Compare the2022 Hyundai VelosterVS 2022 Mazda 3

The Veloster has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. Only the Mazda 3 Select/Preferred/Carbon/Premium/Turbo offers a blind spot warning system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Veloster has a standard rear cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Only the Mazda 3 Select/Preferred/Carbon/Premium/Turbo has a rear cross-path warning system.

Both the Veloster and the Mazda 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, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras and driver alert monitors.

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

Hyundai’s powertrain warranty covers the Veloster 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Mazda covers the 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 Mazda 3 ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The Veloster’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Mazda 3’s (7 vs. 5 years).

Hyundai pays for scheduled maintenance on the Veloster 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 3.

There are over 52 percent more Hyundai dealers than there are Mazda dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Veloster’s warranty.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Veloster has a standard 150-amp alternator. The Mazda 3’s 130-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 above average in initial quality. With 28 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai third in reliability, above the industry average. With 31 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is ranked 12th.

The Veloster’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 120 more horsepower (275 vs. 155) and 110 lbs.-ft. more torque (260 vs. 150) than the Mazda 3’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Veloster’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 89 more horsepower (275 vs. 186) and 74 lbs.-ft. more torque (260 vs. 186) than the Mazda 3’s optional 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Veloster’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 25 more horsepower (275 vs. 250) than the Mazda 3’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Hyundai Veloster is faster than the Mazda 3 4 cyl. (manual transmissions tested):

As tested in Car and Driver the Hyundai Veloster is faster than the Mazda 3 (automatics tested):

An eight-speed automatic (SMG) is optional on the Hyundai Veloster, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the Mazda 3.

The Veloster offers an optional sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The Mazda 3 doesn’t offer an SMG.

To facilitate fast shifting and allow the driver to focus on the road, the Veloster has a standard up-shift light to indicate when the engine is approaching redline. The Mazda 3 doesn’t offer an up-shift light.

The Veloster Auto’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The Mazda 3 doesn’t offer launch control.

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

The Veloster’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Mazda 3 are solid, not vented.

The Veloster stops much shorter than the Mazda 3:

For better traction, the Veloster has larger tires than the Mazda 3 (235/35R19 vs. 205/60R16). The Veloster N’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Mazda 3 (235/35R19 vs. 215/45R18).

The Veloster’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Mazda 3 2.0/2.5 S’ standard 60 series tires. The Veloster’s tires are lower profile than the Mazda 3 Hatchback/Select/Preferred/Premium/Turbo’s 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Veloster has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Mazda 3 2.0/2.5 S. The Mazda 3’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

For superior ride and handling, the Hyundai Veloster 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 3 has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The Veloster has a standard driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The Mazda 3’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The Veloster has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Mazda 3 doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

The Veloster N handles at .99 G’s, while the Mazda 3 Premium Sedan AWD pulls only .83 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Veloster is 7.7 inches shorter than the Mazda 3 Hatchback, making the Veloster easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces. The Veloster is 1 foot, 3.6 inches shorter than the Mazda 3 Sedan.

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

The Veloster’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Mazda only offers heated mirrors on the Mazda 3 Carbon/Turbo.

Insurance will cost less for the Veloster owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the Veloster with a number “3” insurance rate while the Mazda 3 is rated higher at a number “8” rate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Veloster is less expensive to operate than the Mazda 3 because typical repairs cost less on the Veloster than the Mazda 3, including $20 less for a muffler, $22 less for front brake pads, $118 less for fuel injection, $152 less for a fuel pump and $96 less for a timing belt/chain.

The Veloster N was chosen as one of Automobile Magazine’s “All Stars” in 2019. The Mazda 3 has never been an “All Star.”