Compare the2022 Hyundai VenueVS 2021 Mazda CX-3

The Venue’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.

Compared to metal, the Venue’s plastic fuel tank can withstand harder, more intrusive impacts without leaking; this decreases the possibility of fire. The Mazda CX-3 has a metal gas tank.

Both the Venue 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, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Hyundai Venue is safer than the Mazda CX-3:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

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

Hyundai pays for scheduled maintenance on the Venue 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 Venue’s warranty.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Venue has a standard 110-amp alternator. The CX-3’s 100-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 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 8th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 28 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is ranked 23rd, 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.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Hyundai Venue is faster than the Mazda CX-3:

The Venue has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The CX-3 doesn’t offer a CVT.

The Venue stops much shorter than the CX-3:

The Venue SEL/Denim’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 Venue SEL/Denim has standard 17-inch wheels. The CX-3’s largest wheels are only 16-inches.

The Venue 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.

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Venue is .8 inches wider in the front and 1.4 inches wider in the rear than the track on the CX-3.

For better maneuverability, the Venue’s turning circle is 1.6 feet tighter than the CX-3’s (33.2 feet vs. 34.8 feet).

The Hyundai Venue may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 pounds less than the Mazda CX-3.

The Venue is 9.2 inches shorter than the CX-3, making the Venue easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Venue has 4.3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the CX-3 (91.9 vs. 87.6).

The Venue has 1 inch more front headroom, .4 inches more front shoulder room, 1.4 inches more rear headroom and 3.3 inches more rear shoulder room than the CX-3.

The Venue has a larger cargo volume than the CX-3 with its rear seat up (18.7 vs. 17.8 cubic feet).

The Venue (except SE) offers a 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.

The power windows standard on both the Venue and the CX-3 have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Venue 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 Proximity Key with Push Button Start standard on the Venue 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 Venue’s power lock 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) switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Venue 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 Venue Limited has standard heated front seats, which keep the driver and front passenger extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated seats aren’t available in the CX-3.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Hyundai Venue will be $556 to $1679 less than for the Mazda CX-3.

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

The Hyundai Venue outsold the Mazda CX-3 by almost five to one during the 2021 model year.