To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Elantra has standard Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning with Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist, systems which detect vehicles approaching from the sides and can automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. Only the Mazda3 Turbo Premium Plus offers Rear Cross Traffic Braking.

Both the Elantra and the Mazda3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available rear parking sensors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Hyundai Elantra is safer than the Mazda3:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Hyundai Elantra is safer than the Mazda3:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The Elantra 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 Elantra 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 Mazda3 ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The Elantra's corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Mazda3's (7 vs. 5 years).

Hyundai pays for scheduled maintenance on the Elantra for 3 years and 36,000 miles. Hyundai will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Mazda doesn't pay scheduled maintenance for the 3.

There are over 55 percent more Hyundai dealers than there are Mazda dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Elantra's warranty.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Elantra has a standard 150-amp alternator. The Mazda3's standard 100-amp alternator isn't as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Elantra third among compact cars in their 2024 Initial Quality Study. The Mazda3 isn't in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates' 2024 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 third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 70 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is ranked 29th, below the industry average.

On the EPA test cycle the Elantra gets better mileage than the Mazda3 Sedan:

On the EPA test cycle the Elantra gets better mileage than the Mazda3 Hatchback:

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Elantra SE's engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Mazda3 doesn't offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Hyundai Elantra uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Mazda3 with the 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder engine requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The Elantra has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Mazda3 doesn't offer a CVT.

The Elantra stops shorter than the Mazda3:

For better traction, the Elantra SEL Sport/Limited's tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Mazda3 (225/45R17 vs. 215/45R18).

The Elantra 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 Mazda3 doesn't offer variable-assist power steering.

The Elantra Limited handles at .85 G's, while the Mazda3 Carbon Edition Sedan AWD pulls only .79 G's of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Elantra Limited executes Motor Trend's “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.1 seconds quicker than the Mazda3 Carbon Edition Sedan AWD (27 seconds @ .63 average G's vs. 28.1 seconds @ .58 average G's).

The Hyundai Elantra may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 350 to 550 pounds less than the Mazda3.

As tested by Car and Driver while at idle, the interior of the Elantra Limited is quieter than the Mazda3 Premium Hatchback (35 vs. 40 dB).

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Elantra a Mid-size car, while the Mazda3 is rated a Compact.

The Elantra has 6.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Mazda3 Sedan (99.4 vs. 92.8).

The Elantra has 2.6 inches more front headroom, .8 inches more front shoulder room, 2.9 inches more rear legroom and 2.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the Mazda3 Sedan.

The Elantra has a larger trunk than the Mazda3 Sedan (14.2 vs. 13.2 cubic feet).

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Elantra SEL Sport/Limited's trunk can be opened just by waiting momentarily behind the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Mazda3 doesn't offer a hands-free gesture to open its trunk, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

The power windows standard on both the Elantra and the Mazda3 have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Elantra is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Mazda3 prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

Consumer Reports rated the Elantra's headlight performance “Fair,” a higher rating than the Mazda3's headlights, which were rated “Poor.”

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Hyundai Elantra will be $3037 to $7404 less than for the Mazda3.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Elantra second among compact cars in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner's expectations. The Mazda3 isn't in the top three.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Elantra as the 2021 North American Car of the Year. The Mazda3 has never been chosen.

The Hyundai Elantra outsold the Mazda3 by over four to one during 2023.