Compare the2022 Hyundai TucsonVS 2021 Mazda CX-3

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Tucson are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The CX-3 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Tucson Limited has standard Reverse Collision-Avoidance Assist that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The CX-3 doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Tucson Limited has a standard Around View Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The CX-3 only offers a rear monitor and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the front or sides.

The Tucson’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The CX-3 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Tucson and the CX-3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

Warranty

The Tucson comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The CX-3’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Hyundai’s powertrain warranty covers the Tucson 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Mazda covers the CX-3. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the CX-3 ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The Tucson’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the CX-3’s (7 vs. 5 years).

Hyundai pays for scheduled maintenance on the Tucson for 3 years and 36,000 miles. Hyundai will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Mazda doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the CX-3.

There are over 50 percent more Hyundai dealers than there are Mazda dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Tucson’s warranty.

Reliability

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Tucson has a standard 150-amp alternator. The CX-3’s 100-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2020 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are better in initial quality than Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai 10th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 31 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is ranked 22nd, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai 7th in reliability, above the industry average. With 20 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is ranked 14th.

Engine

The Tucson’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 39 more horsepower (187 vs. 148) and 32 lbs.-ft. more torque (178 vs. 146) than the CX-3’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

Fuel Economy and Range

In heavy traffic or at stop lights the Tucson’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The CX-3 doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Tucson has 2.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the CX-3 AWD’s standard fuel tank (14.3 vs. 11.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Tucson has 1.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the CX-3 FWD’s standard fuel tank (14.3 vs. 12.7 gallons).

Transmission

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the Hyundai Tucson, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the CX-3.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Tucson’s brake rotors are larger than those on the CX-3:

	Tucson	CX-3	CX-3 AWD
Front Rotors	12.8 inches	11 inches	11.6 inches
Rear Rotors	12 inches	11.1 inches	11.1 inches

The Tucson stops shorter than the CX-3:

	Tucson	CX-3
60 to 0 MPH	130 feet	135 feet	Consumer Reports
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	131 feet	148 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Tucson has larger tires than the CX-3 (235/65R17 vs. 215/60R16).

The Tucson’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the CX-3’s 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Tucson has standard 17-inch wheels. Only 16-inch wheels are available on the CX-3. The Tucson offers optional 19-inch wheels.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Hyundai Tucson has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Mazda CX-3 has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The Tucson has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The CX-3’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The Tucson has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Tucson flat and controlled during cornering. The CX-3’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Tucson’s wheelbase is 7.3 inches longer than on the CX-3 (108.5 inches vs. 101.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Tucson is 3.7 inches wider in the front and 4.1 inches wider in the rear than the track on the CX-3.

For greater off-road capability the Tucson has a 2.2 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the CX-3 (8.3 vs. 6.1 inches), allowing the Tucson to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The front grille of the Tucson uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The CX-3 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Passenger Space

The Tucson has 20.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the CX-3 (108.2 vs. 87.6).

The Tucson has 1.7 inches more front headroom, 2.2 inches more front hip room, 4.1 inches more front shoulder room, 2.3 inches more rear headroom, 6.3 inches more rear legroom, 4.9 inches more rear hip room and 5.6 inches more rear shoulder room than the CX-3.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Tucson’s rear seats recline. The CX-3’s rear seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

The Tucson has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the CX-3 with its rear seat up (38.7 vs. 17.8 cubic feet). The Tucson has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the CX-3 with its rear seat folded (80.3 vs. 42.7 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the Tucson’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The CX-3 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Tucson’s power liftgate can be opened just by waiting momentarily behind the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Tucson’s power liftgate can also be opened or closed by pressing a button. The CX-3 doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening liftgate.

Towing

The Tucson has a 2000 lbs. towing capacity. The CX-3 has no towing capacity.

Ergonomics

The Tucson has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The CX-3 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

When two different drivers share the Tucson Limited, the memory seats make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position. The CX-3 doesn’t offer memory seats.

The Tucson Limited’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The CX-3 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The power windows standard on both the Tucson and the CX-3 have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Tucson is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The CX-3 prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Tucson SEL/N Line/Limited’s front power windows open fully with one touch of the switches, and the driver’s window also automatically closes, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The CX-3’s passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

On a hot day the Tucson’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the CX-3 can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Proximity Key standard on the Tucson SEL/N Line/Limited allows you to unlock the driver’s door, cargo door and start the engine all without removing a key from pocket or purse. This eliminates searching for keys before loading groceries, getting in the vehicle in bad weather or making a hurried start to your trip. The Mazda CX-3’s Pushbutton Start doesn’t unlock the doors or the cargo door.

The Tucson’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The CX-3’s power window (except driver window) and power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Tucson SEL/N Line/Limited’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. The CX-3 doesn’t offer heated side mirrors.

The Tucson SEL/N Line/Limited has standard heated front and second row seats (second row heated seats on Limited) extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated seats aren’t available in the CX-3.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the Tucson (except SE) keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The CX-3 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the Tucson Limited’s standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The CX-3 doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Tucson (except SE)’s optional dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The CX-3 doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

Both the Tucson and the CX-3 offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Tucson SEL/N Line/Limited has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The CX-3 doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Hyundai Tucson (except SE) offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The CX-3 doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Tucson Limited’s Remote Smart Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Smart Park Assist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The CX-3 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Hyundai Tucson and the Mazda CX-3, based on reliability, safety and performance.

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