2012 Hyundai Elantra vs 2012 Mazda MAZDA3

2012 Hyundai Elantra

2012 Mazda MAZDA3

Select style

4-Door Sedan Automatic GLS

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Elantra 4-Door Sedan Automatic GLS	28	38	$17,010	$17,595
Elantra 4-Door Sedan Automatic GLS PZEV	28	38	$17,010	$17,595
Elantra 4-Door Sedan Automatic Limited	28	38	$19,727	$20,595
Elantra 4-Door Sedan Automatic Limited PZEV	28	38	$19,727	$20,595
Elantra 4-Door Sedan Manual GLS	28	38	$14,918	$15,345
Elantra Touring 4-Door Wgn Automatic GLS	23	30	$16,685	$17,195
Elantra Touring 4-Door Wgn Automatic SE	23	30	$19,443	$20,295
Elantra Touring 4-Door Wgn Manual GLS	23	31	$15,539	$15,995
Elantra Touring 4-Door Wgn Manual SE	23	31	$18,687	$19,495

Select style

4-Door Sedan Automatic i Grand Touring

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Mazda3 4-Door Sedan Automatic i Grand Touring	28	40	$21,568	$22,550
Mazda3 4-Door Sedan Automatic i Sport	24	33	$16,443	$17,555
Mazda3 4-Door Sedan Automatic i Touring	24	33	$17,749	$18,950
Mazda3 4-Door Sedan Automatic s Grand Touring	22	29	$21,603	$23,070
Mazda3 4-Door Sedan Automatic s Touring	22	29	$20,134	$21,500
Mazda3 4-Door Sedan Manual i SV	25	33	$14,771	$15,200
Mazda3 4-Door Sedan Manual i Sport	25	33	$15,648	$16,705
Mazda3 4-Door Sedan Manual i Touring	25	33	$16,952	$18,100
Mazda3 4-Door Sedan Manual s Grand Touring	20	28	$20,854	$22,270
Mazda3 4-Door Sedan Manual s Touring	20	28	$19,385	$20,700
Mazda3 5-Door HB Automatic i Grand Touring	28	39	$22,141	$23,150
Mazda3 5-Door HB Automatic i Touring	28	39	$19,274	$20,150
Mazda3 5-Door HB Automatic s Grand Touring	22	29	$22,071	$23,570
Mazda3 5-Door HB Automatic s Touring	22	29	$20,600	$22,000
Mazda3 5-Door HB Manual Mazdaspeed3 Touring	18	25	$22,191	$23,700
Mazda3 5-Door HB Manual i Touring	27	38	$18,462	$19,300
Mazda3 5-Door HB Manual s Grand Touring	20	28	$21,322	$22,770
Mazda3 5-Door HB Manual s Touring	20	28	$19,852	$21,200

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$17,010

$21,568

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$17,595

$22,550

Monthly Payment Estimate

$293 / month

$376 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

8.2

Read Our Full Review

8.2

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

The 2012 Hyundai Elantra has officially left the Civic and Corolla in the dust, thanks to a 38-mpg gas mileage rating, a sleek look, and tremendous value for the money.

With its new Skyactive powertrains, the 2012 Mazda3 is the eco-conscious choice that sure doesn't drive like one.

TCC Likes

Stunning design and details
Great gas mileage
Refined, quiet cabin

Excellent handling and stability
Class-leading steering feel
Nicely configured interior

TCC Dislikes

Sluggish throttle response
Rear headroom is tight
Steering's better, not best

Optional moonroof limits headroom
Base and s still have mediocre gas mileage
Road noise

Fuel Economy

City

28 mpg

Highway

38 mpg

40 mpg

Vehicle

Number of Passenger Doors

EPA Classification

Midsize cars

Compact

Interior Dimensions

Second Hip Room (in)

52.7

52.2

Front Shoulder Room (in)

55.9

54.9

Passenger Volume (ft³)

95.6

94.1

Second Head Room (in)

37.1

37.5

Second Shoulder Room (in)

54.8

54.0

Front Leg Room (in)

43.6

42.0

Passenger Capacity

Front Hip Room (in)

53.5

53.7

Second Leg Room (in)

33.1

36.2

Front Head Room (in)

40.0

38.9

Exterior Dimensions

Track Width, Front (in)

61.0

60.4

Min Ground Clearance (in)

5.5

4.7

Length, Overall (in)

178.3

180.9

Height, Overall (in)

56.5

57.9

Track Width, Rear (in)

61.5

59.8

Wheelbase (in)

106.3

103.9

Liftover Height (in)

- TBD -

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

69.9

69.1

Cargo Area Dimensions

Trunk Volume (ft³)

14.8

11.8

Brakes

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

4-wheel

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

10.3 x - TBD -

10.4 x - TBD -

Brake Type

Pwr

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

11.0 x - TBD -

10.9 x - TBD -

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

12.8

14.5

Steering

Steering Ratio (:1), Overall

14.2

16.2

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

34.8

34.2

Steering Type

Pwr Rack & Pinion

Lock to Lock Turns (Steering)

2.9

2.94

Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft)

35.8

Tires

Rear Tire Order Code

Front Tire Size

P205/55R16

P205/50VR17

Spare Tire Size

T125/70D16

Front Tire Order Code

Spare Tire Order Code

Rear Tire Size

P205/55R16

P205/50VR17

Trailering

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

- TBD -

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

- TBD -

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

2701

2950

Wheels

Front Wheel Size (in)

16 x 6.0

17 x 7.0

Spare Wheel Size (in)

16 x - TBD -

Rear Wheel Material

Steel

Aluminum

Rear Wheel Size (in)

16 x 6.0

17 x 7.0

Front Wheel Material

Steel

Aluminum

Spare Wheel Material

Steel

Cooling System

Total Cooling System Capacity (qts)

2.2

7.9

Electrical

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

- TBD -

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

100

Engine

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

131 @ 4700

148 @ 4100

Engine Order Code

Displacement

1.8L/110

2.0L/122

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

148 @ 6500

155 @ 6000

Engine Type

Gas I4

Fuel System

Electronic Fuel Injection

Mileage

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

Transmission

Clutch Size (in)

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

1.83

1.45

Trans Type

Drivetrain

Front Wheel Drive

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.00

0.70

Trans Description Cont. Again

Reverse Ratio (:1)

3.44

- TBD -

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

2.72

2.02

Trans Order Code

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

3.06

3.89

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.39

1.00

Trans Description Cont.

Automatic w/manual shift

Automatic

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.77

0.59

First Gear Ratio (:1)

4.40

3.55

Summary

Vehicle Name

Hyundai Elantra

Mazda Mazda3

Body Style

4 Door Sedan

Suspension

Shock Absorber Diameter - Front (mm)

- TBD -

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front (in)

0.9

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Rear

Torsion Axle

Multi-link

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

w/Coil Springs

Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear (mm)

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Front

MacPherson Strut

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear (in)

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

w/Coil Springs

Emissions

Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year

- TBD -

4.5

Crash Test Ratings

Overall Rating

Overall Frontal Barrier Crash Rating

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Driver

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Passenger

Overall Side Crash Rating

Side Barrier Rating

Side Barrier Rating Driver

Side Barrier Rating Passenger Rear Seat

Side Pole Rating Driver Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Rear Seat

Rollover Rating

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