2017 Hyundai Veloster vs 2017 Mazda MAZDA3

2017 Hyundai Veloster

2017 Mazda MAZDA3

Select style

Dual Clutch

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Veloster Dual Clutch	28	35	$18,500	$19,200
Veloster Manual	27	34	$17,454	$18,100
Veloster Turbo Dual Clutch	26	32	$22,631	$23,800
Veloster Turbo Dual Clutch w/Orange Accents	26	32	$22,631	$23,800
Veloster Turbo Manual	25	33	$21,505	$22,600
Veloster Turbo Manual w/Orange Accents	25	33	$21,505	$22,600
Veloster Turbo R-Spec Manual	25	33	$20,563	$21,600
Veloster Value Edition Dual Clutch	28	35	$20,525	$21,350

Select style

Grand Touring Automatic

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Mazda3 4-Door Grand Touring Automatic	27	36	$23,149	$24,195
Mazda3 4-Door Grand Touring Manual	25	34	$22,144	$23,145
Mazda3 4-Door Sport Automatic	28	37	$18,084	$18,895
Mazda3 4-Door Sport Manual	27	37	$17,080	$17,845
Mazda3 4-Door Touring Automatic	28	37	$20,568	$21,495
Mazda3 4-Door Touring Manual	27	37	$19,564	$20,445
Mazda3 5-Door Grand Touring Automatic	26	35	$23,864	$24,945
Mazda3 5-Door Grand Touring Manual	25	33	$22,862	$23,895
Mazda3 5-Door Sport Automatic	28	37	$19,278	$20,145
Mazda3 5-Door Sport Manual	27	37	$18,275	$19,095
Mazda3 5-Door Touring 2.5 Automatic	26	35	$22,431	$23,445
Mazda3 5-Door Touring 2.5 Manual	25	33	$21,429	$22,395
Mazda3 5-Door Touring Automatic	28	37	$21,284	$22,245

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$18,500

$23,149

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$19,200

$24,195

Monthly Payment Estimate

$320 / month

$403 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

6.3

Read Our Full Review

7.3

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

The 2017 Hyundai Veloster is a economy-car cake pop: it sounds like too much, but its hatchback sensibility really does taste better dipped in a layer of quirk.

The 2017 Mazda 3 is near the top of our favorite compact cars on sale today. Its good performance, good fuel economy, and good value make for a very good car.

TCC Likes

A cohesive design like no other
More practical than pure sports cars
R-Spec realizes Turbo's potential

Attractive exterior
Balanced chassis
Good base equipment

TCC Dislikes

Can be sluggish with base engine
Good gas mileage
Steering can be vague; on Turbos, heavy

Behind the times infotainment
Small-ish space
Mixed interior materials

Fuel Economy

City

28 mpg

27 mpg

Highway

35 mpg

36 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Compact Cars

Interior Dimensions

Passenger Volume (ft³)

89.8

96.3

Second Shoulder Room (in)

54.4

Front Leg Room (in)

43.9

42.2

Front Hip Room (in)

53.2

55.5

Passenger Capacity

Second Leg Room (in)

31.7

35.8

Front Head Room (in)

37.6

Second Hip Room (in)

52.6

53.5

Front Shoulder Room (in)

55.6

57.2

Second Head Room (in)

35.3

37.5

Exterior Dimensions

Height, Overall (in)

55.1

57.3

Track Width, Rear (in)

61.4

Wheelbase (in)

104.3

106.3

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

70.5

70.7

Track Width, Front (in)

61.5

61.2

Min Ground Clearance (in)

5.6

6.1

Length, Overall (in)

166.1

180.3

Cargo Area Dimensions

Cargo Volume with Rear Seat Down (ft³)

34.7

Cargo Volume with Rear Seat Up (ft³)

15.5

Trunk Volume (ft³)

12.4

Brakes

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

10.3

10.4

Brake Type

4-Wheel Disc

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

11.6

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

13.2

Steering

Steering Type

Rack-Pinion

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

34.1

34.8

Tires

Spare Tire Order Code

Rear Tire Size

P215/45HR17

P215/45WR18

Rear Tire Order Code

Front Tire Size

P215/45HR17

P215/45WR18

Spare Tire Size

Compact

Front Tire Order Code

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

2756

3100

Wheels

Rear Wheel Size (in)

17 X 7

18 X 7

Front Wheel Material

Aluminum

Spare Wheel Material

Steel

Front Wheel Size (in)

17 X 7

18 X 7

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Compact

Rear Wheel Material

Aluminum

Electrical

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

410

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

100

Engine

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

120 @ 4850

185 @ 3250

Engine Order Code

Displacement

1.6 L/97

2.5 L/152

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

132 @ 6300

184 @ 5700

Engine Type

Regular Unleaded I-4

Fuel System

Gasoline Direct Injection

Mileage

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Transmission

First Gear Ratio (:1)

3.62

3.55

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

4.94

3.39

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

1.30

1.45

Trans Type

Drivetrain

Front Wheel Drive

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.91

0.71

Trans Description Cont. Again

Reverse Ratio (:1)

4.70

3.89

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

1.96

2.02

Trans Order Code

D6GF1

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.92

1.00

Trans Description Cont.

Auto-Shift Manual w/OD

Automatic w/OD

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.69

0.60

Summary

Vehicle Name

Hyundai Veloster

Mazda Mazda3 4-Door

Body Style

Hatchback

Sedan

Suspension

Suspension Type - Rear

Torsion Beam

Multi-Link

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)