Comparison: 2020 Hyundai Elantra GT vs. 2020 Mazda3 Sport

2020 Hyundai Elantra GT  

Starting Price: $20,749*CDN 

Pros 

Loads of features and plenty of technology for the price 

Fun-to-drive ride and handling characteristics 

Generous 5-year/100,000-km bumper-to-bumper warranty 

Cons 

All-wheel-drive not available 

2020 Mazda3 Sport  

Starting Price: $21,300 CDN 

Pros 

Luxury-car level details 

Available all-wheel-drive 

Brilliant handling 

Cons 

Base engine could do with more power 

Hatchback’s love-it-or-leave-it styling 

Manual transmission can’t be matched with AWD 

2020 Hyundai Elantra GT 

The front-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door Elantra GT compares well with rival compact hatchbacks like the Mazda3 Sport. It does so by emphasizing luxury and safety aspects, generous standard equipment, styling influenced by upscale cars, plus an unbeatable 5-year/100,000-km comprehensive warranty. 

Clever packaging means the Elantra GT hatchback has a generous amount of passenger and cargo space. The overall picture is rosy for buyers who would like something bigger than the typical compact car, but don’t have the necessary funds. While lounging in the spacious cabin of the Elantra, we can appreciate the physical controls for things like the climate and audio systems, as opposed to scrolling through a bunch of sub-menus on a touch screen. 

2020 Mazda3 Sport 

Although price and size identify the 5-passenger, 4-door 2020 Mazda3 Sport hatchback as a compact/economy car, you’d never know it by its looks.  The 2020 Mazda3 continues with a sophisticated styling approach that remains dynamic without going over-the-top. The car’s interior is also a cut above the class leaders, with exquisite style, materials and attention to detail. 

The front- or optional all-wheel-drive Mazda3 boasts a long list of standard safety features as well as numerous options, ranging from a Bose audio system to wireless phone charging. And, while not as powerful as some competitors, the Mazda3 is an enjoyable driver’s car, with superb ride and handling characteristics and a quiet cabin. It can also be ordered with all-wheel drive, a feature found on very few of the Mazda3’s rivals. 

Final Recommendation 

Both of these Hyundai and Mazda compact hatches are near the top of the compact hatchback class. The 2020 Hyundai Elantra Sport is a solid choice for buyers looking for value, features, and rear cargo room. However, the 2020 Mada3 Sport is our pick due to its overall upscale demeanour and AWD availability.