The Ultimate Showdown: 2025 Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra and Mazda3 Go Head-to-Head

While mid-size sedans may no longer be the most popular segment in the market, they still hold their appeal for a specific set of customers.

Below is a comparison of three of the latest low-slung C-segment models: the 2025 Honda Civic, 2025 Hyundai Elantra, and Mazda 3.

Diverse Powertrains

Among the three mentioned vehicles, the Elantra offers the most comprehensive range of engine options. The standard model is equipped with a 2.0L 4-cylinder gasoline engine, producing 147 horsepower. There’s also a hybrid variant that combines a 1.6L gasoline engine with an electric motor, delivering 139 horsepower.

The Elantra N Line offers enhanced performance with a 1.6L turbocharged engine, generating 201 horsepower, paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The high-performance Elantra N boasts a 2.0L turbocharged engine, producing 276 horsepower. This version offers two transmission choices: a 6-speed manual or an 8-speed dual-clutch with the N Grin Shift mode, boosting the output to 286 horsepower.

2025 Hyundai Elantra. Image: Hyundai.

The 2025 Honda Civic features three engine choices. The standard model is fitted with a 2.0L 4-cylinder gasoline engine, producing 150 horsepower. The hybrid version combines a gasoline engine with two electric motors, resulting in a total output of 200 horsepower.

There’s also a sports-oriented variant, the Civic Si, which employs a 2.0L turbocharged gasoline engine, generating 200 horsepower, coupled with a 6-speed manual transmission.

Although the Mazda3 lacks a hybrid option like its two rivals, it’s the only car in this comparison to offer all-wheel drive. The standard model utilizes a 2.5L engine, delivering 191 horsepower. Additionally, there’s a turbocharged 2.5L variant that produces 227 horsepower. All Mazda3 models come standard with a 6-speed automatic transmission.

Hyundai Elantra HEV: The Most Fuel-Efficient

Among the three cars, the hybrid variants of the Elantra and Civic offer the lowest fuel consumption rates. Specifically, the Civic HEV achieves approximately 4.7 liters/100 km in city driving and around 5 liters/100 km on the highway. Meanwhile, the Elantra hybrid consumes roughly 4.8 liters/100 km in city driving and 4.5 liters/100 km on the highway.

However, according to a real-world test by Car and Driver magazine, at speeds of around 120 km/h, the Elantra demonstrated superior fuel efficiency. The Civic HEV Sport Touring recorded a fuel consumption rate of approximately 5 liters/100 km, while the Elantra HEV achieved 4.9 liters/100 km.

2025 Honda Civic HEV.

When it comes to gasoline engines, both the Civic and Elantra exhibit similar fuel consumption rates, ranging from around 7.3 liters/100 km in city driving to 5.7 liters/100 km on the highway. The Elantra 2.0L has a fuel consumption rate of approximately 7.8 liters/100 km in city driving and 6 liters/100 km on the highway.

The Mazda3, with its more powerful engine, is the least fuel-efficient of the three. It consumes approximately 8.7 liters/100 km in city driving and 6.3 liters/100 km on the highway for the front-wheel-drive version. The all-wheel-drive model consumes around 9 liters/100 km in city driving and 6.72 liters/100 km on the highway.

In a real-world test, the all-wheel-drive Mazda3 achieved a fuel consumption rate of approximately 6.5 liters/100 km when cruising on the highway.

Honda Civic Excels in Space

While none of the three sedans offer ample space, they all provide comfortable legroom for the driver and front passenger, with up to 1,074 mm of legroom. The key difference lies in the rear legroom. The Elantra offers 965 mm of rear legroom, slightly more than the Civic (950 mm) and Mazda3 (891 mm).

Interior of Hyundai Elantra 2025 (left) and Honda Civic 2025 (right). Images: Honda, Hyundai.

The trunk space of the Civic and Elantra is quite similar, ranging from 402 to 419 liters. However, the hatchback variant of the Honda Civic offers the most cargo space, with a capacity of 693 liters.

On the other hand, the Mazda3 falls behind in terms of cargo capacity, with a trunk space of only 373 liters. The hatchback version of the Mazda3 provides a more generous cargo area, measuring 569 liters.

Hyundai Elantra: The Most Affordable

As they belong to the same C-segment sedan category, the starting prices of these three vehicles are quite comparable. The Elantra has the lowest starting price, at approximately 23,320 USD, followed by the Mazda 3 at 25,335 USD, and the Honda Civic at around 25,400 USD.

If you’re interested in the hybrid variants, the Elantra Hybrid Blue and Civic Sport HEV are priced at 26,645 USD and 28,950 USD, respectively.

2025 Mazda3. Image: Marc Urbano/Car and Driver.

In the Vietnamese market, the Elantra is the most affordable C-segment sedan, with prices ranging from 579 to 699 million VND for the standard versions. The Nline variant is slightly more expensive, at 769 million VND. The Mazda3 is priced between 599 and 739 million VND for the sedan version and 659 to 719 million VND for the hatchback variant.

The Honda Civic, on the other hand, is the most expensive of the three, with prices ranging from 789 to 889 million VND for the gasoline-powered models. The recently launched Honda Civic RS e:HEV, introduced in October 2024, carries a price tag of 999 million VND.

You may also like

The Green Revolution: Are Hybrid Cars a Smart Investment or a Costly Gamble?

In the midst of fluctuating fuel prices and a growing consumer consciousness towards economical and eco-friendly choices, hybrid vehicles are emerging as a notable trend in the Vietnamese market.

The New American Tax: Honda’s Civic ‘House Move’

The Japanese automotive giant, Honda, has made a strategic decision to focus its production of the iconic Honda Civic in the United States, opting against shifting operations to Mexico.

Check Out Honda Prelude’s Stunning “In-the-Metal” Design: A Civic-Like Interior

The Honda Prelude will be available in select global markets, including Japan, Europe, and North America, later this year.

“Honda Vietnam Unveils April 2025 Promotions: Exclusive Deals and Offers on Your Favorite Honda Models.”

“Honda Vietnam is thrilled to announce that we have partnered with our trusted network of distributors to offer an exciting promotional program from April 1st to April 30th, 2025. We aim to provide our valued customers with even more opportunities to experience the joy of driving our Honda automobiles and creating memorable journeys. Join us on this exciting ride and discover the Honda difference!”

The All-New Honda: Experience the Ultimate Driving Pleasure in Vietnam. No More Discounts, but an Unforgettable Journey Awaits. April 2025.

In April 2025, only three Honda models – the CR-V, Civic, and BR-V – are offered with official discounts.