-Line premium is Hyundai’s take on high-level small car motoring.
Sitting one row down from the raucous i30 M. The Mazda 3 is almost completely all-new.
It’s sleeker than its predecessor, has better features, and increased safety technology.
But its engines and transmissions are carried over from the old car.
So it’s the same two point five litre petrol engine and six-speed automatic transmission
that powers the new top spec Mazda 3 G25 Astina.
Whereas Hyundai has opted to add a zesty new one point six litre turbo petrol engine paired
with a seven-speed dual clutch transmission to this, the new i30 N-Line which replaces
the outgoing SR model.
Hide the Mazda badge and you could almost be convinced you were in a prestige vehicle.
The Mazda 3’s cabin design is super stylish and there’s a great use of materials throughout
and clever storage options too including hidden cup holders and this great moveable arm rest.
These are typically features that you’d see in a much more expensive vehicle.
The i30 N-Line premium doesn’t have quite the same level of finish.
However the focus here is on sports oriented design cues like this gear shifter.
While the trim in the i30 doesn’t exude the same high-end feel as the Mazda 3 the
N badging throughout the interior red seatbelts and red stitching help to deliver the feel
of a car with some sporty promise.
For audiophiles Mazda has finally come to the party with Apple Car Play and Android
auto compatibility.
It’s all driven through an intuitive rotary dial with sound emitted from an impressive
12-speaker Bose stereo system.
And Hyundai also includes smartphone integration but through a touchscreen interface.
The i30’s dash layout is easy to use with bold buttons which are clearly labelled.
Size wise the new Mazda 3 is longer than the i30 but the length doesn’t translate to
either boot space or space for rear passengers.
With the seats up the i30 promises more luggage capacity than the Mazda 3.
And it feels more spacious in the rear too with plenty of headroom in comparison to Mazda
3.
And the addition of a large panoramic sunroof adds to the feel of spaciousness.
But it is pretty tight in the back of the Mazda 3 which is a car that definitely favours
front row occupants.
The Hyundai’s stereo is down by five speakers but instead it offers both heated and ventilated
front seats against the Mazda’s heated only front seats.
It’s the Mazda 3 that wins out when it comes to safety technology and driver assistance
aids however.
Both cars have autonomous emergency braking and adaptive cruise control with lane keeping
assist but it’s the Mazda 3 that features a head up display, front and rear cross traffic
alert, and blind spot monitoring.
Surprisingly while rear cross traffic alert and blind spot monitoring are available on
more affordable models in the i30 range, Hyundai tells us they’re just not available on N-Line
models.
Mazda also includes rear braking that stops the car should it sense an imminent collision
and its reverse camera is enhanced with a 360 degree view.
Mazda engineers have gone a long way to address some of the criticisms of the older Mazda
3.
This one is much quieter and offers a more refined ride.
In contrast the i30 N-Line’s engine is noisier and there’s some more tyre noise penetrating
the cabin.
The one point six litre turbo and that dual clutch offer plenty of get up and go.
And while it’s no i30 M the N-Line doesn’t disgrace its sibling’s nametag.
It’s fun to drive and has loads of character.
It may not have the turbo but the two point five litre petrol engine in the Mazda 3 is
definitely responsive enough.
It’s actually a revelation compared to the two litre engine that Mazda’s carried over
in the entry model Mazda 3’s.
So while on paper the i30 N-Line promises more pulling power, the 3 is not necessarily
second best.
It’s not as overtly sporty but it’s no slouch either.
Which one should you choose?
If design and all of those safety features are your priority then the Mazda 3 is certainly
going to be worth you taking a look.
But if extra room and saving some dollars are more up your alley then you won’t be
disappointed with the Hyundai i30 N-Line premium.
That said we’re going to recommend the Mazda 3.
It wins a close comparison thanks to its superior safety equipment and drives and feels more
like a high-end euro which is important at this price point.