Hyundai Sonata vs Mazda CX-3
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular cars compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Hyundai Sonata scores higher, 67 vs 66
Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 12 Sep 2026, price 4 Nov 2026
Hyundai Sonata
25 of 27 standard · no option data · 2 no dataFrom
$57,000
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- Sedan
- Fuel type
- Petrol
- Engine
- Petrol
- Power
- 213kW
- Economy
- 8.1 L/100km
- Safety
- No data
- Boot (seats up)
- 480L
Top CarSorted Score, 67 vs 66, but the Mazda CX-3 is $29,200 cheaper
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Mazda CX-3
14 of 27 standard · no option data · 6 not offered · 7 no dataFrom
$27,800
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Petrol
- Engine
- 2.0 litre in-line 4 cylinder 16 valve DOHC S-VT petrol (Skyactiv-G) with i-stop
- Power
- 110kW
- Economy
- 6.3 L/100km
- Safety
- Not rated by ANCAP
- Boot (seats up)
- 264L
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
$57,000RRP
- no option data for this car
$27,800RRP
- cannot be matched: 360-Degree Camera, Keyless Entry, Premium Audio and 3 more not offered
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
Price and cost per week
Hyundai Sonata N Line
$57,000
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 8 Oct 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $240 a week in repayments ($57,000 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
Mazda CX-3 G20 Pure
$27,800
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 4 Nov 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $105 a week in repayments ($27,800 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
The Mazda CX-3 starts $29,200 lower on RRP.
On-road costs (stamp duty, registration, CTP and dealer delivery) depend on your state and the dealer; ask for a written drive-away price before you sign.
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Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$105/wk(≈$457/mo)
Estimate on the Mazda CX-3 at $27,800 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Paid from pre-tax salary with the running costs inside the lease. What it comes to depends on your salary and the term.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the Hyundai SonataDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Safety Rundown
We hold no ANCAP data for the Hyundai Sonata. ANCAP's published record does not give the Mazda CX-3 a rating. With no pair of ratings to compare, the active-safety features in the spec table above are the fairer comparison.
Driver assistance, as the manufacturer lists it
Driver assistance, system by system. We can confirm 7 of 10 key systems on the Hyundai Sonata and 4 on the Mazda CX-3.
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
Recalls on our record
Hyundai Sonata
- REC-006589 · published 20 Apr 2026Due to a software issue, the Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) may fail to illuminate the visual vehicle speed, fuel level and other critical safety information.Year range on the notice: 2025
- REC-005607 · published 24 Jan 2023Due to a programming issue, the “fail-safe” driving mode may not respond as intended when certain transmission faults are detected.Year range on the notice: 2020 - 2022
- REC-005043 · published 19 Jan 2022Due to a software issue with the Smart Junction Box (SJB) the turn signal may activate in the opposite direction from what the driver intended.Year range on the notice: 2014 - 2016
- 4 more on the model page.
Mazda CX-3
- REC-005733 · published 1 Aug 2023Due to a manufacturing defect, the rear-view camera wiring harness may become damaged and could cause the rear-view image to become distorted or flicker.Year range on the notice: 2013 - 2020
- REC-005009 · published 2 Dec 2021The low pressure fuel pump impeller may become deformed and cause the fuel pump to stop working.Year range on the notice: 2017 - 2019
- REC-000882 · published 15 May 2018If the engine is operated at high revs in an unloaded condition (either Park or Neutral) residual oil that may accumulate in the engine intake system may be drawn into the engine and result in an engine over run condition.Year range on the notice: 2015 - 2017
- 3 more on the model page.
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Feature Showdown
The Hyundai Sonata features a 12.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Mazda CX-3 gets a 8-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Hyundai Sonata stands out with Apple CarPlay, wireless charging, panoramic roof, heated front seats, ventilated seats, power tailgate, Bose audio and ambient lighting — features our data doesn't list for the Mazda CX-3. The Mazda CX-3 counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Hyundai Sonata gets suede & nappa leather upholstery while the Mazda CX-3 offers black cloth. Climate control is 2-zone in the Hyundai Sonata and 1-zone in the Mazda CX-3.
Equipment few rivals have, on either carShowHide
Drivetrain
The Hyundai Sonata uses a Petrol producing 213kW and 422Nm of torque, sent through a 8-speed wet dual-clutch (dct) to a FWD layout.
The Mazda CX-3 responds with a 2.0 litre in-line 4 cylinder 16 valve DOHC S-VT petrol (Skyactiv-G) with i-stop making 110kW and 195Nm, paired to a 6-speed automatic (skyactiv-drive) driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 10.9 seconds.
The Hyundai Sonata has the clear power advantage at 213kW vs 110kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Hyundai Sonata measures 4,910mm long on a 2,840mm wheelbase, 635mm longer than the Mazda CX-3 at 4,275mm (2,570mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Hyundai Sonata generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 480L in the Hyundai Sonata and 264L in the Mazda CX-3, giving the Hyundai Sonata a 216L advantage.
Neither U-turns in one sweep on a 7 m local street (both need a three-point turn); the Mazda CX-3's turning circle is 0.4 m tighter, 10.6 m against 11.0 m kerb to kerb. The street estimate is indicative, worked from the published turning circles.
Cost to own
At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Hyundai Sonata costs about $2,309 a year (8.1 L/100km) and fuel for the Mazda CX-3 about $1,796 a year (6.3 L/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh. That is $513 a year less for the Mazda CX-3.
Warranty: 7 years / Unlimited (Hyundai Sonata) and 5 years / Unlimited (Mazda CX-3).
Where each one leads
The Hyundai Sonata: more power (213kW against 110kW), the bigger boot with the seats up (480L against 264L) and the longer warranty (7 years against 5).
The Mazda CX-3: the lower starting price ($27,800 against $57,000) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($1,796 a year against $2,309).
The Verdict
Hyundai Sonata scores higher, 67 vs 66
The Hyundai Sonata scores 67 to the Mazda CX-3's 66 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 3 of the 5 spec rows that separate them. The biggest gaps: technology (Hyundai Sonata ahead by 35 points), performance (Hyundai Sonata ahead by 18 points), fuel economy (Mazda CX-3 ahead by 16 points). At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Mazda CX-3 costs about $513 less (6.3 L/100km against 8.1 L/100km, at $1.90 a litre). Boot space with the seats up: 480L in the Hyundai Sonata, 264L in the Mazda CX-3. Warranty: 7 years on the Hyundai Sonata, 5 on the Mazda CX-3.
Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$105/wk(≈$457/mo)
Estimate on the Mazda CX-3 at $27,800 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Paid from pre-tax salary with the running costs inside the lease. What it comes to depends on your salary and the term.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the Hyundai SonataDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Hyundai Sonata and Mazda CX-3?
The Mazda CX-3 is the cheapest at $27,800 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Hyundai Sonata by $29,200.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Mazda CX-3 uses the least fuel at 6.3L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
ANCAP's published record does not give a rating to Mazda CX-3, and we hold no ANCAP data for Hyundai Sonata, so there is no crash result to compare.
Which has the most boot space?
The Hyundai Sonata has the largest boot at 480L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The Mazda CX-3 has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,200kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Hyundai Sonata makes the most power at 213kW.
Track the Hyundai Sonata & Mazda CX-3
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How to read this page. Prices, specifications, ANCAP ratings, warranty, the CarSorted Score and the verdict come from our records for the grades shown, sourced from the manufacturers' Australian documents, and change when those records change; the date each was last checked is printed under the headline. Prices are recommended retail prices before on-road costs unless marked drive-away. A plug-in hybrid's fuel figure is labelled with its basis: with a full battery (the certified combined figure) or as a hybrid (battery depleted). Charging and running costs are estimates on the stated assumptions. Always confirm price and specification with the manufacturer or dealer before you buy. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
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