Hatchbacks are now safer than cars priced three times higher

Good things come in small packages.

Especially when it comes to new car purchases, with affordable hatchback options now just as safe—in some cases safer—than the more expensive, larger models.

The latest model Mazda 3 range may start from a $24,990 price tag but they come stacked with more safety features than models well over $100,000.

And it set a record score for Adult Occupancy Protection in the Australasian New Car Assessment (ANCA) Program, with 37.5 out of 38 possible points (98 percent).

"The physical protection offered by the popular-selling Mazda 3 was excellent," ANCA chief executive James Goodwin said.

The results in crash testing mean that the Mazda 3 outperformed the BMW X5 (89 percent), the Jaguar I-Pace (91 percent) and even the Mercedes-Benz A-Class hatchback (96 percent).

Safety is a major priority for the car manufacturer, Mazda Australia managing director Vinesh Bhindi said, with improvements made to the quality of the steel used and the seat design across the Mazda 3 range.

"Safety is at the forefront of Mazda’s approach to vehicle design; ensuring our cars are equipped with the best in safety technology is a basic criteria," he said.

Affordable hatchbacks proving to be safer models is becoming a trend, after the Toyota Corolla finished in the top three of ANCAP safety tests in 2018.

It finished with a five-star rating, along with the Mercedes-Benz A-Class and Holden Acadia.

"The safety improvements provided in this latest generation Corolla are remarkable, and highlights that top safety performance is accessible and affordable," ANCAP chief executive James Goodwin said.