Compare the2022 Mazda 3VS 2022 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid

The Mazda 3 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Ioniq Hybrid doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The Mazda 3 has standard Whiplash Reducing Headrests, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash Reducing Headrests system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Ioniq Hybrid doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Mazda 3 Turbo Premium Plus has standard Smart Brake Support that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Ioniq Hybrid doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Mazda 3 offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Ioniq Hybrid doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The Mazda 3 Turbo Premium Plus has a standard 360-Degree Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Ioniq Hybrid only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

Both the Mazda 3 and the Ioniq Hybrid have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee 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, driver alert monitors, available blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Mazda 3 its highest rating: “Top Pick Plus” for 2021, a rating granted to only 74 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Ioniq Hybrid has not been fully tested, yet.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Mazda 3’s reliability 17 points higher than the Ioniq Hybrid.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Mazda first in reliability. Hyundai is ranked 6th.

The Mazda 3’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 16 more horsepower (155 vs. 139) than the Ioniq Hybrid’s 1.6 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The Mazda 3’s optional 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 47 more horsepower (186 vs. 139) than the Ioniq Hybrid’s 1.6 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The Mazda 3’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 111 more horsepower (250 vs. 139) and 125 lbs.-ft. more torque (320 vs. 195) than the Ioniq Hybrid’s 1.6 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Mazda 3 is faster than the Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid (automatics tested):

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Mazda 3 AWD non-turbo’s fuel efficiency. The Ioniq Hybrid doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

Both the Mazda 3 and the Ioniq Hybrid offer an available automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stop lights and heavy traffic. All Mazda 3s with automatic start/stop have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

The Mazda 3 FWD’s standard fuel tank has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Ioniq Hybrid (13.2 vs. 11.9 gallons).

For better stopping power the Mazda 3 AWD’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Ioniq Hybrid:

The Mazda 3 stops much shorter than the Ioniq Hybrid:

For better traction, the Mazda 3 has larger standard tires than the Ioniq Hybrid (205/60R16 vs. 195/65R15).

The Mazda 3 2.0/2.5 S’ standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Ioniq Hybrid’s standard 65 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Mazda 3 2.0/2.5 S has standard 16-inch wheels. Smaller 15-inch wheels are standard on the Ioniq Hybrid. The Mazda 3 Hatchback/Select/Preferred/Premium/Turbo’s 18-inch wheels are larger than the 17-inch wheels optional on the Ioniq Hybrid Limited.

The Mazda 3 has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Ioniq Hybrid; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The Mazda 3 Premium Sedan handles at .86 G’s, while the Ioniq Hybrid SEL pulls only .77 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Mazda 3 Premium Sedan executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.7 seconds quicker than the Ioniq Hybrid SEL (26.7 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .58 average G’s).

The Mazda 3 Sedan has .1 inches more front legroom and .8 inches more front hip room than the Ioniq Hybrid.

The Mazda 3 Auto 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 Ioniq Hybrid doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The Mazda 3 Premium/Turbo has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Ioniq Hybrid doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Mazda 3’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Ioniq Hybrid’s parking brake has to be released manually.

The Mazda 3’s front and rear power windows all 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 Ioniq Hybrid’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically. With the Ioniq Hybrid Limited’s power windows, only the front windows open or close automatically.

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

The Mazda 3’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Ioniq Hybrid’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

When the Mazda 3 Preferred/Carbon/Premium/Turbo is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Ioniq Hybrid’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Mazda 3’s optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Ioniq Hybrid offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

On extremely cold winter days, the Mazda 3 Turbo’s standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The Ioniq Hybrid doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Mazda 3 offers an available wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The Ioniq Hybrid doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Mazda 3 comes in sedan and four door hatchback bodystyles; the Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid isn’t available as a sedan.

Insurance will cost less for the Mazda 3 owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Mazda 3 will cost $1000 less than the Ioniq Hybrid over a five-year period.

The Mazda 3 will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Mazda 3 will retain 48.53% to 50.92% of its original price after five years, while the Ioniq Hybrid only retains 42.55% to 43.5%.

The Mazda 3 has won recognition from these important consumer publications:

The Mazda 3 outsold the Hyundai Ioniq by almost two to one during the 2021 model year.