Over the past few years there has been a quantum shift in Australian car buying preferences. The once dominant Holden and Ford large sedans have slipped out of favour, with smaller models from Toyota, Mazda and Hyundai variably swapping first place for the past 5-6 years. We’ve put two of these models to the test – The Hyundai i30 Active and the Mazda 3 Maxx.

Inside and out

While dimensionally similar, the Mazda has a sleeker, sportier appearance with its longer bonnet and slightly lower roofline. The more upright Hyundai is still a handsome car, if a bit less special looking than the Mazda – particularly in white.

In terms of seating for the driver, both are fully adjustable and it’s easy to find a good driving position. It’s hard to split the two for passenger space, the i30 has a narrow edge in headroom over the Mazda due to its more upright packaging but there isn’t much between them.

Boot space is where things get interesting. The i30 wins for space with the rear seats up or down, though few will find the Mazda’s boot small. The lower boot floor in the Mazda makes loading awkward or heavy items easier on the back, but the i30 has a deeper boot overall.

Infotainment

The Hyundai’s touch-screen interface with smartphone mirroring capability is a major drawcard in its value equation. However the Mazda’s MZD Connect system takes the win with its Euro-inspired rotary controller, superior graphics and standard satellite navigation. The Mazda also has superior sound quality from its six-speaker stereo.

Both enjoy Bluetooth connectivity and streaming capability as well as USB and auxiliary ports. Pairing a phone is a straight forward task in either, and both have answer and hang-up buttons on the steering wheel. A deciding factor may be the Mazda’s CD player that is only available in the pricier i30 SR. The Hyundai counters that with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which will be irresistible to some.

With more overall user-friendliness, better sound quality and satellite navigation as standard, the Mazda is the clear winner in this area.

The drive

Hyundai spends a lot of time and energy making sure the cars we get are painstakingly tuned to Aussie conditions. In isolation, the Hyundai is pleasing to drive and will definitely surprise drivers with lingering preconceptions of the brand. Ultimately, though, the cheap tyres throw in the towel earlier than the Mazda, which proves to be the more engaging drive of the pair.

Ownership

This has always been one of Hyundai’s drawcards and one that has contributed in no small way to the Hyundai’s success here. It has a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty against the Mazda’s three-year/unlimited km, and 15,000km service intervals against the Mazda’s 10,000km.

The Hyundai’s services are capped at $219, while the Mazda alternates between $298 and $325. Hyundai also offers a generous roadside assistance package while Mazda Roadside assistance is an annual subscription service.

Fuel consumption is quoted at 5.8L/100km for the Mazda and 7.3L/100km for the Hyundai. In reality, there is not much in it with the Mazda averaging 7.2L/100km on test and the Hyundai at 7.5L/100km.

Safety

It’s easy to see why both vehicles score the maximum 5 Stars from ANCAP, with seven airbags in the Hyundai and six in the Mazda along with traction and stability control you can be confident you’ll be looked after should the worst happen.

Braking is also strong in both vehicles, with each offering excellent pedal feel and both stopped from 100km/h in less than 40 metres in our testing. But it’s the Mazda that edges ahead for safety with front and rear collision mitigation included as standard across the Mazda 3 range.

Summary

Both offer compelling reasons to buy. The Hyundai has a larger more practical cabin, slightly better pick up plus offers superior servicing costs and after sales care. It is a very well rounded package and it’s easy to see why so many find homes across Australia.

The Mazda, however, is quieter, slightly quicker and more accomplished in terms of handling. Include the superior infotainment system, and its wins us over for value and driving experience. It’s telling that the i30 will be replaced with an all-new model in the middle of 2017, time will tell if the Mazda can hold onto this victory.

Important Information: Information in this article is current as at 17 February 2017 and is subject to change. The information is general in nature, does not take into account the particular objectives or financial situation of any potential reader and is for information purposes only. FleetPlus does not represent or guarantee that the information is accurate or free from errors or omissions.