Mazda MAZDA3 vs Hyundai Elantra GT

Verdict: The 2024 Mazda3 delivers luxurious levels of styling and performance despite coming from an automaker that is often cross-shopped against mass-market rivals. Consider this car an entry-level Audi rather than a Toyota competitor.

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If you’re looking for a reliable car for daily transportation, a sedan may seem like the obvious choice. As you've probably noticed, the conventional four-door has been losing ground in recent years, supplanted by small crossover SUVs. However, if you’re looking for a third option as a daily driver, a hatchback could be the ideal route.

Hatchbacks provide more usable cargo space than sedans, but retain the sporty driving dynamics and fuel efficiency you lose with a crossover. Hatchbacks also cost less than your typical crossover SUV. A hatchback like the 2018 Hyundai Elantra GT exists in that perfect sweet spot of enjoyability, affordability, and practicality.

Hyundai has done hatchbacks before, starting with many of its early entries in the North American market. More recently, Hyundai introduced the hip Veloster, as well as a hatchback version of the previous-generation Elantra, also called the Elantra GT.

But that Elantra GT felt more like an afterthought, born out of convenience and a need to expand the lineup. It didn’t feel fully developed and went largely unnoticed. But the new 2018 Elantra GT is a standout small car, and it's perfectly suited to compete with the likes of the Volkswagen Golf, Ford Focus hatch, and Subaru Impreza wagon.