Toyota Corolla v Hyundai i30 v Mazda 3 Comparison Test | Drive.com.au

As the brand new Toyota Corolla enters the market it faces some strong competition from the 2018 Mazda 3 and 2018 Hyundai i30. So which small hatch should you buy? And can the 2018 Toyota Corolla remain Australia's favourite hatchback?
---------------------------------------------------------------
Drive is Australia's most authoritative source of information for consumers researching to buy a new car.
With a dedicated team of experts, Drive is committed to providing independent informative car reviews and comparisons of the newest vehicles in Australian showrooms.
We welcome lively debate and all opinions so feel free to comment below, and if you have any questions we will be quick to answer them.
Subscribe to Drive.com.au for news and reviews on the latest cars released.
Subscribe: kzbin.info?sub_c=
Instagram: drivecomau
Facebook: Drive.com.au/
Newsletter: www.drive.com.au/newsletter

[@thethespian5757]

Mazda 3 been fighting these new cars since 2014 and still manages to look better/ just as good. Can't wait for the new generation Mazda 3 next month. ❤❤❤

[@DriveAndBeDriven]

Great comparison review! I am surprised by how well the Mazda3 can still compete with the all-new entries in the compact hatchback segment. I can't wait for its full redesign coming very soon! All three hatches in this review are very well designed, but the Mazda3 definitely is showing its age from some angles. From one car reviewer to another, keep up the great work!

[@stevebullman1832]

Ponch - great review. Excellent comments. Good commentary and humour. Practicality comments on top of the NVH and performance comments about nailed every aspect of the car buying Venn diagram for me. Keep it up. Cant wait until you're established as the next Clarkson.

[@malcolmscott4150]

Mr Ponch! Yay you’re back - sadly missed from Wheels - looking forward to more no BS reviews

[@reko3103]

Excellent review sir...

[@pregardt]

I have the i30 active for 10 month now and I am loving it! I don't have any problem with the rear suspension. It is an ok trade off for a bigger boot. I like the tech inside too. It is a fun little/mid hatch

[@pregardt]

@@nessuno5403 what do you mean exactly?

[@pregardt]

@@nessuno5403 yep. As i mentioned i love my car and the ride quality is pretty good. Still the independent suspension would be a level up and they offer it on the more sporty SR.

[@tommyfree5677]

True. The Elite in the video has classy leather seats even better!

[@TheNacropolice]

No day time running lights? My old Mazda3 (USA) 2014 sport had day time running lights (the halogen closest to the grill). Also, while road noise was a thing, it never felt terrible. Granted, I don't care at this point, I upgraded to a Mazda6 Signature.

[@connor708]

Nice review! and even better reviewer

[@caradvice]

Thanks Connor

[@ayungspeed]

Mazda 3 look stunning and sporty

[@johnhammond9743]

This review has a few issues, first at the start you say the Mazda starts from $27,490 and the Toyota is only $400 more and the i30 only "just shy of a grand more", yet later in the video you show the pricing as Mazda $27,690, i30 as $27,790 while the Corolla is actually a much higher $28,370. In fact the Mazda own site lists the Touring as only $25,490 so you could have spec'd up to a SP25 for this comparison. Not to mention looking on stuff like carsales a Mazda 3 Touring is only $27,490 drive away (you could get a drive away near top spec 3 SP25 GT from only $30,500) The i30 Elite driveaway cost is $31,180 (or $31,316.69 from their own site) while the Toyota Corolla SX Hybrid is $32,845 driveaway ($31,921 from their own site)

[@Philbyyyy]

True but a Corolla SX non hybrid would be $1500 cheaper. If it was me i would go the i30 SR premium though!

[@timjenkins8538]

I'd go for the i30 given its mobile connectivity and ACC but that might change with the release of the new Mazda 3 at the LA Auto show next month

[@INUMIMI28]

Putting proper spare wheel instead of inflation kit is stupid?? man you high?

[@mvillegas7419]

nice camera work.

[@7amido12]

Agree, so subtle but on point

[@psyberiusblack]

The Mazda3 Touring gets 18” wheels and the 2.5L engine here in the States. Makes it stand out even further from the other two on this list 👍

[@User-cb4jm]

They have a equivalently priced model called the SP25 that forgoes some luxuries like the leather seats but adds the 2.5L engine and 18in wheels. Wonder if that’s the true equivalent to the US Touring. Beyond that, here it steps up to the GT with the Bose audio, LED headlights, heated seats, head up display, and then finally the Astina which is a GT with a sunroof and adds some safety tech.

[@brucekendall52]

Good one,thks.

[@hardcoreep]

Really, a full-sized spare, but no height adjustable passenger seats. Wow, how cars are different in various markets.

[@MLife1972]

Great review. Thanks. I wanted to like the Corolla but I sat in one at the dealer and found the boot completely unacceptable. Not only is it small, but the steep angle of the rear glass made the limited space not very practical either which defeats the purpose of a hatch. Unlike the reviewer, I found the rear seating very claustrophobic and dark. Maybe it was the dark headliner, but I couldn't wait to get out of it.

[@Philbyyyy]

back seat feel so tight. Im only 174cm and i felt i didnt have much headroom on the side seats. Leg room i was ok with.

[@User-cb4jm]

The new Mazda3 also feels the same - small boot, cramped rear seat and claustrophobic. Definitely would opt for the sedan - Mazda for me, looks much better than the frumpy Corolla sedan. IMO the Corolla looks better in hatch form and the Mazda in a sedan. Shame since the old Mazda3 hatch (as pictured in the review) looks better than the new one.

[@michaelduong3852]

people are always going to find a way to hate on the toyota, but the fact is, it is a good car! all the cars here are, it just depends on what people look for. but i swear toyota better not bring out the GR corolla with a hybrid because i would be furious! they need a turbo charged engine!

[@mansourq.689]

When the Corolla GRmn comes out , it will be like 90s era when Toyota released Celica Gt, Supra TT, Mr2. Like the good old days. Well done Toyota keep up the good work.

[@PaulHojda]

Why would you want "big extended dash, extended roof line"?? I personally hate cars with cab-forward design. I hate when the windshield is meters away from you. It make it look like you're looking out of portholes. and the A-pillars, being so far forward, often impede visibility. Also, the extended roof makes it harder to see traffic lights. I love the Mazda's cab-backwards design. It looks better proportioned to the rest of the car, and improves visibility.

[@miatand1156]

Excellent review. Please note I run a fleet of cars and I believe there is a vast difference in ownership experience. mazda might have flocks of people feeling the need to repeat the oft told story of they make good cars and are on a roll etc. But even their now longer warranty won't help you. They have so many faults but won't recognise them at all here. You will become enemy no. 1 if you dare suggest you are not happy with the dodgy service and will deny fair claims. I will never again look at buying another. I suggest anyone who must have one, buy it second hand as you'll get it cheaper and won't be paying for a worthless warranty. Toyota are good and quite refined and much cheaper to service but again that company has tickets on itself and won't accept you telling them their cars are not perfect or has defects. Our family and many of our friends are loyal Hyundai and Kia fans. Why?, because not only are the cars they make a lot better in many demonstratable ways, the ownership experience would make Rolls Royce owners envious. Really, really I hope everyone gets behind such great company ethos and the others learn it's easy to loose customers when they get shafted.

[@stendecstretcher5678]

One of the best reviews I have seen lately. There are a lot of crap motoring journos out there.

[@caradvice]

Thank you Stendec👍

[@bayleetaylor2082]

It definitely would have been better to see the i30 SR in this comparison. Independent rear suspension and a more potent turbocharged engine!

[@MLife1972]

I think the reviewers have to try and get the cars evenly specced. If you got the i30 SR, then you'd also have to put it against the 2.5 litre Mazda 3.

[@aja2588]

...and definitely not against a hybrid + CVT ...

[@jacksonboyd]

Baylee Taylor yeah I agree! I really want to see a comparison between the now hyundai n-line against the Mazda sp25 and an evenly priced Toyota Corrolla.

[@milordas]

wrong, this one model of corolla hatchback does not have BSM. only xse have

[@murraysumpter4236]

Missing from this small hatch review are.. Astra hatch RV Focus Sport

[@stendecstretcher5678]

They were probably left out because they are shitboxes.

[@michaelduong3852]

im pretty sure they were left out because the dealers did not want to lend them a car for the time... they may lend it to them on another day, just not on that particular day.

[@frostmelody]

stop showing us the dude's face and show us some interior shots... it's a car review not a man review.

[@edreyez484]

Wtf about this DRL? Does it make big difference as a whole?

[@akie64]

Good review and good to see the venerable Corolla back on top. Personally, as much as I like the Mazda, it is starting to age despite still looking good. As for the i30, boring AF.

[@valitocardoso4643]

Why didn't I find this review before? 😭😭

[@aja2588]

Dynamic personality + invisible overtaking punch = frustration.

[@alierikenoglu8006]

Corolla using 50% less fuel... that's all I need to know :)

[@alierikenoglu8006]

@@nessuno5403 dear nes, YOU should know that the Carolla hybrid requires MUCH less maintenance and the hybrid battery pack will last well over 350,000 km with no problem (Toyota's warrantee depends on the country you are in).

[@alierikenoglu8006]

@@nessuno5403 ... I own 3 Prius models. A 2004 with 243,000 miles, a 2006 with 129,000 miles and a 2014 Prius V with 108,000 miles. On all 3 cars have a synthetic oil change at 10,000 miles; brakes, sparkplugs and coolant at 100,000 miles and trans fluid every 50,000 miles (all approximate figures +/- less than 200 miles). I have had 0 problems with them all. They are the best vehicles I have ever owned in my life (and I've owned quite a few). And yes, if I decided to operate a taxi service, I would use these three cars and would guarantee you that I would achieve 350,000 miles on each of them...no problem. And by the way, Toyota hybrids have the highest resale values of any vehicles and are considered the best used cars to buy by any number of rating agencies.

[@alierikenoglu8006]

@@nessuno5403 ...no, in US :(

[@FeelFree3]

@@alierikenoglu8006 Although you think Toyota corolla is more reliable but in Australia Hyundai i30 offers 7 years warranty while Toyota Corolla only offers 5 years,.

[@alierikenoglu8006]

@@FeelFree3 with the Hyundai, you will NEED the warranty. With the Toyota you won't. The Hyundai will give you many more problems and burn more fuel :) Also, I'll bet that the Toyota will be worth much more money in the future than the Hyundai. Think about which is the better vehicle :)

[@baboom007]

I30 has a lot of options that comes for standard and is cheaper. Anyway, stupid comparison

[@adamb1629]

umm yeah the i30 totally shits over both these cars hands down. The review doesn't even talk about 'ownership', which should probably come into your decision. i30 comes with 5ys unlimited kms warranty (and with capped price servicing for the life of the car). Toyota only has 3yrs/100,00 kms. I am both a Toyota and an Hyundai owner. Looks like someone had an all expenses paid trip to Japan before this review lol

[@minisherl]

There are so many errors in this video. Very misleading

[@Toyota4Life]

Toyota > the rest

[@mansourq.689]

Always

[@ozwasp]

This guy doesn't understand what "popular" means... It means well liked, not common

[@frostmelody]

toyota's interior just looks cheap and tacky with all that hard plastic and black gloss. Mazda's interior is more luxury, classy and slimline.

[@gavinpowell8538]

Not my favourite small hatch

[@jordanjablonski664]

Corolla 😍😍😍😍😍

[@thewhiteEagle]

where is fiat tipo hatchback ??? tipo beautiful than those

[@BillySmith808]

This reviewer is hot af 🔥🔥🔥

[@TheJosephayal]

Mazda's are unreliable, toyota makes the best cars, hyunda are better than mazda

[@meownmazda1]

Daddy 😍

[@REPOMAN24722]

If only the i30 had a smaller flywheel, mazda better build quality especially paint defects and Toyota wouldn't be so overpriced for what it is, no boost at this price range not good, needs GDI and boost, lack of torque all around, weak as piss. Out of the three the Hyundai is best, but Octavia would be best.

[@nkosicollier4984]

Corolla is good but I'll take a full sized spare wheel over a donut anyday. Hyundai to d 🌍🙌🏿

[@baboom007]

What a stupid review. Hyundai is 5000 euros cheaper. How can you compare

[@ridef0rlife]

Ever heard of you get what you pay for?

[@nitinrbhat]

Mazda 3 is such an overrated car