Small Hatch Match-Up – Hyundai i30 Active v Mazda3 Neo Comparison Review
Aggression is a trait few would associate with small hatchbacks. Yet here are the new Hyundai i30 and updated Mazda3 as not only absolute giants of their class, but giants competing within the most gigantic, top-selling new-vehicle segment around.
To ramp things up, the dog-eat-dog end of the small hatch spectrum has been chosen for this comparison test – the entry-level automatic models, the i30 Active and 3 Neo, where every cent matters and pragmatism over-rules the emotional.
This is where bread-and-butter Hyundais and Mazdas become bigger than Ben Hur.
For under $25,000 before on-road costs, combinations of cabin equipment, safety and infotainment technology, and performance, all become delicate balancing acts. So, which entry-level small hatch best – or most aggressively – balances the ledger?
TESTEDHyundai i30 Active ($23,250 plus on-road costs))
Mazda3 Neo ($22,490 plus on-road costs)
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OVERVIEW
The days of $19,990 driveaway i30 Active automatics are gone with this new model. Hyundai’s entry-level auto now costs $23,250 plus on-road costs, plus $495 for any colour except white, which totals $23,745 (plus orc) as-tested.
Equipment is up, with 16-inch alloy wheels standard, plus automatic on/off headlights, and an 8.0-inch touchscreen with digital radio, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, satellite navigation with live traffic and reverse-view camera all standard.