Compare the2022 Hyundai Tucson HybridVS 2021 Mazda CX-3

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

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 Hybrid 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 Hybrid 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.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Tucson Hybrid. But it costs extra on the CX-3.

The Tucson Hybrid 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 Hybrid’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 Hybrid and the CX-3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras and rear cross-path warning.

The Hyundai Tucson Hybrid weighs 650 to 901 pounds more than the Mazda CX-3. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts. Crosswinds also affect lighter cars more.

Warranty

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

Hyundai pays for scheduled maintenance on the Tucson Hybrid 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 Hybrid’s warranty.

Reliability

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 Hybrid’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 78 more horsepower (226 vs. 148) and 112 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 146) than the CX-3’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Tucson Hybrid gets better fuel mileage than the CX-3:

			MPG
Tucson Hybrid
	AWD	Blue 1.6 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	38 city/38 hwy
		1.6 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	37 city/36 hwy
CX-3
	FWD	2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	29 city/34 hwy
	AWD	2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	27 city/32 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the Tucson Hybrid’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The CX-3 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Tucson Hybrid’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. (Start/Stop isn’t accounted in present EPA fuel mileage tests.) The CX-3 doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Tucson Hybrid has 1.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the CX-3 AWD’s standard fuel tank (13.7 vs. 11.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Tucson Hybrid has a gallon more fuel capacity than the CX-3 FWD’s standard fuel tank (13.7 vs. 12.7 gallons).

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Tucson Hybrid	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

Tires and Wheels

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

The Tucson Hybrid SEL/Limited’s 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 Hybrid Blue has standard 17-inch wheels. Only 16-inch wheels are available on the CX-3. The Tucson Hybrid SEL/Limited has standard 19-inch wheels.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid 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 Hybrid 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 Hybrid has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Tucson Hybrid 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 Hybrid’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 Hybrid is 3.7 inches wider in the front and 4.1 inches wider in the rear than the track on the CX-3.

Passenger Space

The Tucson Hybrid has 20.3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the CX-3 (107.9 vs. 87.6).

The Tucson Hybrid 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 Hybrid’s rear seats recline. The CX-3’s rear seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

The Tucson Hybrid has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the CX-3 with its rear seat up (38.8 vs. 17.8 cubic feet). The Tucson Hybrid has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the CX-3 with its rear seat folded (74.5 vs. 42.7 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the Tucson Hybrid’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, just waiting momentarily behind the back bumper can open the Tucson Hybrid SEL Convenience/Limited’s power liftgate, leaving your hands completely free. The Tucson Hybrid’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 Hybrid has a 2000 lbs. towing capacity. The CX-3 has no towing capacity.

Ergonomics

The Tucson Hybrid 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 Hybrid 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 Hybrid 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 Hybrid and the CX-3 have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Tucson Hybrid 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 Hybrid’s front power windows open or close fully with one touch of the switches, 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 Hybrid’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 Hybrid 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 Hybrid’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 Hybrid’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 Hybrid 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.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Tucson Hybrid Limited 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 Hybrid 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 Hybrid’s standard 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 Hybrid and the CX-3 offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Tucson Hybrid 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 Hybrid SEL Convenience/Limited has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The CX-3 doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Tucson Hybrid 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.