2025 Hyundai Venue vs 2026 Mazda 3

$20,200 · Hatchback

$24,550 · Sedan

Comparison Overview

Choosing between the agile, budget-friendly 2025 Hyundai Venue and the upscale, powerful 2026 Mazda 3 presents a classic trade-off: do you prioritize savings and maneuverability, or refined performance? The Venue starts at a tempting $20,200, significantly undercutting the Mazda 3's $24,550 price tag, offering immediate savings of $4,350. However, the Mazda 3 counters with a robust 186 hp, dwarfing the Venue's 121 hp, which will certainly be felt during highway merges. While the Venue boasts slightly better overall fuel economy at 31 combined MPG versus the Mazda's 30 MPG, the Venue compensates for its lack of space with a surprisingly high 18.7 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Mazda's 13.2 cu ft. Ultimately, the decision hinges on whether the extra 65 horsepower in the Mazda is worth the premium over the Venue's superior urban utility and lower cost of entry.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Hyundai Venue

The Venue is shorter at 159.1 inches, making it easier to navigate and park in dense urban environments.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Hyundai Venue

The Venue offers more usable hauling space with 18.7 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Mazda 3's 13.2 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Mazda 3

The Mazda 3 delivers significantly more grunt, offering 186 lb-ft of torque versus the Venue's 113 lb-ft.

💰 Best Value

2025 Hyundai Venue

The Venue offers a substantially lower entry price point at $20,200 while still delivering an impressive 31 combined MPG.

Choose the Hyundai Venue if...

Your budget is firm, as the Venue starts $4,350 lower at $20,200.
You frequently carry bulky items, benefiting from the hatchback's 18.7 cu ft cargo capacity.
Your driving is mostly stop-and-go city traffic where the compact 159.1-inch length is advantageous.

Choose the Mazda 3 if...

You desire substantially more driving engagement, thanks to the 186 hp engine.
You prefer the smooth, direct shifts of a 6-speed automatic over a continuously variable transmission.
You need superior highway cruising stability provided by the slightly longer 183.5-inch sedan body.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Hyundai Venue	Mazda 3
Length	159.1"	183.5"
Width	69.7"	70.7"
Height	61.6"	56.9"
Wheelbase	99.2"	107.3"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Hyundai	Mazda
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	✓	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Drum Brakes	✓	—
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Headrests	3	3
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Blind Spot Monitor	—	✓
Lane Departure Warning	—	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	—	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	—	✓
Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags	—	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	—	✓
Brake Preparation System	—	✓
LED Headlights	—	✓
Daytime Running Lights	—	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Hyundai	Mazda
Base Engine Displacement	1.6 L	2.5 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	121 hp @ 6300 rpm	186 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque	113 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm	186 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
Number of Valves	16	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Hyundai	Mazda
Transmission Type	continuously variable-speed automatic	6-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	front wheel drive

Fuel

Feature	Hyundai	Mazda
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	29/32 MPG	27/36 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	31 MPG	30 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	345.1/380.8 mi.	356.4/475.2 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	11.9 gal.	13.2 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Hyundai	Mazda
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Cruise Control	✓	—
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	—
Single Zone Climate Control	✓	✓
Interior Air Filtration	✓	—
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Push Button Start	—	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	—	✓
Rear Door Pockets	—	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Hyundai	Mazda
Infotainment Display	8.0 in	8.8 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	6	8
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Android Auto (Wired)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	—	✓

Power Feature

Feature	Hyundai	Mazda
Remote Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓
One-Touch Power Windows	—	4

Frontseats

Feature	Hyundai	Mazda
Front Head Room	39.4 in.	38.0 in.
Front Leg Room	41.3 in.	42.3 in.
Front Shoulder Room	53.9 in.	55.7 in.
Front Hip Room	52.1 in.	54.6 in.
Seat Material: Cloth	✓	✓
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	6-way	6-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	4-way	4-way

Rearseats

Feature	Hyundai	Mazda
Rear Head Room	38.6 in.	37.3 in.
Rear Leg Room	34.3 in.	34.4 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	53.7 in.	53.5 in.
Rear Hip Room	43.5 in.	50.9 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Hyundai	Mazda
Wheel Material	Alloy	Alloy
Wheel Size	15 x 6.0 in	16 x 6.5 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	185/65R15	205/60R16
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Inside Mounted

Suspension

Feature	Hyundai	Mazda
Front Suspension Type	Independent	Independent
Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓

Warranty

Feature	Hyundai	Mazda
Basic Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	10 yr./ 100000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	7 yr./ unlimited mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	5 yr./ unlimited mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	—

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Hyundai Venue and 2026 Mazda 3.

How much more powerful is the 2026 Mazda 3 compared to the 2025 Hyundai Venue?

The Mazda 3 holds a significant advantage in performance, boasting 186 horsepower compared to the Venue's 121 horsepower. This difference of 65 hp means the Mazda will accelerate much more readily on the open road.

Which vehicle is better for hauling cargo between these two models?

Despite being a smaller hatchback, the 2025 Hyundai Venue wins the cargo battle with 18.7 cubic feet of space. The sleeker 2026 Mazda 3 sedan only offers 13.2 cubic feet behind its rear seats.

Is the fuel economy significantly different for daily commuting?

The difference is marginal, but the 2025 Venue squeaks out a win with 31 combined MPG (29 city/32 highway). The 2026 Mazda 3 achieves 30 combined MPG (27 city/36 highway).

What is the primary trade-off when deciding between the Venue's low MSRP and the Mazda 3's features?

The main trade-off is saving $4,350 upfront with the Venue versus gaining 65 extra horsepower and a more premium sedan feel with the Mazda 3.

Are either of these vehicles available with All-Wheel Drive?

Based on the specifications provided, both the 2025 Hyundai Venue and the 2026 Mazda 3 in these specific trims utilize Front Wheel Drive exclusively.

How do the dimensions affect ease of parking?

The Hyundai Venue is significantly more compact, measuring 159.1 inches long and 61.6 inches high. The Mazda 3 is a full sedan at 183.5 inches long, requiring more space for parallel parking maneuvers.